×

Mauritius🇲🇺 | beachesSaint FélixDark golden sand, no hotel strip, Sunday card games, patchy currents | things to do and best time to go

Explore Pointe d’EsnyExplore Grand Gaube

Backpacking in Saint Félix
👀 For curious travelersbeach ranked #13
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Saint Félix beach is a public beach with no hotel strip behind it, so locals outnumber tourists most weekdays and the only crowd is at Sunday picnics. It sits on the south coast of Mauritius, in the Savanne district, well away from the northern resorts. The sand is dark golden and a little coarse, the sea looks lovely, but swimming needs care because currents and reef gaps vary. Skip it for snorkeling. Come for the quiet, the casuarina shade and cheap roadside snacks in the village. A first day could mean a late breakfast, a long walk along the shore, a swim in calm spots and a sunset drink.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Mauritius Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Mauritius
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Mauritius
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Mauritius
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Mauritius
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Mauritius
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Mauritius
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Mauritius
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Mauritius
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #13 beach in MauritiusWhy Saint Félix should be on your travel list

Saint Félix beach works as a slow stop on the south coast, where the pace is set by fishing boats and families rather than tour schedules. Most backpackers come for the casuarina-shaded picnic stretch, where you can spread out a mat and eat from nearby village stalls without feeling like a customer at a resort. It also keeps costs low, since guesthouses and small takeaways around the village cater mainly to Mauritians. The third reason is position: the beach sits close to Gris Gris cliffs and the Rochester Falls area, so it makes an easy base for a day of south coast sightseeing, then a quiet evening where nobody is chasing you for a tour.

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

  1. Saint Félix beach shoreline walk: A long, open stretch of dark golden sand backed by casuarinas, best walked in the cooler hours when fishermen are working the shallows.
  2. Casuarina shade picnic area: The pines give real shade and a few tables, and on Sundays Mauritian families fill it with food, music and card games, which is the most local scene you will find here.
  3. Swimming in the calmer patches: The water is warm and clear, but conditions change along the beach, so watch where locals swim and stay in the shallows.
  4. Sunset on the sand: The beach faces the open Indian Ocean to the southwest, so evenings bring wide skies and a few people strolling, with nothing loud after dark.
  5. Village snack run: Nearby stalls and small shops sell Mauritian street staples like dholl puri and fried snacks, a cheap
… read more 👉
  1. Saint Félix beach shoreline walk: A long, open stretch of dark golden sand backed by casuarinas, best walked in the cooler hours when fishermen are working the shallows.
  2. Casuarina shade picnic area: The pines give real shade and a few tables, and on Sundays Mauritian families fill it with food, music and card games, which is the most local scene you will find here.
  3. Swimming in the calmer patches: The water is warm and clear, but conditions change along the beach, so watch where locals swim and stay in the shallows.
  4. Sunset on the sand: The beach faces the open Indian Ocean to the southwest, so evenings bring wide skies and a few people strolling, with nothing loud after dark.
  5. Village snack run: Nearby stalls and small shops sell Mauritian street staples like dholl puri and fried snacks, a cheap way to eat the way locals do.
None of these needs a ticket or advance booking.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Saint Félix

Full-Day Catamaran Cruise to Île aux Cerfs with BBQ Lunch

Full-Day Catamaran Cruise to Île aux Cerfs with BBQ Lunch

4.6(511) 7h
From €60
per personViator
Mauritius full day tour : Private south west with lunch

Mauritius full day tour : Private south west with lunch

4.8(257)
From €103
per personViator
Mauritius Full day tour of the South west

Mauritius Full day tour of the South west

4.9(245)
From €113
per personViator
Mauritius Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Private Holiday Tours

Mauritius Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Private Holiday Tours

4.8(195) 8h
From €77
per personViator
Ebony Forest Reserve Chamarel - Take a Hike Tour

Ebony Forest Reserve Chamarel - Take a Hike Tour

4.8(140)
From €13
per personViator
Entrance Ticket To Curious Mauritius

Entrance Ticket To Curious Mauritius

4.8(140)
From €15.68
per personViator
Discovery Tour 35km

Discovery Tour 35km

4.8(87) 5h
From €230
per personViator
Trou-aux-Cerfs - Grand Bassin - 7 Coloured Earth - Wild South Guided Tour

Trou-aux-Cerfs - Grand Bassin - 7 Coloured Earth - Wild South Guided Tour

4.7(86) 8h
From €139
per personViator
Wild South Tour Mauritius | Hidden Gems, Rockpool & Waterfalls

Wild South Tour Mauritius | Hidden Gems, Rockpool & Waterfalls

5.0(60)
From €154
per personViator
Car Hire for a Day with Driver - 8 Hours

Car Hire for a Day with Driver - 8 Hours

4.6(66) 8h
From €205
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • Summer (November to April): Hot and humid, 25 to 32°C (77 to 90°F), with the longest days and the warmest, calmest lagoon water. Cyclone risk peaks from January to March, and afternoon downpours are common.
  • Winter (May to October): Drier and cooler, 18 to 25°C (64 to 77°F), with shorter days and a brisk southeast trade wind. The sea is clear but cooler, and mornings suit swimming best.
  • School holidays (mid-December to early January, plus July and August): Local families fill the public beach on weekends, and room rates climb by roughly 20 to 40 percent.
Book a week ahead outside December and you will have your pick of rooms and a quiet beach on weekdays.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: below average for travelingAPRApril: below average for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
when-to-go

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutMauritius Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Mauritius
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Mauritius
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Mauritius
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Mauritius
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Mauritius
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Mauritius
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Mauritius
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Mauritius
The digital guide (246 pages) contains:
✅ 65 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 2, 3 & 5-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

The best base for backpackers is the southwest coast, with Le Morne and Souillac as the closest budget-friendly areas, plus Chamarel for a quieter inland option. Saint Félix itself is a small village with few beds, so most travelers sleep elsewhere and visit for the day. Le Morne, about 45 minutes to an hour away by road, has the strongest social scene, with guesthouses and hostels near the lagoon, kitesurfing schools and shared meals. Expect dorm beds from about US$15 to 25 and private rooms from US$40 to 70. Souillac, roughly 15 to 20 minutes away, suits those wanting a calm local town with … read more 👉
The best base for backpackers is the southwest coast, with Le Morne and Souillac as the closest budget-friendly areas, plus Chamarel for a quieter inland option. Saint Félix itself is a small village with few beds, so most travelers sleep elsewhere and visit for the day. Le Morne, about 45 minutes to an hour away by road, has the strongest social scene, with guesthouses and hostels near the lagoon, kitesurfing schools and shared meals. Expect dorm beds from about US$15 to 25 and private rooms from US$40 to 70. Souillac, roughly 15 to 20 minutes away, suits those wanting a calm local town with family-run guesthouses, cheap Creole lunches and a clifftop coastline. Rooms there run about US$30 to 55. Both areas have a regular bus link, and sharing a taxi or renting a scooter makes the short hop to the beach easy.
Best hostels in Mauritius


Best quality hotels in Mauritius

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Saint Félix beach is generally safe, with a calm, shallow feel for most of the year, and locals swim here regularly. Outside the reef, currents can pull, so stay on the beach side of the breaking waves and check where families are swimming. Sea urchins and sharp coral sit on rocky patches, so reef shoes help when wading. The sun is strong all year, and midday UV is high, so cover up between 11 and 3. Winter trade winds make the sea choppier in the afternoon, and summer brings squalls and occasional cyclone warnings. Keep valuables out of sight, because small thefts from unattended bags do happen, and leave nothing in parked cars.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Saint Félix

Most travelers reach Saint Félix beach by car or taxi along the A10 and B9 roads on the south coast, about 15 minutes from Souillac and roughly 1 hour from Mahé Airport via the M1. Buses run from Souillac and Surinam toward Saint Félix village for around US$1 to 2, though you will need to walk from the stop. A taxi from Souillac costs about US$10 to 15 one way.
Saint Félix beach is best for relaxed swimming and walking, with a quiet shoreline and shallow sections for most of the year. Surfing is not the draw, as the best waves and kitesurfing are at Le Morne, about 45 minutes away, and the south coast has strong swell and rough conditions. Snorkeling is possible near rocky patches in calm weather, but visibility varies, so bring reef shoes and your own gear.
Yes, Saint Félix beach is a public beach and entry costs nothing. Parking along the road is usually free, and basic facilities are limited, so bring water and food, or buy a Creole lunch in nearby Souillac for about US$3 to 6. Paid extras are minimal, mostly sunbed rental if you find any, around US$5 to 10.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Mauritian beaches near Saint Félix

Explore more nearby:

  • Gris Gris—cliffside views, crashing surf, wild coastline, windswept grass| 7 km away
  • Le Morne—mountain backdrop, windsurfing, wide bay, UNESCO site| 17 km away
  • Tamarin Bay—surf break, river mouth, mountain views, dolphin watching| 22 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Mauritius including Saint Félix and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all beaches

Or checkout all Mauritius has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Mauritius
Country photo of Mauritius
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Saint Félix beach tempts people to treat it as a swim-all-day stop, then they find rough patches and no snorkeling. I would come for the shade, the walk and a Sunday picnic, bring your own water and snacks, and keep the swim short and in shallow, calm spots.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Mauritius. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story