Independent, locally run site
A Reunion Island enthusiast who curates, writes and keeps the site up to date. No chain, no outsourced content.
Sous Les Étoiles 974 · 2026 EditionReunion Island travel guide: volcanoes, lagoons and 470+ activities
Reunion Island is a French island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar: part of the EU, paid for in euros, with an active volcano, three vast mountain cirques and a coral lagoon. This independent guide, run by someone passionate about the island, brings together more than 470 partner activities (helicopter, paragliding, diving, whale watching, transfers), verified places to stay and hand-written guides. Secure booking in euros, no extra cost.
Site updated in September 2026
470+
Partner activities
8
Types of accommodation
24
Towns covered
60+
Practical guides
About the siteNew to Reunion Island? Start here
Sous Les Étoiles 974(“under the stars”; 974 is the island's French department number) is an editorial and booking site run by someone passionate about Reunion Island. My aim is to make planning a trip to Reunion Island simple, reliable and tailored to every type of traveller.
To do that, the site plays three roles. It brings together more than 470 activitiesvia the best platforms (Manawa, Funbooker, Viator) so you don't have to juggle ten different sites. It hand-picks verified places to stay(Agoda hotels, gîtes, campsites, campervan rentals) across the island's 24 towns. And I write the guides myself (weather, itineraries, city guides, comparisons) from information verified on the ground.
No extra cost compared with booking directly on the partner platforms. Secure card payment in euros, instant confirmation, customer support available in French.
Over 470 verified activities
Helicopter, paragliding, diving, canyoning, whale watching, island tours, airport transfers. Booked through Manawa, Funbooker and Viator.
Secure booking in euros
Card payment in euros through partner platforms. No extra cost versus booking direct, instant confirmation.
Hand-written guides
Month-by-month weather, itineraries, city guides, accommodation comparisons. No filler text, all information verified on the ground.
Where to start
Four ways to start planning your trip
Click whichever step suits you. You can also work through them in order: that's how most travellers plan their trip.
See the 470+ activities
Helicopter, paragliding, hiking, diving, whale-watching cruises, airport transfers...
Go
Find a place to stay
Hotels, gîtes, camping, wild camping, unique stays, campervan rental.
Go
The 10-day itinerary
Two detailed sample trips, lagoon relaxation or hiking adventure.
Go
Packing list
A checklist by season and activity: reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent and more.
Go
Explore by location
The island's 6 must-see destinations
Cirques, peaks and towns: the areas that shape a great trip.
Mafate
The roadless cirque, explored on foot or by helicopter.
Cilaos
420 bends to reach a thermal cirque and its peaks.
Piton de la Fournaise
One of the world's most active volcanoes, reached from Pas de Bellecombe.
Piton des Neiges
3,070 metres, the roof of the Indian Ocean. A summit you have to earn.
Salazie
The greenest cirque, Hell-Bourg and its Creole houses.
Saint-Denis
The capital, its colonial landmarks and the Jardin de l'État.
★ Most popular
The island's 6 signature activities
Helicopter, whale watching, paragliding, the Piton des Neiges hike, volcano excursions, canyoning. The signature experiences to book before anything else.
Editor's pick · Top activity
Helicopter6 optionspiton-de-la-fournaise + 1 more place
Helicopter Flights Over Reunion Island: Prices
9 helicopter flight options over Reunion Island from €204: volcano, cirques, waterfalls. Prices, operators and honest advice.
4.9(397 reviews)
From
€204/person
Editor's pick · Top activity
Paragliding3 optionslagon-cote-ouest + 1 more place
Paragliding at Saint-Leu: 3 Packages, Prices
Paragliding in Reunion Island at Saint-Leu, one of the three best spots in the world for it. 2 packages from €110, 97 verified Manawa reviews.
5(97 reviews)
From
€110/person
Editor's pick · Top activity
Whales & dolphins4 optionsle-port + 2 more places
Whales and Dolphins in Saint-Gilles: 4 Packages
Prices for whale and dolphin watching trips from Saint-Gilles. 4 boat packages from €37 with Manawa partners. Humpback whales from July to October, dolphins year-round.
4.9(154 reviews)
From
€37/person
Editor's pick · Top activity
Lava tube3 optionspiton-de-la-fournaise + 1 more place
Lava Tube Tours in Reunion Island
Lava tunnels from the 2004 flow of Piton de la Fournaise in Sainte-Rose from €55. 3 providers compared (Manawa, Viator), 1,220 reviews combined at 5/5.
5(1,231 reviews)
From
€50/person
Editor's pick · Top activity
Guided hike3 optionscirque-de-mafate + 1 more place
Guided Hike in Mafate, Reunion Island: Level, Packages, Prices
Guided hiking in the Mafate cirque from €55. Several packages (from Maïdo, Cayenne or an authentic immersion). 4.9/5 from 18 Manawa reviews.
4.9(37 reviews)
From
€55/person
Editor's pick · Top activity
Canyoning4 optionscilaos + 1 more place
Bras Rouge Canyon, Cilaos
4 canyoning listings for the Bras Rouge canyon (Cirque de Cilaos), from €65. A Médian route (3h) or an Intégral route (6h), 3 operators compared, 5/5 from 17 combined reviews.
5(17 reviews)
From
€65/person
Travelling as
The trip that suits you
Four traveller profiles with tailored recommendations. Each one leads to a tailored itinerary or guide.
As a couple
West coast lagoon, unique stays, home-cooked Creole dinners (table d'hôtes). My 10-day relaxation itinerary.
See the guide
As a family
A sheltered lagoon, hotels with a pool, easy hikes, activities for kids.
See the guide
Hikers
The GR R1 and GR R2 trails, the Piton des Neiges ascent, crossing Mafate, ONF mountain gîtes.
See the guide
On a budget
Hostels, camping, regulated wild camping, campervan rental, 10 money-saving tips.
See the guide
Where to stay
Six types of accommodation, from free to luxury
Hotels, gîtes, camping, regulated wild camping, unique stays and campervan rental. For every budget and every type of traveller.
Before you go
Choosing your month and planning your trip
The weather varies a lot by season (May to October is the most stable window). Four key guides to read before you pack.
The right month
Full weather guideJanuary
Cyclone
Very hot, cyclone peak
February
Cyclone
The wettest month
March
Cyclone
Still wet
April
Moderate
Transition, Easter holidays
May
Top
Great, underrated
June
Top
Cool, whales begin
July
Top
Whale season peak
August
Top
Dry, whale watching
September
Top
The perfect month
October
Top
Mild, last whales
November
Moderate
Transition, lower prices
December
Moderate
Summer, Creole festivities
The key guides
All FAQsReference
Weather month by month
2 seasons, 4 zones, a 12-month calendar, cyclones and reliable sources.
Read the guide
Most readSample 10-day itinerary
Two detailed trips (relaxation / adventure), day by day with hotels and activities.
Read the guide
PracticalWhat to pack
A checklist by season and activity. Reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent, an altitude fleece.
Read the guide
Before you goTime difference
UTC+4 all year, with no daylight saving: 3 to 4 hours ahead of the UK, 2 to 3 hours ahead of mainland France. Tips to beat jet lag.
Read the guide
Comment voyager à La Réunion sans se ruiner
Le petit guide pratique pour les voyageurs à petit budget
Ebook offert · Newsletter
Voyagez à La Réunion sans vous ruiner
Laissez votre e-mail et recevez notre guide pratique pour profiter de l'île avec un petit budget. Inscription à la newsletter, ebook envoyé par e-mail, aucun paiement.
- Les astuces pour alléger le budget vol, voiture et hébergement
- Les activités gratuites et les spots à petit prix, zone par zone
- La bonne période pour payer moins cher et éviter l'affluence
100 % gratuitReçu par e-mailDésinscription en 1 clic
Combining islands
Why not combine Mauritius and Reunion Island?
170 km of sea, a 45-minute flight between the two islands. Mauritius for the lagoon and all-inclusive resorts, Reunion Island for hiking and the volcano. A combined 10 to 15-day trip gives you the best of both worlds.