So, you’ve decided that Rodrigues Island holidays are next on your travel list? Excellent choice.
It’s an island where people smile at strangers, goats occasionally outnumber humans, and time itself seems to have resigned and gone fishing.
Before you arrive, here are a few essential tips to help you make the most of your Rodrigues adventure.
1. Sunscreen Is Not Optional. Repeat: NOT OPTIONAL.
Rodrigues may look innocent, with its attractive lagoons and easy island pace.
It is not.
The sun here has one mission: turning unsuspecting visitors into lobsters.
Apply sunscreen in the morning, reapply at lunch, and put it on again after swimming, even if you think you don’t need to.
And while you’re protecting your precious holiday skin, choose an ocean-friendly sunscreen whenever possible. Rodrigues is wildly beautiful, and its lagoon deserves the same care as your shoulders.
Future-you will be grateful. So will the fishes.
2. Leave Your Watch at Home
Rodrigues runs on its own timetable. A timetable nobody has ever managed to fully understand and honestly, that is part of its charm.
Lunch might last longer. Conversations might become adventures. One sunset drink and suddenly you’re staying for dinner. And that “quick stop” on the way back to the hotel? That could end up being your favourite memory of the trip.
Here, there is no real need to rush from one thing to the next. The days bend around the wind, the sea, the people and the simple pleasure of taking things as they come.
The best thing you can do? Stop checking the time and start enjoying it.
Rodrigues island holidays run slow, and that’s the whole point.
3. Be Ready to Make New Friends
The people of Rodrigues have a real gift for making visitors feel like neighbours they’ve known for years.
Don’t be surprised if someone starts chatting with you while you’re waiting for a bus, buying fruit, asking for directions or simply standing there, looking amazed by the view. In Rodrigues, friendliness is not a strategy. It is just how things are done.
Also, be prepared to make a few non-human friends along the way.
Goats on the roadside, giant tortoises, colourful fish, curious birds, the occasional wandering dog and chickens casually strolling around as if they own the island (which, to be fair, they sometimes seem to), all consider themselves part of the welcome committee.
So keep your eyes open, your camera ready and your heart available for unexpected encounters.
In Rodrigues, everyone says hello. Even the chickens, probably.
4. Follow Your Inner Explorer on your Rodrigues Holidays
What makes Rodrigues Island holidays special is that the best spots are rarely found by sticking to the main road.
Take the detour. Follow that tiny path. Climb that hill. Stop at that beach you’ve never heard of.
Ask anyone for recommendations, and chances are, Trou d’Argent will come up within the first thirty seconds. And rightly so, it is beautiful.
But don’t stop there.
One of the greatest joys of Rodrigues is discovering that the island is full of hidden gems just waiting for curious travellers. Secret coves, panoramic viewpoints, deserted beaches, scenic coastal trails and tiny villages where life unfolds at its own pace can be found all around the island.
And the best way to find them? Go with a local guide.
They are friendly, passionate and know the island’s secret corners better than any map ever could. They will take you beyond the obvious spots, share stories along the way and help you discover the Rodrigues that doesn’t always appear in guidebooks.
After all, Rodrigues island holidays are made for exploring, not just visiting.
5. Smile. It’s Basically the Local Currency.
A smile goes a long way here. Actually, it might be your most powerful travel accessory. More useful than that extra pair of shoes you packed “just in case”.
Smile when you say hello, keep smiling when you ask for directions, and hold onto it when you realise the “quick walk” is not that quick after all.
You’ll almost always get one back.
Sometimes with a story, a local tip or an invitation to share a drink.
So bring your best smile and use it generously.
In Rodrigues, good vibes are not an optional extra. They come included.
6. Learn a Few Local Words for Your Rodrigues Island Holidays
You don’t need to become fluent overnight.
Nobody is expecting you to arrive with a full dictionary and perfect pronunciation. Relax.
But a simple “Bonzour” (Good morning), “Mersi” (Thank you) or “Ki manier?” (How are you?) can instantly open doors and start conversations.
You may not say it perfectly. That’s fine. Say it anyway.
In Rodrigues, the effort often matters more than the accent and locals genuinely appreciate it.
Bonus point: it also makes ordering, asking for directions and making new friends a lot more fun.
7. Don’t Judge a Place by Its Size
Rodrigues is small.
Very small.
Yet somehow, every day feels different.
One morning you’re kitesurfing across the lagoon. The next you’re hiking through hills or wandering the lively Saturday market in Port Mathurin, where the stalls spill over with chilli, honey, lemongrass and the chatter of half the island. By afternoon you might be tucking into a seafood feast or sailing out to a tiny island offshore.
Proof that a small island can have the biggest personality.
8. Say Yes to New Experiences
Someone suggests a boat trip?
Say yes.
A local recommends a hidden beach?
Say yes.
Fresh octopus salad for lunch?
Definitely say yes.
A stranger gets down on one knee and proposes?
…Okay, maybe don’t automatically say yes to everything. We’re talking about holidays in Rodrigues, not life-changing commitments.
But do leave a little space in your holiday for the things you did not plan, did not Google and did not see coming.
Rodrigues has a talent for turning small moments into proper memories. Sometimes, the best plan is simply to be available when the island offers you something unexpected.
9. Dance. (We’re serious, you should dance)
Trying the traditional sega tambour is a must.
You may already know Mauritian sega, but Rodrigues has its own rhythm, its own style and its own little magic. Sega tambour is danced in pairs, guided by the beat of the drum and the passing of a handkerchief, a symbol of union.
Sounds poetic?
It is.
Sounds easy?
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
But don’t worry, you’ll understand it the moment you see it.
At the hotel, guests can experience this beautiful tradition during our weekly sega tambour performance. Whether you join in or simply watch, it is one of the most authentic ways to connect with the island’s culture.
Kick Off your Shoes
No Rodrigues island holiday is complete without one barefoot dance on the sand.
There’s no plan to follow and no “I’ll just watch first”. Just you, the music, the beach and that very specific holiday feeling you cannot pack in a suitcase.
At Salty Cabri Beach Shack, our beachfront restaurant, the mood is a little different. As the sun begins to set, aperitifs often come with a soundtrack of groovy tunes, feel-good beats and, on some evenings, a DJ. The lagoon glows, the sky puts on a show, and suddenly nobody seems in a hurry to leave.
It may not sound like a life-changing moment, but somehow, dancing barefoot on the sand, drink in hand, with a spectacular Rodrigues sunset in front of you, often becomes one of those memories that stays with you long after your holiday ends.
A small moment. A big souvenir.
Time to stop dreaming and start packing.
Ready for your Holidays in Rodrigues?
The truth is, no guide can really prepare you for Rodrigues. You have to feel it. The way the days slow down, the way strangers become friends, the way a simple sunset can stop you in your tracks. You’ll come home with sand in your bag, a few new words, and the wish that you’d booked your room for a few more nights. So, there is no need to wait any longer.
Let’s Talk about your Rodrigues Island Holiday.
