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A Mauritius fody, one of the rare birds protected on Île aux Aigrettes
Photo: Charles J. Sharp / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

🐢 Parks & animals · South-East

Île aux Aigrettes nature reserve

A tiny coral islet off Mahébourg where the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation has restored the original coastal forest, with giant tortoises, pink pigeons and rare geckos.

🚗 From the villa1 h 15 · 60 kmoff-peak estimate
⏱️ Time needed2–2.5 hnot counting the drive
🕓 Best time of day☀️ Morning · 🌤️ Afternoon
💰 PriceRs 1,500–2,000 (CHF 26–35)Guided tour with the boat, per adult (money goes to the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation).

Île aux Aigrettes is a 25-hectare islet in the Mahébourg lagoon and one of the great conservation success stories of the Indian Ocean. The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation removed introduced species and replanted the native ebony forest; today you can see Aldabra giant tortoises roaming free, pink pigeons, olive white-eyes and ornate day geckos.

Visits are only on guided tours (about 1h30), with a short boat ride from Pointe Jérôme. A must for nature lovers.

  • Free-roaming giant tortoises
  • Pink pigeons and day geckos
  • Restored native forest
A Mauritius fody, one of the rare birds protected on Île aux Aigrettes
Photo: Charles J. Sharp / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
A pink pigeon in the restored forest of Île aux Aigrettes
Photo: Charles J. Sharp / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Getting there

Driving route from the villa

🚗 By car: 1 h 15 (60 km) off-peak. Park at Pointe Jérôme (the boat jetty). Directions in Google Maps ↗

  • 🚕 Taxi from the villa: about Rs 2,450–3,250 one way per car (agree the price first; a return trip with waiting time is often negotiable).

📅 Booking: Book the tour online with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (mauritian-wildlife.org).

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