A laid-back beach resort on the west coast, in the district of Saint-Paul, with a turquoise lagoon sheltered by the coral reef. Snorkelling, paddleboarding, clear-bottom kayaks, paragliding at nearby Saint-Leu and microlight flights from the local base, plus where to stay and where to eat.
La Saline-les-Bains merges into its neighbours, L'Hermitage-les-Bains to the north and Trou d'Eau to the south. All three share the same lagoon, the same protected coconut grove and the same water sports base, so for visitors they're best thought of as one. All three are part of the municipality of Saint-Paul.
La Saline-les-Bains, Trou d'Eau and L'Hermitage-les-Bains form the longest protected lagoon on the island. Shallow water, fine white sand flecked with coral, filao trees reaching down to the shore: this is the postcard image of Reunion Island's beaches.
The main beach: white sand, a long coconut grove and filao trees (casuarinas) right down to the water. You swim in a shallow lagoon, with lifeguards at weekends and in the school holidays. The go-to spot for families, inflatable paddleboards and snorkelling over the coral heads off Chemin Bruniquel.
Just south of La Saline, Trou d'Eau has a different feel: rockier, calmer and less crowded. It's where the clear-bottom kayaks set off, and a good place to watch turtles at low tide. A favourite with couples at sunset.
All the swimming spots in Reunion Island
L'Hermitage continues La Saline to the north. It's the longest and liveliest beach on the lagoon, with a coconut grove protected as a nature site (Espace Naturel Sensible). There's a market on Fridays in the south car park, food stalls open all year and lifeguards at weekends. Very easy snorkelling over the coral heads near the channel.
On the west coast, the sun sets out to sea beyond the coral reef, painting the sky pink and orange almost every evening, between 5.30pm and 6.30pm depending on the season. Find a spot on the beach facing the Hermitage channel, or at Trou d'Eau for a wilder setting.
Eight guided activities with Manawa and Funbooker partners, all on foot or within a 15-minute drive of La Saline-les-Bains. Prices and meeting points checked at the time of writing.
A guided paddleboard trip over the coral reef, in shallow, calm lagoon water. A good chance to spot a green turtle or a butterflyfish beneath you. Suitable for beginners, led by a qualified instructor.
See the partner listingA kayak with a see-through hull, for a clear view of the coral heads and fish. For two or for families, from age 5. The most popular lagoon activity with children: you see everything without getting wet.
See the partner listingYou take off from La Saline's microlight base. Three options: a coastal loop (35 minutes over the Hermitage and Saint-Gilles lagoon), a medium loop (one nearby cirque) and a full loop (the Mafate and Salazie cirques plus Piton de la Fournaise). Smooth, open-air flying, ideal for aerial photos.
See the partner listingA freer, airier alternative to the microlight, paramotoring flies over the lagoon at very low altitude. You see the water, the reef and sometimes dolphins, with less noise and a feel closer to free flight.
See the partner listingFrom Saint-Gilles you can dive the channel and the drop-off, both well suited to a try dive. In Saint-Leu, the club dives the Hermitage drop-off. 30 minutes underwater at a maximum of 6m, with one instructor for 1 or 2 people depending on the option.
See the partner listing10 minutes by car from La Saline: a relaxed half-day at sea, with cocktails and snacks included on some trips. From June to October, humpback whales are spotted from the deck; the rest of the year, spinner dolphins.
See the partner listingA 2-hour guided snorkelling trip in the protected zone of the marine nature reserve, over healthy coral with clownfish, parrotfish and sometimes turtles. Non-swimmers get a buoyancy vest.
See the partner listingSaint-Leu and Pointe des Aigrettes are the surf spots closest to La Saline. Beginners learn on a foam board, improvers get coaching on a hard board. The Brisants break works all year, with the most consistent waves from April to October.
See the partner listingBeyond the lagoon, La Saline-les-Bains is the perfect base for paragliding in Saint-Leu, whale and dolphin watching from Saint-Gilles and helicopter flights over the cirques. Eight detailed listings, ready to book.
★ 4.9(397)9 helicopter flight options over Reunion Island from €204: volcano, cirques, waterfalls. Prices, operators and honest advice.
★ 5(150)7 bookable ultralight flight packages in Reunion Island from €75, comparing Fly Réunion, Réunion ULM, Airsports Réunion and Air Évasion.
★ 4.8(99)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.
★ 4.9(143)Prices for whale and dolphin watching trips from Saint-Gilles. 4 boat packages from €37 with Manawa partners. Humpback whales from July to October, dolphins year-round.
★ 4.74(28)3 catamaran packages from €35, departing from Le Port: sunset sail, whale and dolphin watching, night cruise with an astronomy guide.
★ 4.8(62)4 guided excursions from €40 in Saint-Gilles, Saint-Leu, Le Port and Étang-Salé: coral reef, dolphins, humpback whales in season.
★ 5(90)A clear kayak outing on the Trou d'Eau lagoon in La Saline-les-Bains from €50. 2 hours on the lagoon with Lagon Réunion, 4.9/5 from 90 reviews.
★ 4.8(86)3 horse rides with Les Chevaux du Maïdo from €35 (a 1h first ride). A cryptomeria forest at 2,200m, views over Mafate and the Saint-Gilles lagoon.
From Pierrefonds or Saint-Gilles, a helicopter flight shows you the lagoon and coral reef from above, then the Mafate, Salazie and Cilaos cirques, in 30 to 55 minutes. The perfect contrast to a beach holiday in La Saline-les-Bains.
Five Agoda properties spread across the three beach areas of the lagoon, from a €50-a-night guesthouse to a 5-star resort, to suit every budget and style.
A guesthouse in the heart of La Saline-les-Bains, a 5-minute walk from the beach, with great value, a personal welcome and a Creole garden.
Fully equipped flats 5 minutes from the Saint-Gilles marina, ideal for families who like their independence, with a kitchenette, air conditioning and secure parking.
A modern hotel in L'Hermitage, 200m from the lagoon, with a pool and bright rooms. The area's most popular mid-range option.
A beachfront hotel with direct access to the lagoon and a sea-facing pool, for anyone who wants to walk from their room to the water in two minutes.
A 5-star resort on the lagoon, with extensive tropical gardens, several pools and restaurants. The luxury option for a honeymoon or a special anniversary.
Agoda prices shown as of 18 October 2026 for 2 people, 1 night. Check availability and the cancellation policy directly on the partner listing.
La Saline-les-Bains and Le Maïdo are an hour and a half apart by road, but 2,200m apart in altitude. With a campervan, you can sleep near the viewpoint, get up early before the clouds roll in, then head back down to the lagoon the same day. Yescapa connects owners with travellers, with delivery to the airport.
Rent a Yescapa campervanLa Saline is also a great base for day trips further afield, from Eden Garden 5 minutes away by car to Le Maïdo an hour and a half away. The Car Jaune bus only gets you to La Saline with a change at Saint-Paul, so these outings are far easier with your own transport, whether a campervan or a car. If you're going for a car, check rental car prices and collect it at Roland-Garros airport, 45 minutes from the lagoon.
From beachfront snack bars to fine dining at the Akoya, three options worth knowing about so you don't waste time looking.
About ten snack bars line the main street of La Saline and L'Hermitage, serving chicken curry, fish curry, sausage rougail (a spicy tomato-based stew), samosas and smoked chicken sandwiches. Cheap, open for lunch and dinner, with a relaxed terrace vibe.
L'Hermitage market on Friday lunchtimes, with takeaway dishes from €8 to €14, and Saint-Paul's market on Friday and Saturday mornings, the island's largest and a must for fresh produce and spices.
For a special meal, Le Dôme at the Akoya (L'Hermitage) sources its produce from the Akoya farm. See also the guide to the best restaurants in Reunion Island for more west coast tables.
Article updated 18 October 2026.