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 locals gather on the beach as the sun sets. The western region is increasingly rivalling the North as a popular destination for expatriates.

The West has managed to preserve its authenticity while modernising its infrastructure: supermarkets and food shops, a variety of restaurants, private schools and clinics, state-of-the-art gyms... With the sunniest, driest and most sheltered climate on the island, the region has plenty to offer. Wilder than the North, but more developed than the East and the South, it is the ideal base for hiking and watersports enthusiasts who want easy access to modern conveniences.

Where to live in the West: from Albion to Le Morne

In the West, expatriates mainly settle in the coastal villages of Albion, Flic en Flac, Tamarin, Black River and La Gaulette, as well as in Cascavelle and up in the hills of Chamarel.

In Albion, you will enjoy the peace and quiet of village life, close to the Mauritian community. Although this destination is growing in popularity with expatriates, rents remain reasonable for the west coast. You will also be as close as possible to Port Louis and the centre of the island.

The coastal town of Flic en Flac stretches along a lovely public beach lined with beach snack shacks. Popular with tourists, students and young expatriates, it is quiet during the week and comes alive at weekends. Rental prices are equally reasonable here. A short distance away, the Smart City of The West in Cascavelle is expanding rapidly, with new residential neighbourhoods, a shopping centre, a sports complex, international schools, offices and a private clinic.

Further south, the villages of Tamarin and Black River are attracting a growing number of expatriates drawn by the natural beauty and laid-back atmosphere of the area. Rents here are among the highest on the island, but the amenities have followed: sports and cultural activities, supermarkets, diverse restaurants, private health establishments and schools. Families, retirees and young expatriates alike will find an active lifestyle here, close to the mountains and the sea, with all modern conveniences on their doorstep.

Ten kilometres to the south, the residential village of La Gaulette sits at the foot of Chamarel. With a small shopping centre and a few restaurants, it is the address of choice for kite-surfers and watersport enthusiasts who want to reach
Le Morne in just a few minutes — and rents remain affordable.

Tucked away in the hills, Chamarel appeals to a handful of expatriates in search of cooler temperatures and a timeless setting.

Working from the West

While more and more companies are setting up in the West, particularly around Cascavelle, Bambous, Tamarin and Black River, you will need to factor in some road time to reach the island's other business hubs: from Cascavelle, allow 20 minutes to Phoenix and 30 to 40 minutes to Port Louis, Ebène, Moka or Curepipe.

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

In the West, nature is omnipresent — and it naturally draws you outside. Mountains and ocean face each other, offering a wilderness found nowhere else in Mauritius, somewhere between African savannah and lush tropical forest.

Right on the doorstep, the island's most dramatic landscapes (Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Black River Gorges, La Tourelle and Chamarel) are within easy reach for a hike, a trail run or a bike ride. On the other side, the ocean is never far for a diving session or a day of kite-surfing or windsurfing on Le Morne lagoon, one of the best spots in the world, with ideal conditions more than 300 days a year. Between Albion and La Gaulette, padel, tennis, fitness, horse-riding, pilates, yoga and classes of all kinds are within a twenty-minute drive. The beaches of Albion, Flic en Flac, Tamarin, La Preneuse and Le Morne each have their own character, and their sunsets are among the most beautiful on the island — the traditional sundowner bringing locals and expats together on the shoreline at the end of the day.

At weekends, the water calls. A boat trip on Le Morne lagoon or out to Île aux Bénitiers quickly becomes a ritual, with a good chance of spotting the resident dolphins along the way. For families and thrill-seekers, Safari Adventures, Casela, Lavilleon and Gros Cailloux have plenty to keep everyone busy, and a seaplane flight over the coast offers a perspective unlike any other. On the cultural side, the Albion lighthouse, the Tamarin salt pans, the Slave Route memorial at Le Morne Brabant, the Seven Colours Earth, La Rhumerie de Chamarel and the quirky Curious Corner museum in Chamarel are all worth adding to the list.

But the West is not just about nature and the great outdoors. The region has developed considerably in recent years, and the shopping centres of Cascavelle, Ruisseau Créole, Cœur de Ville and Cap Tamarin have plenty to satisfy a retail urge. In the evening, the bars and clubs of Flic en Flac, Big Willy's in Tamarin and Enso in La Gaulette keep things going well into the night.