The east coast of Mauritius draws visitors for its long sandy shores, shallow lagoon waters, and a cluster of coastal towns that serve as gateways to nearby islets and inland natural features. This page outlines where the eastern side sits on the island, what the island known as Île aux Cerfs is like and how visitors typically reach it from the mainland, what to expect at Belle Mare and Trou d’Eau Douce, the character of waterfalls inland from the eastern shore, and practical tips to shape a visit focused on the eastern region.
Where is East Mauritius
The eastern part of the island runs along a stretch of coastline characterized by extended beaches and a calm lagoon environment. This coastal band faces open ocean but is sheltered in many places by a coral rim that creates shallow, clear waters close to shore. That combination of long sandy stretches and a protected lagoon gives the east a distinct seaside profile compared with other coasts of the island.
Along this side of the island, small coastal settlements serve as access points for sea and land activities. These communities are linked by coastal roads and by local paths that run down to the sand. From the shoreline, the landscape rises gradually inland toward vegetation and hills where rivers find their way toward the sea, shaping small ravines and cascades as they descend.
Visitors exploring the east will notice a contrast between the wide open beaches and the narrower waterways further inland. The coastal plain is where beachgoing and water departures concentrate, while the interior offers pockets of green crossed by streams that feed features such as waterfalls. The mix of beach and riverine landscapes is a defining trait of the eastern sector.
Île aux Cerfs
Île aux Cerfs is an island off the eastern shore that is frequently singled out for its shallow lagoon and sandy fringe. It sits close to the coast and is often the target of day trips by people staying along the east. The island’s reputation stems from its clear, shallow waters and the easy visual of sand banks and turquoise shallows that surround its shoreline.
Access to this island is commonly made by small sea crossings originating from a coastal village on the east. Boats leave the mainland shore and cross the narrow channel to land visitors directly on the island’s beaches or on nearby sandbanks. The short crossing makes the island a natural option for a half-day or day excursion from the eastern coastline.
Once ashore, visitors typically find a combination of sheltered lagoon swimming areas and open sandy stretches. The lagoon close to the island is known for its shallow depth in places, which creates calm water suitable for relaxed paddling or wading. The island’s shoreline forms a compact loop of sand and reef, offering walks along the beach and sheltered spots to sit above the waterline.
Belle Mare and Trou d’Eau Douce
Belle Mare is a long public beach on the east coast that extends along a generous stretch of sand. Its open character and long shoreline make it well suited for walkers who want to cover distance along the sand, and for visitors seeking broad beach surfaces rather than smaller coves. The public nature of the beach means access is straightforward from nearby points along the coast.
Trou d’Eau Douce is a coastal village positioned on the east and plays a practical role for visitors heading out to nearby islets and for local river excursions. The village acts as a shore base where small craft gather before short sea crossings to islands off the coast. The setting combines a village atmosphere with immediate access to the water, so it functions as a convenient staging point for coastal outings.
The proximity between Belle Mare and Trou d’Eau Douce places both within easy reach of the east’s main coastal attractions. One can move from the long sands of Belle Mare to the more service-oriented harbor area of Trou d’Eau Douce in a short coastal transfer. This offers the option to combine long beach time with boat-based activities that depart from the village shore.
Inland waterfalls
Behind the coastal plain of the east, rivers run down from higher ground and create natural waterfalls as they cross rock steps and narrow channels. These cascades sit within verdant pockets of the island’s interior and are fed by the inland river network that drains toward the eastern shore. The waterfalls form part of a landscape that shifts rapidly from beach to green ravine.
Reaching these waterfalls typically involves short inland transfers from the coastal zone into valleys crossed by the rivers. Once in the river valleys, visitors encounter a greener environment, with flowing water and rocky stretches where waterfalls have formed. The water courses themselves originate higher on the island and, as they approach the coast, carve small drops and pools that give the region its freshwater features.
The contrast between the open sea and sheltered river gorges is pronounced: the coastal sands lead almost immediately to inland channels where water gathers, falls, and pools. Those interested in both shoreline time and brief inland nature walks will find the east’s waterfall pockets to be a complementary counterpoint to the beaches.
Planning your time in the east
A visit focused on the eastern coast can split naturally between shoreline relaxation and short excursions. A typical approach is to allocate separate segments for beach time and for a boat trip to the nearby island, while reserving a portion of a day for an inland stroll to view waterfalls. This balance lets visitors enjoy the island’s shallow lagoon waters, long sandy walks, and freshwater features without needing to rush.
For beach enthusiasts, the long sands provide ample space to move along the waterline, find quieter stretches, or stay close to the village hubs where access to boat departures is straightforward. Those keen on experiencing the island off the coast can plan a single crossing from the mainland that places them on the island’s sandy shore and in its shallow lagoon environment for swimming and short explorations.
If combining coastal and inland experiences, arrange a route that moves from a morning visit to the shoreline or an island crossing to an afternoon inland walk toward the waterfalls. The inland sections are generally brief transfers from the coast and reward visitors with green settings and the sound of flowing water, which contrasts with the seashore ambience.
Practical considerations for any plan include choosing which coastal point to base from and allowing time for short transfers along the coast. The east’s layout makes it practical to use one village as a departure point for sea crossings and to access nearby beaches and inland river valleys. Selecting a sequence that places island or boat time away from planned inland walking helps avoid backtracking along the coastline.
What to expect on arrival and moving around
Arrival on the east coast brings immediate access to open, sandy beaches and to sheltered lagoon waters close to shore. Coastal paths and minor roads connect the main village points with beach access, and small transfer movements along the shore are the usual way to link one beach to another. From a visitor’s perspective, the east offers the simplicity of extended sandlines paired with the practicality of village departure points for short sea crossings.
Moving inland from the shore leads quickly to greener terrain crossed by rivers. The waterfalls lie within these river corridors and are reachable through short inland excursions. The change from sand to stream is a feature of the east: the coastal plain gives way to sharper relief and vegetation as the rivers descend toward the sea, creating a mix of seaside and freshwater scenery within easy reach of each other.
Overall, the eastern coast presents a compact set of experiences: long public beaches, a small island with a shallow lagoon situated just off the coast, a coastal village that acts as a departure hub, and inland river valleys with waterfalls. Visitors assembling a visit can combine beach time, a short island crossing, and a freshwater walk without needing extensive travel across the island.
Suggested next step
- Decide whether to prioritize extended beach time or to include a short island crossing.
- Plan to link a coastal departure point with an inland waterfall visit to experience both seaside and freshwater settings.
- Allow flexible time to move between Belle Mare, Trou d’Eau Douce, and nearby inland valleys so the visit can flow without rush.