Le Morne public beach and the other beaches near Chamarel
Le Morne public beach is the easiest swim after a morning in Chamarel, 13.9 km and about 18 minutes away, and the best choice on that coast for casual swimming. La Prairie, a little further along the coast, has a shallow lagoon and a view of the mountain, Tamarin is a surf beach rather than a swimming one, and Flic en Flac’s long public beach is 30 minutes north.
Read the guide
Le Morne public beach is the easiest swim after the plateau
Le Morne public beach, on the Emba Filao and Dinarobin side of the Le Morne peninsula, is the best nearby choice for a casual swim after Chamarel.
It has the simplest access, some shade and the most reliable public-beach facilities on that stretch of coast. There are toilets, showers and changing areas, though their condition varies, so check on arrival. Use the public parking areas, and arrive earlier at weekends, in school holidays and on clear evenings, when people come for the sunset. Food trucks sometimes turn up, but do not count on them.
From Chamarel, take the B104 hairpins down to Case Noyale and the coast road south through La Gaulette, 13.9 km and about 18 minutes. The full guide to the Le Morne beaches is at mornebrabant.org/le-morne-beaches.
Where the kitesurf zones are around Le Morne
Kitesurfing at Le Morne happens in the lagoon wind zone known as Kite Lagoon, which suits lessons and watching the riders but not swimming in the launch or landing areas.
At Kite Lagoon, watch for lines, the reef, the current and changing wind. La Pointe and One Eye are advanced wave and reef spots, so beginners go through a school. Kitesurfers also use the lagoon at La Prairie when the wind blows.
La Prairie is shallow, sheltered and faces Le Morne Brabant
La Prairie is a free public beach on the coast road a short way south-east of Le Morne village, with a sheltered lagoon 1 to 2 m deep and one of the clearest ground-level views back to Le Morne Brabant.
The water at La Prairie is generally calm and shallow, with almost no waves or currents in good conditions, and the easiest way in is from the beach near the coral. Do not stray far from the beach if there is a current, and watch for kitesurfers on windy days. A small car park sits near the beach, and food trucks are often there, especially at weekends.
La Prairie lies on the coast road between Le Morne and Baie du Cap, so it fits the south coast loop past the Maconde rock.
Tamarin public beach is for surfers, not swimmers
Tamarin public beach faces Tamarin Bay, a surf spot with two well-known breaks, and swimming there is dangerous unless you are an experienced surfer.
Tamarin is the surf town of the west coast. The Dal break is on the south side of the bay and Black Stone on the north. The Tamarin River estuary can carry strong currents after heavy rain, no lifeguard service is documented, and a free public car park sits near the entrance. Tamarin is 16.3 km and about 20 minutes from Chamarel by road, which makes it a place to watch the surf rather than a swim stop.
Flic en Flac has one of the longest public beaches in Mauritius
Flic en Flac, 27.4 km and about 30 minutes north of Chamarel by road, has a white-sand public beach among the longest in Mauritius, behind a lagoon protected by coral reefs.
The Flic en Flac public beach draws local families and visitors throughout the year. It makes most sense if you are staying on that coast or heading north anyway, because Le Morne public beach is roughly half the distance from Chamarel.
La Gaulette is where the lagoon boats leave
La Gaulette, 6.3 km and about 9 minutes below Chamarel by road, is the nearest stretch of coast and a base for boat trips to the islands in the lagoon, including Île aux Bénitiers.
The shore at Case Noyale, just north of La Gaulette, has the embarkation point for Île aux Bénitiers, a supermarket and restaurants, and there are MCB and State Bank of India cash machines on the coast road at La Gaulette, both open 24 hours. No swimming conditions are published for La Gaulette itself, so treat it as the place the boats leave from rather than a beach stop.
Which beach suits the afternoon after Chamarel
Choose Le Morne public beach for an easy swim with facilities, La Prairie for shallow water and the view of the mountain, Flic en Flac if you are heading north anyway, and Tamarin only to watch the surf.
| Beach | From Chamarel | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Morne public beach | 13.9 km, about 18 min | Casual swimming, shade and facilities | Kite launch areas and busy parking at weekends |
| La Prairie | Just beyond Le Morne village | Shallow water and the view of Le Morne Brabant | Current away from the shore and kitesurfers on windy days |
| Tamarin public beach | 16.3 km, about 20 min | Watching the surf | Dangerous swimming and river currents after heavy rain |
| Flic en Flac | 27.4 km, about 30 min | A long public beach behind the reef | About twice as far as Le Morne |
| La Gaulette | 6.3 km, about 9 min | Boat trips to Île aux Bénitiers | No published swimming beach |
Questions people ask
Does Le Morne public beach have toilets and showers?
Le Morne public beach is the best-equipped beach on that coast, with toilets, showers and changing areas. Check their condition on arrival, because facilities change. Bring water and food rather than relying on the food trucks, which turn up on some days and not on others.
Can you swim at Tamarin public beach?
Tamarin public beach is a surf beach, and swimming there is dangerous for anyone who is not an experienced surfer. The Tamarin River estuary can also carry strong currents after heavy rain, and no lifeguard service is documented. For a swim, Le Morne public beach or La Prairie, further south, are the better choices.
Where can you kitesurf near Chamarel?
Kitesurfing near Chamarel centres on Le Morne, where Kite Lagoon sits in the lagoon wind zone and suits lessons and watching the riders. La Pointe and One Eye are advanced wave and reef spots, and beginners should go through a school. Swimmers should stay out of the launch and landing areas, and kitesurfers also use the lagoon at La Prairie on windy days.
What is the closest beach to Chamarel?
The closest coast to Chamarel is at La Gaulette and Case Noyale, 6.3 km and about 9 minutes away by road, but no swimming conditions are published for La Gaulette itself. For a swim with facilities, go on to Le Morne public beach, 13.9 km and about 18 minutes from the village.
Is La Prairie beach good for children?
La Prairie suits children in calm conditions, with a sheltered lagoon only 1 to 2 m deep and almost no waves or currents on good days. Keep them close to the beach when there is a current, watch for kitesurfers on the lagoon when the wind blows, and choose a still day.
How far is Flic en Flac from Chamarel?
Flic en Flac is 27.4 km and about 30 minutes north of Chamarel by road, roughly twice the distance to Le Morne public beach. Its public beach is among the longest in Mauritius, behind a lagoon protected by coral reefs, and it suits visitors staying on that coast better than a quick swim after the plateau.
Pair the hill with the beach
The Chamarel and Le Morne page shows how to spend the morning on the plateau and the afternoon on the lagoon.