How to Book Activities in Reunion Island: a practical 5-step guide
Every activity on the site can be booked online in a few clicks via Manawa, Funbooker, Ceetiz or Viator. Secure card payment, instant confirmation, local providers. Here's how it works step by step, and how far ahead to book each type of activity.
For high-demand activities (helicopter, whales, paragliding), book as soon as your long-haul flight is confirmed. Other activities can wait 1 to 2 weeks before departure. For the climate context, see the weather in Reunion Island.
You're on Sous Les Étoiles 974
The independent guide to planning your trip to Reunion Island
I list more than 470 checked activities from 4 partner platforms (Manawa, Funbooker, Ceetiz, Viator). Compare them here, click through and book online on whichever platform offers the activity. An independent site run by one person who loves Reunion Island.
Sous Les Étoiles 974 doesn't sell activities directly. The site brings together over 470 listings (helicopter flights, paragliding, hiking, canyoning, diving, whale watching, island tours, airport shuttles...) from four recognised partner platforms. You compare them here, click through, and complete the booking on the platform that offers that activity.
The four platforms used are: Manawa (specialising in outdoor and nature activities), Funbooker (leisure and family), Ceetiz (tours and excursions) and Viator (a TripAdvisor-owned, multilingual). All accept card payment in euros, send an instant email confirmation and stand behind their listed local providers.
No surcharge applies for going through my site compared with booking directly on the platform. The site simply helps you compare and filter 470 offers, with detailed listings, reviews, photos and themed pages by area.
The rest of this page covers the 5 booking steps, the four platforms side by side, the recommended lead times by activity type, handling special cases (weather, cancellation, delays) and my practical traveller tips.
Activities in the air
Paragliding, helicopter, ultralight: book 1 to 3 months ahead
Partner platforms
Four platforms for 470 activities
Every activity in the catalogue is linked to the platform best suited to it. Here's what sets the four services apart and when to use each one.
Manawa
A French platform specialising in outdoor and nature activities. Over 130 activities listed in Reunion Island: canyoning, paragliding, guided hiking, diving, cycling, climbing, whale and dolphin watching.
Strengths
A transparent cancellation policy (often free up to 7 days before)
Customer service in French, a responsive hotline
Email confirmation with the meeting point and guide's number
Secure card payment in euros
Recommended lead time: Book 1 to 2 weeks ahead outside peak season, 3 to 4 weeks in July-August.
Funbooker
A French platform focused on leisure and family activities: a marketplace of local providers offering island tours with a driver, airport shuttles, boat trips and discovery diving.
Strengths
Lots of excursions by coach, car or helicopter
Quick sign-up via Facebook or email
Digital vouchers usable on a smartphone
Often cheaper island tours
Recommended lead time: Flexible activities can be booked the day before; allow 2 weeks for guided excursions in season.
Ceetiz
A French platform for tours and guided excursions. In Reunion Island: island tours, helicopter flights, the volcano ascent, themed excursions (vanilla, rum, cooking).
Strengths
Activities often exclusively in French, local guides
Immediate email confirmation with a QR code
Free cancellation up to 24h before for some activities
Verified post-stay reviews
Recommended lead time: 1 month ahead for helicopter flights, 1-2 weeks for classic excursions.
Viator
An American platform owned by TripAdvisor, available in many languages. Activities are offered in French, English or with an audio guide. In Reunion Island: island tours, diving, paragliding, helicopter.
Strengths
Lots of international reviews (useful for comparing)
Multi-currency booking and payment
A handy mobile app while travelling
A flexible cancellation policy up to 24h before (most activities)
Recommended lead time: 1-3 weeks depending on the activity. Handy if you're booking from abroad or in another language.
How booking works
Five steps from choosing to the big day
From picking the activity to the meeting point on site, here's what a successful booking typically looks like.
1
Choose the activity and time slot
Browse my activities catalogue and compare the detailed listings (duration, level, equipment provided, meeting point). Check the local weather and the activity's season (whales are seen June to October).
2
Check availability
Select the date and number of people. The partner platform shows open slots in real time. For groups of more than 6, contact the provider directly in addition to booking online.
3
Pay securely online
Pay by card in euros on the partner platform (Manawa, Funbooker, Ceetiz, Viator), always with 3D Secure verification. No surcharge for French cards. Depending on the platform and activity, you pay a deposit or the full amount.
4
Receive confirmation
You receive an email straight after payment with the booking number, the provider's contact details, the exact meeting address, equipment to bring, the precise time. Print it or save it offline.
5
Show up on the day
Arrive 15-30 minutes before the stated time. Bring ID in case it's checked; what to wear is listed in the confirmation. If there's a problem (delay, bad weather), call the provider first and the platform second.
Activities at sea
Whale cruises, diving: high season fills up fast
Lead times by activity
How far in advance to book
Lead times vary a lot. Activities with limited places (helicopter) need booking 3 months ahead, while flexible ones (shuttle) can wait until 48h before.
Helicopter flight
3 months before
Season
Year-round
Why
High demand, limited slots. Book as soon as you book your long-haul flight.
Saint-Leu paragliding
1 month before
Season
Year-round
Why
Weather-dependent, plan a backup slot within the week.
Humpback whales
1 month before
Season
June to October
Why
Peak activity in August-September, slots are scarce in high season.
Canyoning
1 to 2 weeks
Season
Year-round
Why
More flexible: plenty of providers, with three slots a day.
Scuba diving
1 week
Season
Year-round
Why
Plenty of dive centres in Saint-Gilles, offering discovery and exploration dives.
Piton de la Fournaise ascent
1 to 2 weeks
Season
April to November
Why
Check the eruption status (ovpf.ipgp.fr) before setting off. A guide is optional.
Island tour with a driver
1 week
Season
Year-round
Why
Maximum flexibility, 7 days a week. The route can be customised.
Airport shuttle
48h before
Season
Year-round
Why
Simple booking, many providers. Confirm your flight number.
Activity
Season
Recommended lead time
Why
Helicopter flight
Year-round
3 months before
High demand, limited slots. Book as soon as you book your long-haul flight.
Saint-Leu paragliding
Year-round
1 month before
Weather-dependent, plan a backup slot within the week.
Humpback whales
June to October
1 month before
Peak activity in August-September, slots are scarce in high season.
Canyoning
Year-round
1 to 2 weeks
More flexible: plenty of providers, with three slots a day.
Scuba diving
Year-round
1 week
Plenty of dive centres in Saint-Gilles, offering discovery and exploration dives.
Piton de la Fournaise ascent
April to November
1 to 2 weeks
Check the eruption status (ovpf.ipgp.fr) before setting off. A guide is optional.
Island tour with a driver
Year-round
1 week
Maximum flexibility, 7 days a week. The route can be customised.
Airport shuttle
Year-round
48h before
Simple booking, many providers. Confirm your flight number.
Special cases
Weather, cancellation, payment, tipping
The four questions that come up most before and during a trip, answered from the partner platforms' terms and conditions.
Bad weather
The provider makes the safety call (especially for paragliding, helicopter, canyoning, whales). If the activity has to be postponed, you'll usually be offered another date within the week or a full refund. Keep the provider's number from the confirmation email handy to react quickly.
Cancelling as a client
Conditions depend on the platform. Manawa: often free up to 7 days before. Ceetiz: usually 24h before for classic excursions. Paragliding and helicopter: often 48h. Always check the 'cancellation' note on the listing before paying.
Payment and fees
Card payment in euros, always with 3D Secure. No surcharge for French cards. Most of the time you pay in full straight away. A few activities ask for a 20-30% deposit with the balance settled on site. No cash required.
Tipping
Not compulsory: the price covers the full service. If the service was outstanding (personalised guiding, free photos), a gesture of €5-10 per person is appreciated. For island-tour drivers, 10% of the fare is good practice.
Volcano and altitude
A local guide is recommended for demanding terrain
Frequently asked questions
Booking activities: your questions answered
How do you book an activity in Reunion Island?
Three steps: 1) choose the activity in my Sous Les Étoiles 974 catalogue, 2) click the booking button, which opens the partner platform (Manawa, Funbooker, Ceetiz or Viator depending on the activity), 3) pay online by credit card in euros. You get an email confirmation straight away with the meeting point and the provider's contact details.
Which platforms are used to book in Reunion Island?
Four main ones: Manawa (French, specialised in outdoor activities), Funbooker (French, general leisure), Ceetiz (French, tours and excursions) and Viator (owned by TripAdvisor, multilingual). All accept card payment in euros and send an email confirmation straight away. The choice of platform depends on the specific activity.
How far in advance should you book?
It depends on the activity. Helicopter flight: 3 months ahead, especially in July-August. Paragliding, humpback whales, diving cruises: 1 month. Canyoning, guided hiking, discovery diving: 1 to 2 weeks. Airport shuttle, island tour: 48h to 1 week. In low season (May-June and November), lead times can be more flexible.
How does payment work?
Secure online payment by credit card in euros on the partner platform (3D-Secure enabled). No surcharge for French cards. Most platforms accept Visa, Mastercard and Maestro, and some take American Express. Depending on the activity, you pay in full straight away or pay a 20-30% deposit and settle the balance on site. Either way, the booking is paid for before you arrive on the island.
What happens if the weather is bad on the day of the activity?
The provider makes the safety call (especially for paragliding, helicopter, canyoning, whale watching). If the weather forces a change, you'll usually be offered either another date within the week or a full refund. Keep the provider's phone number from the confirmation email handy, so you can sort things out directly if in doubt.
Can you cancel a booked activity?
Yes, but the conditions depend on the platform and the activity. Manawa often offers free cancellation up to 7 days before. Ceetiz is generally 24h before for classic excursions. For paragliding and helicopter, cancellation windows are often shorter (48h). Always check the 'cancellation' note on the activity listing before paying.
Should you tip the guides?
It isn't compulsory, and it isn't expected the way it is in the United States. If the service was outstanding (personalised guiding, free photos, local stories), a gesture of €5-10 per person is appreciated. For island-tour drivers, 10% of the fare is good practice. Be wary of a so-called tip that's really a hidden fee negotiated on site.
Is equipment provided with the activity?
For professionally supervised activities (canyoning, paragliding, diving, climbing), yes, always: wetsuit, helmet, harness, mask, fins, etc. Check the description for what you still need to bring (swimsuit, closed shoes, towel, sunscreen). For guided hiking, bring your own walking shoes.
Can you book from abroad or on arrival?
From abroad, yes, all the platforms work online and accept international payments. For very popular activities (helicopter, whales), booking from home before departure is strongly recommended. Once you're there, last-minute bookings are still possible for flexible activities (shuttle, canyoning, diving) but with less choice of slots.
Can children take part in the activities?
It depends on the activity. Most canyoning trips are accessible from age 10-12, discovery diving for children from age 8, tandem paragliding from age 5, helicopter with no age limit. For hikes, choose by level (easy walks from age 6, big climbs from age 12). Activity listings always state the minimum age and any maximum weight.
What happens if you're late for the meeting point?
Call the provider as soon as possible using the number from the confirmation email. For a 5-10 minute delay, the activity can usually still start as planned. Beyond 30 minutes, the activity may be cancelled or moved to another slot depending on availability. A refund isn't guaranteed if you're the one who's late. Allow for traffic around Saint-Denis and on the west coast.
How do you know which activities are available year-round?
Most are: island tours, canyoning, paragliding, hiking, diving, airport shuttles. The main seasonal ones are humpback whales (June to October), surfing (the southern winter brings the swell) and the Piton de la Fournaise ascent (best April to November, subject to eruption status). My activities catalogue shows the seasonal availability of each listing.
