Published
Prices and offers updated October 2026

Wingfoil lessons in Reunion Island: Saint-Gilles, 2026 price

Private wingfoil lessons in the bay of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains with the Base Nautique de l'Ouest, from €108 per person: 2 hours, one-to-one, beginner to advanced from age 13, all equipment included.

2 hourson sitePrivate lessonFrom age 13From €108per person

Wingfoiling is a new water sport that pairs a hand-held inflatable wing with a foil board (a board with an underwater wing). The result: the board lifts off and flies 30-50cm above the water in a strangely silent glide. Easier to learn than kitesurfing (no kite) but more technical than windsurfing, it has become the water sport of the decade.

The only lesson you can book online in Reunion Island is with the Base Nautique de l'Ouest (BNO) at the Saint-Gilles marina, from €108 for a private lesson. For regular surfing without a foil, see the Surf Lessons page. For other water activities in Saint-Gilles, see Clear-Bottom Kayaking and Towable Tube.

At a glance

The wingfoil lesson at a glance

Private wingfoil lesson (BNO)
Duration
2 hours (~1 hour on the water)
Price
€108
For
Beginner to advanced, from age 13, one-to-one
The selection

The Base Nautique de l'Ouest offer

A wingfoil lesson with an inflatable wing and foil board in the bay of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, Reunion IslandTop pick

Private Wingfoil Lesson (Base Nautique de l'Ouest)

The only wingfoil lesson you can book online in Reunion Island: a private lesson tailored to your level (beginner to advanced), 2 hours with all equipment and a qualified instructor.

Duration
2 hours (~1 hour on the water)
Level
Beginner to advanced (tailored lesson)
Cancellation
Flexible (Manawa)
Operator
Base Nautique de l'Ouest
Meeting point
Base Nautique de l'Ouest (BNO), 2 bis Rue des Brisants, 97434 Saint-Paul (Saint-Gilles-les-Bains marina)

Private lesson · All levels · Equipment included

From
€108/person
Book via Manawa
See the full description

This is the only wingfoil lesson you can book online in Reunion Island: €108 per person with the Base Nautique de l'Ouest (BNO), at the Saint-Gilles-les-Bains marina. It's a private lesson (one instructor just for you), lasting 2 hours on site, including around 1 hour on the water after the briefing and gearing up, and tailored to your level.

Wingfoiling is a new water sport that combines a hand-held inflatable wing with a board fitted with a foil (an underwater wing that lifts the board out of the water). The result: you literally fly 30-50cm above the surface in a strangely silent glide. It's a blend of windsurfing, kitesurfing and surfing, easier to pick up than kitesurfing (no kite to manage) but more technical than windsurfing.

Who it suits: complete beginners (the instructor starts by teaching you to handle the wing on a stable board, then introduces the foil, towed behind a boat so you get a feel for it before flying on your own), riders coming from other water sports (surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing), and advanced riders wanting to improve. Who it doesn't suit: under-13s, anyone afraid of deep water, and anyone wanting a group lesson (not available here: contact BNO directly for groups).

€108 per person on Manawa for a private lesson. The listing is new on Manawa and has no reviews yet, but BNO is the long-established water sports centre in Saint-Gilles (see also the site's pages on other activities at the marina). Included: a qualified instructor and all equipment (wing, foil, board, life jacket). Bring swimwear, a towel, SPF 50 sunscreen, sunglasses, a cap, a water bottle and a snack.

Operators

The west coast's water sports centres

Base Nautique de l'Ouest (BNO)

Partner
Saint-Gilles-les-Bains marina

The long-established water sports centre at the Saint-Gilles marina, listed on Manawa for private wingfoil lessons. The listing is new, with no Manawa reviews yet, but BNO is the go-to centre for water sports in Saint-Gilles (wingfoil, windsurfing, outrigger canoe and more). Qualified instructors, all equipment provided.

École de Surf de la Réunion

Saint-Leu

For regular surf lessons (not wingfoil), this Saint-Leu partner offers group lessons from €40 per person: see the Surf Lessons in Reunion Island page. It doesn't teach wingfoil; for that, BNO is the place on the island.

Self-guided practice

Saint-Gilles lagoon / La Saline

If you can already wingfoil and just need gear, several shops at the Saint-Gilles marina hire out boards and wings by the half-day or day (roughly €50-80 a day depending on the kit). Ask on site; the lagoon, sheltered by the coral reef, is an ideal place to practise.

Verified traveller reviews

Reviews of BNO Saint-Gilles

The listing's overall rating on Manawa is 4.7/5 (based on all reviews published on the platform). The wingfoil listing is new, so there are no individual reviews to quote yet, but the Base Nautique de l'Ouest is the long-established water sports centre at the Saint-Gilles marina. For detailed feedback, check its Google Maps reviews.

See the Manawa listing
Providers

Providers for this activity

These operators have a detailed profile on the site: reviews, catalogue, prices and practical info to book with confidence.

Kayak, paddleboard & boat

Base Nautique de l'Ouest

A watersports association at Saint-Gilles harbour since 2009. Sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and wingfoiling for all levels.

See the provider's profile
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Sleep nearby

Where to stay in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains

Le Grand Bleu Hotelhotel< 1 km

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★ 8/10 (135 reviews)
From
€104/night
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Appartements Le Bleu des Roches Noireshotel< 1 km

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★ 7.2/10 (9 reviews)
From
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Dina Morgabine, Saint-Gilles-les-Bainshotel< 1 km

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★ 7.8/10 (2019 reviews)
From
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Hôtel Le Récif, Saint-Gilles-les-Bainshotel< 1 km

Hôtel Le Récif, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains

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★ 8.3/10 (2142 reviews)
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Frequently asked questions

Your questions about wingfoiling

What is wingfoiling?
Wingfoiling is a new water sport that combines a hand-held inflatable wing with a board fitted with a foil (an underwater wing). The wing catches the wind and drives you along, while the foil creates lift that raises the board out of the water so it flies 30-50cm above the surface. It's a strangely silent glide, easier to pick up than kitesurfing (no kite to handle) but more technical than windsurfing.
What does a wingfoil lesson cost in Reunion Island in 2026?
Expect €108 per person for a private lesson with the Base Nautique de l'Ouest, listed on Manawa with flexible cancellation. That's the going rate for a private water sports lesson on the island, similar to kitesurfing or windsurfing. BNO also offers multi-session courses and group lessons on request (contact them directly).
Do you need experience to try wingfoiling?
No, complete beginners are welcome. The instructor starts by teaching you to handle the wing on a stable board, then gradually introduces the foil (often towed behind a boat so you feel the lift before flying on your own). Experience in surfing, windsurfing or kitesurfing helps you progress faster but isn't essential.
How long does it take to fly?
To feel the board lift for a few seconds, 1-2 lessons are usually enough. To fly 10-20m on your own, 5-10 lessons. To master it fully (turning, gybing), several weeks of regular practice. A holiday course of 3-5 lessons over a week is enough for real progress and a first taste of flying.
When is the best time for wingfoiling in Saint-Gilles?
All year round, the Saint-Gilles lagoon has steady winds (10-25 knots) and an area sheltered by the coral reef (no waves, ideal for learning). The dry season (May-November) is best for settled weather. In the cyclone season (December-April), the wind can be too strong or too light depending on the day, and the operator postpones the lesson if conditions aren't right.
What gear should you bring?
Swimwear, a towel, water-resistant SPF 50 sunscreen, sunglasses (ideally with a strap), a cap or hat, a water bottle and a snack. A hair tie for long hair (essential with the wind and water). Clothes suited to the weather (a shorty wetsuit is useful in the southern winter). All the technical equipment is provided: wing, foil, board and life jacket.
Where is the Base Nautique de l'Ouest located?
At 2 bis Rue des Brisants, at the Saint-Gilles-les-Bains marina (reached from Avenue Joliot Curie in the centre of the resort). There's public parking nearby (free during the day, or paid in high season). It's 5-10 minutes' walk from most of Saint-Gilles's hotels and holiday rentals, or 10-15 minutes by car from L'Hermitage or La Saline.
Do you need to book in advance?
Yes, strongly recommended. Private lessons mean limited places (one instructor per lesson), and BNO gets booked up in high season (July-August, French school holidays). Book 7-14 days ahead in high season and 2-3 days ahead in low season. 2026 prices checked at the last update. Manawa's cancellation is flexible, and if the wind is too light or too strong, or there's a storm, the operator postpones the lesson, with a full refund if needed.

Last updated: 17 October 2026. Prices checked at the time of writing. Confirm the exact price when booking.