Belle Mare, Palmar and Trou d'Eau Douce make up the east coast of Mauritius: very long beaches, a turquoise lagoon and cooling trade winds. Large hotels are plentiful but often isolated, with few restaurants or shops within walking distance. This is where a hire car makes the biggest difference: it gets you out of the resort for a little fuel instead of a taxi fare every time.
Car hire in Belle Mare: getting there
From SSR airport, Belle Mare is about 50 minutes to an hour away, inland or along the east coast road through fishing villages. Pick up at the airport (car rental at SSR Airport) or have the car delivered to your hotel; agencies serving the area are listed on our car rental in Belle Mare page.
There are local agencies right on the east coast: Vicky Car Rental is based in Trou d'Eau Douce, a few minutes from Belle Mare (rentcar.mu/vicky-car-rental), and Riding Car Hire delivers island-wide (rentcar.mu/riding-car-hire).
Day trips from Belle Mare
- Trou d'Eau Douce, where boats leave for Île aux Cerfs, about 10 minutes away.
- The wilder beaches of Palmar and Poste Lafayette, heading north.
- Flacq market, one of the liveliest on the island, about 20 minutes away.
- The south-east (Blue Bay, Mahebourg) in about an hour.
- The north and Grand Baie in about an hour via the centre of the island.
Which car for the east coast?
The east coast road is pleasant but narrow in places, and the wind can be strong in the austral winter (June to September). A small car such as the Suzuki Celerio (rentcar.mu/cars/suzuki-celerio-vicky-car-rental) suits a couple; for a family, a compact SUV like the Suzuki Brezza (rentcar.mu/cars/suzuki-brezza-vicky-car-rental) or a 7-seater gives room for luggage and beach gear. Seasonal prices: rentcar.mu/barometre-prix.
