Culture

Events & Festivals:

Given the religious diversity of the island, there are about 13 public holidays and some vary according to the lunar calendar.

• 1st and 2nd January: New Year
• 1st February: Abolition of slavery
• 12th of March: Independence Day (Since 1968).
• 1st of May: Labor Day
• 15th of August: Assumption Day
• 1st of November: All Saints Day
• 25th of December: Christmas
• Banana festival is one of the most important of the island, during which the population celebrates the New Year with family. There are typical Creole dishes and sacrifice of a pig that will be tasted as grilling, pudding, gratins.
• The Autonomy fest is celebrated on October 12 each year and concerts are organized, events in villages or invention competitions.
• The Creole Festival is held in early December, during which cities and villages organize Sega competitions (traditional dance), craft exhibitions, tasting regional dishes ... a music concert in the Indian Ocean closes the festival.

Preferred dishes:
The real Rodrigues cooking is quite original since Rodriguans use local products. A real Rodriguans meal typically includes corn, which is the staple food.

Rougail d'ourites (Octopus)
Bouillon de poisson - Fish broth
Haricots rouges – Red beans
Piments limon, piments zourites ou piments mangue. (Chilly)
Cochon boucané - smoked pig
Crustacés (kono-kono) - Crustaceans
Salade de papaye verte - Green papaya salad
Patate douce
Tourte rodriguaise
Miel d'eucalyptus - Eucalyptus honey

Sightseeings

Places to visit

- Port Mathurin - The capital. Discreet and quiet, it sheltered the only port of the island.

- Caverne patate - with a length of 1057 meters, is filled with stalagmites and stalactites and other original coral stone forms.

- Rivière Banane - Small agricultural village lost in the bottom of a valley. Many plantations are found there as well as two large wild beaches separated by a basaltic rock peak.

- L’île aux Cocos - Is a long strip of white sand covered with filao trees and is a nature reserve. It is a home for many seabirds.

- L’île Hermitage - With its relief and rocky terrain and its tiny heavenly beach is an invitation to play Robinson.

- L’île Catherine - Rocky and wild, offers a magnificent view of the west coast from its top. It serves as a shelter for fishermen coming to rest sometimes.

- Plaine Mapou - Proposes a rustic landscape, decorated with a beautiful bay with shades (Topaze Bay). Completely isolated, the feeling of “World’s End" is very strong

- You can discover the entire coastline on foot ! The island is covered by countless trails to make a full turn. Specifically, the rugged coastline from Pointe Coton to Gravier reveals deserted beaches and beautiful coves: Saint-François, Anse Bouteille, Anse Philibert, Trou d’Argent....

Our Excursions

OPTIONAL TOURS IN RODRIGUES:

Ile aux Cocos 
From Bay du Nord, a boat will take you to this paradise islet located at 4 km west of Rodrigues. You will spend a full day on one of the most beautiful beaches of the island. For lunch, you will savor freshly cooked Rodriguan specialties.  In addition, you will discover a natural reserve where thousands of sea birds have sought shelter and enjoy the fresh waters of the blue lagoon.

Ile aux Chats / Ile Hermitage
In this full-day excursion, you will take a boat from Graviers, in the southern part of Rodrigues Island. You will get to Ile aux Chats after sailing for about 45 minutes. You will also be able to enjoy the clear waters of the blue lagoon and snorkel. For lunch, you will delight yourself with a barbecue. Then, we will take you to Ile Hermitage on the top of which you will enjoy a wonderful view of the turquoise lagoon and the surrounding islets

Visit of the East
First, you will stop at the 398-meter high Mont Limon, which is the highest mountain of the island. Once you are on the top, you will enjoy an overall view of the whole island. Then, your guide will make you discover Roche Bon Dieu, site that holds its name from a Rodriguan legend. This rock is said to have fallen from the sky… The legend also states that when one touches it, their wish come true.  Then, you will make a halt at the most wonderful beach of the eastern side such as Pointe Cotton, Fumier, Anse Ali and Saint Francois. You will take a 45 minute-walk from Saint Francois to Trou d'Argent, a legendary beach of hidden treasure. A treasure is thought to be hidden there…

Visit of the South
First, you will discover the St. Gabriel Cathedral, formerly the largest church of the Indian Ocean. While going the way downhill, you will be impressed by the beautiful scenery of the islets Hermitage, Chats, Gombrani, etc… You will also be able to enjoy the exceptional blue turquoise water of the lagoon. Then, you will reach the coast at Port Sud Est, a village that has a rich naval history. Nowadays, it is famous for its "ourites" (octopus).  You will end the tour discovering Caverne Patate, which is, with its 1040m-long gallery, the longest cave of both Mauritius and Rodrigues. You will also be able to visit the famous François Leguat tortoise natural reserve.

Visit of the North
Our chauffeur and guide will take you to view point "Reine de Rodrigues", statue that dominates the panoramic view of the capital. Then you will stop over at the Port-Mathurin traditional market, where you will be able to find authentic handicraft articles, exotic fruits, etc. Finally, you will visit the following authentic villages: Bay aux Huîtres, Anse aux Anglais and Grand Baie.

Island Tour Full Day
This full-day tour highlights all of the featured points of interest on Rodrigues Island, specifically the northern, eastern and southern parts

Car Hire & Airport Transfer - Hotel – Airport
With 2000 Tours Discover Rodrigues freely and safely through renting a car! We rent different types of vehicles fully equipped for your comfort and adapted to the structure of Rodrigues roads. The “Cinderella of the Mascarene” enjoying an incredibly fluid traffics, renting a car seems to be a solution not to neglect to discover. By choosing this solution, you will discover Rodrigues Island without constraints.

Reservation