Île aux Aigrettes is a coral island of 27 hectares, 850 m off the south-east coast near Mahébourg, declared a nature reserve in 1965. It holds the world's last remnant of Mauritian dry coastal forest and is managed by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation.

Decades of work have brought back its plants and animals: pink pigeons, Mauritius fodies, Telfair's skinks and rare ebonies, with Aldabra giant tortoises brought in to spread the forest's seeds. A short boat ride and an easy walk, good for the whole family.