Published
7 canyons · Reunion Island

Canyoning in Reunion Island: the 7 best canyons on the island

From the beginner-friendly Bras Rouge to the huge exposed abseils of Takamaka, Reunion Island packs in the most complete canyoning playground in France. Here are the levels, heights, prices and trusted operators for each of the 7 canyons.

7 canyons selected120m max abseil (Takamaka)May-Nov best season

Reunion Island, a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean, is France's number one canyoning destination: volcanic terrain unlike anywhere else in Europe, crystal-clear water, tree ferns overhead and more than 50 recorded canyons. There are two main hubs: Cilaos for technical canyons in basalt, and Saint-Benoît and Plaine des Palmistes for exposed abseils in primary forest.

Here are the 7 canyons worth knowing, ranked by level, with abseil heights, length, price and trusted operators for each. For guiding, local companies such as Cime Nature cover canyoning and water hiking across several of these spots.

Key facts

Level, length, price: choosing the right canyon

Beginner
No experience needed

Bras Rouge, Bassin Boeuf. Half a day, about €65-80. Jumps you can choose, short abseils. From age 12 depending on the operator.

Intermediate
First canyon experience

Trou Blanc, Rivière Langevin, Rivière des Roches. Half a day, about €75-85. You should be comfortable with abseils and jumps.

Advanced
Several canyons under your belt

Fleur Jaune. Full day, about €85-115. Back-to-back abseils of up to 30-80m, good fitness needed.

Expert
A regular canyoner

Takamaka. An intense full day, about €110-130. Exposed abseils of up to 120m, level check required.

The 7 canyons

From beginner to expert

A group of canyoners in red wetsuits at the foot of the tall wall in the Fleur Jaune canyon, Cilaos
Canyon 01AdvancedThe absolute reference
Cirque de Cilaos

Fleur Jaune

Duration

1 day (~7 hours)

Abseils

~12 abseils, up to 30m

Price

~€85-95/person

The cathedral of Reunion Island canyoning. In a dark basalt gorge in the Cilaos cirque, you tackle 12 abseils back to back, the last a 30m drop through a veil of spray, plus several jumps and deep pools. A spectacular rocky setting, clear water and tree ferns overhead. Advanced level: you need to be at ease with successive abseils and able to swim in full gear.

Good to know

A state-qualified guide is compulsory. The dry season (May-October) is ideal, with steadier water levels. A 5mm wetsuit is provided. Allow about an hour's walk in from Cilaos.

Book Fleur Jaune (Cilaos)
Editorial composite of the Trou Blanc canyon in Hell-Bourg, an abseil under a waterfall and a canyoner in a wetsuit
Canyon 02IntermediateSalazie's training canyon
Cirque de Salazie · Hell-Bourg

Trou Blanc

Duration

Half a day (~4-5 hours)

Abseils

~8-10 abseils, up to 18m

Price

~€75-85/person

In the rainforest above Hell-Bourg, Trou Blanc strings together moderate abseils, clear pools and optional jumps, between pale rock streaked with orange, in a real jungle atmosphere. Ideal for building confidence after a first taster.

Good to know

A 30-45 minute walk in. Hell-Bourg is reached from Saint-André on a winding but well-kept road. The dry season is best. It's a half-day that starts in the morning, to finish before the clouds roll in over the mountains.

Book Trou Blanc (Salazie)
A canyoner in a blue wetsuit making their way through the Bras Rouge canyon in Cilaos, with its distinctive red rock walls
Canyon 03BeginnerFamily taster
Cirque de Cilaos

Bras Rouge

Duration

Half a day (~4 hours)

Abseils

~4 abseils up to 12m + 6 jumps

Price

~€70-80/person

The perfect canyon for a first time. The water is tinted red by iron oxide (hence the name: rouge means red), with a series of short abseils, jumps you can choose from 1 to 4m, and natural slides. Open to children aged 12 and up and anyone reasonably fit. A short walk in from Cilaos.

Good to know

Open all year. A 5mm wetsuit is provided. A memorable half-day that's easy to combine with exploring Cilaos in the afternoon (the thermal baths, the local wine).

Book Bras Rouge (Cilaos)
An abseil under a towering waterfall at Bassin Boeuf, Sainte-Suzanne, in a mist of spray
Canyon 04ExpertFor demanding experts
Saint-Benoît · east

Takamaka

Duration

1 day (~8-10 hours)

Abseils

Abseils up to 120m

Price

~€110-130/person

One of the biggest canyons in Europe for abseil height (Reunion is part of the EU). In the Bébour-Bélouve primary forest, you face exposed abseils of up to 120m and committing sections in an otherworldly setting. Strictly for experienced canyoners at ease with big heights and heavy spray.

Good to know

Expert guides only, with a strict level check beforehand (often a test canyon). Dry season only. A helicopter is sometimes used for the exit. An intense day, not for beginners.

Editorial composite of Grand-Galet waterfall and a canyoner in the Rivière Langevin
Canyon 05IntermediateA lush tropical setting
The Wild South · Saint-Joseph

Rivière Langevin · Grand-Galet

Duration

Half a day (~4 hours)

Abseils

A water hike + 3-4 short abseils

Price

~€75-85/person

More of a technical river walk than pure canyoning: you head down the Rivière Langevin with jumps into clear pools, slides down polished rock and swims through water tunnels, finishing at Grand-Galet waterfall. The Wild South at its best: basalt riverbeds, coconut palms and emerald water.

Good to know

Easy to reach from Saint-Joseph, on the Langevin road. A wetsuit is provided. More laid-back than technical. Round it off with a home-cooked meal at a table d'hôte (family-run restaurant) in Langevin.

Book Rivière Langevin
Editorial composite of Rivière des Roches: a waterfall and a canyoner underwater
Canyon 06IntermediateSpectacular jumps
Saint-Benoît · east

Rivière des Roches

Duration

Half a day (~4 hours)

Abseils

~6 abseils + jumps up to 8m

Price

~€75-85/person

A steep-sided river in the north-east, with moderate abseils and great optional jumps (up to 8m), deep clear pools, potholes carved by the water and mossy walls, all in a rainforest setting. Best for fans of jumps and natural slides.

Good to know

A short walk in from the car park. The area is sometimes closed after heavy rain (flash flood risk), so check for official closure orders before booking. The dry season is ideal.

Book Rivière des Roches
Editorial composite of Fleur Jaune (illustrating the benchmark canyon)
Canyon 07BeginnerA north-coast taster
Sainte-Suzanne · north

Bassin Boeuf

Duration

Half a day (~3-4 hours)

Abseils

A water hike + jumps of 2-5m

Price

~€65-75/person

The north coast's taster canyon, handy if you're staying in Saint-Denis or Sainte-Marie: jumps you can choose, slides and cool pools, with few abseils but plenty of fun. Ideal to pair with a visit to nearby Niagara Waterfall.

Good to know

Easy to reach from Sainte-Suzanne. It's shady, so pleasant even in the hot season. A good option for a morning session followed by a Creole lunch.

Book Bassin Boeuf (Sainte-Suzanne)
First time canyoning?

Bras Rouge (Cilaos) or Bassin Boeuf (Sainte-Suzanne)

Two perfect taster canyons, depending on where you're staying: Cilaos if you're touring the cirques, Sainte-Suzanne if you're based in the north. Half a day, from €65, with professional guides and gear included.

Bras Rouge (Cilaos)Bassin Boeuf (Sainte-Suzanne)
Frequently asked questions

Canyoning in Reunion Island: your questions answered

What's the best canyon in Reunion Island?
For sheer beauty: Fleur Jaune (Cilaos), the rock cathedral, with 12 abseils including a 30m drop. For a first taster: Bras Rouge (Cilaos) or Bassin Boeuf (Sainte-Suzanne), from age 12. For a real challenge: Takamaka (Saint-Benoît), with abseils of up to 120m. For a tropical feel: Rivière Langevin and Grand-Galet (the Wild South). The best one for you depends on your level and how much time you have.
What level do you need for canyoning in Reunion Island?
None for taster canyons (Bras Rouge, Bassin Boeuf, Bassin Cormoran): being able to swim 25m is enough. Intermediate canyons (Trou Blanc, Rivière des Roches, Langevin) need reasonable fitness and no fear of heights. Advanced (Fleur Jaune) and especially expert canyons (Takamaka) need experience of successive abseils, the stamina for a long day and a level check beforehand.
How much does a canyon descent cost in Reunion Island?
About €65-75 for a half-day taster canyon (Bassin Boeuf, Bras Rouge), €75-85 for an intermediate canyon (Trou Blanc, Rivière des Roches, Langevin), €85-95 for a full-day advanced canyon (Fleur Jaune) and €110-130 for serious canyons like Takamaka. A wetsuit, helmet and harness are included in most prices.
What's the best season for canyoning?
The dry season, from May to November: steadier water levels, pleasant temperatures and dry approach paths. In the wet season (December-April) you can still do canyons with a permanent flow, but many close temporarily after heavy rain (flash flood risk) and the water gets murkier. Check for official and forestry closures before booking.
Do you have to go with a guide?
For beginners, and on any commercial trip: yes, with a state-qualified guide (French BEES canyon or DEJEPS caving-canyoning qualification). Experienced canyoners can do the taster canyons independently if they have a proven track record and proper gear (new ropes, helmet, harness). Serious canyons such as Takamaka are strongly discouraged without a guide.
Is there a minimum age for canyoning?
It varies. Bras Rouge and Bassin Boeuf take children from age 12, sometimes 10 depending on the operator. Trou Blanc and Rivière Langevin often require 14+. Advanced canyons (Fleur Jaune) are open from 16 with a good level, and Takamaka from 18 with regular experience. Check with the operator.
What gear should you bring?
Operators provide a 5mm wetsuit, helmet, harness, lanyards and a descender. Bring swimwear (or a shorty wetsuit) to wear underneath, quick-drying closed shoes (sports shoes, not flip-flops or canvas trainers), a towel for afterwards and an energy snack for full-day canyons, plus sunglasses and sunscreen for the walk in.
Is canyoning dangerous?
Like any outdoor sport, it can be, without a guide or in bad conditions (flash floods). With a state-qualified guide, on a canyon that suits your level and outside rainy spells, it's statistically safe. Serious accidents are rare and usually involve badly prepared independent trips. Always check the weather over the previous 48 hours and any closure orders.
Go further

Keep reading

Article updated 18 October 2026.