Aigrette Island

The Island is small but it was a great experience seeing a big tortoise walking freely in the forest. We’ve seen a rare pink pigeon and orchids. Such a pity there are many party boats docking on the island shore and the music was so loud, really annoying.

A nice 1.5-hour tour to do if you have some time! We booked our tickets online and were warmly welcomed by the staff the following day. Our tour guide was lovely and engaging.

The guide explained endemic animals and showed us some of them in a guided walk. Very helpful information and make you realise how much damage we have done in the past few hundred years.

Ile aux Aigrettes, a small 27-hectare island off the southeast coast of Mauritius in Mahebourg Bay, is a haven for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. The island is unique in that it's made up of coralline limestone, unlike the mainland's volcanic origin. A visit here offers a glimpse into Mauritius before human arrival, showcasing endemic animals and plants saved from extinction by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. It's a prominent ecotourism site where you can explore a treasure trove of nature's wonders. The nature reserve on the island operates from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. It hosts a wildlife discovery centre, a plant nursery, and a private research centre. There are also restroom facilities available for visitors. To reach Ile aux Aigrettes, you can take a boat from Pointe Jerome, and the short ride to the island takes about 10 minutes. It's advisable to book your visit through the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. The guided tours on the island are highly informative, and visitors often appreciate the insight provided by the guides regarding the conservation efforts by the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation. Highlights of the visit include seeing giant tortoises and the pink pigeon, among other wildlife. It's crucial to note that swimming or picnicking is not allowed, and visitors are advised to wear closed shoes for the guided tour. Ile aux Aigrettes is not just a visit but an educational experience that enlightens you on the rich biodiversity of Mauritius and the efforts in place to conserve the unique flora and fauna of the region.

Amazing place to visit with the Mauritian wildlife Foundation here. There is an animal sanctuary to be visited with lots of tortoises and reptiles. Please make sure you have a mosquito repellent because there are a lot of mosquitoes here.

Great tour of the island! We learned a lot about the ecosystem of Mauritius and appreciated seing healthy animals, such as the giant turtoise, in the wild. The tour costs 800MUR per person including the short boat ride there.

The guided tour on Ile aux Aigrettes is highly recommended. The entrance fee is fair including guided tour and crossing. Once on the island, a guide with a very good English showed us the wildlife and plants including giant turtles and bats. We were allowed to take pictures with the biggest turtle Big Daddy. Afterwards we were told more deeply about the local birds and plants. It was very informative and interesting. Very good project which is worth being supported. Note: You notice the 2-3 degrees higher temperature on the island.

Very nice little coral isle of nature reserve. You can see species like Aldabra giant tortoise and fruit bat. If you visit it you can get guide, whose are very kind and talanted!