The main thing to say about the North is that it offers a warm and stable climate all year round; as easterly winds tend to come in further south. The beaches in this area are thus spectacular; with formidable white sand; those in the North West offering colourful sunset views. In the far north, sheltered coves interspersed with black lava rock formations; provide spectacular scenery for sunbathing and swimming, most of them with stunning views over the northern islands.
The main city of this area is definitely Grand Bay, once a small and forgotten little harbour with sugar cane growing all around it, today the island’s tourist centre with restaurants, bars and shops; as well as myriad of sports activities and boat excursions to the outer isles. The road linking Grand Bay with Port Louis is a rather comfortable two lane affair, leading by the Sugar Museum “l’Aventure du Sucre” which beckons with a wealth of information and great rum tasting. Not to be missed are the splendid botanical gardens of Pamplemousses. Once surrounding the home of governor Mahe de Labourdonnais and master piece of famous botanist Pierre Poivre, they indeed offer a delightful atmosphere to pass a leisurely day.
Most places in the north are mere villages, but in the Grand Bay area, there is a more or less solid band of houses along the road for several kilometres, linking Grand Bay, Pereybere, Bain Boeuf and Cap Malheureux into one large village. Those eager to cool off a bit may take a trip to la Nicoliere, the hilly region behind Pamplemousses, where temperatures drop considerably and a fresh breeze blows most of the time.