Clear Kayak Tour on the Trou d'Eau Lagoon: see the reef without getting wet

This is the only clear kayak tour you can book online in Reunion Island, and one of the most-reviewed activities on this site, with an average of 5 out of 5 from 90 verified Manawa reviews. It's run by Lagon Réunion, based right on Trou d'Eau beach in La Saline-les-Bains, on the part of the lagoon sheltered by the coral reef.

Allow 2 hours in total, including 1h30 on the water. The kayak's rigid hull is completely see-through, so you can watch coral heads, shoals of reef fish and sometimes green turtles right beneath you. The guide explains the lagoon's marine life and teaches you a few basic paddling strokes before you set off.

Who it suits: families with children aged 5 and over (the youngest minimum age of any activity on this site), couples looking for something peaceful rather than an adrenaline rush, and anyone who'd like to see the reef without getting in the water. It's the only activity on this site that lets you see the coral from the surface without a mask.

Manawa price €50 per person. Flexible cancellation, with free rebooking or a refund if the weather is bad. Included: the kayak, a paddle, a briefing, a guide, a cocktail afterwards and photos. Bring swimwear (for a dip if the sea is calm), a towel, 100% mineral sunscreen (compulsory in the marine reserve) and polarised sunglasses, which make a huge difference when looking through the hull.

The alternative to the clear kayak: an ordinary 2-seat sea kayak with a solid hull, hired on La Saline-les-Bains beach to paddle on your own (the same reef-sheltered lagoon, but with no guide and no view through the hull).

Its big advantage is the price: just €30, the cheapest way to kayak on the lagoon. You choose your pace, how long you go for (1 to 3 hours depending on the hire) and your route within the lagoon. You get a dry box for your belongings, an approved life jacket and a quick briefing before you set off.

Who it suits: couples or friends who are happy to paddle on their own, anyone after a fun, cheap beach activity, and children aged 5 and over as long as an adult does the paddling. Who it doesn't suit: anyone who wants to see the reef through a clear hull (the €50 guided clear kayak tour is the one for you).

Manawa price €30 per person for the self-guided kayak. Flexible cancellation. Bring swimwear, a towel, 100% mineral sunscreen, a cap and sunglasses. No experience needed: if you can swim and hold a paddle, you're good to go after the 5-minute briefing.