Electric quad biking in Reunion Island: 2 tours, 2026 prices

This is Quadbike Runners' signature excursion (€100 per person): half a day aboard a Quadbike Hybrid electric-assist quadricycle (with fat tyres) on the Plaine des Sables, one of the island's most otherworldly landscapes, at 2,200m at the foot of Piton de la Fournaise. The reddish ground and volcanic sand look like the surface of Mars; NASA has even tested lunar rovers here.

The route leads to Piton de Bert, passing through the volcano's forest and the Plaine des Sables itself, with a clear view over the crater of Piton de la Fournaise (an active volcano, with an eruption roughly every 9 months on average). With a bit of luck, you might even see an eruption during the tour. The electric-assist quadbike lets you enjoy the landscape without the effort of a regular mountain bike: the motor helps on the climbs and the fat tyres soak up the rough sections.

Who it suits: travellers who want to experience Piton de la Fournaise without the hike (5-7 hours) or the €220 price tag of a petrol quad (see the Quad Biking at Maïdo page for comparison), families with children above the operator's minimum age (check the Manawa listing), and couples and groups of 2-6 people who like close supervision. Who it doesn't suit: anyone after a loud, petrol-engined machine (book the classic quad at €220 on the same Plaine des Sables instead), children under 9, and very tight budgets (the €70 Étang-Salé tour is cheaper).

€100 per person on Manawa. The 5/5 rating from 7 Manawa reviews comes with repeated praise for the scenery and how easy the riding is. Coffee and croissants are included halfway through. A fleece and a rain jacket are strongly recommended (it's 10-15°C colder at 2,200m than on the coast, and fog or rain can roll in quickly). Flexible Manawa cancellation.

This is Quadbike Runners' family excursion (€70 per person, from age 9): half a day in the Étang-Salé forest, the island's last dry forest, on the west coast between Saint-Leu and Saint-Pierre. The setting is very different from the Plaine des Sables: shady woodland tracks with a few moderate climbs, descents and technical sections, perfect for getting started on a quadbike without the harsher conditions at altitude.

The big plus of the Étang-Salé tour: children from age 9 can ride their own quadbike (rare for this kind of activity, since a petrol quad requires a driving licence, so 18+). It's a safe way to introduce the whole family to off-road riding, with an experienced guide leading the way and giving tips.

Who it suits: families with children aged 9-15 looking for a safe off-road activity, travellers staying on the west coast (Saint-Leu, Saint-Gilles, Saint-Pierre) who want a half-day out without a 2-hour drive up to the volcano, and beginners who want easier terrain before tackling the Plaine des Sables. Who it doesn't suit: anyone after the lunar scenery of the Plaine des Sables (book the €100 volcano tour instead), anyone after a loud, petrol-engined machine (the quadbike is silent and electric).

€70 per person on Manawa, rated 5/5 from 5 reviews, with praise for the guide's teaching and how well the tour suits children. Sports clothing and closed shoes are compulsory. If you book the morning slot, you'll have time the same day for Étang-Salé beach (the island's only black sand beach) or Croc Parc (the crocodile farm next door).