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West coast beach · 974

Boucan-Canot beach in Reunion Island

Golden sand, a volcanic tide pool, upscale hotels and safe swimming behind anti-shark nets. The most iconic beach on the west coast, 4km north of Saint-Gilles. Everything to plan your visit.

≈700m of golden sandAnti-shark nets4km from Saint-Gilles
At a glance

The essentials on Boucan-Canot

Type
Open-sea beach (outside the lagoon)
Sand
Golden (rare in Reunion Island)
Length
≈700m
Town
Saint-Paul · west coast
Distance from Saint-Denis
≈35km · 45 min
Distance from Saint-Gilles
≈4km · 8 min
Shark safety
Anti-shark nets (a supervised zone)
Supervision
Lifeguards on duty in season

Getting there:from Saint-Denis, follow the N1 towards Saint-Paul, leave it at the Saint-Gilles-les-Bains exit and follow the coastal D6 north to the beach. Several large free car parks line the beach, and Car Jaune and Kar'Ouest buses serve Boucan-Canot too. With a car, though, it's easy to spend the afternoon on the lagoon at L'Hermitage, 4km further south, and still make it back for sunset. Landing at Roland-Garros? Check hire car priceswhile you're booking the rest of the trip.

Things to see and do

Three moods, one beach

Boucan-Canot beach lined with coconut and filao trees, golden sand and ocean waves in the background

The main beach

A long arc of golden sand, lined with filao trees and palms. Medium to strong waves on the open side, good for surfing and bodyboarding. Don't mistake it for a lagoon: open-sea swimming is only advisable within the supervised zone marked out by the anti-shark nets.

Natural tide pool at Boucan-Canot with black volcanic rocks and calm turquoise water

The natural tide pool

Boucan-Canot's best-kept secret: a pool carved into the black volcanic rock at the northern end of the beach, which fills at high tide and offers calm, clear water for a swim at low tide. Ideal with young children or for some gentle snorkelling.

Boucan-Canot coastline seen from the open sea, a cliff and golden sand beach lit by the sun

The view from the headland

The viewpoint overlooking Boucan-Canot (on the coastal road, coming from Saint-Gilles) offers a panoramic view over the bay. A good spot for watching humpback whales in season (June-October), or simply enjoying the sunset.

Shark safety

Understanding the system

Anti-shark nets

A secured perimeter

A swimming area enclosed by sturdy nets, with daily checks, regular maintenance and a flag showing the day's conditions.

Vigie Requin Réunion

Divers on patrol

Divers and swimmers keep watch during opening hours, in direct contact with the lifeguards.

Essential rules

Rules to follow

Stay within the marked-out zone. A red flag means strictly no swimming. No swimming at dawn or dusk. No swimming after heavy rain.

Source: Centre Sécurité Requin Réunion (CSR), current prefectural order. Up-to-date guidance is posted on site and on the official website info-requin.re.

Off the coast of Boucan

A whale-watching trip departing from Saint-Gilles

From June to October, humpback whales are in full season. Year-round, spinner dolphins travel in pods of 30-200. Saint-Gilles harbour sits 4km south of Boucan-Canot.

Book a whale and dolphin watching tripEverything about the whales
Frequently asked questions

Boucan-Canot: your questions answered

Is Boucan-Canot a lagoon beach in Reunion Island?
No. Boucan-Canot is an open-sea beach, north of the lagoon (which runs from L'Hermitage to La Saline). There's no coral reef nearby, so waves are stronger and swimming is supervised. That's the main difference from the beaches at L'Hermitage or Trou d'Eau, where the lagoon shelters the swimming area.
Can you swim at Boucan-Canot despite the shark risk?
Yes, within the zone protected by anti-shark nets and supervised by lifeguards. Since 2017, Boucan-Canot has been among the beaches fitted with a protection system (Vigie Requin Réunion plus nets). Outside that zone, swimming and surfing remain strictly regulated by prefectural order. Always respect the marked-out zones and the day's flag.
What are the supervised swimming hours?
Generally 9am to 6pm every day during Reunion Island school holidays, and weekends plus public holidays outside the holidays. Check the signage at the beach entrance. A green flag allows swimming, yellow signals caution (jellyfish, currents, rough sea), red forbids access to the water.
How do you get to Boucan-Canot?
From Saint-Denis, take the N1 towards Saint-Paul, exit at Saint-Gilles-les-Bains and continue ≈4km north on the D6 (the coastal road). Allow 45 minutes' drive. Several large free car parks sit right next to the beach. By Car Jaune bus, line ZE Saint-Denis-Saint-Paul plus a local connection (Cars Jaunes or Kar'Ouest) to Boucan-Canot.
Are there restaurants and bars on the beach?
Several bars and restaurants sit right on the sand or overlook the beach: Le Boucan, Cap Méchant, La Plage, and several hotels that welcome non-residents for lunch. Sunday brunch crowds at weekends, a laid-back surf-café vibe on weekdays. Expect ≈€18-35 for a main course depending on the address, more at the upscale hotel tables.
Can you snorkel at Boucan-Canot?
Better in the tide pool than on the main beach (strong waves, limited marine life there). At low tide the pool shelters small fish, occasionally baby turtles, and sea urchins. Bring your own mask, snorkel and fins. For proper snorkelling, it's better to head 4km south to La Saline or L'Hermitage, where the lagoon shelters a richer reef.
Which hotels are at Boucan-Canot?
Le Saint Alexis (4-star, the most iconic), Boucan Canot Hôtel (4-star, recently renovated), Le Battant des Lames, plus several upscale rental residences and guesthouses. Expect ≈€130-280/night depending on the package and season. Book 2-3 months ahead in high season (July-August, year-end).
Boucan-Canot or L'Hermitage: which beach should you choose?
Boucan for the golden sand, the chicer, more hotel-driven atmosphere, the tide pool and the waves. L'Hermitage for the sheltered lagoon, ideal family swimming, snorkelling on a richer reef, and a more local feel. Many stays combine both: lagoon in the morning, sunset at Boucan in the late afternoon.
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Last updated: 29 October 2026.