Rodrigues is the quiet sibling of Mauritius: a small volcanic island about 560 km to the east, ringed by a lagoon that is roughly twice the size of the land itself. There are no mega-resorts, no international hotel brands and very little traffic. What you get instead is an island where fishermen still dry octopus on lines outside their homes, where the coastal trail between Graviers and Saint François is empty on a weekday, and where most guesthouses know your name by the second morning.

This guide focuses on Rodrigues specifically for travellers who are already planning a Mauritius trip and want a slow, low-density add-on of three to six nights. If you are looking for butler-serviced villas and a choice of fine-dining venues, stay on the main island and read our guide to the best luxury resorts in Mauritius. If you want the Indian Ocean as it felt before tourism, keep reading.

Why Rodrigues Is Worth the Extra Flight

The appeal of Rodrigues is what it lacks. The island covers only about 108 square kilometres and has roughly 40,000 residents, most living in small hillside villages rather than resort strips. Development has stayed small-scale by design, and the local authorities actively promote eco-tourism and community-run experiences. The result is a place that feels closer to the Seychelles outer islands or a Pacific atoll than to the busy north coast of Mauritius.

The landscape is also different. Mauritius is lush and green; Rodrigues is drier, with grassy hills, limestone caves in the south and a lagoon that turns shades of turquoise and jade at low tide. Endemic history is everywhere: the island was home to the extinct Rodrigues solitaire, a flightless relative of the dodo, and ongoing reforestation projects are slowly bringing native plants back to the hillsides.

For couples who have already spent a week on a polished resort beach, Rodrigues works as a palate cleanser. For keen hikers, kitesurfers and snorkellers it can be the highlight of the whole trip. Compare it with other low-key Indian Ocean islands such as Nosy Be in Madagascar to see which kind of remoteness suits you.

How to Get to Rodrigues from Mauritius

Almost every visitor flies. Air Mauritius operates the route between Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport and Plaine Corail several times a day in high season, using small ATR turboprops. The flight takes around 90 minutes. Because the aircraft are small, baggage allowances can be tighter than on long-haul tickets, so check your fare conditions before packing dive gear or a kiteboard.

A passenger-cargo ship operated by the Mauritius Shipping Corporation also sails between Port Louis and Port Mathurin a few times a month. The crossing takes roughly a day and a half and is popular with locals moving goods. It is an adventure rather than a convenience; most visitors on a limited holiday should book the flight.

• Book early for December, Easter and the European summer holidays. Seats on the small aircraft sell out quickly.
• Leave a buffer day. Plan at least one night on Mauritius between Rodrigues and your long-haul departure in case of weather delays.
• Arrange a transfer. Plaine Corail is about 30 to 45 minutes by road from Port Mathurin and most hotels; taxis exist but meeting a pre-booked driver is easier.

Where to Stay: Boutique Hotels and Lodges

Rodrigues does not have five-star branded resorts. The best stays are small, owner-run or locally managed hotels with a focus on views, food and the lagoon. Expect clean, comfortable rooms, generous breakfasts and personal service rather than spas with long treatment menus. The table below summarises the main options by area.

The east coast between Pointe Coton and Saint François is the best base for most visitors: the beaches are better, the hiking trail starts nearby and the sunrise views are excellent. Choose Mourouk if you plan to kitesurf. Choose a hilltop hotel near Port Mathurin if you want to be close to the Saturday market and restaurants.

The Lagoon, Île aux Cocos and the Tortoise Reserve

Île aux Cocos

The signature day trip is a boat ride across the western lagoon to Île aux Cocos, a protected sandbar island and seabird nature reserve. Noddies and fairy terns nest here, and visits are guided along marked paths. Trips usually include a barbecue lunch of grilled fish and octopus on a neighbouring islet. Book through your hotel; departure times depend on the tide.

François Leguat Giant Tortoise and Cave Reserve

In the south of the island, the François Leguat reserve houses hundreds of Aldabra and radiated tortoises in a restored native-forest valley, along with a museum explaining the island’s lost fauna. Guided tours also enter Grande Caverne, a large limestone cave with impressive formations. Plan around two to three hours and wear closed shoes.

Snorkelling and diving

The lagoon is shallow and calm, which makes it good for beginner snorkelling, while the outer reef offers dives with healthy hard corals, reef fish and occasional turtles. Several small dive centres operate from the east and south coasts. Visibility is usually best between October and April when the trade winds ease.

Hiking and Kitesurfing

Rodrigues is one of the best walking islands in the Indian Ocean. The classic route is the coastal trail from Graviers to Saint François, passing Trou d’Argent, a small cove framed by cliffs that regularly appears on lists of the region’s most beautiful beaches. Allow around three hours at an easy pace with swim stops. Inland, a short climb to Mont Limon, the highest point on the island at just under 400 metres, gives views across the whole lagoon.

When the south-east trade winds blow, usually from May to October, the Mourouk lagoon becomes a world-class flat-water kitesurfing spot. Lessons and equipment rental are available locally. The same winds make some east-coast beaches breezy in the southern winter, so pack a light jacket for evenings.

Food and Local Culture

Rodriguan cooking is simpler and more rustic than Mauritian food, built around what the island produces: octopus (often dried, then cooked in a curry or salad), red beans, cassava, maize, smoked sausage, honey and fiery small chillies preserved with lime. Many visitors say a table d’hôte dinner in a family home was the best meal of their trip. The Saturday morning market in Port Mathurin is the place to buy local honey, chilli pastes and pickled lemons.

Life runs at a gentle pace. Shops close early, Sundays are quiet and many villages still hold traditional séga tambour music evenings. Dress modestly away from the beach, ask before photographing people, and carry cash in rupees: card acceptance is improving but not universal outside hotels.

Best Time to Visit Rodrigues

For a balanced trip, October to December and April to May are the most reliable months. If your priority is kitesurfing, July and August bring the most consistent wind. Check the official Mauritius tourism website for event dates and any travel advisories, and read our Mauritius beach guide to plan the main-island part of your trip.

Sample Rodrigues Itinerary: Four Nights

• Day 1: Fly from Mauritius, transfer to an east-coast hotel, sunset walk on the beach.
• Day 2: Hike Graviers to Saint François via Trou d’Argent; lunch in Saint François; snorkel in the afternoon.
• Day 3: Full-day boat trip to Île aux Cocos with a barbecue lunch on the lagoon.
• Day 4: Morning at the François Leguat reserve and Grande Caverne; afternoon kitesurf lesson or massage; table d’hôte dinner.
• Day 5: Saturday market in Port Mathurin if timing allows, then fly back to Mauritius.

If you are still deciding which Indian Ocean destination to build your trip around, our comparisons of Seychelles vs Maldives and Zanzibar vs Mauritius for a honeymoon cover the bigger picture. For background on the island’s history and geography, see the Rodrigues entry on Wikipedia.

Rates, schedules and policies change; confirm details with each property or operator before booking.