Travel to the heart of the Mascarene Archipelago: Rodrigues Island
Written on : 20 September 2017 By : Leo-Paul Weiss
During your stay in Mauritius, let yourself be tempted by a day to discover the island of Rodrigues. Located 560 kilometers northeast of its big sister, this pearl of the Indian Ocean is the last African land before Australia. From a volcanic origin, the island is in the heart of a 300 km² lagoon.
Preserved from mass tourism, this island is the playground for kite-surfers and nature lovers.
Only 1.5 hours by plane from Mauritius, head for Rodrigues to discover its many treasures.
Port Mathurin
Port-Mathurin is the capital and the only port of Rodrigues. To the North-East of the island, this welcoming and friendly village lives at a peaceful pace. Here, no stress, no agitation: enjoy it to stroll through its streets lined with brightly coloured stalls and colonial houses. Saturday morning is market day, a meeting place impossible to circumvent around basketry, fruits and vegetables, bathed by spices and scents.
In the southwest of Rodrigues, the François Leguat reserve is remarkable. This reserve shelters Seychelles turtles introduced in Rodrigues a few years ago to reintroduce them in the Rodrigues nature. The Patate cave is impressive, descending to 18 meters below sea level. Stalagmites and stalactites follow one another for 1000 meters in a complex geological formation. Its name comes from its elongated shape, reminiscent of a potato.
St. Gabriel Cathedral
In the heart of the island, the cathedral of Saint-Gabriel is an impressive work dating from 1939, built in basalt. Impossible to miss: this is the largest church in the Indian Ocean, which can accommodate about 2,000 people.
To the East of Rodrigues, let yourself be rocked by the rolling waves in Trou d'Argent creek. It is a charming little beach surrounded by two magnificent cliffs, in front of its name to a local legend: it would appear that in calm weather, a chain at the bottom of the ocean unfolds and leads to a hidden treasure...
With its unspoilt nature, Rodrigue Island offers numerous hiking opportunities to discover its hidden treasures. Among these, discover the verdant Pistache waterfall, in the north-west of the island, offering a spectacular panorama of the surrounding area.
Water sports: kitesurfing, diving, snorkeling
Rodrigues is famous for its seabed and the size of its lagoon, which is about 200 km long. Whether you are a diver or a snorkeler, you will have the chance to discover healthy corals, passes, caves, and thousands of fish. For sportspersons, Rodrigues is perfect for kitesurfing. With strong winds between June and October, it is a popular spot.
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