Location: Port Mathurin
Top Things to do in Port Mathurin
Top Restaurants in Port Mathurin
What to do and see in Port Mathurin, Mauritius: The Best Places and Tips
The village of Port Mathurin serves as the capital of the island of Rodrigues, a dependency of Mauritius. It lies on the north coast of the Indian Ocean island and functions as the administrative, judicial and economic centre of Rodrigues. As the name suggests, it also operates the main harbour of the island.
Restaurants in Port Mathurin
1. Marche de Port Mathurin
Overall Ratings
4 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By IchLebeAufMauritius - Albion
This market is surely compared to other weekly markets small but worth a visit. Here you get many goodies you won't get in Mauritius, unless a merchant from Rodrigues is to be found at one of the supermarkets of Mauritius. Those goodies are chutneys, curries, cakes (tourtes), fish and calamar (ourite) as well as handmade products like clothing, hats and wooden household helpers. In the market hall itself are all the fruit and veggie merchants, on the seaside of the market you find all the meat and fish merchants.
To avoid the heat you can already go there very early in the morning.
Just be careful when buying not to exaggerate your allowed baggage weight for the plane. ;)
Tip: The lady from La Tourterie is taking orders for cakes and delivers it to the airport where you can pick it up conveniently in the waiting area after you are checked in. You look right at the booth when you come from the zone where your passport and carry on bags are checked.
2. Trou d'Argent Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 352 reviews
Hike along rocky cliffs to this pristine, uncrowded beach tucked between two jagged cliffs on the eastern side of Rodrigues Island.
Reviewed By Carlo S - Lugano
Wondering why so many reviews are mentioning a long walk. We went toward sunset and in a mere forty minutes walk from Anse François (actually from the road end, passed Takoma) we reached all the three main Beaches by a simple and short walk. Coming from North it is perhaps a 10'-15' walk, pleasant and in the shadow of small pines. Al the three Beaches are beutifull, strong suggested to go at high tide since the recife is near and become too difficult to get into the water and to swim when tide is low. It is likely to be desert so bring your water. And bring back the rubbish, sea is already suffering and no need to make it worse.. :)
3. Care-Co
Overall Ratings
5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By lilymermaid - Reading, United Kingdom
Care-Co was set up by Paul Draper, who, as a young man, moved to Mauritius over 40 years ago to start a workshop for unemployed youngsters. He went on to set up other projects, including an orphanage, now run by the Anglican church, and a large craft workshop for adults with physical and learning disabilities. On a trip to Rodrigues he found there was no provision for people with disabilities so he set up Care-Co, which employs several people who would not otherwise have work. They make all sorts of things out of coconut shells, including jewellery, toys, mobiles, Christmas decorations and lots of other items for the home. Paul has also set up a scheme for disadvantaged people to keep bees and they make delicious honey which has regularly won prizes at the International Honey Show held in the UK.
The Care -Co workshop is at the western end of Port Mathurin, near the Fire Station (and the very good Tirozo restaurant!) and there is a shop there too selling the products. There is also a small separate shop opposite the market by the main bus station, and you can also buy some of the items at the Airport.
Next door to the workshop buildings is the Gonzague Pierre Louis Special Learning Centre which was set up after Paul noticed a child rooting through a bin during school hours and found out that because the child was deaf the schools couldn't teach him. He recruited Susan August, then teaching at Rodrigues College, to head up the new school for half a dozen or so deaf and hearing impaired children they found who weren't receiving any schooling. That was over 20 years ago. The school now has over 50 children, all of whom get lunch provided, including some who are deaf or hearing impaired and some who are severely visually impaired. Some children are referred to the Centre just because they have behavioural issues which the schools can't cope with but most are able to be re-integrated after a term or two, which is a great credit to the work of the staff.
The amazing thing is that for many years the only funding the projects got was raised by Paul who went to organisations and charities around the world telling them about the needs in Rodrigues, and recruiting experts to come and advise on a regular basis. There is now some government help but not much, and not enough. For example, the school was supposed to be getting help from a specialist blind school in Mauritius but they have ended up devising and making their own Braille boards - it was great to learn that one boy who is virtually blind has mastered Braille so quickly that he is now teaching other children!
Paul has devoted his life to helping under-privileged disabled people to be able to make more of their lives than would have been expected in their circumstances and it is really inspirational to see the results. The Care-Co products make great souvenirs of your trip to Rodrigues too!.
4. Parc Francois Leguat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 414 reviews
Reviewed By Crazysexyfuntraveler - Slovakia
Francois Leguat Reserve is an amazing conservation project where they plant many endemic plants originally growing on Rodrigues. They take a great care of turtles and also of the cave. Really an inspirational place to visit. And you can even pet a turtle! As a vegan I don't support ZOOs but this is a completely different thing. Loved my visit there. And the guides really ask tourists to take care of animals and nature and lead a life closer to nature. Thumbs up for that!
5. Ile aux Cocos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 211 reviews
L'ile aux cocos est une reserve d'oiseaux bordée de sable blanc et de mer turquoise. En été des milliers d'oiseaux marins y pondent . In lieu idyllique certe mais préservée comme un trésor...
Reviewed By Tramx - Holland
I was lucky that it was rather cloudy. When there is a clear sky, it might be very hot. It took a bit more than an hour to reach the island. Going back it was low tide and we had to walk to deeper water to get to theboat. That was a ver nice journey on its own.
The island is a breading place for some species of seabirds. All very impressive. The lunch was served on the island and was very good. People could swim, but I took advantage to get better views of the birds
6. Grand Montagne Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Christiane S
Superbe ! Excellent guide. Très beau projet de réhabilitation de la végétation, de la faune et avifaune d’origine. A ne pas manquer. Quelle belle forêt et quels beaux oiseaux!
