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What to Pack & Bring

What to Pack & Bring

Mauritius

Dry Season Attire May-November

Rodrigues' winter offers cooler temperatures and lower humidity. Pack lightweight, breathable clothing made from natural fabrics like cotton or linen. These materials allow air circulation and dry quickly.

Clothing to Consider:

  • Long-sleeved shirts and trousers (sun/mosquito protection).
  • A Light jacket, thin fleece, or sweater for cooler evenings.
  • Versatile items for layering, adjusting to temperature changes.

Wet Season Attire December-April

Rodrigues' summer brings warmer temperatures and higher humidity, along with increased rainfall. Opt for very lightweight and quick-drying fabrics.

Clothing to Consider:

  • Synthetic blends for quick-drying properties.
  • A compact rain jacket or small, collapsible Umbrella.
  • Prioritize breathability and quick-drying properties; avoid heavier fabrics.

Footwear Recommendations

General Wear

Comfortable sandals or flip-flops. Perfect for daily wear, strolling around villages, and beach time.

Ideal for casual exploration

Hiking

Sturdy walking shoes or Waterproof Hiking Boots. Essential for exploring the island's interior, tackling trails, or visiting caves. Break them in before your trip.

Important for trails

Water Activities

Water shoes or reef-safe sandals. These provide protection against sharp coral, rocks, and sea urchins. Useful for snorkeling, exploring tidal pools, or walking along rocky shorelines.

Reef-safe protection

Essential Documents

Travel Documents

Keeping your documents organized and accessible prevents stress during your trip.

  • Valid Passport: Valid for at least six months beyond your departure.
  • E-visa Copies: Printed and digital copies if a visa is required.
  • Travel Insurance Policy: Policy number, emergency contacts, coverage summary.
  • International Driving Permit: Along with national license, if driving.
  • Vaccination Records: Yellow Fever certificate (if applicable) and other relevant health documents.
  • Reservations: Printed and digital copies of flight, accommodation, and tour confirmations.
  • Emergency Contacts: List of family/friends, embassy, hotel contacts.
  • IDs for Discounts: Student, senior, or press IDs (rarely applicable on Rodrigues).

Technology & Electronics

Power & Connectivity

Thoughtful choices for electronics frame connectivity and memory capture. Rodrigues offers decent connectivity, but preparedness for power and charging needs is wise.

Power Essentials:

  • Voltage: 230V, Frequency: 50Hz.
  • Plug Types: Type C (two round pins) and Type G (three rectangular pins).
  • Universal Travel Adapter recommended for compatibility.

Mobile & Camera Gear

Mobile phones: Your mobile phone must be unlocked for local SIM cards. Local providers: My.T (Mauritius Telecom) and Emtel. Purchase SIM cards at RGT Airport or official shops in Port Mathurin (passport needed for registration).

Photography:

Essential Tech Add-ons

Portable Chargers & Apps

Bring Portable chargers (Anker Power Bank) for devices. Download offline maps (Maps.me, Google Maps), Google Translate, and WhatsApp.

VPN & Backup

For secure browsing, consider NordVPN or ExpressVPN. Back up photos to cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud) or an External hard drive.

E-SIM & Retailers

Consider Airalo for eSIMs. For electronics, check B&H Photo.

Health & Wellness Items

First Aid Kit & Medications

A well-stocked health and wellness kit provides peace of mind and handles common travel ailments quickly. Tailor your kit to Rodrigues' specific environment.

Kit Contents:

Sun Protection & Hydration

The strong tropical sun and presence of mosquitoes make these items essential for comfort and health. Protection from marine hazards is also important.

Protective Gear:

Personal Care & Marine Safety

Personal Hygiene

  • Specific brands of toiletries may be hard to find locally.
  • Feminine hygiene products, contact lens solution may be limited.
  • Pack sufficient supplies of these personal items to avoid inconvenience.

Marine Safety

  • Wear Water shoes or reef-safe sandals when walking on reefs, tidal pools.
  • Protects your feet from sea urchins, stonefish, and sharp coral.
  • A Rash Guard UV Protection Shirt is useful for extended time in the sun while snorkeling or swimming.

Activity-Specific Equipment

Snorkeling / Diving

While gear can be rented from dive centers, bringing your own Mask and snorkel ensures a better fit and hygiene.

  • A Full Face Snorkel Mask offers a wide view.
  • Fins are usually readily available for rent.
  • Rent: Diving tanks, BCDs, fins.
  • Bring: Personal mask and snorkel for comfort.

Hiking Essentials

Comfortable, well-worn hiking shoes are essential for exploring the island's terrain. A small, lightweight Backpack for day trips carries water and snacks.

Kitesurfing Gear

Experienced kitesurfers may prefer to bring their own specialized gear (kite, board, harness). Rental equipment and lessons are widely available from local kitesurfing schools.

  • Convenient for those not wishing to transport large gear.
  • Rent: Kitesurfing gear, avoids transport hassle.
  • Bring: Your own specialized gear for experienced users.
  • Rentals are well-maintained and local.

Rent vs. Bring Decision

Items to Rent Locally

  • Diving tanks and BCDs (buoyancy control devices).
  • Fins for snorkeling/diving.
  • Kitesurfing gear (kites, boards, harnesses).
  • Casual mountain bikes for general rides.

Items to Bring Personally

Miscellaneous Must-Haves

Comfort & Security Items

Beyond clothing and activity-specific items, a few additions frame comfort, security, and convenience during your Rodrigues trip.

Travel Comfort:

Security & Reusable Items

Security and sustainability aspects appear important on any trip. These items contribute to a more mindful and secure travel experience on Rodrigues.

Safety & Eco-Friendly:

Region-Specific Essentials

Quick-Drying Towel

A lightweight Quick-drying towel (Microfiber) for beach days. Dries quickly, takes less space.

Small Waterproof Pouch

For carrying cash, phone, or keys to the beach or on boat trips, protects from water and sand.

Headlamp or Flashlight

A Headlamp or Small flashlight for navigating unlit paths or in case of power outages.

Specific Medications/Gear

High-quality sunscreens, specific insect repellents, and any specialized outdoor gear (e.g. Hiking poles) may be difficult to find or expensive locally. Pack these items.

Clothing & Gear Retailers

General Apparel

Adventure & Medical

Packing Pro Tips

Pack a small first aid kit with insect repellent and sun protection. Your comfort and safety benefit from this.

Rent bulky gear like diving tanks or kitesurfing equipment. Bring personal items like your own Snorkel mask for comfort.