Ilot Bernaches & Ile d’Ambre

This is my favourite outing when someone asks for something quiet. Ile d’Ambre is a mangrove-covered islet in the north-east, where you paddle a kayak between the roots. It’s also where the Saint-Geran was wrecked in 1744 — the story behind Paul et Virginie.

Ilot Bernaches, right beside it, is a sandbank set in a shallow lagoon. There is nothing on it: no bar, no sunloungers, no music. You have lunch on the beach, you swim, and that’s it. For many of my clients it’s the best memory of the trip.

I recommend it to anyone who finds Ile aux Cerfs too crowded. Departure from the north-east coast, twenty minutes from Grand Baie. Avoid it on very windy days — the lagoon gets up quickly here.