Where to look
Hikers & Adventure Seekers
Trekkers · Trail runners · Mountain enthusiasts · GR R2 through-hikers La Reunion has one of the finest hiking networks in the Indian Ocean. The three cirques — Cilaos, Mafate and Salazie — are vast natural amphitheatres ringed by near-vertical basalt walls, accessible only on foot (Mafate has no road access at all). The GR R2 crosses the entire island over 4 to 5 days, passing through all three cirques and reaching both the Piton des Neiges summit (3,070m, highest peak in the Indian Ocean) and the lunar plateau of the volcano zone. Cilaos is the most popular hiking base — it sits inside its own cirque at 1,200m altitude, connected to the coast by a spectacular road with 400 switchbacks through volcanic rock tunnels. Hell-Bourg in the Cirque de Salazie is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, with 19th-century Creole architecture and waterfalls cascading directly into the village. The Cirque de Mafate, accessible only by trail or helicopter, has a cluster of remote hamlets where hikers can find basic gite accommodation.
Volcano Chasers
Geology fans · Adventure seekers · Unique landscape lovers · Lava field explorers Piton de la Fournaise is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, erupting several times per year on average. Between eruptions (and sometimes during effusive eruptions when lava flows away from visitor areas), the volcano is open to hikers. The Pas de Bellecombe-Jacob car park sits on the rim of the Enclos Fouque caldera — from here a marked trail descends into the caldera and approaches the active cone. The landscape is otherworldly: black lava fields, fumaroles, and the cone's red-orange ejecta against an electric sky. The Plaine des Sables is an extraordinary plateau of rust-red volcanic ash between the Pas de Bellecombe junction and the caldera rim — a Martian landscape at 2,200m altitude, often shrouded in cloud. The Maison du Volcan in Bourg-Murat (the gateway town on the plateau road) provides essential context on Piton de la Fournaise's eruption history and geology. Stay in Bourg-Murat, Le Tampon or the east coast to reach the volcano quickly in the morning before cloud builds up.
Beach & Lagoon Lovers
Swimmers · Snorkellers · Families · Sun seekers · Water sports fans La Reunion's finest beaches are concentrated on the west coast, sheltered behind a coral reef that creates a calm, turquoise lagoon. Saint-Gilles-les-Bains is the island's main beach resort — a relaxed town with the long white-sand beach at L'Hermitage-les-Bains alongside the lagoon. Boucan Canot, just north of Saint-Gilles, is perhaps the island's most photographed beach. La Saline-les-Bains has a wilder, less crowded stretch of sand backed by casuarina trees. The lagoon around Saint-Gilles and L'Hermitage is excellent for snorkelling — the coral reef is accessible by boat or from shore at low tide. Glass-bottom boat tours run daily. Note that outside the lagoon, the open Indian Ocean coast carries significant shark risk — always swim inside the lagoon and respect all beach warning flags. The east coast (windward side) has spectacular scenery but rough surf and is not safe for swimming.
Nature & Rainforest Explorers
Nature lovers · Birdwatchers · Botanists · Waterfall seekers · Off-the-beaten-path travellers La Reunion's interior is covered by an extraordinary variety of ecosystems — from tropical rainforest on the windward east coast to high-altitude heath on the volcano plateau. The Foret de Bebour-Belouve in the east is a UNESCO-listed cloud forest with massive tree ferns (Cyathea) rising to 8m, accessed from La Plaine-des-Palmistes. The east coast from Saint-Benoit to Saint-Philippe passes through an almost continuous tunnel of vegetation with waterfalls dropping from the cliff face directly onto the coast road. The Cirque de Salazie is particularly rich in waterfalls — the Cascade du Voile de la Mariee (Bridal Veil Falls) is visible from the road at the cirque entrance, and a series of further waterfalls are accessible on foot from Hell-Bourg. La Reunion has endemic bird species including the Reunion Stonechat and the Mascarene Swiftlet, making it a worthwhile destination for serious birdwatchers. The Conservatoire Botanique National de Mascarin near Saint-Leu has outstanding collections of Reunion flora.
Food & Culture Lovers
Foodies · Creole culture seekers · Market lovers · Slow travellers La Reunion has one of the most distinctive food cultures in the Indian Ocean — a Creole cuisine shaped by French, African, Indian, Malagasy and Chinese influences. The staple is the rougail (a spiced sauce base with tomatoes, onions and ginger) applied to sausage (rougail saucisse), salt fish, or shrimp. Carry (curry) is eaten daily — a fragrant slow-cooked dish of meat or fish with turmeric, ginger, thyme and chilli, served with rice, rougail and achards (pickled vegetables). Saint-Denis, the island capital and a city of 150,000, has excellent Creole restaurants concentrated around the Place du Barachois seafront promenade and the market. The Marche Forain du Chaudron in Saint-Denis on Saturdays is one of the great market experiences in the Indian Ocean — exotic fruit, vanilla, spices, samossas and street food from all the island's cultural communities. The vanilla grown in the east of the island is among the finest in the world and widely available at market prices far below European retail.
Romantic Couples
Couples · Honeymoons · Special occasions · Dramatic scenery lovers La Reunion's landscapes are among the most dramatic and varied in the world — from the steaming crater of an active volcano to the lush, waterfall-draped walls of the cirques. The Cirque de Salazie, particularly around Hell-Bourg, is extraordinarily romantic — 19th-century Creole architecture, flower-filled gardens, waterfalls visible from every window, and total silence apart from birdsong. The village has been carefully preserved and remains one of the most atmospheric destinations in the Indian Ocean. Sunset from the Piton Maido viewpoint (2,205m, above the Cirque de Mafate) is one of the most dramatic in the region — the entire floor of the inaccessible cirque, hundreds of metres below, turns gold as the sun drops into the Indian Ocean on the horizon. A private helicopter flight over the three cirques and the volcano is the most spectacular way to appreciate the island's extraordinary topography and a genuinely memorable experience for any occasion.
Families with Children
Families · Young children · Parents wanting activities and safe swimming The west coast lagoon area around Saint-Gilles-les-Bains and L'Hermitage-les-Bains is the best family base in La Reunion — calm, safe lagoon swimming, good beach facilities, a range of watersports, and family-friendly restaurants. The Aquarium de La Reunion in Saint-Gilles is compact but well done and makes a good half-day for young children. Glass-bottom boat tours of the coral reef provide an accessible introduction to the lagoon's marine life. For older children, the volcano road and Plaine des Sables are genuinely extraordinary — the Martian landscape of the volcanic plateau captures the imagination. The Grand Raid ultramarathon in October (one of the world's hardest trail races, crossing all three cirques) is spectacular to watch from roadside viewpoints even with children. The cable car to La Ligne des Bambous at Cilaos gives aerial views of the cirque without requiring a long hike.
Budget Travellers
Backpackers · Long-stay visitors · Independent travellers · Cost-conscious explorers La Reunion is a French overseas territory and prices reflect European (French) standards — it is not a cheap destination by Indian Ocean or global backpacker standards. However, budget travellers can manage costs well by staying in gites de montagne (mountain guesthouses offering half-board), eating at Creole snack bars (rougail, carry and rice at very reasonable prices), and using the island's free or low-cost bus network (Car Jaune covers most of the coast road). The gite system in the cirques and on GR R2 hiking routes is exceptional value — half-board accommodation in remote locations for around 40-55 euros per person. Self-catering apartments on the west coast offer good value for groups. The island's hiking trails, waterfalls, volcano road and scenic viewpoints are entirely free. Avoid the peak July-August period for lowest prices. Flights from mainland France (Reunion is a French department, so no visa required for EU citizens) are competitive, especially from Paris.
🏙️ Saint-Denis
Capital city (150,000). French administrative centre, excellent restaurants, Creole architecture, Saturday market. Airport base for the island. All types · Culture · City
🏖️ Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
Main beach resort. Lagoon beaches, watersports, restaurants, nightlife. Best base for a beach-focused holiday. Family-friendly. Beach · Families · Watersports
🏔️ Cilaos
Mountain cirque at 1,200m. Dramatic switchback road access. Best hiking base on the island. Piton des Neiges trailhead. Thermal baths. Hiking · Nature · Mountain
🏠 Hell-Bourg (Salazie)
One of the most beautiful villages in France. Creole architecture, waterfalls, flowers. Cirque de Salazie base. Romantic and atmospheric. Romance · Nature · Culture
🌋 Bourg-Murat (volcano gateway)
Gateway to Piton de la Fournaise. Maison du Volcan. Plaine des Cafres plateau at 1,400m. Cool nights, clear morning views of the volcano. Volcano · Adventure · Nature
🌞 Saint-Pierre
Second city. South coast base. Lively market town, good restaurants, beach. Best access to the volcano via the southern plateau route. Food · Culture · Volcano access
🌳 East Coast (Sainte-Rose)
Rainforest, lava fields, dramatic coast road. Notre-Dame des Laves church (swallowed by 1977 lava flow). Wild and rarely visited. Nature · Adventure · Off-track
Tips for booking
- Book gites in Mafate well in advance. The hamlets of Mafate (La Nouvelle, Marla, Ilet a Cordes) have limited gite accommodation that fills quickly, especially during French school holidays. The gites provide half-board — essential in Mafate where there are no shops. Carry cash as card payment is rarely available in the cirque.
- Check OVPF eruption status before visiting. The Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise (OVPF) publishes daily bulletins and closes the caldera during active eruptions. If you arrive during an eruption, the Piton de Partage viewpoint on Route Forestiere du Volcan can give spectacular views of lava flows from a safe distance. An eruption is actually a bonus if you can watch safely from the rim.
- Always swim inside the lagoon. Since 2011, shark incidents off La Reunion have led to strict regulations on swimming and surfing outside the lagoon. Beaches outside the lagoon may have total swimming bans or limited supervised sessions. Obey all warning signs — this is not bureaucratic excess but a genuine risk management measure.
- The east coast is dramatically wetter than the west. Sainte-Rose and Saint-Philippe on the east coast can receive over 5,000mm of rain per year — among the wettest inhabited places on Earth. The lush vegetation is the result. Pack a waterproof jacket regardless of season if exploring the east. The contrast with the dry west coast (under 600mm/year in Saint-Gilles) is remarkable.
- Try the local rhum arrange (infused rum). La Reunion produces excellent sugar cane rum and a tradition of macerating fruits, vanilla and spices in white rum for months to create rhum arrange. Every bar and gite has its own recipe. Taste before you buy — quality varies enormously but the best are exceptional. La Saga du Rhum in Saint-Pierre has a good introduction to the island's rum culture.
- A helicopter flight is the single best thing you can do in La Reunion. The island's topography is so extreme that the only way to appreciate it fully is from the air. Flights of 20-60 minutes depart from Roland Garros airport (Saint-Denis) and Pierrefonds (Saint-Pierre). Book in advance — capacity is limited and demand from honeymooners is high. Early morning flights have the clearest visibility.
- The lagoon is the only safe swimming option for children. Outside the lagoon the Indian Ocean is rough and shark risk is real. Within the lagoon at L'Hermitage and La Saline, the water is calm and shallow enough for young children, and lifeguards are present at supervised beaches. Keep to beaches with safety flags displayed and follow all posted instructions.
- The Car Jaune bus network covers the entire coast road cheaply. The yellow buses run from Saint-Denis around both coasts (express via the west highway and local via the east coast road) and connect most coastal towns. Inland routes to Cilaos and Salazie are also served. A single journey rarely costs more than 2 euros. For the cirques and volcano, you will need a hire car or taxi.
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