Rodrigues Island - Mauritius

Rodrigues is a delightful remote little holiday island 650 km east of Mauritius in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Measuring only 18 km in length and 8 km at its widest point, Rodrigues is entirely surrounded by coral reefs offering world-class diving and snorkeling.

Rodrigues Island, named after the Portuguese explorer Diogo Rodrigues, is the smallest of the Mascarene Islands and a dependency of Mauritius.

Rodrigues is a place that is strikingly beautiful. The island is hilly with a lot of flora and has a lot of beaches and tiny islands around it, such as Ile aux Cocos.

Its highest peak is Mont Limon, which reaches 395 meters. The rest of the island is made of basaltic rock and along the coastlines (total length of 78km) there are numerous coves and creeks and high cliffs.

The landscapes vary from hilly lands to steep volcanic hills standing up as basaltic organ pipes. Its coasts are made of wild creeks, marvelous sandy beaches and coral reefs, surrounded by small islets. The lagoon and coral reefs of Rodrigues are twice the area of the islands and are very rich and full of marine life.

Rodrigues is a well preserved island where people live simply and where those who want to go 'off the beaten track' should stay for a few days.

Time seems to stand still on Rodrigues.

Its charm and simple unhurried pace of life attract celebrities from around the world who come to enjoy the island's tranquility and natural beauty.

Rodrigues Island is definitely one of the best places on earth to spend a quiet and memorable holiday. Those who enjoy nature’s beauty will be mesmerized by seeing the scenic beauty of this peaceful island. The tropical vegetation of the region is extremely enchanting. Also, the island provides the perfect settings for honeymoon couples as well as for families wanting to relax.

Best time to visit Rodrigues in Mauritius

The best time to visit the region in Rodrigues in Mauritius is from January until December, when you will have a pleasant or warm temperature and limited till mediocre rainfall. The highest average temperature in Rodrigues is 28°C in February and the lowest is 23°C in August.

Places To Visit In Rodrigues Island in Mauritius

• Saint Gabriel Church

Saint Gabriel church is located right at the heart of Rodrigues Island and has one of the largest Port Louis diocese congregations. The religious building serves as a cathedral of the Catholic Church's Apostolic Vicariate of Rodrigues. 32.7% of the Mauritian population adheres to Christianity and Christian beliefs. Christianity was introduced in Mauritius with the arrival of the Dutch and today; some churches are scattered in different parts of the island. One of the most significant among them is the Saint Gabriel Church.

• Caverne Patate

Being a volcanic island, Mauritius is home to several caves that are both accessible and inaccessible. One such cave that's accessible is now a popular tourist attraction by the name Cavern Patate. The cave is located on Rodrigues island, off the main coast of Mauritius. Rodrigues island is home to quite a few caves and caverns which were used in the ancient times by pirates to hoard their treasure. Although the treasures are no longer there, the caves are one of the most intriguing places you can think of exploring.

• Francois Leguat Nature Reserve

While the mainstay of Mauritius is its stellar stretches of white sand beaches and crystal-clear azure lagoons, Mauritius is an exotic island and is home to a plethora of such exotic places that draw as many tourists as its tropical beaches do. Unbeknownst to many, Mauritius is not a lone island in itself but is surrounded by many smaller islets that serve as perfect weekend getaways when you're on a trip to Mauritius. One such island is Rodrigues, which is home to the Francois Leguat Nature Reserve, a very popular nature reserve in the country where you can experience the beauty of Mauritius in all its untouched, untainted glory, far away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the country's tropical tourist destinations.

How To Reach Rodrigues in Mauritius

There are only two ways to reach Rodrigues Island from the outside world. One is by the passenger and cargo vessel Mauritius Trochetia, which runs between Port Louis and Rodrigues on a bimonthly basis and takes 36-48 hours to reach depending on sea conditions.

Another way is to fly from SSR airport, Mauritius to Rodrigues Airport via Air Mauritius flights. There are 2-5 flights to Rodrigues Island per day depending on the time of the year and takes an hour and thirty minutes to reach. Another way in is from Reunion Island by Air Austral flights on Fridays and Sundays. The frequency is moderated as per the season demands.