Things to Do in Port Louis in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Port Louis
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing means accommodation costs drop 20-30% compared to peak winter months - you'll find decent beachfront guesthouses for 1,200-1,800 rupees instead of 2,500+ rupees in July-August
- The waterfront is actually usable in April - mornings from 6-10am hit that sweet spot before humidity becomes oppressive, perfect for the Caudan Waterfront walk or Central Market browsing without melting
- Cruise ship season winds down mid-April, so Port Louis attractions like the Blue Penny Museum and Aapravasi Ghat see 40-50% fewer tourists compared to March - you can actually photograph the museum pieces without crowds
- Local produce markets explode with autumn harvest - lychees, longans, and custard apples flood the stalls at Flacq Market and Port Louis Central Market at rock-bottom prices (15-25 rupees per kg versus 40+ rupees in other months)
Considerations
- April sits in that awkward transition between cyclone season ending and winter settling in - weather flips unpredictably with sudden afternoon squalls about 10 days of the month that last 45-90 minutes and can derail beach plans
- Humidity averages 70% but spikes to 80-85% on those rainy days, creating that sticky, clothes-never-dry situation that makes exploring the city's colonial architecture less pleasant between 11am-4pm
- Several cultural festivals happen in March or May, so April is relatively quiet on the events calendar - if you're chasing authentic cultural experiences beyond everyday life, you might find the timing frustrating
Best Activities in April
Le Morne Peninsula Hiking and Kitesurfing
April catches the tail end of southeast trade winds, which means Le Morne beach still gets consistent 15-20 knot winds perfect for kitesurfing without the July-August crowds. The UNESCO World Heritage Le Morne Brabant hike (3.5 hours round trip, 556m or 1,824ft elevation) works best starting at 6am before heat builds - you'll have cloud cover about 40% of mornings in April which actually helps. The combination of manageable winds, fewer tourists, and shoulder-season pricing on equipment rentals (typically 1,800-2,500 rupees for half-day kite gear) makes this ideal timing.
Port Louis Street Food Walking Tours
The capital's street food scene peaks in April when vendors set up earlier to avoid afternoon rain - you'll find the best action at Central Market and Caudan Waterfront from 10am-1pm before weather turns. April brings seasonal gateaux piments (chili fritters), dholl puri with butter beans, and mine frit (fried noodles) at their freshest. The 70% humidity actually works in your favor here because vendors prepare food fresh throughout the morning rather than pre-cooking. Tours typically cover 6-8 food stops across Chinatown, the market district, and Muslim Quarter over 3-3.5 hours.
Ile aux Cerfs Catamaran Day Trips
April sea conditions on the east coast settle into that Goldilocks zone - waves calm down after March cyclone season but water stays warm at 26-27°C (79-81°F). Catamaran trips to Ile aux Cerfs from Trou d'Eau Douce take advantage of clearer water visibility (12-15m or 39-49ft) perfect for snorkeling the coral gardens. You'll dodge the peak season crowds but still get reliable weather - about 7 out of 10 days are clear sailing. The beach on Ile aux Cerfs empties out by 3pm when day-trippers leave, giving you that postcard moment if you book late-departure catamarans.
Black River Gorges National Park Hiking
April hits the sweet spot for Mauritius's only national park - trails dry out after February-March rains but vegetation stays lush and green. The 60km (37 miles) of trails see maybe 30% of peak season foot traffic, so you'll actually hear endemic birds like the pink pigeon and echo parakeet. Morning hikes from 6:30-10am avoid both humidity spikes and afternoon rain risk. The Macchabee Forest trail (8km or 5 miles, moderate difficulty) and Black River Peak trail (6km or 3.7 miles to 828m or 2,717ft summit) offer the best wildlife spotting in April when fruit trees attract native species.
Pamplemousses Botanical Garden and North Coast Temple Circuit
The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden (commonly called Pamplemousses) shows off in April - giant water lilies reach peak size before winter, and the talipot palms flower unpredictably but April catches decent odds. Pair this with the northern Hindu temples circuit including Triolet's Maheswarnath Temple (largest on the island) when afternoon rain risk means indoor cultural sites make smart backup plans. The 70% humidity actually keeps the garden's 650+ plant species looking vibrant rather than dusty. Plan 2.5-3 hours for gardens plus 1.5 hours for temple visits.
Underwater Waterfall Helicopter Tours and Coastal Scenic Flights
April delivers some of the year's best aerial visibility over Mauritius's famous underwater waterfall illusion off Le Morne Peninsula - you'll get clear skies about 70% of days with that perfect angle of sunlight hitting the ocean sediment runoff. The 15-minute scenic flights cover the southwest coast's dramatic cliffs and turquoise lagoons when morning light (8-10am) creates the sharpest color contrast. April's lower tourist numbers mean better availability and occasionally last-minute deals. Helicopters fly from multiple helipads including SSR International Airport and Le Morne.
April Events & Festivals
Thaipoosam Cavadee
This Tamil Hindu festival typically falls in late January or early February, but occasionally shifts into early April depending on the Tamil calendar. Devotees carry wooden arch structures (cavadee) decorated with flowers and peacock feathers while performing acts of devotion. The main processions happen at Tamil temples across Port Louis, particularly in the Plaine Verte and Camp Yoloff areas. If it happens to fall during your April visit, you'll witness body piercings, fire walking, and elaborate street processions - though worth confirming exact 2026 dates closer to travel time since the lunar calendar shifts yearly.