Mauritius: Indian Ocean Lagoon Sunsets at the Volcanic Island

Mauritius sits at 20.2°S in the southwest Indian Ocean, 900 km east of Madagascar. Golden hour lasts approximately 23 minutes. The western coast (Flic en Flac, La Preneuse, Le Morne) faces west-southwest directly over the Indian Ocean for unobstructed sunset horizons. Le Morne Brabant (556 m, a basaltic monolith at the southwestern tip, UNESCO World Heritage) rises steeply from the lagoon and anchors every western sunset composition. The Chamarel Coloured Earths (seven rolling dunes of volcanic clay in shades of red, brown, violet, and green) are best photographed in the afternoon when low western sun accentuates the colour transitions. The dry season (May–November) produces clearer skies and calmer seas for lagoon reflections.