Mascarene Islands Deep Dive: Reunion, Mauritius, Rodrigues
The Mascarene Islands form one of the Indian Ocean's most distinctive sailing destinations — three volcanic islands arranged in a rough line stretching from Reunion in the west through Mauritius to the tiny outpost of Rodrigues, 600 kilometres to the east. Each island has its own character: Reunion is wild, mountainous, and barely navigable by small vessels; Mauritius is lush, well-organised, and equipped with excellent marina facilities; Rodrigues is remote, unspoiled, and surrounded by a vast coral lagoon that demands patient eyeball navigation. Together they form a triangle of about 700 nautical miles, offering the committed circumnavigator a remarkable progression of environments within a single oceanic cluster.
Reunion: The Volcanic Giant
Reunion is the most dramatic island in the southwest Indian Ocean. Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world's most active volcanoes, sits at the island's southeast end at 2,632 metres elevation and erupts several times each year, occasionally sending lava flows directly into the sea with spectacular pyrotechnic results. Piton des Neiges, the older extinct volcanic massif, rises to 3,069 metres and is frequently shrouded in cloud. The coastline is essentially cliff and black lava bench with minimal shelter.
The island has exactly one marina capable of hosting visiting yachts: Port de Plaisance de la Pointe des Galets, at Le Port on the northwest coast, within the industrial harbour complex of Port Réunion. The marina is serviceable but exposed to swell in its outer sections. Clearing customs here is manageable. Reunion is an overseas department of France, so all EU regulations apply, making it straightforward for European sailors but requiring passports and transit documentation for non-EU crews.
The priority for a Reunion visit is not the sailing — it is the land. Rent a car and drive the Route des Laves along the south coast below Piton de la Fournaise. Take the cable car to the Cirque de Cilaos, one of three ancient volcanic calderas now occupied by mountain villages and terraced vineyards at 1,200 metres elevation. Walk the Sentier du Grand Raid, the celebrated ultra-trail route that circumnavigates the island. Then return to the boat.
Mauritius: The Cruiser's Hub
Mauritius is the most yacht-friendly island of the three. Grand Baie in the northwest, with its marinas at Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis and the newer Albion Fisheries Port facilities, provides the main focus. But the anchor cruise around Mauritius is a pleasure in itself: the island is entirely encircled by a fringing coral reef that creates a protected lagoon of variable width — up to 3 kilometres wide on the northwest coast at Grand Baie — offering tranquil turquoise water for reef anchoring.
The northeast coast around Belle Mare is particularly beautiful: a 10-kilometre stretch of white sand beach backed by casuarina trees, with crystal-clear shallow water inside the reef. The Ile aux Cerfs island in the Mahébourg lagoon on the southeast coast sits in emerald-green water and is surrounded by coral gardens. The southeast coast receives more swell from the trade winds and is less comfortable for anchoring, but the views toward the Mahébourg waterfront are magnificent.
Mauritius has a strong charter scene with vessels based at Grand Baie, mainly offering day sailing and short coastal cruises. For arriving circumnavigators, clearing in at Caudan Marina in Port Louis is efficient; the customs and immigration officials are experienced with international yachts. Fuel, water, provisions, and professional chandlery are all easily available.
Rodrigues: The Quiet One
Rodrigues requires an offshore passage of approximately 340 nautical miles east from Mauritius. The island rises to just 393 metres at its highest point, a green undulating plateau completely different in character from its neighbours. The surrounding lagoon — one of the largest in proportion to land area of any Indian Ocean island — extends 9 kilometres from the southern shore and is encircled by a barrier reef that provides near-total protection. Within this lagoon, water depths typically range from 1 to 5 metres, and navigation requires constant eyeball technique.
The only yacht harbour is at Port Mathurin, the island's small capital on the north coast. A narrow channel through the reef gives access; local knowledge or a pilot on first entry is advisable. Port Mathurin has limited marina facilities but can accommodate a dozen or more visiting yachts at anchor in the outer harbour. Fuel is available from drums; provisioning is basic but sufficient.
The appeal of Rodrigues is its unhurried authenticity. The population numbers fewer than 45,000 people; Creole is the first language; the hills are terraced with smallholdings growing chillies, lentils, and onions. The reef diving and fishing are excellent. Local fishermen in pirogues — simple dugout sailing canoes — work the lagoon at dawn and dusk, a scene that has changed little in a century.
The Mascarene Sailing Triangle
Connecting the three islands into a cruising circuit makes for a passage of around 700 nautical miles. Most circumnavigators arrive at Reunion from South Africa via the Mozambique Channel, spend a week ashore, then sail the 150 nautical miles to Mauritius with the southeast trade wind on the beam — a comfortable reach. From Mauritius, the 340-mile passage to Rodrigues requires staying north of direct to make the most of the trade wind angle. From Rodrigues, most boats continue east toward Australia, Cocos Keeling, or the Chagos Archipelago.
Cyclone Awareness
The Mascarene Islands lie in one of the Indian Ocean's most active cyclone zones. The official cyclone season runs from November to April, with peak activity in January through March. The islands have excellent meteorological services — Météo France covers Reunion and Mauritius — and cyclone warnings are reliable. Every marina and anchorage in the Mascarenes has a cyclone plan; visiting yachts should confirm their boat's placement in any nearby cyclone holes before the season begins.
Explore on the Map
The Mascarene Islands triangle — Reunion, Mauritius, and Rodrigues — can be viewed clearly on the map, their spacing across the southwest Indian Ocean immediately apparent. The Mascarene Islands on the map shows the passage distances, the island positions relative to Madagascar and the African coast, and the route connections to the broader Indian Ocean sailing network.