Reunion Island in January: weather, things to do and tips for 2026
January is high summer in Reunion Island: sea at 28°C, a crystal-clear lagoon, everything a deep green. It's also peak cyclone season, with frequent afternoon storms. An honest guide with hard data, the best things to do, and the right time of the month to go.
The cyclone season that just closed on 30 April 2026 was more active than average (11 storms, 6 cyclones, 4 intense cyclones), but Reunion Island was spared. The major events (Fytia, Gezani) hit Madagascar. The last cyclone to strike the island: Garance in late February 2025, after Belal in January 2024. For January 2027, stay cautious, although no cyclone warning has been issued at this stage.
In January, Reunion Island is at its most tropical. The heat sets in, the sea reaches 28°C, the markets overflow with lychees and mangoes, and everything grows like mad. Mornings usually bring blue skies on the west coast. It's also the heart of the cyclone season, so afternoons sometimes build into brief but intense storms, and mountain trails turn muddy or even close.
The month has two halves. Before 10 January, Reunion Island's school holidays send prices soaring and fill the west's hotels. Between 10 and 25 January, prices come back down, crowds thin out and the weather stabilises: the best time to enjoy the island without breaking the bank.
January is also the peak of lychee season, José mangoes and Creole craftwork.
January in Reunion Island in 3 cards
- Guaranteed heat on the coast
- Sea at 28°C, ideal lagoon swimming
- Waterfalls at full power
- Mostly sunny mornings
- Fewer crowds after 10 January
- Very humid in the Hauts
- Tropical showers late in the day
- Possible cyclones (rare but real)
- Roads sometimes cut off by flooding
- Mountain trails often closed
- The lagoon and water activities
- Scenic flights and aerial photos (clear mornings)
- Langevin canyon and rafting on the Marsouins
- Tropical markets (lychees, mangoes, pineapples)
- Flexible travellers who don't mind rain
January's climate at a glance
Météo France data (1991-2020 averages) for the west coast, the most-visited area. January is statistically the hottest, wettest and most cyclone-prone month of the year.
night min: 23-25°C
sheltered lagoon, fine for swimming
12 to 15 rainy days
mostly in the morning
A typical day in January
Clear sky, calm sea. The ideal time for boat trips, a helicopter flight or snorkelling.
Heating up, with the first clouds building over the Hauts. The west coast is still clear.
Showers likely, especially over the Hauts and the east: short but sometimes heavy. A good time for a nap or the spa.
The sun returns, golden light on the casuarinas. Spectacular sunsets from the west.
January compared with May and September
To put January in context: how it compares with May (start of the dry season) and September (the driest, most popular month).
Bottom line: January is warmer than May and September, but it rains 10 times more than in Septemberand there's 25% 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 2,631 m volcano at its centre. The trade winds trap humidity over the east and the Hauts, while the west coast stays mostly sheltered. Choosing the right base is half the battle.
28°C, a clear seabed, a coral reef: the lagoon from l'Ermitage to La Saline is the star of the month.
What to do in Reunion Island in January?
January is the top month for the lagoon and the sea. Water at 28°C, decent visibility despite the rain, and plenty of tropical marine life. The snorkelling in the l'Ermitage lagoon suits the whole family, from age 4-6 upwards. The sunset catamaran trips are one of the most beautiful moments of the trip, with dolphins and turtles often putting in an appearance.
For views from the air, January mornings are perfect for a helicopter flight (4 companies compared, flights of 30 to 55 minutes, from €190). Cheaper, a microlight flight starts at €75. The tandem paragliding in Saint-Leu (the world's 3rd best spot according to pilots) benefits from summer thermals and can still be booked the day before.
Underwater, it's also one of the best months. A first dive starts at €85, with warm water and plenty of marine life (green turtles, shoals of butterflyfish, moray eels). For experienced divers, see exploration diving in Saint-Gilles and the Étang-Salé marine reserve.
For thrills, it's a good time for the Langevin river canyon (Wild South, perfect water levels) and rafting on the Marsouins river. On the other hand, Fleur Jaune canyoning in Cilaos and long hikes to Piton des Neiges, Mafate or Trou de Fer are best avoided this month: soaked trails, frequent closures, flood risk.
The 6 activities to prioritise in January
A selection built around the sea, views from the air 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.
Paragliding5 optionsParagliding at Saint-Leu: 3 Packages, Prices
Paragliding in Reunion Island at Saint-Leu, one of the three best spots in the world for it. 2 packages from €110, 97 verified Manawa reviews.
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.
In January, the Langevin river waterfalls are at their most powerful: the perfect time to photograph them.
Where to stay in Reunion Island in January?
For the most sun, the lagoon and the least rain, stay on the west coast. Saint-Gilles-les-Bains and the Saint-Gilles seaside resort have most of the hotels, from a €70 guesthouse room to a €300 4-star resort. L'Ermitage and La Saline-les-Bains are quieter and sit right by the finest stretch of the lagoon. Saint-Leu is a good second choice for divers and paragliders.
For an upmarket stay with a pool and sea view, see my selection of upmarket hotels in Reunion Island. On a tight budget, see the guide to 10 cheap ways to stay compiles hostels, house swaps and authorised wild-camping spots.
Avoid in January: remote mountain gîtes (Mafate, Plaine d'Affouches, the Bélouve gîte). Access is sometimes cut off, supplies become unreliable, and helicopters are grounded during cyclone alerts.
How much does a trip to Reunion Island cost in January?
| Item | First half (Reunion Island school holidays) | Second half (after 10 January) |
|---|---|---|
| Return flight Paris-Reunion Island | €1,000-1,300 | €600-800 |
| 3-star hotel (per night) | €130-200 | €70-120 |
| Car hire (per day) | €40-60 | €30-45 |
| Guided trip (catamaran, canyon) | €40-95 | €40-95 |
| A meal at a Creole restaurant | €10-15 | €10-15 |
The verdict is clear: travelling between 10 and 25 January saves 30 to 40% on the whole trip, for weather that stays the same.
A cyclone alert can reshuffle a January trip at short notice. Travel insurance with cancellation cover looks after the flights and the beds; for the car, go for a rental you can cancel at no cost.
The Hauts in January: moss-covered forests, giant ferns and tropical mist. Very atmospheric.
Reunion Island in January: your questions answered
What's the weather like in Reunion Island in January?
Is there a cyclone risk in Reunion Island in January?
What is there to do in Reunion Island in January?
Is January a good time to visit Reunion Island?
Can I swim in Reunion Island in January?
Can I see whales in Reunion Island in January?
How much does a trip to Reunion Island cost in January?
Where should I stay in Reunion Island in January?
Is January a good time to visit Reunion Island?
Yes, if you accept tropical weather and go in the second half of the month. This is when the island is at its most alive: warm sea, a perfect lagoon, waterfalls at full power, overflowing markets. It's also a month when you need to be flexible, check the sky each morning and adapt your day.
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.