Renting a Motorcycle or Renting a Car in Mauritius?

While most visitors opt to rent a car in Mauritius, if you hold a category A driver’s license, it’s worth considering a motorcycle rental. Let me tell you why!

Exploring on two wheels lets you experience the island with all your senses: the scent of the ocean blending with the fragrant spices of India, the narrow streets alive with the melodic hum of Creole mixed with French, and the sunlight shimmering on the waves.

With the warm climate, you can enjoy a motorcycling adventure year-round. While the island’s coastline is just 161 km long, making it possible to circle it in a day, I promise—amidst such stunning surroundings, you won’t feel the need to rush! The best motorcycle routes on Mauritius offer unforgettable moments and take you not only to breathtaking beaches but also to hidden gems that are off-limits to four-wheeled vehicles.

Is Riding a Motorcycle in Mauritius Safe?

I’ve ridden through some of the most chaotic Asian countries and spent a year riding through South America on two wheels. After experiencing Vietnamese intersections where thousands of scooters weave randomly, or the 20-lane highway in Buenos Aires during rush hour, there’s little that can scare me.

But objectively speaking, with a reasonable amount of caution and common sense (which should always accompany us on a bike), riding on Mauritius is relatively safe.

Most roads, particularly the coastal ones, are in very decent condition. However, lighting can be inconsistent, especially on routes connecting smaller towns. This poses a risk due to the numerous stray dogs that wander the streets at night, potentially creating dangerous situations. Furthermore, sidewalks are scarce in Mauritius, forcing pedestrians and cyclists to the roadside. Reflective clothing is not common, so it’s important to stay alert after dark and ease off the throttle.

Driving Culture? Generally positive. You may occasionally experience tailgating or big pick-up trucks pushing their way through. A more frequent issue is the overuse of high beams at night (which seems to be a worldwide problem…). Flashing your lights to get drivers to switch to low beams? Don’t bother — they’ll just keep blinding you.

Do Locals Pay Attention to Two-Wheelers? Mauritians mostly do, as many started out on bicycles, scooters, or motorcycles before switching to cars. As for visitors — that varies depending on where people are from. It’s always best to stay cautious.

Parking? You can leave the bike with peace of mind in the parking lot by the beach or outside a shop. However, at night, we park it in a guarded area.

Where to Rent a Motorcycle in Mauritius?

With the boom in international tourism, car rental companies in Mauritius have popped up everywhere. Unfortunately, motorcycle rental options are fewer, and the choice is more limited. Scooters are more popular.

Rentals can be found in every major town, but it’s worth checking out offers a little further afield. Staying in Pereybere in northern Mauritius, we opted for Klokan Rental (www.klokanrental.mu) in Flic en Flac, on the island’s southern end. They were offering my favorite type of moto at a very competitive price.

Buses in Mauritius are a cheap and convenient way to travel between cities, and sometimes it’s really worth the trip to a rental shop for that dream two-wheeler.

Some rental agencies offer, for an additional fee, the option of motorcycle delivery/pick-up. If you don’t have the time or desire for bus travel, the company will deliver the bike to your door!

What Type of Motorcycle to Rent in Mauritius?

Smaller engine sizes (150-300 cc) dominate the motorcycle rental options. I’m a fan of smaller, lighter bikes — they're comfortable, agile, and can reach any destination. For Mauritius’s roads, this engine capacity is absolutely sufficient. The most popular brands are Royal Enfield, Bajaj, and Suzuki. I picked the lesser-known Haojue, a sister brand of Suzuki. So far, I am more than happy with this choice!

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Motorcycle in Mauritius?

The cost of renting a motorcycle depends on:

• The model (the larger the engine and the more recognizable the brand, the higher the price)
• The rental period (daily cost decreases with longer rental durations)

Prices for a single day range from 500 (10 EUR/10.3 USD) to even 3000 Mauritian rupees (60 EUR/63 USD).

For long-term rental of the Haojue NK 150 (>30 days), we pay 370 rupees per day (7.45 EUR / 7.84 USD).

The daily rental cost in most rental companies includes:

• Motorcycle
• Insurance
• Two helmets
• Two reflective vests (required for riding after dark)
• A top-box / saddlebag
• A phone mount

This was perfect for me, as the motorcycle was practically ready to hit the road without the need for extra charges for each piece of equipment.

There’s no mileage limit, allowing for unlimited exploration without the hassle of tracking daily distances.

Motorcycle Rental Process

If you have a specific model and rental period in mind, booking the motorcycle in advance is a smart choice—this ensures your dream bike will be ready when you arrive in Mauritius. When I booked with Klokan, there was no need for a down payment. We simply arranged a pick-up day and time via WhatsApp.

When we arrived at the rental shop, the motorcycle was waiting for us, polished and ready to go.

The friendly staff walked us through the straightforward process:

• Checking my documents
• Inspecting the motorcycle (I was asked to make my own video of its current condition, which I appreciated)
• Reviewing the vehicle card and insurance (both smartly attached to the motorcycle key for police checks if needed)
• Explaining the accident report form (already printed and stored in the top-box)
• Selecting helmet sizes
• Voila! Ready to hit the road!

The whole process took less than 20 minutes (half of which was me changing out of a summer dress into more suitable riding gear).