Ile aux Aigrettes

Ile aux Aigrettes is a 26-hectare islet of raised coral in the Grand Port lagoon, and it matters because it is one of the very few places where the original coastal ebony forest of Mauritius still stands and has been actively rebuilt. The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation has run the restoration since 1985, clearing introduced plants and rats and reintroducing species: pink pigeons, olive white-eyes, Mauritius fodies and Aldabra giant tortoises brought in as ecological substitutes for the extinct Mauritian tortoises that once dispersed the seeds of native trees. Visits are by guided walk only, on booked boat trips from Pointe Jerome, and the guides explain the restoration work as much as the wildlife. Fees fund the conservation programme.

The landscape

• Native ebony forest - one of the last stands of the original coastal woodland.
• Pink pigeons - the reintroduced species brought back from near extinction.
• Aldabra tortoises - the substitutes for the extinct native giants.
• The lagoon crossing - the short boat run from the mainland.

When to go

May to December for calmer crossings and cooler walking. Tours run to a set schedule and must be booked; morning slots are cooler and birds are more active. Cyclone season can cancel trips.

Before you go

Access is only by guided tour with fixed times and no independent visiting. Bird sightings are not guaranteed, though tortoises are reliable. The walk is on level paths and takes about two hours. Fees are relatively high, though they fund the reserve.

Nearby

Mahebourg is on the shore opposite; Blue Bay lies south.

Key facts