The island of Rodrigues, which is part of the country of Mauritius, is perfect for those who want to get away from civilization and spend time in nature. There are no highways, no blocks of high-rise hotels, and no large shopping and entertainment centers. Instead, there are small hotels and shops, picturesque landscapes, and beaches with volcanic sand and clear ocean waters. There is no shortage of activities to keep you entertained.
Basic information about the island
Rodrigues is an autonomous region of the Republic of Mauritius. It is located 560 km east of the main island of Mauritius and is part of the Mascarene Archipelago. Rodrigues is the smallest island in the Mascarene Archipelago, but it is the second-largest island in the Republic of Mauritius. It is 18.3 km long, 6.5 km wide, and has a total area of 104 km².
Rodriguez is of volcanic origin and resembles a miniature version of Mauritius in its shape. Its coastline is dotted with numerous bays and coves, and its shallow lagoon is 2.5 times larger than the island itself. The island’s landscape is flat, with its highest point, Mount Limon, reaching a height of 393 meters. Compared to Mauritius, Rodriguez’s vegetation is more sparse.
This small piece of land was named after the Portuguese navigator Diego Rodriguez, who discovered this tropical paradise in 1528. Since then, the island has been ruled by various countries: it was colonized by the Dutch in 1691, was under French rule from 1693, and became part of the British Empire in 1809. It was not until 1968 that Rodrigues became part of the Republic of Mauritius, first as its tenth district and then as an autonomous territory in late 2002. Today, Rodrigues is governed by a regional assembly and has its own council, which is represented in the Mauritian Parliament.
According to the Mauritius Statistics Office, there were more than 43,500 people living on Rodrigues Island in 2019. All residents of the island are citizens of Mauritius. The majority of the local population (95%) are descendants of Africans who speak Creole (based on French) and practice Catholicism.
The capital of the island of Rodrigues is the city of Port-Maturin, which is located in the northwestern part of the island. Despite its grandiose title as the capital, Port-Maturin is a small and very quiet provincial town with unusual old houses painted in bright colors.
The main economic activities on Rodrigues are agriculture, fishing, and tourism. Due to its distance from Mauritius and limited infrastructure, tourism is still underdeveloped on the island. Rodrigues is particularly popular among eco-tourists.
What to see and do
Although this island is quite small, it has many beautiful places for a good vacation and many opportunities for interesting and enjoyable activities.
Francois Leguat Reserve
Anyone who is interested in seeing what the island of Rodriguez looked like before man began to dominate it should visit the François Legua Giant Tortoise Sanctuary. The sanctuary is spread over 20 hectares in the southwestern part of Rodriguez, and there is a lot to see.
For example, there are picturesque, lush jungles with tens of thousands of native trees. Since the 1980s, more than 300,000 seedlings of 40 endemic plant species have been planted on the island under the guidance of the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation. The reserve is a perfect example of how successful efforts can be in restoring an almost extinct ecosystem.
There is a magnificent valley in the François Legua Nature Reserve with hundreds of tropical birds and giant land tortoises. Once upon a time, the island was home to a large number of tortoises, with the highest density of tortoises per square meter on the planet. However, between 1730 and 1770, two endemic species of tortoises, the Rodriguez tortoise, were hunted to extinction for their meat and oil. Since 2007, two species of turtles (Aldabra and Radiated Tortoises) have been reintroduced to the reserve, which are the closest living species to the extinct Rodriguez tortoise. The reintroduction has been so successful that there are now over 3,000 individuals on the island, including baby turtles.
Giant, incredibly large turtles roam freely in the picturesque valley. Almost all of these animals are tame: they follow people like puppies and demand to be petted on their necks. People are even allowed to ride on the large turtles, although, given their speed, it’s more like “just sitting.” The turtles can be fed at any time, and they even beg for food.
Attention! Feeding turtles should be done carefully, because they may bite your finger, thinking it is food.
On the territory of “Francois Legua” there is also an interesting cave of the Grand Cavern (Grande Caverne) with majestic limestone stalactites. This is the only “show cave” in the south-west of the Indian Ocean: it is electrified, and also equipped with convenient drawbridges and steps.
By visiting the museum at the reserve, visitors can get an idea of the island’s natural beauty and history.
- The reserve is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00. Only guided tours are allowed on the premises at 09:30, 10:30, 13:30, and 14:30.
- Admission is 500 rupees per person.
- Official website: www.francoisleguatreserve.com.
Tip! It’s better to come to the reserve early, as after 10 a.m. due to the strong sun, a visit to the turtles turns into a real test. And for visiting cool and dark caves, it is advisable to take a windbreaker and a construction helmet with you for safety.
Grande Montagne Nature Reserve
The Grand Montagne Nature Reserve covers an area of 25.5 hectares. Thanks to the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation, more than 170,000 seedlings of several dozen endemic plant species have been planted in this area.
Today, the Grand Montagne is an incredibly picturesque wilderness that can be explored up close.
Important! From Monday to Saturday, the reserve offers guided tours for all visitors. Guided tours at 9:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. do not require advance booking.
Cocos Island (Île aux Cocos)
There are 17 small islands near Rodriguez Island. One of them, Il Coco, is a nature reserve that can only be visited with a special permit from the tourism office.
Île Cocos is completely deserted, inhabited only by exotic birds – they have chosen the rocks of the island for their huge colonies. The birds are very beautiful, and tourists often go to watch them. You can even go on a free tour with an ornithologist, although it takes place in French or English.
Ile aux Cocos is also known for its pristine beaches with white sand. Many tourists consider this island to be a true paradise in Mauritius.
Tip! If you have a choice, it’s better to visit Île Cocos around noon, when the tide is high. Otherwise, you won’t be able to swim there.
Trou d’Argent Beach
In Mauritius, where civilization is everywhere, beaches like Trou d’Argent are rare. It’s like being a real Robinson Crusoe. The view is breathtaking, and the sound of the sea and waves is amazing.
Trou d’Argent is a small lagoon, protected on two sides by high, steep cliffs. The rectangular beach is covered with pure, fine sand of a yellowish hue. The water is turquoise and clear, and the beach is shallow and comfortable, with no rocks, making it a great place for families with children.
You can’t drive to Trou d’Argent Beach, so you’ll need to park and walk for another 30-40 minutes. The path takes you through a public beach and then through a small forest with several uphill sections, where you’ll encounter many goats along the way. The walk is physically demanding, but the final destination is worth the effort.
Saint Gabriel Church
St. Gabriel’s Cathedral is the largest Gothic-style cathedral not only in Mauritius but also on all the nearby islands in the Indian Ocean.
The large stone building with an iron roof looks quite “light”, very beautiful and impressive. Dark stone with numerous white spider web embroidery, windows with white framing – all this makes the construction bright and majestic.
Unlike the exterior, the interior is incredibly simple and unremarkable: light wood-paneled walls, high ceilings with wooden beams, several statues of saints, a large table with a white tablecloth, and numerous benches for visitors.
The attraction is located in the heart of the capital of the island of Rodriguez, the city of Port Maturin, but in a quiet and cozy place. The road is a bit confusing, with numerous turns, so it is worth remembering the Geo location of Saint Gabriel Church: 19. 718095, 63. 437966.
Underwater activities: diving, snorkeling, and fishing
Like Mauritius, Rodriguez is great for snorkeling and scuba diving. 10 kilometers from the coast, there is a coral reef that is home to a variety of colorful fish, stingrays, hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, and plankton.
Underwater fishing is allowed on Rodriguez, so you can also hunt for local marine life.
Kitesurfing
Rodriguez, like Mauritius, is one of the most popular holiday destinations for kite, wind and just surfers. There are two surf locations in Rodriguez: Passe Jimmy and Ebony Mourouke.
Spot Ebony Mourouke is a wide beach near the hotel of the same name, where kitesurfers like to stay. Ebony Mourouke is suitable for both beginners and advanced kitesurfers.
The Passe Jimmy spot, located on the west coast, is not suitable for beginner kitesurfers. However, advanced kitesurfers believe that this spot is perfect for high-speed riding.
Accomodation
On Rodriguez, travelers can choose from luxurious 4-star hotels, comfortable 3-star hotels, cozy private guesthouses, bungalows, cottages, and apartments. A distinctive feature of these hotels is their compact size, with a maximum of 30 rooms in each.
Trip.com offers more than 50 different options for tourists to book.
Prices vary quite a lot. You can rent a double room for a day for as little as $53 in a guest apartment or villa, or as much as $490 in a luxurious 4-star hotel. The average cost of a comfortable room is $90-140.
Public transport links
Charles Gaëtan Duval Airport is located in the south-west of the island. Regular flights operated by the national airline, Air Mauritius, connect Rodrigues with the island of Mauritius. Depending on the season, there are 3-5 flights per day using ATR 72 aircraft. The flight time is approximately 1.5 hours.
Rodriguez can also be reached by ferry, which runs 2-3 times a month from Port Louis to Port Maturin. This journey takes much longer, ranging from 36 to 48 hours.
You can travel around the island by bike, motorcycle, or car. There are several rental shops on the island, and the only gas station is located in Port Maturin. The island has a well-developed bus system that connects major destinations, and there is also a taxi service.
