Updated September 2026

Reunion Island waterfalls and swimming holes: 12 best spots

From waterfalls in the wild south to basalt pools in the east, here are the best spots to cool off in fresh water and sea water alike. Access level, swimming status and safety advice for each site.

12spotsFreeevery one5 regionswest, south, east, north, centreMay-Novemberbest season

Reunion Island has a 220 km coastline, yet few places to swim in the sea (sharks, swell). What it does have, in abundance, are dozens of waterfalls and natural pools where you can safely cool off: fresh water in the cirques and the south, and sea water behind rocky barriers in the southern coastal pools.

Here are the 12 best spots, sorted by region and type, with the swimming status (allowed, tolerated, banned) and access details for each. Checking the rainfall bulletin from the last 48 hours is essential before every trip.

Before you go

Safety: the non-negotiable rules

Recent rain: check the rainfall from the previous 24-48 hours. Water levels can rise suddenly in ravines.
Municipal and prefectural orders: respect site closures, as some well-known spots are officially off-limits (e.g. Bassin des Aigrettes).
Rock jumping: check the actual depth on every visit, as the rocks and pool floor shift after every flood.
Go with a pro: for technical sites (canyoning, water hiking), book with a certified operator.

At a glance

The 12 spots at a glance

1
Bassin des Aigrettes (Saint-Gilles waterfalls)
Saint-Gilles · Waterfall
West
2
Cascade Jacqueline and the Langevin pools
Langevin, Saint-Joseph · Waterfall
Wild south
3
Voile de la Mariée at Grand-Bassin
Grand-Bassin · Waterfall
Centre
4
Grand-Galet waterfall
Langevin · Waterfall
Wild south
5
Bassin Bœuf
Sainte-Suzanne · Waterfall
North
6
Bassin la Paix
Saint-Benoît · Waterfall
East
7
Pointe au Sel
Saint-Leu · Pool
West
8
Bassin Bleu
Sainte-Anne · Pool
East
9
Bassin 18 (formerly Bassin Huîtres)
Grand-Bois, Saint-Pierre · Pool
South
10
Manapany-les-Bains
Saint-Joseph · Pool
South
11
Grande-Anse
Petite-Île · Pool
South
12
Bras de la Plaine
Between Saint-Pierre and Plaine-des-Cafres · Pool
South

The details

The 12 waterfalls and pools in detail

Bassin des Aigrettes in Saint-Gilles, a tropical waterfall on Reunion Island

01WestSite closed

Bassin des Aigrettes (Saint-Gilles waterfalls)

Saint-Gilles · Waterfall

Three connected pools beneath a large waterfall: Bassin des Aigrettes (the main one, right under the falls), Bassin des Cormorans (a smaller waterfall), and Bassin Malheur (fed by a spring). The setting is lush and tropical, the water a deep green. The site is officially closed by prefectural order due to rockfall risk, but remains very popular.

Access: 20-minute walk from the car park
Level: Easy
Swimming: Officially banned

Tip

If you go, it is at your own risk: the prefectural order is explicit. For photos, stay on the viewpoint along the marked trail.

Cascade Jacqueline at Langevin in the wild south of Reunion Island

02Wild southFamily

Cascade Jacqueline and the Langevin pools

Langevin, Saint-Joseph · Waterfall

A trail along the Bichique canal that passes several small pools before reaching the main waterfall. Cascade Jacqueline drops around 30 m into a pool that's perfect for a swim. A very accessible site, ideal for a family picnic stop. You can carry on to Pointe de Langevin on the southern coast.

Access: 15-minute walk from the harbour
Level: Easy
Swimming: Family

Tip

Arrive early in the morning (before 10am) to avoid the weekend crowds. Free parking at Langevin harbour, a 5-minute walk away.

03Centre

Voile de la Mariée at Grand-Bassin

Grand-Bassin · Waterfall

A waterfall over 100 m high that falls in a veil into a deep pool, reachable only on foot via a steep 800 m descent from the Bois-Court viewpoint. The way back follows the same trail in reverse, meaning 800 m of climbing. Only for fit hikers, and best done early in the morning.

Access: 6-hour return hike from Bois-Court
Level: Challenging
Swimming: Allowed

Tip

An alternative for non-hikers: a helicopter flight from Pierrefonds, which passes right over the site and over the isolated village of Grand-Bassin.

04Wild southMost photogenic

Grand-Galet waterfall

Langevin · Waterfall

Probably the most photogenic spot in the wild south: countless threads of water trickle down a basalt wall covered in moss and ferns into a clear pool below. The viewpoint is a 5-minute walk from the car park. The descent to the pool requires some care (slippery rocks) but is manageable without gear.

Access: 5 min to the viewpoint, a more technical descent to the pool
Level: Easy
Swimming: Tolerated

Tip

Professional operators also run water hikes and canyoning trips on the Langevin river if you want to extend the experience.

Book a water hike in Langevin

05North

Bassin Bœuf

Sainte-Suzanne · Waterfall

A series of tiered waterfalls and pools set in dense vegetation in the north of the island. The main pool at the foot of the waterfall is wide and deep, ideal for swimming. Several more pools further upstream can be reached by following the watercourse. Busy at weekends, much quieter on weekdays.

Access: 15 min over rocky terrain or a hillside trail
Level: Easy
Swimming: Allowed

Tip

The site also doubles as a beginner-level canyoning spot, with operators running trips by booking.

06East

Bassin la Paix

Saint-Benoît · Waterfall

A wide pool at the foot of a waterfall that drops over a curtain of basalt columns formed as the lava cooled. A striking setting, with water that's often cool (around 18-20°C). The marked trail descends via 180 steps fitted with handrails, and you return the same way.

Access: 1-hour walk, 180 concrete steps with handrails
Level: Moderate
Swimming: Allowed

Tip

These basalt columns are among the finest on the island. A great alternative to the closed Saint-Gilles waterfalls if you want a similar setting that's actually open.

Canyoning on the Rivière des Roches

07West

Pointe au Sel

Saint-Leu · Pool

A natural cave pool on the rocky coastline, mixing sea water and fresh spring water, surrounded by basalt formations carved by the waves. The water is clear when the sea is calm. Spectacular, but dangerous in a swell, when waves can wash over the rocks.

Access: 5-minute walk from the car park
Level: Easy
Swimming: Tolerated

Tip

Check the marine weather forecast (SHOM app, Météo France) before heading out. Wild camping is tolerated on the adjacent beach, worth knowing if you're planning to stay the night.

Pointe au Sel bivouac spot

08EastVery easy access

Bassin Bleu

Sainte-Anne · Pool

Some of the clearest water on the island, and no effort at all to reach from the car park. Picnic areas, mobile snack stalls at weekends, shallow zones well suited to children. Very busy at weekends and during school holidays, much quieter on weekdays.

Access: 2 min from the car park
Level: Easy
Swimming: Family

Tip

Camping Bois Joli Cœur is nearby, handy if you're extending your stay over the weekend on the east coast.

Bassin Bleu Sainte-Anne spot guide

Bassin 18 in Grand-Bois, a sea pool between two cliffs in the south of Reunion Island

09South

Bassin 18 (formerly Bassin Huîtres)

Grand-Bois, Saint-Pierre · Pool

A sea pool tucked between two cliffs, separated from the ocean by a rocky barrier that filters the waves. Salt water, but very calm at mid-tide. Rock jumping is possible (check the depth before jumping). From June to October, humpback whales can sometimes be seen from the edge.

Access: 5-minute walk
Level: Easy
Swimming: Allowed

Tip

Don't confuse this with the freshwater sites: this is sea water, not a river pool. A great add-on to a beach day.

10SouthFamily

Manapany-les-Bains

Saint-Joseph · Pool

A natural sea pool carved into old lava flows, its water refreshed by every tide. Several pools of different sizes, some very shallow and well suited to young children. Home to the Manapany green gecko, a protected endemic species to spot in the surrounding casuarina trees.

Access: At the edge of the village, no walking required
Level: Easy
Swimming: Family

Tip

Direct access from the village, easy parking. Wild camping is tolerated on the adjacent Ti'Sable beach, for anyone staying a second day.

Ti'Sable bivouac spot

11South

Grande-Anse

Petite-Île · Pool

A large natural pool sheltered from the ocean by a rocky barrier, shallow enough to suit families with young children. An adjacent black-sand beach, huge picnic areas beneath the coconut trees, and a children's playground. An iconic spot in the south, very popular with locals at weekends.

Access: No walking required
Level: Easy
Swimming: Family

Tip

Go on a weekday for peace and quiet. On weekends, arrive before 9am or after 4pm to find some shade.

12South

Bras de la Plaine

Between Saint-Pierre and Plaine-des-Cafres · Pool

A series of pools set in a basalt gorge, with striking geological formations (columnar basalt, caves) and clear water. The trail descends via natural steps and stream crossings. Less crowded than the classic spots, which makes it one of the most authentic.

Access: 30-minute walk from the start of the Dassy trail
Level: Moderate
Swimming: Allowed

Tip

Worth combining with the Bras de la Plaine bridge jump if you're after a thrill: it's one of the highest jumps in France.

Bras de la Plaine swing jump

For the unreachable waterfalls

Voile de la Mariée and Trou de Fer from the sky

Some waterfalls can only be reached by helicopter or a serious hike (Voile de la Mariée at Grand-Bassin, the Trou de Fer waterfall). A helicopter flight shows them off in a matter of minutes.

See helicopter rates

Frequently asked questions

Waterfalls and pools, in practice

Can you swim everywhere at the waterfalls on Reunion Island?

No. Several well-known sites are closed by prefectural order due to risk (notably the Saint-Gilles waterfalls, closed for rockfall). Authorities strongly recommend respecting these closures. At open sites, check the rainfall from the preceding days: a sudden rise in water level can turn a peaceful pool into a deadly trap within minutes.

What are the best swimming holes for children?

Cascade Jacqueline (Langevin), Bassin Bleu (Sainte-Anne), Manapany-les-Bains and Grande-Anse are the best suited to families: a short or non-existent walk, shallow water, and a reassuring family-friendly crowd. With young children, avoid Voile de la Mariée (too long a walk) and Bras de la Plaine (a technical approach).

What is the best swimming hole in the east of Reunion Island?

Bassin la Paix in Saint-Benoît, for its exceptional setting (a waterfall over basalt columns) and its access trail fitted with concrete steps and handrails. Beautiful year-round, even more striking after rain when the flow is stronger. Bassin Bleu in Sainte-Anne remains the more family-friendly option.

What is the best swimming hole in the west of Reunion Island?

Pointe au Sel for its spectacular setting (a cave pool mixing sea and fresh water), provided the sea is calm. For family swimming, the Ermitage and Trou d'Eau lagoon remains unbeatable, but these are beaches, not pools.

Do you have to pay to access the waterfalls?

No, access to the island's waterfalls and pools is free (almost all of them sit on public land). Only parking may be charged near some sites in high season. Reunion Island National Park is freely accessible.

What season is best for visiting the waterfalls on Reunion Island?

May to November (dry season): trails are in good condition, water is clear, and flood risk is at its lowest. December to April is cyclone season, with heavier flows (spectacular but dangerous): best avoided unless you go with a guide. Always check the forecast the day before and the morning of your trip.

What should you do in a storm or heavy rain?

Turn back immediately. Pools and gorges can see sudden, violent rises in water level (flash floods) that make climbing back out impossible. Several fatal accidents happen on the island every year. Check the rainfall over the previous 24-48 hours and the forecast ahead. If in doubt, put it off for another day.

Go further

Keep reading

→ 12 easy hikes with children: combine a walk with a swim.
→ 12 unusual activities: canyoning, water hiking, paragliding.
→ Helicopter flight: see the unreachable waterfalls from the sky.
→ More guides to Reunion Island.

Article updated 25 September 2026.