When to go · November

Reunion Island in November: weather, prices and tips for 2026

November brings the southern summer back, and it's one of the most underrated months of the year: sea at 26°C, rock-bottom prices, few crowds and trails still in good shape, before December prices soar.

21-30°C west coastSea 26°C ideal for swimmingBefore 15 Nov outside cyclone seasonLow prices before the festive season

Updated in October 2026·2025-2026 cyclone season now over

2026-2027 cyclone season begins

15 November marks the official start of the cyclone season (November to April). Cyclones in November are historically rare (the peak is January-February). The 2025-2026 season (which closed at the end of April 2026) spared Reunion Island. For November 2026, keep an eye on Météo France Réunion from mid-month and take out insurance with cancellation cover.

November in Reunion Island is one of the most underrated months of the year. Not quite full summer yet, but no longer winter either. The sea warms back up to 26°C (ideal for swimming), mountain trails are still in good shape, crowds are very thin, and flight and hotel prices hit their low for the year. With flights and hotels at their cheapest, the budget stretches to a car for the entire trip: look at November rental rates before you book.

One small downside: cyclone season officially starts on 15 November, and the humidity creeps back, especially in the second half of the month. The best bet is the first half of November(after the French All Saints' school holidays, known as Toussaint, at the start of the month), before year-end prices soar.

A beach and turquoise lagoon on the west coast of Reunion Island in November, the sea warming back up

West coast lagoon, November

Sea at 26°C, quiet beaches, rock-bottom prices before the December rush.

In brief

November in Reunion Island in 3 cards

Highlights

Sea at 26°C, ideal for swimming
The lowest prices of the year
Few crowds
Trails still in good shape
A pre-Christmas Creole atmosphere

Watch out for

Humidity returns in the second half of the month
Cyclone season starts 15 Nov
Whales gone to Antarctica
The first stormy showers
Hotels full in week 1 (French All Saints' holidays)

Ideal for

Budget-conscious travellers
A first trip to Reunion Island
Sea and mountains in 10 days
Couples looking for peace and quiet
Beating the Christmas rush

November weather

November's climate at a glance

Météo France data (1991-2020 averages) for the west coast. November is a month of transition, still mostly dry but with the humidity creeping back.

26-30 °C

Daytime max temperature
night min: 21-23°C

26 °C

Sea temperature
ideal for swimming

50-100 mm

Monthly rainfall
5 to 8 rainy days

7-8 hrs/day

Daily sunshine
still strong

A typical day in November

6am-10am

Morning

Clear skies across the island. The best time for boat trips, helicopter flights and mountain hikes.

10am-1pm

Midday

Sun high, sea at 26°C. Swimming and snorkelling at their best, diving in Saint-Leu very pleasant.

1pm-5pm

Afternoon

Clouds build over the Hauts and the east, sometimes with brief showers. The west coast is often still clear.

5pm-9pm

Evening

Gentle sunsets. The first warm nights of the season on the coast, still cool in the mountains.

November compared with May and September

Compared with May (start of the dry season) and September (the driest month).

Max temperatures (°C)scale 0-30°C

Nov

30°

May

28°

Sep

27°

Rainfall (mm/month)scale 0-100 mm

Nov

80 mm

May

100 mm

Sep

30 mm

Sunshine (hrs/day)scale 0-10 hrs

Nov

7.5 hrs

May

7.5 hrs

Sep

8.5 hrs

November is warmer than May and September, with a bit more rain. The sea is warmer than at the height of the dry season. For the full calendar, see when to go to Reunion Island.

Where to base yourself

Every part of the island still works

The humidity mostly returns in the afternoon over the Hauts and the east. The west coast stays very pleasant.

West coast

Saint-Gilles · La Saline · Ermitage · Saint-Leu

Mostly sunny, warmth returning

Day

26-30°C

Night

21-23°C

Chance of rain each day25%

70 mm of rain a month

+Sea at 26°C, still very decent weather

−Some cloud in the afternoon

Recommended base

Wild south

Saint-Joseph · Petite-Île · Langevin

Sunshine and showers

Day

25-29°C

Night

20-22°C

Chance of rain each day35%

100 mm of rain a month

+Waterfalls coming back to life, peaceful

−First heavy showers

Good second choice

East

Sainte-Rose · Saint-André · Saint-Benoît

Humid, moderate trade winds

Day

24-27°C

Night

20-22°C

Chance of rain each day50%

200 mm of rain a month

+Vanilla, a lush green Salazie

−Frequent afternoon showers

Good second choice

The Hauts

Cilaos · Salazie · Plaine des Cafres · the volcano

Settled in the morning, misty in the afternoon

Day

17-22°C

Night

11-15°C

Chance of rain each day40%

120 mm of rain a month

+Morning hikes still doable

−Fog becoming more frequent

For short hikes

Piton de la Fournaise above a sea of clouds in November, trails still passable

Piton de la Fournaise, November

Still good in the first half of the month; afternoon fog becomes more frequent from late November.

Activities

What to do in Reunion Island in November?

In November you can still do a bit of everything. By the sea, snorkelling in the l'Ermitage lagoon (26°C, suitable from age 4-6), a catamaran cruise from Saint-Gilles and a first dive in Saint-Leu all benefit from the warming sea.

On land, the mountain trails are still good in the first half of the month: a guided Mafate crossing over 2-3 days, Piton de la Fournaise with an early start. For Piton des Neiges, go before 15 November for the best conditions.

For views from the air, the helicopter and tandem paragliding in Saint-Leu can still be booked at short notice (1-2 weeks ahead). For thrills, the Langevin canyon is a great option again as the first rains raise the water level.

Selection

The 6 activities to prioritise in November

A mix of sea activities and the last big hikes before summer. The same listings as in the activity search.

Silhouettes de snorkeleurs à la surface au-dessus d'un récif corallien et de poissons rayés noir et blanc

Snorkelling5 options

etang-sale + 3 more places

Snorkelling 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.

le-port + 1 more place

Catamaran 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.

Helicopter Flights Over Reunion Island: Prices

9 helicopter flight options over Reunion Island from €204: volcano, cirques, waterfalls. Prices, operators and honest advice.

Guided Hike in Mafate, Reunion Island: Level, Packages, Prices

Guided hiking in the Mafate cirque from €55. Several packages (from Maïdo, Cayenne or an authentic immersion). 4.9/5 from 18 Manawa reviews.

Paragliding 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.

Scuba diving4 options

etang-sale + 5 more places

First 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.

Browse all 92 activities

The wild coast of Reunion Island in November: a stream and tropical vegetation, the wet season returning

Wild coast, November

The first rains, the vegetation springing back to life, waterfalls filling up again: the Wild South is waking up.

Accommodation

Where to stay in Reunion Island in November?

The west coast is the best base: Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, l'Ermitage, La Saline, Saint-Leu. Hotel rates are very reasonable (except at the start of the month, during the French All Saints' holidays). Mountain gîtes are still available, but book them for the first half of the month.

Upmarket: upmarket hotels. On a budget: 10 cheap ways to stay.

November tip:prices are at their lowest of the year outside the All Saints' holidays. A 10-day trip costs 30-40% less than in September, and the sea is warmer. Book your return flight before the December peak.

Budget

How much does a trip to Reunion Island cost in November?

Item	November 2027 price (outside French All Saints' holidays)	vs September
Return flight Paris-Reunion Island	€600-850	−15%
3-star hotel (per night)	€80-120	−10 to −15%
Car hire (per day)	€35-50	stable
Guided excursion	€40-95	stable
Mafate gîte (with meals)	€25-40	stable

For a 10-day trip in November from mainland France, allow €1,700-2,200per person all in, outside the All Saints' holidays. One of the best-value months of the year.

FAQ

Reunion Island in November: your questions answered

What's the weather like in Reunion Island in November?

November marks the official return of the southern summer. West coast: 26 to 30°C by day, 21-23°C at night, sea at 26°C and warming. Rainfall picks up: 50 to 100 mm for the month, 5 to 8 rainy days and 7 to 8 hours of sunshine a day. The Hauts (the highlands) get more humid in the afternoon (cloud build-up, fog), but mornings stay clear. The official cyclone season starts on 15 November.

Is there a risk of cyclones in November?

Cyclone season officially begins on 15 November, but cyclones in November are historically rare. The 2025-2026 season got off to a slow start. From the second half of the month, keep an eye on Météo France Réunion, especially if you're wild camping or staying in mountain gîtes, and take out travel insurance with cancellation cover.

What is there to do in Reunion Island in November?

In November you can still do a bit of everything. The sea warms up to 26°C (perfect for the lagoon, snorkelling, diving in Saint-Leu and catamaran trips), the mountain trails are still in good shape (Mafate over 2-3 days, the volcano with an early start), and conditions for helicopter flights and paragliding are generally good. The Fleur Jaune canyon in Cilaos stays open. The whales have gone back to Antarctica, but the dolphins are here all year.

Is November a good time to visit Reunion Island?

Yes, November is one of the most underrated months of the year. Outside the French school holidays, flight and hotel prices drop, crowds are thin and the weather is still very good ahead of Christmas: sea at 26°C, a perfect lagoon, trails still open before the heavy rains. Ideal for a last trip of the year before December prices soar.

Can I see whales in Reunion Island in November?

No, the humpback whales have headed back to Antarctica. The season tails off between late October and early November, so for whale watching go between June and October. In November, boat trips still find dolphins (bottlenose and spinner dolphins) which live off Saint-Gilles all year round.

Can I swim in Reunion Island in November?

Yes, it's actually one of the best times. The sea is back up to 26°C, and the Ermitage, La Saline and Saint-Gilles lagoon is ideal for swimming. Outside the lagoon, swimming is banned along almost the whole coastline because of the shark risk. Supervised beaches: Boucan Canot (with a shark net), l'Ermitage and La Saline. The sea is often calmer than in windy August.

How much does a trip to Reunion Island cost in November?

November 2027 prices: a return Paris-Saint-Denis flight for €600-850 (outside the festive period), a 3-star hotel for €80-120, a hire car for €35-50 a day. Activities are priced the same year-round: €40-95 for a catamaran trip or canyon, €85 for a try dive, €205-345 for a helicopter tour. Book your return flight before the Christmas rush (which starts around 15-20 December). One of the cheapest months of the year.

Can I climb Piton des Neiges in November?

Yes, especially early in the month. The trails are still dry and the summit is often clear at sunrise (75-85% of the time). Later in the month, the first showers can spoil the view. The Caverne Dufour gîte (mountain hut) is easier to book than in July-August (1 month ahead is enough). Nights are cool (8-14°C), so bring a fleece and head torch.

Verdict

Is November a good time to visit Reunion Island?

Yes, November is one of the most underrated months of the year: sea at 26°C, the lowest prices of the year, few crowds, trails still good in the first half of the month. Ideal if you want to enjoy the island on a modest budget before December prices soar.

The drawbacks: the whales have gone, the humidity creeps back (especially in the second half) and cyclone season starts on 15 November. Go in the first half of the month, after the All Saints' holidays, for the best of both worlds.

Browse all 92 activities Compare with other months