Coin de Mire - Gunners Quoin
Often featured in many holiday magazines given its interesting wedge-like shape, visible from the Northern tips of Mauritius.

Situated at 8 kilometres to the north of Mauritius, this islet of 65 hectares still has remains of the primary vegetation surviving in spite of the occasional fire and the presence of rats and hares.

Ile Plate - Flat Island
Situated North of Mauritius, Flat Island is amongst one of the largest islets, with an area of 253 hectares and its flora is rich in endemic plants.An old lighthouse can be seen on the south west of the island.

The sea can be rough and access to the dive site is about 20 to 45 minutes by boat. Diving needs to be arranged in advance and divers will need to be experienced.

Ilot Gabriel - Gabriel Island
Comparatively smaller than its neighbour Flat Island, Gabriel Island is a sheltered shallow cove which offers an interesting place to snorkel and dive.

Scuba diving takes place around Pigeon House Rock, where the main attraction is the proliferation of sharks, particularly during the period November to April.

Ile Ronde - Round Island
Situated 22 kilometres to the north east of Mauritius, this island is an ecological treasure house. Numerous species of endemic plants some of which no longer exist on the mainland and the presence of endemic reptiles make this island a unique place. It is some 150 hectares in extent and raises like a cone out of the water to reach a maximum height of 300 metres. The geological basic composition is an agglomeration of tuff, volcanic ash, laid down in compact layers that look like rock.

Ile d'Ambre - Amber Island
Found inside the lagoon off the north east coast of Mauritius, about 140 hectares in total area. Much of the coastline of l'ile d'Ambre is surrounded by mangrove trees or rocks.

On the island, there are a few interesting features like a small and old stone building most probably erected by the French, an inland salt lake and a marshy salt pond.

Ile aux Cerfs - Deer Island
Ile Aux Cerfs is a large island, of nearly 100 hectares in area, off the east coast of Mauritius close to the coastal village of Trou D'Eau Douce in the district of Flacq.

It is a favourite recreational spot for both Mauritians and tourists alike, with its picture-perfect calm emerald-blue waters.

A paying ferry service operated by various contractors from the mainland to the island used by tourists and the public alike. For years the hotel group Sun Resort Ltd has operated two restaurants, a bar, and a boathouse and provided other beach amenities on the island.

Ile aux Aigrettes
A small island barely a kilometre off Pointe D'Esny near Mahebourg and 24.7 hectares in area, it is now a nature reserve. During World War Two, the island was used as a military base by the British who installed two artillery pieces there, one of which can still be seen.

Efforts are being undertaken by Government and the Mauritius Wildlife Appeal Fund to save the endemic flora and fauna there. A visitor centre is to open on the island and nature trails marked with guides for visitors.

A nursery of rare plants has been set up to propagate endemic plants in view of re creating the type of forest that prevailed on the coast prior to the arrival of man. The elimination of rats from the island has allowed the natural regeneration of several endemic plants like Ebony and Bois de Rat.

Ile aux Bénitiers - Bénitiers Island
About 500 metres off the coast at La Gaulette (South West of Mauritius). It is a large coral sand island approximately 2 km long and 500 metres at its widest point and 65 hectares in area. On the northern tip of the island there is a small colony of migratory sea birds.

The lagoon is vast and shallow with large coral fields in relatively good health. The region around the island is the fishing ground of locals who for years have used the islet for leisure purposes and a stop over when fishing in the lagoon.

La Roche Bénitiers - Bénitiers Rock
Also known as The Diamond, it is found South West of Mauritius, close to the Bénitiers Island. Naturally carved out to look like a plate coral, this 'rock' stands supreme, in stark contrast with the calm blue sea, with sparse young filao trees growing on its rocky structures.