Same country, same currency, but a different way to travel: Rodrigues, some 560 km east of Mauritius, is explored on foot, by bus or by boat on the lagoon, at the pace of guesthouses and Creole home cooking.
By The Dem-Tukki editorial team·Published ·Updated ·5 min readThis guide helps you decide whether Rodrigues is for you, and how to add it to a stay in Mauritius. For sights, history and entry rules, see our Rodrigues guide. Flight schedules and conditions change often: check them before booking.
🌿 A different way to travel
Rodrigues is part of the Republic of Mauritius, but it has neither its landscape nor its tourism set-up. Its 109 km² hold grassy hills, small villages, farmland and a lagoon twice the size of the island. Autonomous since 2002, it has about 44,000 inhabitants, who speak Rodriguan Creole and French.
There are no big resorts lined up along the beaches here: accommodation is mainly guesthouses, gîtes and small hotels, often with home-cooked meals. People come to walk, swim with the tides, eat fish and octopus from the lagoon and take their time. If you want nightlife and big shops, Mauritius is a better fit.
🥾 What to do there
Hiking is the main activity: trails link hill villages such as Grande Montagne to the coves on the coast, and a coastal path joins up the east-coast beaches, from Graviers to Trou d'Argent and Saint-François. The François Leguat Reserve at Anse Quitor is visited with a guide: Aldabra giant tortoises, native forest and limestone caves.
On the water, trips to Île aux Cocos, a seabird reserve, and Île aux Chats are run by local agencies. The Mourouk lagoon in the south-east is the island's kitesurfing and windsurfing hotspot, with clubs offering lessons and rental. Diving, snorkelling and fishing round things off. Sega tambour, on the UNESCO list since 2017, and the Creole Festival in early December introduce the island's culture.
🔀 Combining Mauritius and Rodrigues
There are no direct international flights: from France you first fly to Mauritius (about 11 to 12 hours from Paris), then Air Mauritius flies to Plaine Corail airport in about 1.5 hours. Air Austral also flies from Réunion on a seasonal schedule. The Mauritius Trochetia ship occasionally sails from Mauritius, taking 36 to 48 hours.
The simplest plan is therefore to combine both islands: a few nights in Mauritius to recover from the long-haul flight, then Rodrigues, or the other way round to finish on Mauritius's beaches. Allow at least four or five nights on Rodrigues to enjoy the lagoon and the walks without rushing; a week lets you see everything at an easy pace. Book the domestic flight early, especially during school holidays.
📅 When to go to Rodrigues
The most pleasant periods are April to June and September to November. From June to October the trade winds blow harder, which kitesurfers love; September and October are the driest months.
From November to April the austral summer is hotter and more humid, with a risk of cyclones: follow the weather bulletins and choose flexible cancellation terms. The Creole Festival in early December can be a reason to travel at the end of the year.
💶 Budget and practicalities
The biggest expense is the flight, since you have to go via Mauritius or Réunion. On the island, guesthouses with home cooking keep costs down, and there are a few more upmarket places. The currency is the Mauritian rupee (MUR).
To get around, the bus is the cheapest option, leaving from Port Mathurin, until about 6.30 pm and with few services on Sundays. A hire car, delivered to the airport or your hotel by local companies, gives more freedom; traffic drives on the left, on narrow, winding roads. French nationals do not need a visa for stays under three months, with a valid passport and a return ticket.
📊 The comparison at a glance
| Criterion | Mauritius | Rodrigues |
|---|---|---|
| From Paris | Direct flights, about 11 to 12 h | Via Mauritius (+1.5 h) or Réunion |
| Accommodation | Big resorts and hotels in every category | Guesthouses, gîtes, small hotels |
| Atmosphere | Touristy and lively | Rural and peaceful |
| Beaches | Many, often with facilities | East-coast coves, lagoon at low tide |
| Main activities | Beaches, water sports, excursions | Hiking, lagoon, kitesurfing, Leguat reserve |
| Getting around | Car, taxi, bus | Bus, hire car, on foot |
| Currency | Mauritian rupee | Mauritian rupee |
🏆 Our verdict
For a first trip to the Indian Ocean: start with Mauritius and add Rodrigues for four or five nights.
For walkers and lovers of local life: Rodrigues deserves a whole week, in a guesthouse.
For kitesurfing: aim for June to October and stay near the Mourouk lagoon.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Rodrigues from France?
Via Mauritius (direct flight from Paris, about 11 to 12 hours), then an Air Mauritius flight of about 1.5 hours. Air Austral also links Rodrigues with Réunion, depending on the season.
How many days should you plan?
At least four or five nights to enjoy the lagoon and the walks; a week to see everything without rushing.
Is Rodrigues more expensive than Mauritius?
The extra flight adds to the budget, but guesthouses and buses help keep costs down on the island.
When is the best time?
April to June and September to November. From June to October the wind is stronger, ideal for kitesurfing; from November to April it is hotter and more humid, with a risk of cyclones.
Can you visit Rodrigues without a car?
Yes: buses run from Port Mathurin to the villages (until about 6.30 pm, few on Sundays), and many trails connect the beaches. A car is still handier for remote villages.
Do you need a visa?
The rules are those of Mauritius: no visa for French nationals for up to three months, with a valid passport and a return ticket.
🧭 Read more
- Rodrigues, the complete guideHistory, sights, access and entry rules
- Where to stay on RodriguesGuesthouses, gîtes and small hotels
- Things to do on RodriguesLagoon, kitesurfing, hiking and the Leguat reserve
- Getting to RodriguesFlights via Mauritius or Réunion
- MauritiusOur guide to the big sister
- Mauritius or Seychelles?Our comparison
Still torn between two islands or two regions? Find all our comparisons and practical advice in the Dem-Tukki Travel Guide.
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