Islands In Mauritius For The Nature Lover In You

Home to the nation's capital - Port Louis and the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, the Mauritius Island is where you'll put your first step on Mauritian soil. In the South-Eastern part of the Island, you can witness colourful canoes called pirogues being raced and manoeuvred skillfully in Pointe Canon by competitors assembling from across the island. 

One of the smaller islands in Mauritius, about 14 Rodrigues Islands can find space inside Mauritius, that's how minuscule it is. With an abundance of coral reefs in every hue imaginable, scuba diver aficionados are in for a treat. Those with a fascination for windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing and fishing won't be disappointed either. With just 40000 people inhabiting the island, the pace of life is slow and soothing. 

These islands in Mauritius are sparsely populated and hard to reach. The ferry to Agalega operates just twice a year and there's not much on the other side that you can't find in Mauritius and Rodrigues. An organisation by the name of Mauritius Attractions offers a unique 8-day fishing trip aboard a private luxury catamaran to the St. Brandon Islands. The water surrounding these virgin islands boasts of some of the most beautiful fish you'll find on this side of the globe. Once aboard the immaculate 50 feet Catamaran, you'll undertake a 36 hours sailing voyage before reaching the islands.

Ile Aux Aigrettes is a 26-hectare nature reserve 800 meters towards the south-east off the coast of Mahebourg bay and has gained popularity over the years as an ecotourism destination. Unlike Mauritius, most of which was formed by volcanic rocks. You might also find of interest the Giant Tortoises and Pink Pigeons at the Ile aux Aigrettes Nature reserve which has been restored to its original state after a whopping 30-year conservation effort by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation.It has a scientific research station which works towards the preservation of the numerous rare and endangered plant and animal species.

Mauritius' south-western tip is where the famous peninsular island of Le Morne Brabant can be found. It is distinguished by its basaltic monolith scaling up to 556 metres above the sea level and it itself covers an area of 30 acres of the peninsula. The beaches are divided into two separate parts. The northern part is devoted for swimmers and those who prefer chilling out in the beach while enjoying the view of the azure waters; the southern part is water sports lovers who are fond of windsurfing and kite surfing. During dry seasons, the peninsula transforms into a relatively arid atmosphere, making it ideal for adventure activities like hiking and trekking along the mountainside.

Major South coast islands in Mauritius, including Le Souffleur, were formed centuries ago by waves breaking against the cliffs. The hidden treasure of Mauritius, and definitely worth the visit is Le Souffleur, which was created when the rough sea crashed against hot lava rocks. So natural springs are a common sight here. The island is the best spot for people who love adventure because Le Souffleur packs a punch. The island's half-formed grotto-like structure has a natural geyser fountain which spouts water up to 20m high.

Ile Des Deux Cocos, or as it means the 'Island of Coconuts', is a haven of tranquillity lies amidst the Blue Bay Marine Park located on the South-East coast of Mauritius. With dramatic views of the ocean, to de-stressing under the shade of the palm trees while enjoying the calm breeze, Ile Des Deux Cocos has everything one could desire for in a deserted private island.

Le Plate is not only a favourite getaway for nature lovers but also a haven for adventure enthusiasts. Water activities like diving and snorkelling are immensely popular among tourists and locals. The diving site situated at the Pigeon Rock is known as the “Shark Pit” where you can swim around with the sharks. Keep in mind that the sea is rough and you can access the diving site after 20 to 45 minutes of a boat ride. You have to arrange all the diving needs in advance, and it is recommended that only experienced divers should undertake this activity.

Known for being the colony of Noddies birds, this Mauritius Island is a nature reserve. Ile aux Chats is famous as ‘Cat Island’ among the tourists for its snorkelling and diving sites, surrounded by the coral reefs. The calm water of the lagoon is home to abundant marine life with colourful sea creatures. Right next to the Ile aux Chats towards the southwestern side of Port Sud-Est village is the Hermitage Island. It is reputed for a widespread belief that there is a treasure buried in the island. Hence it is one of the most visited places in Rodrigues.

Also known by the name of Ile aux Fouquet's, this island in Mauritius is indeed one of the first islets to be discovered by the Dutch back in 1598. It is situated towards the southeastern corner of Mauritius and is closest to the Vacoas Island. It is also reputed as one of the national parks of the island nation. This rocky island sits between the calm sea towards the side of the lagoon and the high sea, which can be discovered on walking across the island. It is right beside the Ile aux Vacoas and Ile de la Passe and is the second island of the chain. In comparison to the other islands, Ile du Phare is relatively hilly.

Ilot Sancho is a perfect fit for people wanting to explore living off the grid and testing their own capacities. This is what makes it so special. It is also an incredible spot for a no-nonsense picnic or a romantic date with your special one. Ilot Sancho, just like the other islands, is filled with greenery and is traversable by foot. It's connectivity to the mainland depends on the time of the day. During low tides, one can walk from the mainland to Ilot Sancho quite comfortably.

Apart from being another beautiful islet, Ile de la passe is filled to the brim with history. The islet was discovered and owned by the French until the British tried to invade it. The island has played a very central role in the battle between the two roughly equal forces. Other than the usual spots found on an islet, Ile de passe hosts a wide range of activities and things to see for a history fanatics. The graffiti wall with the names of the soldiers engraved on it is a must go to.

Ile Ronde is a beautiful islet situated north of Mauritius. It was classified as a Nature Reserve in the 1950s and is administered by the National Parks and Conservation Services and Mauritian Wildlife Foundation in conjunction. It is home to a large number of rare reptiles such as the Round island Gecko, Round Island Boa and rare plants like the bottle palm.

Unlike the mountainous and rocky terrain found on the other islands, Pointe Bernache comes as a surprise. It is a relatively small and gorgeous island swanked with tall pine trees all around. Owing to the less footfall it receives, it is much quieter and calmer, making it the ideal spot for getting some sun! It lies close to Ile d’Ambre and can be visited via Pointe Bernache or from the villages of Grand Gaube or Poudre d'Or. You could also ask your hotel to arrange for a bbq lunch and drinks under the trees, making your trip to this island more memorable and delicious!

Gunner’s Quoin is a very unique little islet located 8 kilometres north of Mauritius. Unfortunately, it is not open to the public but continues to be a must-visit island in Mauritius. The water near this island is remarkably clear and the best choice for snorkelling, underwater diving and other water activities. A few companies offer catamaran rides to this island where you could spend a day lazing around, enjoying music and lovely rum native to Mauritius. The island also boasts a wonderful marine life where sightings of whales are quite common.

Ile d’Ambre is one of the largest islands of Mauritius. The island has a ton of fun activities to offer such as beautiful picnic spots, lagoons, well-maintained Nature Walks and ample places to kayak in. Although the island does not have any permanents residents it still houses the older abandoned settlements which make for a great adventure tour. The famous lagoons in Ile d’Amber are surrounded by varied vegetation adding to the natural beauty of this place. The Mangrove forests are also a must-visit.

The serpent island is a small island north of Mauritius. It was once famous for being home to a large variety of snake but they have become extinct since the European invasion. This island in Mauritius is another great spot for diving.

Ile aux Flamants is a small protected islet near Mauritius. This island is a must-visit for people interested in a quick getaway. The lush green palm trees set against sparkling blue water is a sight to behold. Tourists often like to laze around this island on their luxurious catamarans.

Situated in the North of Mauritius, Gabriel island is one of the most enchanting beaches you will stumble upon. A few companies like the Mauritius Catamaran offer luxury rides to the island. Once there, the island is filled with massage services, sunbeds and the like. The island also boasts wonderful water sports, for anyone interested.