Things to Do in Port Louis in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
January Weather in Port Louis
Is January Right for You?
Advantages
- Summer cyclone season is actually winding down by January - you're catching the tail end of the wet season, which means those 10 rainy days are typically brief afternoon downpours rather than all-day washouts. The rain clears quickly and leaves everything looking brilliantly green.
- Sea conditions are calmer than December, making this one of the better months for boat trips to the northern islands like Île Ronde or Gunner's Quoin. Visibility underwater improves as the sediment settles, with dive operators reporting 15-20 m (49-66 ft) visibility compared to 10-12 m (33-39 ft) in December.
- Chinese New Year preparations create an electric atmosphere in Port Louis's Chinatown district along Royal Road. The pre-festival shopping buzz means extended market hours at the Central Market, which stays open until 7pm instead of the usual 5pm during the last two weeks of January.
- Accommodation pricing drops noticeably after New Year's Day - you're looking at 20-30% lower rates compared to December, particularly in the second half of January. Book after January 15th and you'll find even guesthouses in the Caudan Waterfront area negotiating on walk-in rates.
Considerations
- That 70% humidity is no joke - it's the kind that makes your clothes stick to you within minutes of leaving air conditioning. Combined with 31°C (88°F) highs, walking around the city between 11am-3pm feels genuinely oppressive, especially in the concrete-heavy areas around Immigration Square.
- January sits awkwardly between the December holiday rush and the European winter escape peak in February-March. This means some tour operators run reduced schedules - catamaran trips to Île aux Cerfs often require minimum 6-person bookings instead of the usual 4, and you might find yourself waiting an extra day or two to make up numbers.
- The 10 rainy days statistic is misleading - while total rainfall is technically low at 0 mm recorded, those variable conditions mean unpredictable afternoon storms that can shut down the Central Market vendors early and make the already chaotic traffic around the bus station absolutely nightmarish between 4pm-6pm.
Best Activities in January
Port Louis Central Market morning tours
January mornings before 9am are genuinely perfect for the Central Market - the humidity hasn't peaked yet, the produce is at its freshest, and you'll catch local office workers grabbing their dholl puri breakfast before work. The tropical fruit selection is exceptional right now with lychees, mangoes, and longans all in season. The market gets unbearably hot and crowded after 10:30am, so this is strictly an early bird activity.
Le Morne Peninsula hiking
The 45-minute drive south from Port Louis is worth it in January because Le Morne gets slightly less rainfall than the capital, and those variable conditions usually mean clear mornings. The UNESCO World Heritage site trail to the summit at 556 m (1,824 ft) takes 3-4 hours round trip and needs to be done early - start by 6:30am to avoid the midday heat. The views across the lagoon are spectacular after recent rains have cleared the air.
Île aux Cerfs catamaran day trips
January's improving sea conditions make this the first genuinely comfortable month for the 90-minute catamaran ride from Trou d'Eau Douce on the east coast. The lagoon waters are warming up to around 27°C (81°F), and while you might encounter brief showers, they pass quickly. Snorkeling visibility is improving weekly as the summer storms settle. The island itself can get busy with day-trippers, but January sees fewer crowds than February-April.
Aapravasi Ghat and colonial Port Louis walking routes
The UNESCO-listed Aapravasi Ghat immigration depot and surrounding colonial architecture are best explored in January's early mornings or late afternoons when temperatures drop to 24-26°C (75-79°F). The 2-3 km (1.2-1.9 mile) walking circuit through the old quarter takes you past the Jummah Mosque, Fort Adelaide, and Company Garden. Recent restoration work completed in late 2025 has improved visitor facilities at several sites.
Black River Gorges National Park nature drives
January rains have turned the 67 sq km (26 sq mile) park into a lush green landscape, and the cooler temperatures at higher elevations make this a welcome escape from Port Louis humidity. The park sits at 300-800 m (984-2,625 ft) elevation, typically 3-5°C (5-9°F) cooler than the coast. Endemic bird watching is excellent in January - you've got good chances of spotting pink pigeons and echo parakeets in the early morning. The 60 km (37 mile) scenic drive takes 3-4 hours with stops.
Caudan Waterfront evening dining and shopping
When the afternoon heat becomes too much, the air-conditioned Caudan Waterfront complex offers genuine relief. January evenings from 6pm onwards bring pleasant temperatures around 26°C (79°F) and harbor breezes. The craft market stays open until 9pm, and waterfront restaurants offer good value during January's shoulder season - many run early dinner specials 6pm-7:30pm. The Blue Penny Museum houses the famous 1847 stamps and stays open until 5pm weekdays.
January Events & Festivals
Thaipoosam Cavadee
This Tamil Hindu festival typically falls in late January and involves devotees carrying wooden arches decorated with flowers and peacock feathers in procession to temples across Port Louis. The main processions happen at dawn starting around 5:30am from homes to temples like the Kaylasson Temple. It's a genuinely intense spiritual experience - devotees pierce their bodies with skewers and walk on fire as acts of devotion. Respectful observation is welcomed, but this isn't a tourist spectacle - dress modestly and ask before photographing.