Located in the southwest Indian Ocean, Mauritius enjoys a tropical climate that is greatly affected by southeast trade winds. The warmest weather occurs during the month of February (average temperatures around 85 degrees Fahrenheit) while the coolest temps tend to hit during July (average temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit). In general, the western and northern regions are warmer and drier than those in the east and south. Summertime, which lasts from November through April, sees overall averages of 80 degrees Fahrenheit along the coast down to the low 70s on the plateau. Wintertime, from May through October, sees overall averages of 70 degrees along the coast down to the low 60s on the plateau. The sea temperature ranges from about 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the conditions and the season. Heavy rain is common from January through March, and tropical cyclones are a possibility from November through April.

A recommended time to visit Mauritius is during its winter months, the temperature is much cooler and on most days you will not even have to use the Room Air Condition, also it rains less and even when it does rain it's mainly in the evening or just a passing shower during the day. You still have some strong sun during midday so a tan can still be achieved. As a bonus this time of year also sees less tourist so the hotel charges are less (Off-Peak Period) and you can haggle much more with taxi's or in shops as they will know there is not as many tourist around so they will be more flexible on their prices, Obviously the historic attractions will have fewer crowds so all in all you get a much more of a relaxing holiday. As a bonus you do not have to worry about cyclones.

The weather in Mauritius last year (2007) saw a category 4 cyclone, Gamede, in mid February, with some disruption and earlier on in the month there was cyclone activity taking place out in the Indian Ocean.

There were also some unprecedented freak waves in the south of the island and to a lesser extent the west, in which 3 metre high waves suddenly appeared from nowhere. These occured in April and May, a few  weeks apart. Much discussion in the local press came to the conclusion that these might happen again, and it may be linked to global warming. There was more rain than usual in 2007, and it was reported by east coast tourists that some days it was too windy to lie on the beach during the winter months.