Named after the Portuguese explorer Diogo Rodrigues is beautiful Island found in the Indian Ocean at 650km east of Mauritius. It is a great hidden gem to spend a delightful remote holiday. Even if it is then smallest of the Mascarene Islands, it is indeed a real paradise on Earth where the people are welcoming with a lot of mountains along with many wonderful beaches and amazing small islands surrounding it.
The island is made of basilic rock along a coastline of 78km total length. With wild creeks and stunning sandy beaches, this island is going to make you fall in love with nature. This spot is ideal to spend an unforgettable holiday in addition to the fact that it has a perfect setting for honeymooners.
About this wonderful island
Like Mauritius, it is a tropical island therefore a great travel destination where the sea is warm between 25°C to 28 °C. A pleasant climate to offer the visitors all year round.
The official language is English somehow the most common language is Créole, a mix between French and several African dialects along with various oriental languages.
Despite being dependent on Mauritius, the local get their main resources of income through the tourist industry, fishing, cultivation of vegetables and especially animal rearing.
Places to visit inn Rodrigues
Port Mathurin
Here this is the town where you will be able to have all the facilities such as MCB bank or SBM bank but also may administrative offices. The buses from all around the island come to station there so as to wait for the people that have finished their shopping. As there is the market there, Port Mathurin attracts a lot of local people but eventually more visitors. In this spot they will have the opportunity to buy souvenirs to bring back home, conserved food such as dried octopus or fish. Chillis and other foods are also available in jars so you can be able to carry them in your suitcases.
The Saint-Gabriel Cathedral
It has been built between 1936 and 1939 described as the sum contribution of each parishioner who brought under very difficult conditions the sand stone and coral from all corners of the island. It is located in the heart of Rodrigues, Saint-Gabriel Cathedral is one of the sites that deserves a closer look with a capacity of welcoming up to 2000 faithful.
Anse Bouteille
That can be described as the little gem of Rodrigues, with is white powdered sand and turquoise warm water, Anse Bouteille will blow you mind to an extent you would have never imagine. Have a dip with your favorite cocktail or get a tan in the sun, nothing can ever make you feel better for you will want this particular moment to be everlasting.
Ti Rodrig
For thrill-lovers, Ti Rodrig is absolutely a must to do during your holidays there. It is an ideal activity for those who have been waiting to experience flying like a bird along the mountain. You will be surrounded all by nature with breathtaking views of the lagoon, the waterfalls and the valleys all contributing to enhance the beauty of the island. Normally there are 2 courses of Tyroliennes, then first one is made up of three courses, the longest is 400m then the second is of 200m and the last is 100m. Moreover there is a second course consisting of four zip line 160m, 240m, 200m and 100m in length.
To be noted that the Nepalese bridge also can be done at RodriJump which is a call to have a dizzying experience of the island. 128 meters long and stretched to just over 40 meters in height, this bridge allows the more adventurous or adventurers to overcome their fear and discover one of the most beautiful sites on the island from an unprecedented angle.
Ile aux Cocos
Ile aux Cocos is located 4 km away to the west from Rodrigues. It is a beautiful nature reserve that became the main tourist attraction of Rodrigues. It has a fine long fine beach along with coconut trees and casurarina trees. Thousands of birds and sea birds are visible but to go there you will need to take the boat which often become a fun boat ride and an adventure for itself. To visit the island, an authorization will be needed and must be obtained by tour operators. In the summer period, which is the best time to see most of the birds, up to 5000 birds can be seen on the island.
Pointe Cotton Beach
If you want to find Heaven on Earth, then if you visit Rodrigues, this is absolutely the place to be. The blue warm water will make you to take a dip longer than you have ever thought to. You will have a complete break in your routine life that will help you to revitalize yourself, distress completely and be in top shape. In addition you will have the Cotton Bay hotel which is set in a peaceful environment of the tropical island of Rodrigues. It will charm you with its bungalow with styled accommodation where in the evening you can choose to relax while enjoying an exotic cocktail with live entertainment at the open-air lounge.
Caverne Patate
Caverne Patate or as it can be said the geological wonder of Rodrigues. It is found in the southwest region of Rodrigues Island. The visit to the Potato Cave is not only reserved for speleologists as you will be amazed by its elongated shape combined with its kilometer long make it the most amazing and longest on the island. Somehow it remains framed due to the rare and fragile nature of the natural structure.
Francois Leguat Reserve
This reserve is the recreation of the Eden garden described by the island’s early explorers where hundreds of tortoises roam the grounds and about hundred thousands of indigenous trees have been planted. There are approximately around 280, 000 tortoises of different species especially the new one Ploughshare Tortoise that are pleasing visitors.
If you are an explorer, the caves will amaze the explorer in you as there are 9 impressive caves and dolines. The especial one is the famous Grande Caverne which is the most visited as it is equipped with the art raised walkways steps and eco-friendly lighting.
As you can see, Rodrigues is a place where you will without a single doubt spend unforgettable holidays. So stop waiting and pack up your clothes to let you be carried out by this wanderlust island!