Packing for Reunion Island: checklist by season and activity
Two opposite seasons, altitudes up to 3,070m, a fragile coral lagoon. Packing for Reunion Island isn't your standard tropical packing job. Here are precise checklists by season, by activity, and the mistakes to avoid.
2 seasons worlds apart4 activities covered in detailReef-safe mandatoryType E French sockets
Updated September 2026
Before you zip up your suitcase
Reunion Island has temperature swings of over 20°C between the lagoon and the summit of Piton des Neiges. There's no single suitcase that fits everything: the trick is layering technical clothing. For the month-by-month calendar, see the weather guide.
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Reunion Island packs two opposite climates into 2,512km²: a hot tropical coast where swimwear is all you need, and highlands where it can freeze in July. The ideal suitcase changes depending on the season (austral summer from November to April, austral winter from May to October) and on the activities planned (lagoon, hiking, the volcano, boat trips). For a two-to-three-week trip, many opt for an XXL suitcase , roomier for absorbing souvenirs on the way home.
Three Reunion Island specifics not to overlook: reef-safe sunscreen (the lagoon from Saint-Gilles to Étang-Salé is a fragile reef classified as a marine reserve), an effective mosquito repellent (dengue and chikungunya circulate occasionally), and warm clothing for the highlands, which most travellers forget because they're picturing a tropical destination.
Practicalities: sockets are the French type E (230V/50Hz, bring an adapter from the UK or North America). Since Reunion Island is a French department, French and EU health cover applies (EHIC for EU citizens), and pharmacies are well stocked.
Technical layers
From swimwear to fleece: think in layers
By season
Austral summer or austral winter: two different suitcases
Reunion Island is in the southern hemisphere, so the seasons are reversed compared with mainland France. Here are the two complete lists.
Austral summer
November to April
A hot, humid season. Lagoon at 27-28°C, coastal temperatures between 23 and 30°C, frequent tropical downpours around midday. Cyclone season peaks January to March, so build in some flexibility.
Clothing
Breathable cotton or linen t-shirts (5 to 7 depending on trip length)
Lightweight shorts and trousers (2 to 3)
Swimwear (2 essential, the first rarely dries in time)
A lightweight rain jacket for downpours
1 thin fleece for the highlands (Cilaos, Plaine des Cafres)
Water shoes for the basalt-floored lagoon
Sandals and everyday walking shoes
Toiletries and health
Mineral sunscreen (SPF 30-50), coral-reef safe
Tropical mosquito repellent (25% DEET or icaridin, IR3535 for children)
Soothing after-bite gel (aloe vera or mild cortisone)
Single-dose saline solution (for eyes irritated by salt and chlorine)
Anti-diarrhoea medication (new water and food)
Seasonal tip: Laundry dries very slowly in the wet season. Pack a lightweight clothesline and detergent pods. Slip a dehumidifier sachet or silica gel into your shoe bag.
Austral winter
May to October
A dry, cool season. Sea at 22-25°C, coastal temperatures between 17 and 25°C, often clear skies. No cyclones. In the highlands (Cilaos, Maïdo, Bourg-Murat), morning frost is possible in July-August, with sub-zero temperatures at the summit of Piton des Neiges.
Clothing
Light t-shirts and shirts for the coast
1-2 thick jumpers or fleeces for the highlands
A waterproof windbreaker for hiking
Sturdy long hiking trousers
A beanie, thin gloves and a neck warmer for the Piton des Neiges climb
Swimwear (the sea stays pleasant on the west coast)
High-cut hiking boots with a Gore-Tex membrane
Toiletries and health
Mineral sunscreen SPF 50 (UV stays high despite the cooler air)
Lip balm (wind and altitude are drying)
Body moisturiser (dry air at altitude)
A light mosquito repellent (fewer mosquitoes in the dry season)
Glucose tablets and magnesium for high-altitude exertion
Seasonal tip: For the Piton des Neiges climb, pack a thermal base layer, a fleece and a windbreaker: you're climbing to 3,070m, with temperatures sometimes below zero before dawn. A 0°C-rated sleeping bag for the gîte.
West coast lagoon
Reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes: essential
By activity
Four lists for four types of trip
Depending on what's planned, specific needs vary: high-altitude hiking, lagoon swimming, boat trips or climbing the volcano.
A 30-40L backpack for day hikes, 50-60L for a 2-3 day camping trip
A waterproof head torch plus spare batteries (pre-dawn starts)
A 1.5L water bottle plus a Sawyer filter or purification tablets (highland water needs filtering)
Telescopic trekking poles (the steep slopes of Piton des Neiges)
An emergency blanket
A cap or bucket hat, category 3-4 sunglasses
A first-aid kit (blisters, aches, painkillers)
Beach and lagoon
Swimwear (2 minimum)
A wide-brimmed hat or cap
Sunglasses with a retaining strap
Mineral reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50
A UV rash vest (especially for children)
Water shoes (rocky basalt areas)
Mask, snorkel, fins (or rental at €5-15/day in Saint-Gilles)
A fast-drying microfibre towel
A 5-10L dry bag for your belongings
Boat trips and diving
Seasickness medication (Mercalm, ginger), take 1 hour before
A windproof rain jacket (sea spray and wind on the west coast)
Waterproof sunscreen
A cap with a retaining strap
A 2mm shorty wetsuit for diving in the austral winter
A long-sleeved t-shirt for long whale-watching trips (4-5h)
Water and a snack
Volcano and lava flows
Sturdy high-cut boots (sharp basalt, slippery on lava flows)
A fleece and windbreaker (2,632m altitude, strong wind)
Sunglasses (glare off the black lava)
At least 1.5L of water (no supplies along the trails)
A cap or bucket hat
SPF 50 sunscreen
Gardening gloves if you're tempted to climb Formica Léo (a small crater near the volcano path)
Health and environment
Four things not to overlook
Reef-safe sunscreen, tropical mosquito repellent, a first-aid kit and the right plug adapter.
Reef-safe sunscreen
The Saint-Gilles lagoon shelters a fragile coral reef, classified as a marine reserve. Choose a mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) over a chemical one (oxybenzone, octinoxate). Several brands are explicitly labelled 'reef safe' or 'ocean friendly'.
Tropical mosquito repellent
Dengue and chikungunya circulate occasionally in Reunion Island, especially in the wet season. An effective repellent contains either 25-30% DEET, or picaridin or IR3535 for children. Reapply every 4-6 hours depending on how much you sweat. Available in pharmacies locally, though pricier than in mainland France.
First-aid kit
Plasters and dressings, skin disinfectant, painkillers (paracetamol), anti-diarrhoea medication, antihistamines for allergies, saline solution, healing cream. French health insurance cards and the EHIC work in Reunion Island, and doctors' fees are reimbursed as in mainland France.
Plug adapter
Type E sockets (French standard), 230V, 50Hz, the same as mainland France. Travellers from mainland Europe need nothing extra; visitors from the UK, Ireland or North America should bring a type E (or type C) plug adapter.
Electronics
French type E sockets: bring an adapter from the UK or US
What to avoid
8 classic mistakes to avoid
What travellers pack out of habit but that has no place in a suitcase for Reunion Island.
Chemical sunscreen not tested for coral safety (risk of reef bleaching)
A lot of cash (ATMs are plentiful, card payment is widespread)
White clothing (laterite soil stains permanently)
Too much electronics (decent 4G coverage, a power bank is enough)
Plastic water bottles (tap water is drinkable, a reusable bottle is enough)
Heavy city shoes (flip-flops and walking shoes cover 90% of needs)
A hairdryer (provided in almost every hotel)
Over 23kg in the hold with Air Austral, Air France or Corsair (steep excess-baggage fees)
Frequently asked questions
Packing for Reunion Island, in practice
What suitcase should you bring to Reunion Island?
Plan on a large hard-shell suitcase or a 60-80L backpack for a 10-day trip mixing lagoon time and hiking. Many opt for a 50-60L hiking backpack because it's easy to carry on trails and into gîtes. Airlines (Air Austral, Air France, Corsair, French Bee) generally allow 23kg in the hold and 12kg in the cabin.
What clothes should you bring to Reunion Island?
It all depends on the season and your planned activities. For the coast: light t-shirts, shorts, swimwear, a rain jacket. For the highlands (Cilaos, Maïdo, Plaine des Cafres): a thick fleece, long trousers, a beanie and gloves if you're climbing Piton des Neiges. For hiking: high-cut boots, technical trousers. Several layers you can combine work better than one warm garment.
Do you need a plug adapter for Reunion Island?
It depends where you come from. Reunion Island uses type E sockets (the French standard) and 230V/50Hz, exactly as in mainland France, so travellers from France and most of mainland Europe need no adapter. Visitors from the UK, Ireland or North America need a type E (or type C) plug adapter.
Which sunscreen should you choose for Reunion Island?
For the lagoon stretching from Saint-Gilles to Étang-Salé, which shelters a fragile coral reef, choose a mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) labelled 'reef safe' or 'ocean friendly'. Avoid chemical sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, which studies have shown to be toxic to coral. SPF 50 is recommended, as the UV index stays high year-round.
Are there mosquitoes in Reunion Island?
Yes, especially in the wet season (November to April). Dengue and chikungunya circulate occasionally. A tropical repellent (25-30% DEET, picaridin, IR3535 for children) is essential, applied to exposed skin. Long clothing in the evening for outdoor dinners. The highlands (above 1,000m) are far less affected.
Do you need a passport to travel to Reunion Island?
For French and EU citizens, a national ID card is enough, since Reunion Island is a French department just like Corsica or the Aveyron. Visitors from outside the EU (including the UK) need a passport; check the entry rules for French overseas departments before you travel.
What medication should you bring to Reunion Island?
A standard kit: painkillers (paracetamol), plasters and dressings, disinfectant, anti-diarrhoea medication, antihistamines. If you're on regular medication, bring enough for the trip plus a 5-day buffer, and your prescription in case of a check. Reunion Island's pharmacies are well stocked and doctors operate as in mainland France, with health insurance cards accepted. No mandatory vaccines required.
What shouldn't you pack for Reunion Island?
Chemical sunscreen not tested for coral safety, a lot of cash (ATMs are everywhere), white clothing (highland laterite soil stains), too much electronics (you won't use much of it while hiking), water bottles (tap water is drinkable), heavy city shoes. And above all, nothing over 23kg in the hold, to avoid airline excess-baggage fees.
What should you bring for snorkelling and swimming in the lagoon?
Mask and snorkel (or rental at €5-15/day), a UV rash vest for shoulder protection, reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes for the sharp basalt, a dry bag for your belongings on the beach. Fins are optional (useful if you swim further out). To observe the reef without touching it, keep a minimum distance of 1m above the coral.
How should you gear up for the Piton des Neiges hike?
The classic route is a night climb with sunrise at the 3,070m summit, so temperatures can be sub-zero before dawn in July-August. Pack: high-cut Gore-Tex boots, thermal underwear, a thick fleece, a windbreaker, a beanie, gloves, a powerful head torch plus spare batteries, a 0°C-rated sleeping bag for the night at the gîte, an insulated water bottle, energy bars, and painkillers in case of altitude headaches.
How many kilos are allowed in the hold for Reunion Island?
Air Austral: 23kg in the hold, 12kg in the cabin depending on class. Air France: 23kg in the hold in economy, up to 32kg in premium economy and business. Corsair: 23-32kg depending on class. French Bee: 23kg standard, extra available online. Check the allowance when booking, and plan for a heavier bag on the way back (often heavier than the outbound flight).
Do you need travel insurance for Reunion Island?
Not mandatory for French citizens, who are covered by French health insurance and social security; visitors from elsewhere should take out travel insurance with medical cover. A premium bank card (Gold, Visa Premier) often covers most travel mishaps. For higher-risk activities (canyoning, paragliding, high-altitude hiking), check that your card or travel insurance includes repatriation and liability cover.
