Beach access: an online map to locate public access points to the sea

The initiative comes at a time when public access to Mauritius’ coastline remains a major concern. Access to the sea should not be a privilege reserved for those who happen to live nearby or have the means to get through private developments. The aim of the map is to make it easier for everyone to identify public access points and understand their rights when they want to reach a beach or the sea.

The project will not be limited to these four areas. The Ministry’s Cartography Section will continue identifying access points in other coastal regions. The information collected will be verified before being progressively added to the platform.

The launch follows a commitment made by Housing and Lands Minister Shakeel Mohamed. On Tuesday, September 8, the minister also visited the first areas covered by the map.

The map is available online on the Ministry of Housing and Lands website: https://housing.govmu.org/public_beach/index.html

Access will not only be marked on a screen. Signs have been installed along roads to indicate public passages leading to the beach. Corresponding signs have also been placed on the seaside to help people find their way back to the road.

The map will also help emergency services operating along the coast. The National Coast Guard, police and emergency medical services will be able to use the identified access points when they need to respond quickly.

But perhaps most importantly, the ministry is asking members of the public to help monitor these access points. Anyone who finds a public passage blocked by a gate, fence, container or any other structure is encouraged to take a photo or video of the obstruction.

This information can then be sent to the Ministry of Housing and Lands or reported to the Police des Terres on 401 3744. The authorities can then carry out the necessary checks and take action where appropriate.

For an island nation like Mauritius, public access to the sea should never be treated as something that people have to fight for. Beaches and the coastline are part of the country’s natural heritage, and recognised public access points must remain genuinely public. A sign on a map is a good start, but what matters is making sure that no gate, fence, private development or other obstruction can quietly turn a public passage into a private one.

Through the new mapping system and signage, the ministry says it wants to make coastal access more visible and ensure that recognised public passages remain open and accessible. For many Mauritians, that is not a favour — it is something that should have been respected in the first place.