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Travel to Rodrigues
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Rodrigues, Mauritius
You go to Rodrigues to go back in time. Isolated in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the island seems to have hardly changed since the first settlers arrived - the French Huguenots - at the end of the 17th century. The hilly landscape where grass grows lavishly, villages and place names that are hardly noticed, and the few hotels and deserted beaches: Rodrigues is exotic, even for Mauritians. In one hour and a half by plane (2 to 3 flights per day) or 30 hours by boat (3 departures per month), you will arrive in a world where your days are taken up by relaxation, walking and scuba diving.
As for hotels, you are guaranteed to avoid impersonal complexes that are overcrowded with rooms and tourists. The largest hotel on the island has just 60 rooms. The hotels are mainly located in the areas around Port-Mathurin and on the east coast. The busiest season is in the winter, from mid-December to mid-January (which corresponds to the major holiday of Mauritius and Reunion). One of the least busy seasons, paradoxically, is the summer (July-August), because there is too much wind to dive and even to stay on the beach if you're sensitive to the cold.
It is possible to learn to dive to Rodrigues, as the lagoon provides a secure environment for your first try at it. Do not forget to bring a medical certificate which will give you permission to dive. Some centres allow children from the age of eight, such as the Cotton Dive Center of the Cotton Bay hotel.
More
pros
- Superb lagoon.
- The desert beaches.
cons
- The state of the roads.
- Wind is very common.
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map Mauritius
Weather Rodrigues - choosing the best time to go
Mauritius - Rodrigues
- All overall indicators 80/100 Excellent
- Temperature indicators 98/100 Excellent
- Bad weather indicators 78/100 Good
- Sunbathing indicators 56/100 Average
- Swimming indicators 68/100 Good
- Wind indicators 46/100 Average
- Temperature indicatorsOptimal :
Maximim temperature between 22°C and 24°C, the perceived temperature is <30°.
- Bad weather indicatorsLight showers :
Light showers - averaging between 10.5mm and 17.5mm per week.
- Sunbathing indicatorsSunny intervals :
Cloudy with sunny intervals (40% to 60% cloud cover).
- Swimming indicatorsWind :
High air temperature (>24°C), high sea temperature (>24°C), strong winds (between 18 mph and 24 mph).
- Wind indicatorsWarm breeze :
Moderate to strong winds (between 18 mph and 24mph) with high temperatures.
Visit Rodrigues
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To see
The view of the lagoon from South-East Port from the square called Pompé. Take the track that leads to an open area (it is here where the local people learn to drive), it gives an unobstructed view of the coral reef, from South-East Port and the river pale blue meanders in the turquoise water. Also, make an effort to visit the Church of St. Gabriel, in the heart of the island. Quiet during the week and bustling on Sunday at the time of the Mass (from 7:00 am to 9:00 am), it is found further down the road, near a tropical forest. The church is built from blocks of coral and dates back to 1939.More
To do
Go on a sail to discover the islands of the lagoon. Free of any construction, they offer deserted sandy beaches and unspoiled nature. Bring binoculars to observe the birds that nest there. The most famous island is the one in the Cocos, off the West Coast. The excursion takes one day with transportation and lunch on the island. You could also go on a botanical hike inland, accompanied by a specialist guide, for more information on local flora, endemic species ("café marron" - chestnut coffee) and those that are imported (filaos, eucalyptus). Plan at least half a day for this. To carry out these excursions, the easiest way is to get in touch with a local travel agency who will arrange everything for you. For example, contact Ecotourism from your hotel or in Port Mathurin.
Ecotourisme
rue Max Lucchesi
Port-Mathurin
Tel. : 831 28 01
Email: ecotours@intnet.muMore
To think about
A good time to dive in Rodrigues is from September to May. It is still possible in June, but there may be days when the wind is too strong and prevents you from going far out into the sea. However, it is useless to even consider diving in July-August, the winter brings wind, resulting in waves that disrupt visibility in the water meaning that the lagoon is completely inaccessible on average one every three days. The water temperature is 25°C in September, 30°C in January and 26°C in May.More
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To avoid
Do not drive at night as the roads are not lit, and turns or potholes can take you by surprise. You should also know that there is only one petrol pump on the island (in Port-Mathurin).More
To try
The ourites are octopuses that local people of Rodrigues fish for in the lagoon. They are served in a sauce, with various condiments (achards) and rice. One of the best ourites curries can be eaten at a restaurant called Chez Madame Larose. The restaurant, open every lunch time (and dinner upon reservation) is located at Pointe Cotton, a hundred meters from the Cotton Bay hotel.
Chez Madame Larose
Pointe Cotton
Tel: 831 85 42More
To bring back
Eucalpytus honey is one of the specialities of the island. To purchase some, go to the market in Port-Mathurin (early in the morning) or the shop in Careco, on the heights of Port-Mathurin (see below). In this shop, there are also crafts made from coconut such as bowls, cutlery and jewellery boxes.
Careco
Camp du Roi
Tel. : 8311 766
Email: careco@intnet.mu
Go and see a craft workshop. On one side the space is used for a small shop, the other side is for piles of vacoas fibre or aloe that are made like magic into baskets, bins and place mates. Most workshops are located inland, which allows you to discover the island's landscape along the way.
Workshop Leopold
Palissade Ternel
Tel. : 875 3227More
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Rodrigues in pictures
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Carrington Sarah 07/09/2010 : "The kids loved the hotel and the animation shows in the evenings. The pool is lovely, as is the beach. Fantastic food too. "
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