Reunion Island in March: weather, things to do and tips for 2026
March is a month of change. Cyclone season winds down, mountain trails reopen, the sea stays at 28°C and the vegetation is at its lushest. One of the best balances of peace and quiet, weather and budget all year.
March is still part of the official cyclone season (November to April), but the risk drops noticeably after the January-February peak. The 2025-2026 season, closed on 30 April 2026, spared Reunion Island. The most recent direct hits: Garance in February 2025 and Belal in January 2024. For March 2027, check Météo France every day, but the second half of the month is statistically much calmer.
March in Reunion Island is a turning point. The wet season is drawing to a close, the light comes back and the mountain trails reopen one by one. The sea stays at 28°C, everything is a deep green, and the waterfalls are at their best. It's also the month the whole island opens up again: Mafate, Cilaos, Piton des Neiges and even the volcano road become accessible again, especially in the second half of the month.
As for crowds, it's one of the quietest months of the year: no local school holidays, few French school holidays (Easter sometimes falls in late March or early April) and hotel prices still low. It's the perfect month for a last-minute trip if the weather plays ball.
Sea at 28°C, waves breaking on the reef, calm restored: the west coast has almost everything going for it.
March in Reunion Island in 3 cards
- Weather clearly improving
- Sea at 28°C, ideal lagoon
- Mountain trails reopening
- Low tourist numbers
- Hotel prices still low
- Cyclone season not fully over
- Still a few showers
- Some trails still closed in early March
- The volcano sometimes inaccessible
- Easter can fall in late March some years
- Lagoon days plus the first mountain hikes
- Photographers (vivid colours)
- Last-minute budget travellers
- Couples looking for calm
- A first shot at Piton des Neiges
March's climate at a glance
Météo France data (1991-2020 averages) for the west coast. March is a month of transition: rainfall drops sharply, the sun returns, and it is still warm.
night min: 23-24°C
perfect for lagoon and diving
8 to 12 rainy days
on the rise
A typical day in March
Clear skies in the west and settled over the Hauts. The perfect time for boat trips, helicopter flights and mountain hikes.
Sun high, calm sea, clear lagoon. The ideal time for snorkelling, diving and swimming.
Clouds building over the Hauts, sometimes a few showers over the south and east. The west coast is often still bright.
It clears up again, with golden light. Spectacular sunsets in the west, empty beaches.
March compared with May and September
March measured against May (start of the dry season) and September (the driest, most popular month).
Bottom line: March is warmer than May and September, but it rains almost 7 times more than in September. A month of transition. For the full calendar, see when to go to Reunion Island.
The weather varies across the island
The differences between areas are still marked in March, but the whole island opens up again, and the Hauts become a real option, especially in the second half of the month.
The volcano is accessible again in March. Start very early to beat the clouds that build up around 11am.
What to do in Reunion Island in March?
March finally lets you combine the sea and the mountains. By the sea, everything is still ideal: snorkelling in the Ermitage lagoon, a catamaran cruise, a first dive in Saint-Leu, dolphin watching. And the second half of the month brings the first reliable weather for mountain hikes since November.
On land, the Piton de la Fournaise with a guide is an excellent option again (set off before 4am, the fog rolls in by 10-11am). A guided Mafate hike over 1 to 2 days, staying in a gîte, is doable as long as you check conditions the day before.
The Langevin canyon still has plenty of water, and the Fleur Jaune canyon in Cilaos gradually reopens in the second half of the month. For views from the air, mornings are perfect for the helicopter tour and paragliding in Saint-Leu.
The 6 activities to prioritise in March
A mix of sea, the first mountain hikes and canyons still full of water. The same listings as in the activity search.
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.
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.
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.
Water at 28°C and a clear seabed almost every day. Snorkelling at any time, empty beaches in the morning.
Where to stay in Reunion Island in March?
The west coast is still the safest base, especially in the first half of the month. Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, l'Ermitage, La Saline and Saint-Leu have most of the hotels. In the second half of the month, mountain gîtes (Mafate, Cilaos, Salazie) are an option again for a 2-night hiking stay.
Upmarket: see my selection of upmarket hotels in Reunion Island. On a budget: 10 cheap ways to stay (hostels, house swaps, permitted wild camping).
March tip: the Mafate gîtes (La Nouvelle, Marla, Roche Plate) reopen from mid-March and are much easier to book than in high season. Expect €25-40 a night with meals.
How much does a trip to Reunion Island cost in March?
| Item | First half of the month | Second half of the month (outside Easter) |
|---|---|---|
| Return flight Paris-Reunion Island | €750-950 | €600-800 |
| 3-star hotel (per night) | €90-140 | €70-110 |
| Car hire (per day) | €35-50 | €35-50 |
| Guided trip (catamaran, canyon, volcano) | €40-95 | €40-95 |
| Meal at a Creole restaurant | €10-15 | €10-15 |
March offers one of the best balances of peace and quiet, weather and budgetall year. The second half of the month (outside Easter) is perfect for a last-minute trip.
Flights and hotels get cheaper as the month goes on; hire cars don't. Before paying for a last-minute flight, check which rental cars are available on your dates.
The Hauts in March: dripping forests, drying trails, the first reliable weather since November.
Reunion Island in March: your questions answered
What's the weather like in Reunion Island in March?
Is there still a cyclone risk in Reunion Island in March?
What is there to do in Reunion Island in March?
Is March a good time to visit Reunion Island?
Can I go hiking in Reunion Island in March?
Can I see whales in Reunion Island in March?
Can I swim in Reunion Island in March?
How much does a trip to Reunion Island cost in March?
Is March a good time to visit Reunion Island?
Yes, without hesitation. March is one of the most underrated months of the year: warm sea, perfect lagoon, trails reopening, lush green landscapes, few crowds and falling prices. For flexible travellers who don't mind a few showers, the value for money is unbeatable.
That said, save mountain hikes for the second half of the month, and keep a spare day in your itinerary in case of persistent rain.