Best Time to Visit Port Louis

Summer: hot, sticky and wet (January to March)

These are the hardest months in Port Louis. Highs stay around 28°C, nights barely cool down, and it rains on more than half the days. Humidity sits near 79%, so even a short walk through the Central Market feels heavy. Showers can be sudden and loud, and this is also the cyclone season, so keep an eye on forecasts.

The upside is fewer visitors and lower hotel rates in the capital. If you're mostly here to browse the Caudan Waterfront, the Blue Penny Museum and the market stalls, rain is easy to dodge indoors. Beach and hiking trips are less reliable, though.

Winter: the sweet spot (May to November)

This is when Port Louis is at its best. Highs drop to 24–26°C, rain is light, and the air feels drier. August and September are the driest, with just 5 rainy days each. September is also the clearest of the cool months, and October and November add even more sunshine.

It's ideal for climbing Le Pouce or the Citadel (Fort Adelaide) for views over the harbour, and for long days of street food. Try dholl puri (a thin flatbread with split peas) and gateaux piments (chilli fritters). The evenings can feel a little fresh in July and August, so a light jacket is handy if you're heading up to the highlands.

Travelling with kids? European school holidays bring more visitors in July and August, so flights cost more. May, June, October and November give you the same good weather with fewer people.

Festivals and shoulder months

Cavadee, a Tamil Hindu festival with colourful processions, usually falls in January or February. Chinese Spring Festival lands in the same stretch and brings lion dances and food stalls to Chinatown. Maha Shivaratri, usually in February or March, sees pilgrims walk in white to the lake of Grand Bassin, and many pass through Port Louis on the way.

April and December are in-between months. April is still warm and humid, but showers are easing. December has more sun than any summer month, though it's a busy time as Christmas and New Year visitors arrive. If you want the best mix of weather and space, aim for May, June or November.