Beaches in Mauritius: public or private... What does the Law stands for?

Published on the

Public beach, private property, right of way... Long-standing conflicts between waterfront hoteliers or owners and picnickers or strollers are frequent! Short brief about the rights and obligations of each and everyone...

The ’’Pas Geométriques Act’’, often misunderstood or misinterpreted and thereby causing endless debates, already exists. The law was voted in 1807 by General Decaen under the French administration, for defense purposes against the British army. After being approved in 1895 under the current name ’’Pas Geométriques Act’’, this law is still in force today.

In other words, the beach is represented by a strip of sand located all around the island. This strip band is public from the sea up to the point reached by the waves at high tide (the High Water Mark). The Coastal Law is very similar to the French law, thereby authorizing access and free use of the area until the high water mark; it is however strictly forbidden to use the private facilities set up by the owners along the beach without prior authorization..

The confusion lies often between ’’private beach’’ and ’’private property’’. As such, there is no private beach along the coast of Mauritius: the coastal lands being public, this means that they belong to the State and are leased to individuals or groups. The right of use goes logically to the person or company that owns the contract and pays the rental fees (lease). The land is owned by the government of Mauritius but, without prior permission from the tenant, access on the leased land is prohibited. The part which is not rented is accessible to all. This part is between the high tide marks on the beach and extends to the horizon and varies with the tide.
It is only allowed to walk freely between the high water mark and the sea while swimming remains completely legal.

The Beach Authority (BA) has listed 93 public beaches along the coast, some partly equipped with toilets, water point, tables, BBQ area, with daily cleaning and strict rules for picnics, camping or BBQ. The Beach Authority also governs access to beaches and it should be pointed out that there is no law stipulating the need to allow public access to beaches every 500 meters...

The ongoing debate between beach users and villa owners will go on. Let’s hope that all find a place in the sun!

More informations:
Pas Géométriques Act : http://www.gov.mu/portal/goc/housing/file/pga.pdf
Beach Authority : http://beachauthority.intnet.mu

Text: www.lexpressproperty.com

  1. Buying land for construction
  2. Surveying your plot of land
  3. The Construction Permit
  4. Construction Guide
  5. House Plans
  6. Finding an architect
  7. Why call upon an architect?
  8. Finding a building contractor
  9. Buying off-plan in Mauritius
  10. Conversion of agricultural land
  11. Beaches in Mauritius: public or private... What does the Law stands for?

More Articles in : Accommodation

Our Files

Buying in Mauritius

Buying a property is a lifetime investment, especially when it comes to buying a home. You must have all the necessary and useful information to (...)

Rent: Tenants

Property rental is a market which is gaining momentum in Mauritius. The ever-rising demand for houses, apartments, studios and villas rental is (...)

Construction

Choose your land location, draft your construction plan, apply for your Building and Land-use Permit, choose your building materials, carry out (...)

Rent: Landlords

Buying a real estate property provides some advantages: fiscal incentives, warranties, energy saving, rental income in case of property rental. (...)

Moving to Mauritius

Thinking about moving and settling in Mauritius? You have obtained all the required permits and it is now time to seriously consider your (...)