Rodrigues Island in Mauritius: everything about the holiday

Rodrigues is one of the most remote and distinctive islands of the Republic of Mauritius. It lies 580-650 kilometres east of Mauritius and covers about 108 km². This place feels like a separate world, with its own rules and rhythm.

It is not called “Mauritius 200 years ago” for nothing, meaning Mauritius before tourism. On Rodrigues, time really does seem to have stopped. Life on the island revolves around the ocean, the lagoon and small villages, while nature is the main resource. People come here for new discoveries, leaving the classic “beach-hotel” format to those who are not yet ready to meet untouched Mauritius.

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Geography of Rodrigues Island

Rodrigues is relatively small - about 18 km long and 8 km wide. The island’s terrain is of volcanic origin and consists of hilly slopes framed by a vast lagoon, coral reefs and many secluded bays. Rodrigues is surrounded by tiny uninhabited islets that you can visit on a day trip.

The highest point is Mount Limon, 398 metres high. It is considered the most scenic place, offering panoramic views over the lagoon and coastal reefs. The main geographical feature of Rodrigues is the huge lagoon surrounding the island on almost all sides. Its area is about twice the size of the island itself.

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What you need to know about Rodrigues

• Climate and nature. Typically tropical, with a moderate influence of trade winds: the average temperature usually stays within 25-28°C throughout the year, while the rainy season lasts from December to April, when tropical cyclones are possible. The local nature preserves unique ecosystems.
• Population and language. The island is home to about 44,000 people, who mainly speak Rodriguan Creole, as well as French and English.
• Culture and development. The distance from major archipelagos has strongly influenced the development of Rodrigues. The culture here is more authentic, urbanisation is almost absent, and the main occupations of local residents are tourism, fishing, agriculture and livestock farming.
• History. The island was discovered back in 1528 by the Portuguese navigator Diego Rodrigues, but remained uninhabited until the 18th century. In 1735, a permanent French colony appeared here. Later, the island came under British rule, and in 1968 it became part of independent Mauritius. Since 2002, Rodrigues has had autonomous status within the Republic of Mauritius.

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How to get to Rodrigues Island

There are no direct international flights to Rodrigues. Travellers usually fly to Mauritius (Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport), and then take a domestic Air Mauritius flight to Plaine Corail Airport on Rodrigues. The flight takes about an hour and a half.

After arriving at Plaine Corail Airport, you will easily find a convenient way to reach your hotel. You can rent a car or use taxi services. It is also worth checking in advance whether your hotel can organise a private meet-and-greet, as many hotels offer transfers to the place of stay.

There is no regular tourist sea connection. However, cargo vessels run between the islands. On average, depending on weather and speed, the trip lasts 29-36 hours.

How to get around the island

• Public transport. The most economical, and slightly extreme, way to move around the island is by bus. But services stop around 18:00 and are limited on Sundays.
• Car rental. An excellent option for seeing remote bays without being tied to a timetable. There are not many petrol stations on the island, so you should always check the fuel level before a longer trip. Traffic on Rodrigues roads is left-hand.
• Scooter rental. A good choice for mobile travellers. This manoeuvrable transport makes it easy to handle the island’s steep climbs and winding mountain roads.
• Taxis and hotel transfers. The most comfortable option for travellers who prefer to relax and enjoy the panoramas rather than watch every sharp turn.

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Port Mathurin - the capital of Rodrigues

The capital of the island is Port Mathurin - a cosy little town where the administrative and economic life of Rodrigues is concentrated. This is where you will find the main port, the island’s only bus station and the local market. Above the town rises Mount Fanal, with a viewpoint offering the best panorama of the surroundings. The spiritual diversity of the capital is highlighted by Catholic and Anglican churches, as well as a small mosque.

One of the main landmarks of Port Mathurin is considered to be a small statue of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Rodrigues, located on the Pointe Canon hill.

Saturday market in Port Mathurin

This is probably the main event of the week for any tourist or local resident. Come here for fresh produce, spices, handmade crafts and souvenirs. The market is open on other days of the week as well, but it reaches its true scale on Saturdays, becoming the epicentre of island life.

Port Mathurin, Rodrigues Island" by gminguzzi is licensed under BY-SA

What to do and what to see on Rodrigues

Despite its compact size, Rodrigues offers a good variety of activities. Below are the key places and experiences on the island: from discovering unique wildlife to trekking through wild bays.

Nature reserves and gardens

• François Leguat Giant Tortoise and Cave Reserve. This is one of the island’s most significant environmental projects. More than 3,000 Aldabra tortoises and rare Madagascar radiated tortoises live here in a natural environment. The reserve also has extraordinary caves and karst sinkholes, as well as a museum where you can learn about the history, wildlife and geology of Rodrigues.
• Grande Montagne Nature Reserve. This mountain reserve preserves many rare endemic plants and offers excursions and scenic views from lookout points.
• Caverne Patate. This is the longest known limestone cave in Mauritius and Rodrigues, stretching more than 1,000 metres. The tourist route runs for 600 metres and impresses with its unusual stalactite and stalagmite formations.
• Ile aux Cocos. A tiny uninhabited island with white beaches, 4 kilometres from Rodrigues. It is a protected bird sanctuary where thousands of rare seabirds nest. Visits are limited and possible only with a guide.
• Jardin des 5 Sens. A botanical garden in the centre of the island, where endemic plants, medicinal herbs and fruit trees typical only of this region are gathered.

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Panoramic viewpoints and hiking

• Mount Limon. The highest point of the island. From its nearly 400-metre summit, a full panoramic view opens over farmland and the endless lagoon.
• Trail to Trou d’Argent Bay. One of the best hiking routes, running along the wild eastern coast. The final point is a secluded beach between high cliffs.
• Tyrodrig. A flight on the island’s longest zip line and the best choice for those who want to combine panoramic views with extreme fun. From a height of 100 metres, you can see lush valleys and the ocean.

Water sports and activities on Rodrigues

• Kitesurfing and windsurfing. Thanks to the stable trade winds, the south-eastern part of the island, especially around Mourouk beach, is among the best places in the world for kitesurfing. A festival dedicated to this sport is held here every year, and the best season for kitesurfing lasts from May to October.
• Diving and snorkelling. The waters around the island are unique: its lagoon is almost twice the size of the land itself, and dive sites, besides the lagoon, include channels and the outer reef. During dives, you can see many ocean inhabitants and explore underwater caves, canyons and tunnels.
• Traditional fishing. The list of potential catches here is impressive: from dorado and wahoo to blue marlin, tuna and giant trevally. Rodrigues is also famous for octopus fishing, with octopuses dried in the sun on special wooden racks along the shore.

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Beaches of Rodrigues Island

The island’s coastline has preserved its original appearance, while the lagoon, covering about 200 square kilometres, is one of the cleanest in the Indian Ocean. Besides Mourouk beach, which is the centre of active holidays and kitesurfing, you can also relax on the shores of Pointe Coton and Gravier.

Trou d’Argent deserves special mention as one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. It can only be reached on foot via a coastal trail. The beach is a narrow secluded bay with snow-white sand surrounded by rock formations. According to local legends, pirate treasures are hidden somewhere here.

It is important to note that the effect of the tides is felt very strongly on Rodrigues. During low tide, the lagoon in some places becomes very shallow. Use aqua shoes, as there are many corals in the water and sea urchins can also be found.

Photo by Ricardo Stephan on Pexels

Where to stay on Rodrigues

The choice of accommodation on Rodrigues directly affects how you will see the island: surrounded by azure bays, on a hilltop with a panoramic view, or in a cosy guesthouse in the heart of the local community. Here are several comfortable options for staying by the coast:

• Bon Vivant Front De Mer. A cosy hotel with friendly staff, conveniently located on the first beach line, just a few minutes’ walk from the bus station and market in Port Mathurin. The hotel has a restaurant and a relaxation area.
• C Rodrigues Mourouk. A 4-star hotel with a private beach area offers guests 65 rooms, as well as beach villas with two and four bedrooms. Guests also have access to 2 restaurants, a bar and lounge area, a mini-club for children, a swimming pool, kitesurfing, hiking, excursions and other activities.
• Constance Tekoma. A 5-star beachfront hotel that accommodates guests in comfortable villas with ocean views and offers excellent cuisine, signature spa treatments, as well as an exciting variety of land and water activities.

Rodrigues is not quick or cheap when it comes to the journey. But everything is rewarded by the view of the lagoon from the top of Mont Limon and the feeling of complete authenticity in this corner of Mauritius.

Constance Tekoma