Nature & Biodiversity
Lagoons, forests, reefs, volcanoes and iconic species: the biodiversity of the Indian Ocean islands and those who protect it.
Guides
Best Beaches in the Indian OceanThe best beaches in the Indian Ocean are not all good for the same reason. Some are made for swimming, some for photography, some for snorkeling, and others for walking, watching sunset or understanding a protected lagoon.
Indian Ocean Biodiversity, Wildlife and Coral ReefsIndian Ocean biodiversity is one of the major reasons to look beyond beaches. Madagascar, Seychelles, Mayotte, Reunion Island, Mauritius and Comoros include rare forests, coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds.
Hiking in Reunion Island and Volcano TrailsHiking in Reunion Island is one of the strongest active travel experiences in the Indian Ocean. The island combines cirques, forests, waterfalls, ridges, lava flows and volcano trails in a compact but demanding terrain.
Whale Watching in Reunion Island: Season and RulesWhale watching in Reunion Island is one of the most moving nature experiences in the Indian Ocean. Each austral winter, humpback whales migrate near the island after feeding in colder southern waters. They come to breed, give birth and rest in warmer seas.
Whale Watching in Madagascar: Sainte Marie Season GuideWhale watching in Madagascar is most closely linked with Sainte Marie, also known as Nosy Boraha. This long island off the east coast becomes one of the country's best-known marine wildlife destinations during the humpback whale season.
Mayotte Turtles at N Gouja: How to Watch ResponsiblyMayotte turtles are one of the strongest reasons to visit the island's lagoon. N Gouja beach is especially famous because sea turtles can feed close to shore, often in shallow water where visitors are tempted to approach too quickly.
Aldabra Giant Tortoise in Seychelles: Where to See ThemThe Aldabra giant tortoise is one of the most recognisable animals in Seychelles. Its size, slow movements and long life make it unforgettable.
Swimming with Dolphins in Mauritius: Tamarin Without HarmSwimming with dolphins in Mauritius is one of the island's most searched marine activities. Tamarin Bay and Black River are the names most travellers see first.
Kelonia Reunion Island: Sea Turtles in Saint-LeuKelonia is the sea turtle observatory in Saint-Leu, on the west coast of Reunion Island. It is one of the most useful stops for travellers who want to understand marine turtles before or after time near the lagoon.
Madagascar Lemurs: Where to See Them ResponsiblyMadagascar lemurs are one of the main reasons travellers dream of the island. They are strange, beautiful, noisy, shy, social, acrobatic and deeply tied to forests that exist nowhere else.
Avenue of the Baobabs Madagascar: Morondava GuideThe Avenue of the Baobabs is one of the most photographed places in Madagascar. The row of giant trees near Morondava looks simple at first: a dirt road, red earth, evening light and baobabs rising above the landscape.
Mauritius Beaches: Best Beaches and How to ChooseMauritius beaches are often the first image travellers have of the island. Think white sand, turquoise lagoons, calm water and palm-fringed resorts.
Reunion Island Beaches: Where to Swim SafelyReunion Island beaches are often misunderstood. This is not Mauritius or Seychelles. The island is volcanic, steep and exposed, with powerful surf, rocks, currents and a history of shark risk in some areas.
Best Lagoons in the Indian Ocean: Islands to CompareThe best lagoons in the Indian Ocean are not only blue water and white sand. They are reef systems, seagrass beds, turtle habitats, local fishing areas, swimming zones and fragile tourism spaces.
Piton de la Fournaise Hike: Route and Safety GuidePiton de la Fournaise is one of the most active and accessible volcano landscapes in the Indian Ocean. The classic hike crosses a raw basalt environment toward the Dolomieu crater, but the day begins long before the trail.
Cirque de Mafate Hike: Routes, Villages and GitesCirque de Mafate is one of the most remarkable hiking areas in Reunion Island. There are no normal roads into the cirque. Villages, ridges and gites are reached on foot or by helicopter, which gives the landscape a rare feeling of separation.
Cilaos Reunion Island: Things to Do in the Mountain CirqueCilaos Reunion Island is a mountain destination inside one of the island's great cirques. Travelers come for the road, hiking, thermal baths, lentils, embroidery, cooler air and views framed by high walls.
Hell Bourg and Salazie: Waterfalls, Creole Houses and ForestHell Bourg and Salazie show the greener side of Reunion Island. The cirque receives more rain, the slopes are lush and waterfalls appear quickly after wet weather.
Mount Choungui Mayotte: Hike and Viewpoint GuideMount Choungui is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Mayotte. The sharp summit rises in the south of Grande-Terre and offers one of the island's strongest viewpoints over the lagoon, hills and coastline.
Mount Karthala Comoros: Volcano Hike and Travel TipsMount Karthala is the great volcano of Grande Comore and one of the most powerful natural landmarks in the Comoros. It gives the island a dramatic identity beyond beaches, ylang-ylang and the capital Moroni.
Vallee de Mai Praslin: Coco de Mer and Forest GuideVallee de Mai is one of the essential nature visits in Seychelles. Located on Praslin, this UNESCO-listed forest is famous for the coco de mer, a rare palm with one of the most extraordinary seeds in the plant world.
Black River Gorges National Park Mauritius: Hiking GuideBlack River Gorges National Park is the main protected forest area in Mauritius and one of the best ways to see the island beyond beaches. It brings together ravines, viewpoints, waterfalls, endemic birds, hiking trails and cooler upland air.
Ile aux Aigrettes Mauritius: Wildlife Reserve GuideIle aux Aigrettes is a small conservation island off the south-east coast of Mauritius, near Mahebourg and Pointe Jerome. It offers a very different experience from the beaches: restored coastal forest, rare plants, giant tortoises, birds and guided interpretation.
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