Rodrigues

Rodrigues is a small island of volcanic origin and the smallest island of the Mascarene islands situated 560 km east from the north western coast of Mauritius. It is a dependency of Mauritius and its capital town is Port Mathurin.

You can access the island by boat disembarking at the port of Port Mathurin or by aeroplane landing at the airport of Sir Gaetan Duval Airport.

While you approach the island with the ATR plane of Air Mauritius, you’ll notice that its lagoon is twice the size of the island and displays a beautiful array of colours ranging from turquoise to deep blue. The lagoon is ideal for swimming and snorkelling in certain areas. The coast is made up of white sandy beaches lined with filaos and dense coconut trees, in some places you’ll have wild creeks and sandy coral islets where seabirds nest. Thus the coastal line of Rodrigues offers a wide variety of differences as well as enjoyable sights for the traveller.

The island is still big enough that you’ll need a car to travel around, preferably a 2x4 or 4x4 pickup. Its area of around 117 square kilometres that is 18 km long by 6.5 km does make it appear small, but the initial thought that you might get around the island by walking has to be changed quickly. You do actually need transportation.

The population of around 40 000 people speaks mainly Rodriguan Creole while French and English are understood by some inhabitants. It is also common that people on the streets will ask for a lift and that people stop and take them along.

The landscape is hilly and mountainous, flat areas are rare and rather small. The only real flat areas I noticed were soccer fields. You’ll see some cattle roaming here and there on the hills and in some places lots of guava trees, sometimes just next to the road where you can pluck a fruit and eat. The savour is delicious! It also has to be mentioned that Rodrigues has a very fertile soil and many more plants, fruits, vegetables, endemic plants and vegetation to offer.
The first impression I got when leaving the plane were the houses that you could see remotely on hills and lots of them without any fencing or walls. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this small paradise island.

There are various sight seeing spots such as the caves namely „Caverne Patate“ and „The Francois Leguat Giant Tortoise and Cave Reserve“ at Anse Quitor. You can also visit the island „Ile aux Cocos“ which is a bird reserve. Rodrigues has definitely a lot to discover!
If you are looking for something original, unique, peaceful, quiet and relaxing as well as enjoyable and memorable, Rodrigues is the place!