Mascarene Islands

Mascarene Islands is the name given to the island group in the western Indian Ocean that includes Mauritius, Réunion, and Rodrigues. The islands are volcanic in origin and sit on the Mascarene Plateau east of Madagascar.

Highlights vary by island and include coral reefs and beaches on Mauritius, volcanic landscapes and an active volcano on Réunion, and remote coral islands and lagoons on Rodrigues. Réunion has high volcanic relief with peaks over 2,600 metres, while Mauritius and Rodrigues are known for tourism, diving, and coastal ecosystems. The group supports a mix of coastal and montane habitats and is popular for marine recreation and hiking.

The islands formed from hotspot volcanism and emerged at different times over the island chain. Human settlement and colonial histories differed between islands, with Réunion remaining a French overseas department and Mauritius and Rodrigues becoming independent states.

Geographically the Mascarenes lie in the southwestern Indian Ocean, roughly east of Madagascar and northeast of Mauritius and Réunion, forming an isolated island arc that is several hundred to about a thousand kilometres from Madagascar and continental Africa.

• Travel hubs: Best approached by international flights to Mauritius or Réunion, both of which have tourism infrastructure and dive sites along extensive coral reefs.
• Geology: Formed by hotspot volcanism on the Mascarene Plateau and comprising the major islands Mauritius, Réunion and Rodrigues.

What to See #

• Mauritius: A volcanic island of about 2,040 square kilometres with the capital Port Louis on its northwest coast; known for beaches, coral reefs, and a multicultural population.
• Réunion: An overseas department of France covering about 2,512 square kilometres and dominated by volcanic peaks, including the active shield volcano Piton de la Fournaise at about 2,632 metres.
• Rodrigues: A smaller outer island about 108 square kilometres east of Mauritius with a quieter, rural character and coral reef habitats.