The Rebirth of Ile aux Benitiers – Mauritius Launches Master Plan to Save Overused Paradise

Ile aux Benitiers, one of Mauritius’ most iconic islets, has long been a victim of its own success. The stunning lagoon, the famous “Crystal Rock,” and the panoramic views attracted thousands of daily visitors, resulting in severe overuse, mountains of waste, and illegal structures. This overtourism eventually forced a drastic step: the government’s temporary closure of the island.

New hope has arrived with the cabinet’s approval and the October 2025 presentation of a comprehensive Ecotourism Master Plan. The plan is designed to be a landmark effort not only environmentally but also economically and socially. The core objective is to protect the island’s unique ecosystem while ensuring controlled, sustainable access for visitors.

🌿 Key Elements of the Master Plan

The urgency of the plan is highlighted by the clean-up efforts earlier in 2025, during which over 138 tonnes of waste—including tires, plastic bottles, and illegal shacks—were removed. Native birds and endemic plants were disappearing, prompting the immediate need for intervention.

The new strategy focuses on holistic sustainability:

1. Controlled Access: All visitors must now use the designated embarkation point at La Gaulette. A new e-ticketing system will limit daily numbers, preventing critical overcrowding.
2. Eco-Friendly Infrastructure: Planned developments include composting toilets, solar power systems, rainwater harvesting, and segregated waste collection, ensuring a minimal ecological footprint.
3. Zoning for Protection: The island will be divided into strict functional zones: the North for bird and plant conservation, the centre for visitor activities, and a marine buffer zone to protect the underwater ecosystem.
4. Integrating Local Businesses: 55 pre-registered local operators are authorized to continue their services under the new, stringent ecological rules, which mandate daily dismantling of their stalls and the use of registered boats.

The island’s rapid natural regeneration since the closure has been remarkable, with rare plants and birds returning. The Master Plan aims to reinforce this renewal through rat eradication campaigns, native plant nurseries, and ecological monitoring. The long-term vision is to establish a premium, high-quality ecotourism model that creates greater value with fewer, more conscious guests, benefiting the local La Gaulette community.

The Ile aux Benitiers project sets a precedent for the Indian Ocean, demonstrating a powerful political commitment to sustainability and proving that tourism and nature conservation can, and must, coexist.

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