Why and where to live in the North of Mauritius?

As the most popular tourist destination on the island and the number one destination for expatriates, the North is a picture postcard.

Do you dream of a life close to the sea, with boat trips and days on the beach, while maintaining a rich social life with the convenience of nearby amenities? Then the North is for you! A favourite region for expatriates, the North is home to a dynamic international community of young people, families and retirees. You will find it easy to settle in and make the most of everything on offer.

In the North, the bays stretch for kilometres of fine white sand and turquoise water. While Grand Baie and the surrounding seaside areas are quite urbanised, the rest of the coast is home to charming fishing villages and a succession of hotels.

Inland, the sugar heritage is still very much alive, with sugar-cane fields and old estates transformed into vibrant places to live, notably at Beau Plan and Labourdonnais. The North is also home to typically Mauritian villages such as Pamplemousses, Triolet and Goodlands, which come alive around their markets and places of worship, and have preserved the remains of old buildings.

Where to live in the North?

When choosing a town or village, consider its distance from Grand Baie, the bustling hub of the North. The further you are from Grand Baie, the quieter life becomes, but your travel time to amenities will increase accordingly.

Grand Baie, the "capital" of the North

Grand Baie, is a coastal resort with all the pros and cons that come with it. The infrastructure here is well-developed and Europeanised, with numerous restaurants, bars and shops. Grand Baie is a lively place! While accommodation is relatively affordable, beachfront options are limited.

From Grand Baie to the northwest

Heading down the northwest coast from Grand Baie, you will find a string of villages. Pointe aux Canonniers is a posh neighbourhood featuring beautiful houses, some with ocean views. Rental properties are more expensive here, but it is the price of tranquillity while remaining just a few minutes from Grand Baie. Mont Choisy, also at the entrance to Grand Baie, is developing rapidly. It is home to a magnificent 18-hole golf course (the only one in the North!), one of the region's most stunning beaches, as well as a mall. Further south, Trou aux Biches is a more affordable option, popular with expat retirees. Pointe aux Piments offers charm and tranquillity, but requires an extra few minutes' drive to reach amenities. Towards Port Louis, Balaclava is growing in popularity with new residential neighbourhoods emerging — a good option if you work in the Centre or the capital.

From Grand Baie to the northeast

Back in Grand Baie, heading northeast along the coastal road you will pass through Pereybère, Cap Malheureux, Calodyne and Grand Gaube. Pereybère, renowned for its public beach, is developing rapidly while still offering relative calm in close proximity to Grand Baie. Cap Malheureux is a quieter option, best known for its red-roofed church and its preserved local charm. Further east, Calodyne and Grand Gaube offer a break from the tourist hustle for a more authentic experience. Choose Calodyne for a family-friendly setting some fifteen minutes from Grand Baie, or Grand Gaube for an immersion in this unspoilt fishing village.

If living right by the sea is not your priority, the inland areas of the North are a good option, close to all amenities, schools and workplaces. The former sugar estate of Beau Plan and the residential neighbourhoods around Petit Raffray, Saint Antoine, Belle Vue or Mont Piton offer a peaceful lifestyle just minutes from the coast.

Working from the North

Many companies are based in the North, mainly around Twenty-Foot Rd, Forbach & The Vale, the Domaine de Labourdonnais, the Beau Plan Smart City, and towards Arsenal. If you work in Port Louis, Moka, or Ebène, expect a drive of 30 to 45 minutes from Grand Baie, and potentially much longer during rush hour.

Leisure, sport and culture: what to do in the North?

As the island's leading tourist hub, the North has something for everyone.

The ocean is a vast playground: kite-surfing, sailing, fishing, scuba-diving, water-skiing… There will rarely be a weekend when you do not find yourself out at sea. If you do not, you are bound to have friends with boats, ready to take you for a
day out to the Northern islands or for a sunset off the coast.

On land, the Mont Choisy golf course welcomes you to a magnificent 18-hole course. Between Grand Baie and Beau Plan, via Forbach and Labourdonnais, there are numerous sports and cultural centres where you can indulge your passions: padel, tennis, rugby, football, fitness, boxing, swimming, horse-riding, yoga, dance, music, drama and art classes, and more.

Culture is not forgotten in the North: visit l'Aventure du Sucre at Beau Plan to immerse yourself in the country's sugar-making history and discover how sugar and rum are made, the Château de Labourdonnais and its orchards for a leap back in time, a refreshing break at the Pamplemousses botanical garden followed by a visit to the church of Saint-François-d'Assise (the oldest in Mauritius), a trip to India at the Maheshwarnath Mandir, the largest Hindu temple on the island…

For shopping, there is plenty to do in the North with numerous boutiques in Grand Baie and the Mahogany shopping centre in Beau Plan, Quartier des Serres in Labourdonnais, Mont Choisy Le Mall, Grand Baie Cœur de Ville, Grand Baie La Croisette & Sunset Boulevard.

Last but not least, there are a host of restaurants, bars and nightclubs that make the region so vibrant. Evenings are lively in the North, mainly in Grand Baie, while Domaine de Labourdonnais and Beau Plan host concerts and festivals throughout the year.