When you’re planning a trip to Grand Baie during the fall months—September through November—you’ll find steady warmth and only small temperature changes. Daytime highs usually land in the mid-70s to upper-70s °F (about 23–25°C), and rainfall stays pretty low compared to the wetter start of the year. This time of year feels comfortable for being outside, since heavy showers rarely interrupt your plans.
The sea stays inviting, with water temperatures hovering in the mid-70s °F. It’s just right for swimming, snorkeling, or maybe even sailing if you’re into that. Humidity sticks around, but it’s more manageable than in the wet season, so you can spend more time exploring beaches, markets, and coastal trails without feeling smothered by the heat.
Fall brings longer stretches of sunshine and fewer rainy days. You get more reliable weather for both relaxing and adventuring. If you want mild weather, warm seas, and fewer interruptions from rain, fall is a pretty great time to experience Grand Baie.
Overview of Fall Weather in Grand Baie
Fall in Grand Baie brings some shifts in temperature, rainfall, and daylight. You’ll notice slightly cooler weather than summer, less frequent rain, and clearer skies as the season moves along.
What Months Are Considered Fall in Grand Baie
In Grand Baie, fall means March, April, and May. These months transition from the wetter summer to the drier, cooler winter.
March still carries the tail end of summer’s heat and humidity, and you’ll see more rain. April feels drier, and the skies clear up more often. May stands out as the driest of the three, with cooler evenings and shorter days.
Daylight hours shift too. Early March gives you about 12 hours and 30 minutes of daylight, but by late May, you’re looking at closer to 11 hours. Sunrise comes later, and sunset creeps earlier, so the daily rhythm definitely changes.
This seasonal shift makes fall a comfortable time for outdoor fun. There’s less rain and steadier weather than in summer.
General Climate Characteristics
Average daily high temperatures in fall range from about 85°F (29°C) in March down to 79°F (26°C) in May. Lows drop from around 76°F (24°C) to 70°F (21°C). The season stays warm but less humid than summer.
Rainfall drops quickly. At the start of March, you might get about 4 inches of rain in a month, but by late May, it’s usually less than 1 inch. Wet days go from about 31% to 7%, so May feels especially dry.
Cloud cover clears up too. Early fall brings more cloudy days, but by late May, you’ll see mostly clear skies. Winds pick up a bit, averaging 15 mph from the east, which helps keep humidity down.
Sea surface temperatures cool from about 82°F (28°C) to 78°F (26°C) during fall. The water stays comfortable for swimming, just a little cooler than summer.
Average Fall Temperatures
Fall in Grand Baie brings a gentle cooling trend, with both daytime highs and nighttime lows dropping a few degrees as the season goes on. The weather stays warm enough for outdoor activities, but you’ll notice shorter days, clearer skies, and cooler evenings compared to the sticky summer months.
Daytime and Nighttime Temperature Ranges
During fall, daytime highs usually range from 85°F (29°C) in early March down to about 79°F (26°C) by late May. You rarely see highs above 87°F or below 76°F, so the daytime climate stays reliably warm.
Nighttime lows shift too, starting near 76°F (24°C) and cooling to about 70°F (21°C) by late May. Evenings stay comfortable, but late-season nights might feel a bit cooler.
This balance between warm days and mild nights makes fall great for beach trips, outdoor dining, or just wandering along the coast. Heavy clothes aren’t needed, but a light jacket for breezier evenings can help.
Monthly Temperature Trends
The cooling happens gradually as the wet summer fades into the clearer winter.
- March: Warmest fall month, with highs around 85°F (29°C) and lows near 76°F (24°C)
- April: Temperatures ease, averaging 82°F (28°C) by day and 73°F (23°C) at night
- May: Coolest fall month, with highs close to 79°F (26°C) and lows around 70°F (21°C)
This steady drop in temperature creates a comfortable climate compared to the humid summer, but you still get that tropical warmth Grand Baie is known for.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns
In fall, Grand Baie’s rainfall drops off fast—from wetter conditions in March to much drier weather by late May. You’ll notice not just less rain overall, but also fewer rainy days.
Monthly Rainfall Totals
March kicks off fall with more rain—totals average about 4.1 inches (104 mm) for the month. April brings a sharp drop, closer to 2 inches (50 mm). May is the driest, averaging only 0.4 inches (10 mm).
Rainfall rarely goes above 8–9 inches in March, but by late May, it often falls below 1 inch.
| Month | Average Rainfall |
|---|---|
| March | ~104 mm (4.1 in) |
| April | ~50 mm (2.0 in) |
| May | ~10 mm (0.4 in) |
You can see how quickly the rain tapers off, making late fall one of the driest times in Grand Baie.
Frequency of Rainy Days
Rainy days also become less common as fall goes on. March brings rain on about 20 days—but most showers pass quickly. April drops to around 10–12 days. By May, you might see only 3–5 rainy days.
The chance of a wet day falls from about 31% in early March to just 7% by late May. So, March can still feel humid and unsettled, but May is much more stable and dry.
Rain usually comes as brief showers, not long storms. That makes it easier to plan your day, since rain rarely takes over the whole afternoon.
Sea Temperature During Fall
Sea temperatures in Grand Baie stay warm throughout the fall, with only small changes from September through November. The water’s comfortable for swimming, snorkeling, and anything else you want to do—no sharp drops like in some places.
Monthly Sea Temperature Averages
The sea warms up a bit from early to late fall. In September, the average water temperature is about 23.9 °C. By October, it reaches 24.5 °C, and in November, it’s around 25.7 °C.
This small but steady increase means the water feels a little warmer as the season goes on. A difference of nearly 2 °C from September to November is actually noticeable if you’re in the water a lot.
| Month | Avg. Sea Temp (°C) |
|---|---|
| September | 23.9 |
| October | 24.5 |
| November | 25.7 |
Even in September, the water stays warmer than many other coastal spots. Most people find these temps comfortable for swimming.
Swimming and Water Activities
You can swim comfortably in Grand Baie’s waters all fall. The water warms a bit by late fall, which makes longer swims, snorkeling, or diving even more pleasant.
At 24–26 °C, the water feels refreshing—never too cold. That’s perfect for casual swimming or something more active like paddleboarding or kayaking.
Snorkelers get good visibility during fall, since there’s less rain than in summer. The warm water attracts plenty of marine life near the reefs, which is always a plus.
Since the sea never drops below 23 °C in fall, wetsuits aren’t necessary for most water activities. A light rash guard might help with sun protection, but you won’t need it for warmth.
Relative Humidity and Comfort Levels
Humidity in Grand Baie during fall stays pretty high, but it changes as the season shifts from late summer rain toward early winter dryness. You’ll feel warm and a bit damp, but breezes usually help keep things comfortable.
Average Humidity by Month
From March to May, relative humidity sits between 74% and 79%. March is the stickiest, averaging around 79%—no surprise since it’s the wettest month.
April holds close to 79% too, but with less rain, the air doesn’t feel quite as heavy. By May, humidity drops to about 75%, and things definitely feel more comfortable.
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| March | ~79% | Very humid, frequent rain |
| April | ~79% | Humid, but easing slightly |
| May | ~75% | Noticeably more comfortable |
So, while fall is still humid, the gradual drop makes late-season weather much easier to handle.
Impact on Daily Life and Activities
You’ll notice the humidity most when you’re out and about in March and April. Walking, shopping, or sightseeing can feel sticky, especially midday. Staying hydrated and taking shade breaks really helps.
Beach trips and swimming stay popular, since sea breezes take the edge off the humidity. Hats and lightweight clothes make outdoor time way more comfortable.
By May, lower humidity means you can spend even longer outside without feeling worn out. Dining outdoors, hiking, or browsing markets gets easier as the air feels fresher.
If you’re traveling, early fall is best for water activities, while late fall works better for sightseeing and longer excursions.
Other Fall Weather Factors
In fall, you’ll see steady changes in both daylight and wind in Grand Baie. These shifts shape how much time you’ll want to spend outside and how pleasant the coastal air feels.
Sunshine Hours and Daylight
Daylight hours get shorter as fall moves on. Early March gives you about 12 hours and 30 minutes of daylight, but by late May, you’re down to around 11 hours. That’s a loss of almost an hour and a half of sunlight.
Sunrise comes later, from about 6:07 AM in March to 6:37 AM in May. Sunset moves earlier too, from 6:36 PM down to about 5:37 PM. Evenings definitely feel shorter.
On average, skies clear up as the season goes. March brings more cloudy or mostly cloudy days, but by late May, you get mostly clear skies. So, even with less daylight, late fall feels brighter overall.
For planning outdoor activities, you’ll find more reliable sunshine in May than March. Early fall can still bring a passing shower, but the trend is toward drier, clearer weather.
Wind Speed and Breezes
Fall in Grand Baie brings a bit more wind than usual. Average speeds go up from about 14.8 mph in March to 15.8 mph by May.
You’ll probably notice a stronger, more consistent breeze along the coast.
Winds mainly blow from the east. In late April, easterly winds show up more than 80% of the time.
This steady direction makes breezes pretty predictable, which is great if you’re into sailing, fishing, or other water activities.
Calm days? Not so much in the fall. Even when it’s at its calmest, average wind speeds stay above 14 mph.
Fresh air keeps humidity from getting too heavy. Breezes cool down those warm afternoons, so being outside feels a lot nicer.
If you’re into watersports like windsurfing or kitesurfing, this season works out well. Consistent easterly winds give you good conditions, but you won’t get the wild gusts that show up in winter.
Travel Tips for Visiting Grand Baie in Fall
Temperatures in Grand Baie during fall stay pretty mild. You’ll see averages between 20°C and 26°C.
Rainfall drops off compared to summer, and the sea stays warm enough for a swim. It’s a nice window for outdoor fun or just relaxing by the coast.
Best Activities for Fall Weather
You can actually enjoy the beach without that heavy summer heat. The weather’s calmer, so swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding in the lagoons feel more comfortable.
Coral reefs near Grand Baie stay clear and easy to explore during this season.
Boat trips pick up in fall too. Catamaran cruises head out to islands like Coin de Mire or Île Plate, and the sea usually stays steady.
With less humidity, hiking feels better—especially in places like Labourdonnais Orchards or the Mont Choisy coastal area.
Evenings cool off, so outdoor dining gets a lot more enjoyable.
Waterfront restaurants in Grand Baie serve up fresh seafood and local Creole dishes, and you get to skip the big crowds from peak season.
What to Pack for a Fall Trip
You’ll want to pack light clothes made from breathable fabrics for daytime—think cotton shirts and shorts. I always toss in a light sweater or jacket for the evenings, since temps can drop a bit after sunset.
Don’t forget swimwear and reef-safe sunscreen, because the UV index doesn’t really let up. Honestly, a hat and sunglasses are lifesavers if you plan to spend hours outside.
If you’re heading beyond the beach, grab some comfy walking shoes or sandals for wandering trails or checking out local markets. I usually bring a compact rain jacket too, just in case those short showers pop up.
Thinking about boat excursions? Pack a dry bag for your electronics, and a light windbreaker makes things way more comfortable.