Beach walk: Tamarin → Flic en Flac (and back)

From the public beach at Tamarin, you walk north along the sand all the way to Flic en Flac: first the quiet stretch below the Tamarin houses, then Wolmar and its hotels, then the long public beach of Flic en Flac with its filao trees, food vans and local families. Beaches are public in Mauritius up to the vegetation line, including in front of the hotels.

It's about 6 km each way (1 h 30 – 2 h at a gentle pace). Walk back the same way with the sun behind you, or take a taxi back to the car (≈ 15 minutes). Bring a swimsuit: the Wolmar reef is the best snorkelling on the way.

• The longest beach walk near the villa
• Swim and snorkel at Wolmar on the way
• Lunch at the Flic en Flac end

Trail map

Traced along the shoreline (OpenStreetMap coastline): walk on the firm sand near the water.

Trail traced on OpenStreetMap paths: check the signs on the ground, and take the OSM or an offline map app (Organic Maps, maps.me) with you.

What to expect on this walk

📍 Where it starts

Tamarin public beach (car park at the end of Avenue Rose, 10 minutes from the villa). Head north, away from the river mouth.

🧭 The route

Tamarin beach (quiet, houses and fishing boats) → Wolmar (hotel beaches, the best reef for snorkelling, ≈ 3 km) → Flic en Flac public beach (filaos, food vans, restaurants across the road, ≈ 6 km). Back the same way or by taxi.

🪨 Terrain

Sand all the way, firm near the water; a few short rocky or coral-rubble patches around the points.

👁️ Views

Le Morne and the Tamarin mountains behind you, the Trois Mamelles and the Rempart inland, the reef breaking offshore.

🌅 Best light

Early morning going north; late afternoon coming back with the light behind you.

🚧 Obstacles

• A couple of rocky points

🌊 Tide

Easier at low tide (firmer sand, rocky points and river mouths easier to pass): check the tide table.

🏊 Swimming

Snorkel the Wolmar reef and swim at Flic en Flac.

👟 Footwear

Sandals or light shoes: some rocky bits and short stretches of road.

🔁 Getting back

Same way on foot (the sun behind you), or a taxi back to Tamarin (≈ 15 min, Rs 500–800).

🦟 Insects

None on the beach.

💧 Water

Shops, food vans and restaurants at Wolmar and Flic en Flac.

👥 Crowds

Quiet at Tamarin and Wolmar; busy at Flic en Flac on Sunday afternoons.

📶 Phone signal

Good coverage.

🎒 Bring

Hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen · 1–1.5 litres of water each · Sandals or water shoes (some rocky bits) · Swimsuit and a towel · Cash for a drink or a taxi back

1. Tamarin public beach
2. Wolmar (snorkelling)
3. Flic en Flac public beach

Getting there

Tips

• 💡 Walk at low or mid tide: the sand is firmer and a couple of rocky points are easier to pass.
• 💡 Plan the return: walking back doubles it to ≈ 12 km; a taxi back costs much less effort.