For many years Belle Mare consisted of nothing more than a few bungalows, which had been built in the 1920's. The east coast around and about Belle Mare was left wild and it was only in the 1970's that more progress was made. Two hotels were built on the Belle Mare beach and they remained the only ones in that region for about 10 years. Around the 1980's Belle Mare was suddenly inundated with hotels being built all along the beachfront. These hotels now stretch side by side all the way up to 'Trou d'eau Douce'. However, in comparison to the rest of the country the east coast is still lightly populated and least developed. Belle Mare also has one of the most renowned beaches on the island. This long white sandy beach runs on the east coast of Mauritius and boasts a deep, lush lagoon with a border of casuarina trees. Simptly an excellent location to lie back and relax or swim. On weekends the Belle Mare beach is also a very popular picnic spot for the locals. Over time Belle Mare has also become known as one of the best kite-surfing spots on the island. It is equally admired amongst divers for its reef and wreck dives. All other water sports , incl. Parasailing are practiced here and due to its magnificent underwater life in the shallow lagoon it has remained a spectacular site for undersea walk.