Port MathurinPort Mathurin at a Glance
Costs: About $50-100 per day - rodrigues is cheaper than Mauritius’ main island, with modest lodging and eateries.
Safety: Relaxed and low-crime - small community with low violent crime; normal precautions suffice.
Best Time: April-November (cooler, drier) - drier months are calm for beaches, hiking, and sailing.
Why Visit Port Mathurin?
As Rodrigues’ charming administrative hub, Port Mathurin is where Creole life, seafood and lagoon adventures intersect. The bustling Port Mathurin Market spills onto the quay with fresh octopus stew (carri poulpe), tropical fruits and handmade crafts, and catamaran trips leave daily for snorkeling in clear lagoon waters. Local sega tambour music and small seaside taverns keep evenings lively, while nearby mangroves and coves offer simple hikes and birdwatching away from Mauritius’s main island crowds.
Port Mathurin Bucket List
Don't Miss
Port Mathurin Market - Daily market selling fresh fish, island fruit and handmade Rodrigues crafts to locals.
Caverne Patate - Famous limestone cave complex with guided tours through caverns and underground pools.
François Leguat Giant Tortoise Reserve - Reserve protecting Aldabra tortoises, cave walks and guided nature interpretation trails.
Hidden Gems
Trou d’Argent beach - Sheltered bay with sandflats, shallow swimming and relaxed local beachside huts.
Gravier Bay fishing villages - Small coastal settlements where fishermen sell their catch and welcome casual visits.
Rodrigues craft cooperatives - Local workshops producing basketry, horn carving and traditional Rodriguan textiles.
Day Trips
Île aux Cocos - Short boat excursion to this tiny islet for birdwatching and secluded sandflats.
Mont Lubin viewpoint - Drive up for panoramic island views and sunset photo opportunities over Rodrigues.
Best Time to Visit Port Mathurin
Rodrigues is pleasant almost year-round; visit May-October for cooler, drier weather and calmer seas. November-April is warmer, wetter and carries a small cyclone risk.
Summer
Hot, humid days with afternoon showers; great for water sports but expect more mosquitoes and occasional rough seas when storms pass.
Winter
Cooler, breezy and drier - ideal for snorkeling, hiking and calmer ocean conditions; evenings can be pleasantly fresh compared with summer.
Cyclone Season
Small island struggles with cyclones: expect flight disruptions, heavy rain and dangerous seas - avoid fixed plans and keep emergency contacts handy.
Subtropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 19°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1089 mm/year), wettest in February.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 24° - 29° | 26° | 149 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.2 m/s | 3.2 extreme | 13.0h |
| February | Very Good | 24° - 29° | 27° | 181 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.0 m/s | 3.0 extreme | 12.6h |
| March | Very Good | 24° - 29° | 26° | 136 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.2 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.1h |
| April | Excellent | 23° - 28° | 26° | 114 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.7 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 11.5h |
| May | Excellent | 22° - 27° | 24° | 81 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.0 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.1h |
| June | Excellent | 20° - 26° | 23° | 78 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 4.3 m/s | 1.3 high | 10.8h |
| July | Very Good | 19° - 25° | 22° | 80 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 4.9 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.0h |
| August | Excellent | 19° - 25° | 22° | 62 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 4.7 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.3h |
| September | Excellent | 19° - 25° | 22° | 44 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.5 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.9h |
| October | Excellent | 20° - 26° | 23° | 40 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.1 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.4h |
| November | Excellent | 21° - 27° | 24° | 63 mm | some cloud | 79% | 5.0 m/s | 2.9 extreme | 12.9h |
| December | Excellent | 23° - 28° | 26° | 61 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 5.4 m/s | 3.1 extreme | 13.2h |
How to Get to Port Mathurin
Port Mathurin (Rodrigues) is reached by a short flight from Mauritius (RRG). The island is small-the airport is very close to Port Mathurin and onward travel is by taxi or limited local minibuses.
Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport / Rodrigues Airport (RRG): Rodrigues (Port Mathurin) is served by Rodrigues Airport (RRG) with scheduled flights from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) on Mauritius. Flight time is about 1 hour. Taxis from the small airport to Port Mathurin village take 5-10 minutes and typically cost around 200-400 MUR.
(Connection via Mauritius): Most visitors fly into MRU (Mauritius) then take the domestic flight to RRG; there are no regular international flights directly into Rodrigues separate from MRU connections.
Train: There are no train services on Rodrigues.
Bus / Taxi: Rodrigues has local minibuses and taxis around Port Mathurin and to other parts of the island. Bus services are limited; taxis and private transfers are the most reliable way to reach guesthouses and beaches from the airport.
How to Get Around Port Mathurin
Rodrigues is small and best navigated by taxi, scooter or bicycle after the short flight from Mauritius. Public buses exist but are limited-plan transfers ahead.
- Flights (Mauritius-Rodrigues) (≈2,000-5,000 MUR (one-way, varies seasonally) ) - Scheduled flights operate between MRU (Mauritius) and RRG (Rodrigues). Flight time is about one hour; book ahead as capacity is small and schedules can be limited on some days.
- Taxis (≈200-400 MUR) - Taxis are the most practical way to reach hotels and beaches from Rodrigues Airport; flat or metered rates are limited so confirm the fare in advance. Short transfers across the island are quick given Rodrigues’ small size.
- Local minibuses (Low fares (exact routes vary)) - Local minibuses run between Port Mathurin and other settlements but are infrequent. They are cheap when available but not a reliable option for tight schedules or luggage-heavy travellers.
- Car / Scooter hire (Scooter ≈300-600 MUR/day; cars higher (varies)) - Scooters and cars can be rented on Rodrigues and are a convenient way to explore independently; roads are generally quiet but expect basic signage. Fuel is available in main centres.
- Bike / Bicycle (≈100-300 MUR/day) - Bicycling is popular for short distances and beachside exploration on Rodrigues-an economical and pleasant option on flatter stretches.
- Walking - Port Mathurin and nearby beaches are very walkable. The compact town centre and coastal paths make walking an excellent way to explore at a relaxed pace.
Where to Eat in Port Mathurin
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Port Mathurin’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Port Mathurin
Nightlife is quiet and community-focused, consisting mainly of hotel bars, occasional live music and small local venues. Evenings are relaxed rather than late or loud, with the busiest nights tied to local events. If you want more night entertainment, check events calendars or ask accommodation hosts.
Shopping in Port Mathurin
Shopping in Port Mathurin is small-scale: local markets and stalls sell fresh produce, typical island handicrafts and locally made souvenirs. There are a few small shops for essentials. For a wider choice of goods you may need to order from Mauritius island or visit larger towns on Rodrigues on market days.