Mauritius weather May marks the beginning of the island’s dry season and is one of the most underrated months to visit. The wet season ends in April, and May brings drier air, clearing skies, and the start of the trade winds — without the peak-season crowds or prices of July and August. Temperatures average 23–28°C, the sea remains warm at 25–26°C from the summer months, and rainfall drops sharply from April’s levels to an average of 50–80mm for the entire month. This guide covers everything about mauritius may weather: daily conditions, sea and activity suitability, and why May is consistently recommended by experienced travellers. Book your Mauritius airport transfer well in advance even in May — the start of the dry season attracts a steadily growing share of European visitors.
Temperature
23–28°C daytime. The transition month: warm but with noticeably less humidity than March–April. Perfect outdoor touring conditions.
Sea Temperature
25–26°C — still very warm from the summer season. Some of the best snorkelling visibility of the year in May.
Shoulder Season
Dry season begins in May but crowds have not yet arrived. Hotels are 20–30% cheaper than July–August peak. Excellent value.
May sits at the cusp of Mauritius’s two seasons. The hot, humid wet season (November–April) ends, and the drier, cooler dry season (May–October) begins. In May, daytime temperatures on the coast average 25–28°C early in the month, cooling slightly to 23–26°C by late May as the trade winds strengthen. Humidity drops from the 80–85% of March–April to a more comfortable 72–75% by late May. Rainfall averages 50–80mm across the month — some of this falls in early May as residual wet-season showers, with the second half of the month significantly drier. Cloud cover decreases through the month. Sunshine averages 6–7 hours per day in May, increasing toward 7–8 hours by June. May is widely recognised by the Mauritius Meteorological Services as the start of the comfortable tourism season.
Sea temperature in May averages 25–26°C — warmer than any month in the dry season, because the sea retains heat from the summer months and cools slowly. This makes May exceptionally good for snorkelling and diving: the warm water reduces discomfort, visibility improves as the wet-season turbidity clears, and marine life remains active at summer-equivalent levels. Humpback whale season begins in June, so May occasionally sees early arrivals off the west coast. Spinner dolphins are present year-round on the west coast. The reef fish, turtles, and coral gardens at Blue Bay Marine Park are as accessible in May as at any other time of year.
May is an excellent month for outdoor land-based activities in Mauritius. The Black River Gorges National Park is transitioning from its lush wet-season green to the drier, more open conditions of winter — bird sightings improve as undergrowth thins. Hiking trails are comfortable with temperatures in the 20–25°C range in the highlands. The Chamarel and south tour is pleasant in May: waterfalls are still full from wet-season rains, giving better flow than the drier months of August–September. Cycling and road trips are comfortable with less heat than the summer months. The west coast beaches (Flic en Flac, Tamarin) begin to fill with European visitors from May onward, but remain significantly quieter than July–August.
May is a shoulder month — neither off-peak nor peak — and hotel rates reflect this. Prices are typically 20–30% lower than the July–August peak, but some resorts begin their “dry season” rate from 1 May. Flights from Europe to Mauritius are more available in May than in summer, and advance booking 6–8 weeks out is usually sufficient (compared to 3–4 months for July–August). The practical advantage of visiting in May is that all facilities, excursions, restaurants, and transport are fully operational — unlike the low season months of February–March when some operators reduce hours. Book your excursions and airport transfer before departure to lock in availability.
May in Mauritius presents a moderate, non-threatening climate for packing. Day temperatures of 23–28°C at the beach mean standard summer beach clothing. A light cardigan or long-sleeved layer is useful for evening dining, as coastal temperatures in the second half of May drop to 19–21°C after sunset — particularly with any wind. The highlands (Curepipe, Rose Hill) are 3–5°C cooler than the coast and a fleece is useful for evening visits. Sun protection is essential: UV index averages 9–10 in May (very high) despite the lower humidity. A waterproof layer is a sensible addition for early May when residual showers remain possible, particularly on the east coast.
Yes — mauritius weather May is excellent. It is the start of the dry season, offering significantly lower humidity and decreasing rainfall compared to April. Sea temperatures of 25–26°C are warmer than any later dry-season month. Hotel prices are 20–30% below peak-season levels. May is one of the best months for value and all-round good conditions.
Daytime temperatures of 23–28°C, sea at 25–26°C, 6–7 hours of sunshine per day, and moderate rainfall (50–80mm for the month, concentrated in early May). Trade winds begin to build through May, providing a pleasant breeze. Humidity is noticeably lower than March–April.
Rainfall in May is transitional — early May can still have wet-season showers, particularly on the windward east and south coasts. By mid to late May, conditions are much drier. The west and north coasts are drier than the east throughout May. May is not a rainy month by any standard comparison — it receives significantly less rain than January–April.
Mauritius May weather marks the official start of the southern hemisphere’s dry season, making it one of the island’s most pleasant months for outdoor activities. The change from the wet season is perceptible from the first days of May: humidity drops noticeably, the thick equatorial clouds that characterise January–April break into high, wispy formations, and the south-east trade winds begin to establish themselves. Daytime temperatures settle between 23°C and 28°C (73°F–82°F), with overnight lows of 18–20°C on the coast and cooler conditions at altitude.
Rainfall in Mauritius May weather averages 60–80 mm — primarily concentrated in the first two weeks of the month as the wet season exits. By mid-May, most days are rain-free, and the landscape is at its most verdant: sugarcane fields are green after the rains, waterfalls run at high volume (particularly at Chamarel and Rochester Falls), and the interior national parks are lush with birdlife. The Mauritius Meteorological Services publishes monthly climate summaries that confirm May as one of the lowest-risk months for weather disruptions.
The stable may weather Mauritius conditions unlock the full range of outdoor activities without the heat stress of the summer months. Hiking in Black River Gorges National Park is particularly rewarding in May: trails are clear of the summer mud, temperatures are comfortable for sustained walking, and birdwatchers have excellent sightings of the Mauritius kestrel, pink pigeon, and echo parakeet in the native forest. The Chamarel Waterfall flows at near-peak volume in early May from the recent rains — arguably its most photogenic season.
Sea conditions in May are excellent along all coasts. Water temperature sits at a comfortable 25–26°C — warm enough for extended snorkelling and diving sessions. The reef systems at Trou aux Biches, Flic en Flac, and Blue Bay are in exceptional condition after the calmer winter waters begin to settle. May is also the last month of the year with reliably warm enough sea temperatures for swimming in the south coast’s exposed bays without needing a wetsuit.
May is shoulder season in Mauritius — occupancy rates at hotels are 60–75% of peak, and airport transfers are available at competitive prices without the booking pressure of July–August. Taxis Mauritius provides fixed-price airport transfers in May to all destinations across the island, with immediate confirmation and 24/7 pickup availability. May also suits multi-day itineraries that combine beach time with inland exploration — Chamarel, Black River Gorges, Port Louis, and a northern catamaran trip can all be comfortably achieved within a 7-day stay in May’s stable conditions. The Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority publishes a May events calendar that includes local cultural festivals and food markets held during this off-peak month.
May in Mauritius coincides with several cultural events that add richness to a holiday. The traditional kite-flying season begins in late April and peaks in May–June when the dry-season winds arrive — weekends at Champ de Mars racecourse and public parks fill with families flying elaborate handmade paper kites. The Mauritius Marathon (when scheduled) typically runs in May on a coastal route around Mahébourg. Labour Day (1 May) is a public holiday with reduced commercial hours — plan museum visits and town excursions for days 2–3 May onward. The mauritius may weather dry season also coincides with the island’s sugar cane cutting season (April–November), when the fields are harvested and the scent of molasses drifts across the central plateau — a uniquely Mauritian sensory experience worth seeking out during inland day tours with Taxis Mauritius.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Dry skies, warm seas and no crowds. May is peak season for exploring the island. Private day tours with hotel pickup included, from €70.
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