Reunion Island in February: weather, things to do and tips for 2026
February is the island at its most tropical and most unpredictable: sea at 28°C, a perfect lagoon, lush vegetation… but also the statistical peak of cyclone season (Garance struck in late February 2025). An honest guide, with hard numbers and the activities worth your time.
February is statistically the most cyclone-prone month of the year. The most recent direct hit: Cyclone Garance in late February 2025, a year after Belal in January 2024. The 2025-2026 season (closed on 30 April 2026), however, spared the island (Fytia and Gezani hit Madagascar instead). For February 2027, travel insurance with cancellation cover is essential, and check Météo France Réunion every day.
February shows Reunion Island at its rawest. The heat builds from the morning, everything grows like mad, and showers arrive without warning in the afternoon. The sea stays at 28°C and the lagoon offers the best swimming of the year, but the mountains are largely off limits. It's also statistically the cyclone month: Garance in 2025 was a reminder that the island is never safe from a direct hit.
For the best trip, pick one of two windows: the first week of February (outside the French school holidays, rock-bottom prices), or the very end of the month (calmer, more settled weather). In between, the zone C holiday peak pushes hotel prices up by 50% for exactly the same weather.
February is also when the vanilla houses start curing the freshly harvested pods.
February in Reunion Island in 3 cards
- Sea at 28°C, ideal swimming in the lagoon
- Waterfalls in full flow
- Lush vegetation, intense light
- Vanilla harvest season
- Low prices in the first and last weeks
- Peak cyclone risk (Garance in 2025)
- Storms most afternoons
- Mountain trails often closed
- Roads cut off after heavy storms
- Zone C holidays: prices double mid-February
- Lagoon and water activities
- Scenic flights and photos (mornings)
- Langevin canyon and rafting on the Marsouins
- Cultural visits (vanilla, rum, museums)
- Flexible travellers happy to adapt
February's climate at a glance
Météo France data (1991-2020 averages) for the west coast. February is the most unsettled month of the year in Reunion Island: peak cyclone risk, the most rain and some of the fewest hours of sunshine.
night min: 23-25°C
protected lagoon, safe to swim
12 to 18 rainy days
mostly in the morning
A typical day in February
Clear skies on the west coast, calm sea. The best time for boat trips, helicopter flights, snorkelling and paragliding.
First clouds building over the Hauts and the east. West coast still largely clear. The perfect time for a lagoon swim.
Frequent thundery showers, sometimes heavy. Time for indoor visits: Jardin des Parfums, a vanilla house, the Stella Matutina museum.
It often clears up, with beautiful light. Great for sunsets on the west coast.
February compared with May and September
To put February in context: May (start of the dry season) and September (the driest, most popular month).
Bottom line: February is warmer than May and September, but it rains 11 times more than in Septemberand there's 30% less sunshine. For the full month-by-month calendar, see when to go to Reunion Island.
The weather varies across the island
The island is 70 km across, with a volcano rising to 2,631 m at its centre. The trade winds trap moisture over the east and the Hauts, while the west coast stays largely sheltered. In February, the difference between areas is even more marked than in the dry season.
28°C, a clear seabed, coral reef: the lagoon is the star of the month, as long as you go in the morning.
What to do in Reunion Island in February?
Anything on the lagoon or at low altitude is still perfect. Snorkelling in the Ermitage lagoon (water at 28°C, suitable from age 4-6) and the catamaran cruise from Saint-Gilles (dolphins year-round) are the safe bets. A first dive in Saint-Leu comes with warm water and plenty of marine life.
For views from the air, stick to the mornings: the helicopter flights take off before the clouds build over the Hauts. The tandem paragliding in Saint-Leu usually goes ahead, but the pilot confirms the day before.
For adrenaline, the Langevin canyon and Marsouins rafting enjoy the year's highest water levels. Operators cancel if the flow becomes dangerous, so leave yourself some slack. Avoid in February: Fleur Jaune canyoning in Cilaos, climbing Piton des Neiges, guided hikes in Mafate, and the volcano road when an alert is out.
On rainy afternoons, turn to the island's culture: the Bourbon vanilla houses in Saint-André and Bras-Panon (harvest season), the Isautier or Savanna rum distilleries, the Stella Matutina museum in Saint-Leu, the Jardin des Parfums et des Épices in Saint-Philippe (sheltered), Kélonia (the turtle study centre) in Saint-Leu. Those places are spread across the west, the east and the Wild South, so having a car to hand lets you switch to one as soon as a storm breaks (whoever is driving skips the rum tasting). Line up a rental car and keep one of them in reserve for each wet afternoon.
The 6 activities to prioritise in February
A selection built around the warm sea, the lagoon and full rivers. The same listings as in the activity search, with rating, number of reviews, type and number of packages.
Snorkelling5 optionsSnorkelling in Reunion Island: 5 Packages, Prices
4 guided excursions from €40 in Saint-Gilles, Saint-Leu, Le Port and Étang-Salé: coral reef, dolphins, humpback whales in season.
Catamaran9 optionsCatamaran Cruises in Reunion Island: 3 Packages
3 catamaran packages from €35, departing from Le Port: sunset sail, whale and dolphin watching, night cruise with an astronomy guide.
Helicopter6 optionsHelicopter Flights Over Reunion Island: Prices
9 helicopter flight options over Reunion Island from €204: volcano, cirques, waterfalls. Prices, operators and honest advice.
Scuba diving4 optionsFirst Dive in Reunion Island
A first scuba dive in Reunion Island from €85 across 4 spots (Saint-Leu, Saint-Gilles, Le Port, Étang-Salé). 4.9/5 from 145 Manawa reviews in Saint-Leu.
Whales & dolphins5 optionsWhales and Dolphins in Saint-Gilles: 4 Packages
Prices for whale and dolphin watching trips from Saint-Gilles. 4 boat packages from €37 with Manawa partners. Humpback whales from July to October, dolphins year-round.
Canyoning5 optionsLangevin River Canyoning
Canyoning on the Langevin river in Saint-Joseph from €55: family, classic, sporty Grand Galet and aquatic hike packages with CilaosAventure.
The rainy season soaks the landscape: vivid green, rivers running full, sunbeams breaking through the clouds.
Where to stay in Reunion Island in February?
Base yourself on the west coast for the most sunshine and the best of the lagoon. Saint-Gilles-les-Bains and the Saint-Gilles seaside resort have most of the options, from a €70 guesthouse room to a 4-star resort at €300. L'Ermitage and La Saline-les-Bains are quieter and sit right against the lagoon's finest stretch.
For an upmarket stay with a pool and sea view, see my selection of upmarket hotels in Reunion Island. On a tight budget, the guide 10 cheap ways to stay covers hostels, homestays and authorised wild camping (at altitude, outside cyclone season).
Avoid in February:isolated mountain gîtes (Mafate, Plaine d'Affouches, the Bélouve gîte). Access can be cut off, supply drops become unreliable, and helicopters are grounded during cyclone alerts.
How much does a trip to Reunion Island cost in February?
| Item | Outside school holidays (first week + end of month) | French zone C holidays (10-25 February) |
|---|---|---|
| Return flight Paris-Reunion Island | €650-850 | €1,000-1,300 |
| 3-star hotel (per night) | €80-120 | €130-180 |
| Car hire (per day) | €35-50 | €45-65 |
| Guided trip (catamaran, canyon) | €40-95 | €40-95 |
| Meal at a Creole restaurant | €10-15 | €10-15 |
The verdict is clear: going in the first week of February or at the very end of the month saves 30 to 40% on the whole trip, for the same weather.
The Hauts in February: dripping forests, giant ferns, fog. Magical in photos, dangerous on serious trails.
Reunion Island in February: your questions answered
What's the weather like in Reunion Island in February?
Is there a cyclone risk in Reunion Island in February?
What is there to do in Reunion Island in February?
Is February a good time to visit Reunion Island?
When are the February school holidays?
Can I swim in Reunion Island in February?
Can I see whales in Reunion Island in February?
How much does a trip to Reunion Island cost in February?
Is February a good time to visit Reunion Island?
Yes, as long as you accept the cyclone risk, go in the first week or at the very end of the month, and keep your itinerary flexible. It's the most tropical month of the year: sea at 28°C, waterfalls in full flow, fresh vanilla, landscapes drenched in green. With good insurance and a daily look at the forecast, it's a one-of-a-kind experience.
No, if you want to climb Piton des Neiges, spend 4 days crossing Mafate or be sure of blue-sky photos. In that case, go in September, May or June instead.