Attractions Beaches
Pointe Coton, on the east coast, has the best beach on the island. There are other nice beaches at St François, Trou d'Argent and Petit Gravier.
Rodrigues is a volcanic island rising from a ridge along the edge of the Mascarene Plateau. The tectonically-active Rodrigues Triple Point lies on the seafloor nearby. Estimated to be from 1-4 million years old, over time Rodrigues has developed a unique environment, including many endemic species: 42 species of trees; the Rodrigues Fruit Bat; two species of bird, the Rodrigues fody and the Rodrigues warbler; and on the reef a species of coral, two species of damselfish and many new species of crustaceans. Other endemic animals such as Rodrigues giant tortoises and Rodrigues Solitaires are now extinct.
The complete antithesis of its glitzy sister island Mauritius, sleepy Rodrigues offers pristine, empty beaches and the chance to immerse yourself in local life, coral-sand beach fringed with coconut palms and casuarina trees. There aren't many places left in the world that not even your best-travelled mate has heard of, but Rodrigues may be one of them. This island is so very remote and so little known, only the poshest of atlases reveal its existence.
Rodrigues is home to several species of endemic tropical flora and fauna. It is the ideal and unspoilt environment for the nature lover seeking peace and tranquillity. Try bird-watching, or angling. Or if you prefer hiking round the island, it's an out of the world experience. Other popular attractions include visits to caves where the incredible works of nature, stalactites and stalagmites, take the shapes of the dragon, the lion and even the Buddha.
The coral reef of Rodrigues is of particular interest as it is self-seeding - it receives no coral zooplankton from elsewhere. This has led to the development of the endemic coral and a small number of species being present. There’s the whole coastline to explore on foot! Numerous paths that enable a complete tour cross the island. In particular, the uneven coast from Pointe Coton to Gravier, which reveals deserted beaches and creeks of an indescribable beauty: Saint-François, Anse Bouteille, Anse Philibert, Trou d’Argent...
The coffee plant café marron, was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1979. The shores, with a sharpened relief, form numerous coves. Bordered with casuarina trees, large beaches with golden sand stretch to the East and South of the island.
Ile aux Cocos
Ile aux Cocos, Located at 4 km to the west of Rodrigues.
This small island, emerging from the lagoon is a beautiful nature reserve and has become one of the main tourist attractions of Rodrigues. The island is covered with coconut trees, casuarina trees and has a long fine sandy beach.
