Thursday, October 20, 2011

The secret beaches of Rodrigues island

The beaches along Rodrigues island are as though deserted. It’s not really a local pastime to frolic on the beach and since Rodrigues is a small island blessed with abundant beaches no reasonable amount of tourists could have them crowded. Even if the beaches around the hotel areas do fill up by chance, there are many small bays such as Trou d’Argent that can be discovered on foot. 

Exploring the eastern beaches of Anse Ali, Saint Francois and Trou d'Argent is in fact best done walking while some of the most beautiful beaches in Rodrigues can only be reached by well heeled footpaths. Setting off on a hike is a great opportunity to get up close and personal with the volcanic rocks, the sea shells and the natural fauna and flora in the area. 

While your footprints are often the only ones in the bright white sand along the turquoise seas, you may be sharing the longer stretches of beach with herds of cows or goats kept by local farmers. With around 20 beaches (and cliffs in between) to choose from you are bound to have your personal favourite picnic spot where you can be completely private. This may be an especially quiet area of the island but it is never dull - depending on how you behold beauty and of course your own imagination.

Set in a protected reserve, Trou d’Argent has recently been voted one of the 30 best preserved beaches in the world. I stay here for a while just to absorb the beautiful energy and the sound of the water splashing against the glowing limestone cliffs and around the small cavern. There is something mesmerizing about the way the breeze whispers from across the lagoon and the clarity of the sea murmering onto the glaring white beach here.

The pristine state of the walking trails and natural beaches also makes a hike along the east coast of Rodrigues a perfectly private outing for nudists and those who are keen on some sun tanning away from wandering eyes. What’s more; sheltered coral reefs are often just a short distance away from some of the inlets and bays so keeping snorkeling gear handy might just make for a magical refresher on a hike in the hot Indian Ocean sunshine.

8 comments:

JC said...

Wow I never even knew that this island existed. Is it part of Mauritius or is Rodrigues a separate country

Anonymous said...

Wonderful article. I'm struggling with a few these issues.

@wordnomad said...

Hi JC, Rodrigues is a separate island but part of Mauritius. It's about one and a half hours' flight from the main island to Rodrigues.

Anon - these exquisite tropical beaches should help with most issues. Sitting down in the stillness of it all and absorbing the serene ocean blues have certainly helped me get back in sync.

Anonymous said...

No, rodrigues is an island which does not form part of mauritius.

Anonymous said...

Rodrigues is part of the Mauritian republic and is 650km away from it. Though the island has an autonomous government. It is the best place in the world... No crimes at all... Lovely poeple, always ready to help... Beautiful and preserved island... Little traffic... Many foreigners fall in love with this island and decide to stay permanently.

PS- I'm a rodriguan

Sanjana said...

Rodrigues island forms part of Mauritius...

Sanjana said...

Rodrigues island forms part of Mauritius

Sanjana said...

Rodrigues island forms part of Mauritius...