Kite Surfing And Wind Surfing
Rodrigues Island offers ideal conditions for glide sports, namely wind and kite-surfing: the secure waters of an immense lagoon, trade winds blowing almost constantly and an opportunity for the most adventurous to try the reef waves.
The world-known spots of “Pâté Reyneux” and ” Mourouk” have forged the popularity of the island among windsurfers, and more recently among kite-surfers. Fanatics regularly travel to these spots, always eager to enjoy the most favourable conditions for gliding.
A run at beating a world speed record even took place there in September 2008. Glide sports centres on the spot offer an array of activities linked to kite-surfing: rental of training equipment for beginners, proficiency courses or venturing beyond the lagoon for the more experienced.
Sport Fishing: A Passion For All Ages
A traditionally small-scale activity and even a livelihood support for Rodriguan families, fishing developed into a sport with the opening of the island to tourism in the recent years. Specialist operators are eager to enable the discovery of Rodriguan waters, away from industrial fishing zones in the Indian Ocean. Due to its geographical characteristics, namely outer reef edges six miles away from the coast and shoals rich in fish, the sea around Rodrigues is most favourable for a good catch.
Rodrigues is gradually making itself a name at international level, where the discipline has won acclaim in the microcosm of multi-fishing zones. Since 2005, not less than three World record catches in Rodriguan waters have been ratified. Specialists agree to say that it is only the beginning to a long series of records especially since Rodrigues offers a very good fishing period from October to June and another excellent one from December to April – only cyclonic formations could spoil the catch.
Coverage of such exploits in the international specialist media definitely contributes to make Rodrigues a choice spot for aficionados of multiple fishing techniques. Choose among jigging, downrigger fishing and Palangrotte fishing to strike a blue or black marlin, a coryphaen sea-bream, a giant trevally along the coral reefs, a dog tooth tuna – one of the eight species of groupers – or a red snapper.
Seasoned crews whose boats are equipped with state-of-the-art positioning and fishing technology offer and manage outings by the day. Two-day trips also take enthusiasts to banks abounding in fish, namely the mythical Grand Banc de l’Est (Great Eastern Bank), where they can experiment different fishing techniques and maybe make the catch of their life, worth featuring in the books of records.
Regattas: A Timeless Passion
The passion of Rodriguan people was born out of their constant interaction with the sea, beyond providing for their daily living and representing a source of income. The elders still recall certain epic boat races forever ingrained in their minds. After having somehow fallen in disuse, the tradition of regattas was revived by some enthusiasts a few years back, proving that what’s born in the blood comes out in the flesh… or rather in the tacks. The sails of numerous wooden and more modern fibreglass pirogues started swinging again in the lagoons. From the shore, hundreds of enthusiastic spectators can sometimes hear helmsmen forcefully shouting the command and encouraging their crews on summer days. The spirit remains alive and regattas are an integral part of the lexical heritage of the island.
Diving
All sorts of diving activities are on offer in Rodrigues for beginners and seasoned divers alike. Barely visited by man, the sea bottom as well as the exuberant sub-aquatic fauna and flora offer a fantastic panorama of natural beauty.
Every diving adventure represents an opportunity to discover a species that is unique to the coral reef ecosystem or a site of uncommon beauty. An initiatory journey in a unique environment where the thrill of novelty always remains intact at sites with evocative names such as Couzoupa, Trou Zaiguille, Basilique, Trou Pirate, Coco Fesse, Ti Colorado and Aquarium. Of course, opportunities for snorkelling are multiple and diverse around the island. They can be as much a source of enchantment as scuba diving.
ZipLine Adventure
Facing the south Coast of Rodrigues with breathtaking views down to the lagoon, Tyrodrig is a zipline adventure that takes you across three lush green valleys amidst flying “ Pailles en queues “. Discover the beauty of the island, suspended at a thrilling height of more than 100 meters above the dense vegetation with the longest zipline spanning over 400 metres. You would not want to miss it.
Set above a natural reserve. The zipline tracks were installed with a strong regard for the environment respect and its integration in the landscape. This activity with its air tracks will offer to all visitors a mix of breathtaking views of the forest and lagoon, very representative of Rodrigues Island.
