“Rodrigues Island, where nature's beauty dances with serenity, revealing a hidden gem of tranquillity and wonder”

Refreshing Rodrigues

Rodrigues is Mauritius’ little brother across the water. Don’t worry, though, this tropical island has everything you’d expect from its older sibling, with turquoise lagoons, white sand beaches and lush green hills. It’s also a snorkeler’s and diver’s paradise, with a unique coral reef and lagoon many millions of years old.

We love Rodrigues’ laidback approach to life; visitors can expect charming villages – and even more charming villagers – spectacular flora and fauna, delicious Creole cuisine and an atmosphere of rest and relaxation. For a slice of authentic island life, look no further than Rodrigues.

Perfect for: relaxers, island-seekers, water sports enthusiasts, hikers, wildlife-lovers. 

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When to visit Rodrigues

January

Rodrigues Island experiences warm weather as it falls during the summer season in the southern hemisphere. The average daytime temperature ranges from around 26°C to 30°C. The evenings are cooler, averaging around 23°C.  January is part of the wet season, with an average rainfall of approximately 120mm to 150mm spread over 10 to 15 days. Despite the rainfall, the island still enjoys around 7 to 8 hours of sunshine per day. The sea temperature is warm, ranging from approximately 27°C to 29°C, perfect for water activities. We would not recommend travel at this time due to the risk of tropical cyclones.

January image - Rodrigues

February

Rodrigues Island experiences warm weather, continuing the summer season in the southern hemisphere. The average daytime temperature ranges from around 26°C to 30°C. It remains similar to January, providing comfortable warmth for outdoor activities and beach outings. Evenings are cooler, with temperatures dropping to around 23°C. February still retains relatively high humidity levels, averaging around 75% to 80%. The humidity, combined with warm temperatures, contributes to the tropical feel of the island. We would not recommend travel at this time due to the risk of tropical cyclones.

February image - Rodrigues

March

Rodrigues Island experiences warm and pleasant weather as it transitions towards autumn in the southern hemisphere. March provides favourable weather conditions on Rodrigues Island, with warm temperatures, reduced rainfall, a good amount of sunshine, and warm sea temperatures. It's an ideal time to visit the island, as the transition towards the drier season brings pleasant weather for outdoor exploration, beach relaxation, and water sports. We would recommend travel at this time.

March image - Rodrigues

April

April offers mild and comfortable weather conditions on Rodrigues Island, with warm temperatures, reduced rainfall, a good amount of sunshine, and inviting sea temperatures. It's an excellent time to engage in outdoor adventures, explore the island's natural beauty, and enjoy the serene atmosphere before the cooler winter months. We would recommend travel at this time and believe it provides an off the beaten destination off the coast of Mauritius.

April image - Rodrigues

May

May offers cooler and drier weather conditions on Rodrigues Island, with comfortable temperatures, minimal rainfall, a good amount of sunshine, and inviting sea temperatures. It's an excellent time to engage in outdoor adventures, explore the island's natural beauty, and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of Rodrigues Island in the off-season. We would highly recommend this month for a time to travel to the island.

May image - Rodrigues

June

June offers cool and dry weather conditions on Rodrigues Island, with mild temperatures, minimal rainfall, a good amount of sunshine, and warm sea temperatures. It's a great time to explore the island's natural beauty, engage in outdoor activities, and enjoy the serene ambiance of Rodrigues Island during the off-peak season.

June image - Rodrigues

July

July offers cool and dry weather conditions on Rodrigues Island, with mild temperatures, minimal rainfall, a good amount of sunshine, and warm sea temperatures. It's a great time to explore the island's natural beauty, engage in outdoor activities, and enjoy the peaceful ambiance of Rodrigues Island during the off-peak season.

July image - Rodrigues

August

August offers cool and dry weather conditions on Rodrigues Island, with mild temperatures, minimal rainfall, a good amount of sunshine, and warm sea temperatures. It's a great time to explore the island's natural beauty, engage in outdoor activities, and enjoy the peaceful ambiance of Rodrigues Island during the off-peak season.

August image - Rodrigues

September

September offers mild and pleasant weather conditions on Rodrigues Island, with comfortable temperatures, increased but still manageable rainfall, a good amount of sunshine, and warm sea temperatures. It's a great time to engage in outdoor adventures, explore the island's natural beauty, and enjoy the transition into the spring season on Rodrigues Island. We would recommend travel at this time.

September image - Rodrigues

October

October offers warm and pleasant weather conditions on Rodrigues Island, with comfortable temperatures, increased rainfall, a good amount of sunshine, and warm sea temperatures. It's a great time to explore the island's natural beauty, engage in outdoor adventures, and enjoy the vibrant flora and fauna as Rodrigues Island enters the wet season. We would highly recommend travel in October to Rodrigues.

October image - Rodrigues

November

November offers warm and humid weather conditions on Rodrigues Island, with increased rainfall, warm temperatures, a moderate amount of sunshine, and inviting sea temperatures. It's a period when the island experiences more frequent and intense rain showers, contributing to the lush greenery and vibrant natural surroundings. Visitors can still enjoy outdoor activities but should be prepared for occasional rainy spells and more humid conditions.

November image - Rodrigues

December

December offers warm and humid weather conditions on Rodrigues Island, with high temperatures, increased rainfall, a moderate amount of sunshine, and warm sea temperatures. It's a period characterised by tropical showers and lush green landscapes. Visitors can still enjoy outdoor activities, but they should be prepared for frequent rain showers and the sticky humidity. It's a great time to experience the island's natural beauty, tropical vegetation, and the vibrant life that thrives during the wet season. We would not recommend travel at this time due to the increased chance of rain and tropical storms.

December image - Rodrigues

Snorkelling & Diving

Channel your inner fish and jump into Rodrigues’ clear blue waters – you won’t be disappointed. This is the perfect place for snorkelers and divers of all abilities to soak up everything on offer underneath the island’s lapping waves. For those who just want to strap on a mask and flippers,Trou d’Argent is a popular snorkelling spot, complete with coral gardens, angel, parrot and butterfly fish, as well as gorgeous rock formations.

For those who prefer to go a little deeper, the outer reefs of Rodrigues are a haven for divers. Keep an eye out, too – this is where you’ll have your best chance to tick off some of our ocean’s bigger occupants from the bucket list. Our founder, Ludo, dived at the Cathedral on the east coast and saw turtles, rays and reef sharks. He lost a few air bubbles when he spotted the sharks. There are other sites, too, where you can see barracuda, eels and dolphins, all easily accessible from anywhere on the island: Diable, Passe l’Hermitage and St. François to name just a few.

Prefer diving at night? Or at a wreck? You can do both on Rodrigues, sometimes at the same time. We stuck to the days but visitors have told us about encounters with lobsters, crabs and octopuses, all of which tend to come out from their hiding places when the sun goes down. We’re sure you know this, but diving requires proper training and certification. There are a number of centres on the island that offer courses and guiding – for whatever type of diver, at whatever level.

Hiking

Rodrigues’ natural beauty isn’t confined to its waters, though. The hiking available on the island is another way for visitors to drink in their surroundings and gawp at the diversity of landscapes on offer – whatever their level.

One of our favourite trails is Mount Limon, the highest point in Rodrigues. In order to get there, you walk through lush shaded forests, before emerging to panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and coastline. You’ll probably be puffing by the time you reach the top – our founder, Ludo, certainly was – but it’s more than worth the effort.

There are other, more sedate options as well. The trail along the southern coastline from Port Sud-Est to Trou D’Argent is another lovely spot, traversing cliffs, beaches and lagoons. Don’t worry about overheating, either, as you’ll have the option to refresh yourself with a dip at any number of swimming spots along the way. There’s also a nature reserve stuffed full of endemic flora and fauna at the Vallée de Ferney, and a steep, challenging hike up the rugged slopes of the Grand Montagne trail. Trust us, though, only take this one on if you’ve not over-indulged at the cocktail bar the night before.

Whatever you’re after from your hiking adventures, Rodrigues will have the answer. Its unspoiled environment, continually wonderful views and diversity of trails make it a paradise for anyone who wants to venture into the outdoors – just make sure to be prepared!

Wildlife

Rodrigues has been pioneering conservation techniques for years, creating a series of nature reserves and implementing policies with the island’s natural environment at their heart. The result? A wildlife paradise where a number of remarkable creatures roam freely – we’ve drawn up a list of some of our favourites below.

The Rodrigues Warbler is a small songbird with a big pair of lungs. We heard it before we saw it, its melodious song unmistakable in the island’s thick forests. Easier to spot is the brightly coloured Rodrigues Fody, often visible in the fields that dot the landscape. You’ll no doubt see some of the island fruit bats, too, which hang upside down from the trees by day, before dispersing pollen and seeds by night. Away from the skies, the Rodrigues Giant Tortoise is a critically endangered member of the species that is endemic to the island and often over a century old. There’s no shortage of lizard species, either, with the excellently named Rodrigues Skink leading the charge with its unique sheen and bright blue tail – this is the only place on earth where you’ll be able to see it. There are geckos and a non-venomous Round Island Boa snake, too, as well as everything underwater that we’ve mentioned before. Seeing these creatures in their natural habitat really is a sight to behold – we can’t wait for you to do the same.

Cuisine

Like some of its Indian Ocean neighbours, Rodrigues’ cuisine is a reflection of its geographical location and cultural diversity. The island’s main dishes blend flavours from Africa, Malagasy, India and Europe to produce food that’s often like nothing we’ve ever eaten before – and always delicious.

Unsurprisingly, Rodrigues’ seafood is a bit of a show-stealer. Fish, octopus, crab and shrimp are often found on the menu, with the island’s tomato-based seafood stew, rougaille, as one of our favourites. If it’s turf you prefer to surf, though, Rodrigues is curiously famous for its sausages, which are smoked with a distinctive flavour and often added to stews and rice. These little “saussices fumées” are delicious; so much so that, when our founder, Ludo, visited the island, there was almost a national pork shortage. Poultry and meat are often added to curries, with a number of treats available for those with a sweet tooth.

As with Rodrigues’ older brother across the water, Mauritius, street food and stalls play a huge part in island life. Dholl puri is our personal highlight, served as a flatbread with split peas to accompany curries, pickles and chutneys. The gateau piment – meaning chilli cake – is another taste of authentic island life, its deep-friend lentil ingredients perfectly balanced with local spices.

As you can probably tell, we often still think about Rodrigues’ food at Love To Explore HQ and, for any foody travellers out there, we think you’ll understand why.

Our recommended Rodrigues hotels

Featured Hotel

Constance Tekoma

Constance Tekoma Rodrigues is a beachfront boutique hotel that offers stunning views of the turquoise lagoon. It provides comfortable accommodations, a swimming pool, a spa, and a restaurant serving local and international cuisine.

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