Why and where to live in the West of Mauritius?

In the West, mountains loom over the bays, the pace of life slows down, and the skin turns golden as the sun sets on the horizon. The western region is increasingly rivaling the North as a popular living destination for expatriates. This is due to its unique blend of maintaining authenticity while modernising its infrastructure. The West, with its sunny, dry, and wind-sheltered climate, is quite enticing. Wilder than the North and the Centre, but more developed than the East and the South, it is the ideal locale for hiking and watersport enthusiasts who also seek easy access to modern conveniences.

Mountainous landscapes bordering the beaches

The West of the island is characterised by magnificent mountainous landscapes bordering the coastline and a wilderness that sometimes resembles an African savannah, sometimes a lush forest. 

The Morne Brabant mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Black River Gorges, La Tourelle and Chamarel are all playgrounds for hiking enthusiasts. The beaches of Flic en Flac, Tamarin, La Preneuse and Le Morne each have their own character.

The western region certainly offers the most beautiful sunsets in Mauritius, giving rhythm to the lives of the inhabitants of the West who enjoy getting together with friends for a sundowner at Tamarin Bay, La Preneuse or Flic en Flac beach.

From Pointe aux Sables to Le Morne Brabant

At Pointe aux Sables and Albion, you will enjoy the peace and quiet of village life, close to Mauritians and far from tourists and expatriates. Rental prices are very reasonable for the west coast, although Albion is growing in popularity. You will be as close as possible to Port Louis and the Centre.

The coastal town of Flic en Flac, with its turquoise lagoon lined with distinctly Mauritian beach stalls, is a favorite among tourists and young expatriates. Though quiet during the weekdays, it bustles with life over the weekends. Rental prices are equally reasonable here. Only a short distance away, the Cascavelle-based Smart City of The West is under development. It features a shopping centre, a sports complex, international schools and offices.

Further south, the fishing villages of Tamarin and Rivière Noire are attracting a growing number of expatriates, lure by the natural beauty of the area and its laid-back atmosphere. As a result, rental fees in this region are the most expensive on the island, and the choice of amenities are rapidly expanding: sports and cultural activities, several supermarkets, diverse quality restaurants, private health establishments, schools and more. Expatriates will find an active lifestyle here, close to the surrounding mountains and the sea, with all modern infrastructures right at their doorstep.

Ten kilometres to the south, the residential village of La Gaulette sits at the foot of the Chamarel mountain. With a small shopping centre and a few typical restaurants, this unspoilt village is the place of choice for kite-surfers who want to reach Le Morne in just a few minutes. What's more, rental prices are still very affordable.

Activities and leisure

The West is the perfect place to practice sports, both on land and at sea. 

The western mountains provide an incredible playground for hiking, trail running, and biking enthusiasts. Golfers can enjoy two stunning 18-hole courses in Tamarin and Le Morne. 

Ocean lovers won't feel left out either. They can indulge in scuba diving or fishing, while kite-surfers and wind-surfers can experience more than 300 days of ideal wind conditions yearly on the lagoon and the waves of one of the world's most beautiful spots, Le Morne.

The West provides a venue for all your interests due to its expanding array of sports and cultural facilities. Activities such as padel, tennis, rugby, football, fitness, boxing, swimming, horse-riding, yoga, dance, music lessons, theatre, and drawing are all within your reach. If you live anywhere from Flic en Flac to La Gaulette, all these pursuits are accessible within a short 15-minute drive.

Your weekends in the West 

At weekends, treat yourself to a boat trip with friends or family to the lagoon of Le Morne, head to l'Île aux Bénitiers, opt for a dolphin watch cruise in Tamarin or look for sperm whales off the coast of Le Morne. For a relaxing day out, treat yourself to a sunbathing session at Le Morne beach - one of the most beautiful on the island - at La Preneuse or at Flic en Flac beach. 

For thrills, take a seaplane flight over the island, meet the wild animals at Safari Adventures or push your limits at the Casela, Lavilleon and Gros Cailloux adventure parks.

In terms of cultural exploration, you can uncover the salt pans of Tamarin, visit the Martello tower at La Preneuse, pay homage at the Slave Route memorial at Le Morne Brabant, experience the Land of Seven Colours, rum tasting at La Rhumerie de Chamarel, and delve into the unique Curious Corner museum in Chamarel.

Go on a shopping spree in Cascavelle, Ruisseau Créole, Cœur de Ville or discover the designers shops of the West. 

In the evening, dance the night away or enjoy a live concert in the many bars and clubs in Flic en Flac, at Awanam and Big Willy's in Tamarin or Enso's in La Gaulette.

Working and living in the West

While more and more companies are setting up offices in the West, particularly around The West in Cascavelle, you will have to spend time on the roads to reach the island's other business centres: 30 to 40 minutes for Phoenix, 35 to 50 minutes for Ebène and Moka and over an hour for Port Louis. Expect traffic to slow down during rush hour, although the development of the MetroExpress and the expansion of strategic roads should ease traffic congestion in the years to come.

In short, choose the West if you are looking for:
• An active lifestyle close to nature, between the mountains and the ocean
• The convenience of modern infrastructures 
• Quiet weekdays, lively life at weekends