Water sports in Reunion Island: Base Nautique de l'Ouest and the best west coast spots
The go-to centre for kayaking, wingfoiling, catamaran sailing and windsurfing in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, certified by the French sailing (FFV) and canoe-kayak (FFCK) federations. Full details of BNO's 5 activities, the 6 best water sports spots on the west coast, and 5 hotels to help you decide where to stay.
From €12 for kayaking€108 for wingfoiling5 disciplines at BNOAge 12 minimum
Quick facts
Base Nautique de l'Ouest at a glance
Main centre
BNO, Saint-Gilles (2 bis rue des Brisants)
Kayak rate
€12 for 1h, €20 for 2h
Wingfoil rate
€108 for a 2h lesson
Catamaran rate
€50 to rent, €120 for a private lesson
Minimum age
12 (13 for wingfoil)
Certifications
FFV school + FFCK school
Booking
Manawa or direct contact with BNO
Best season
April to November (dry season)
Base Nautique de l'Ouest (BNO) is the go-to association for technical water sports in Reunion Island, based in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains since 2009. This page covers everything it offers (kayak, wingfoil, catamaran, sailing, paddleboard), the 6 best spots along the west coast and 5 nearby hotels. For a detailed page on each activity, see the Reunion Island activity pages.
The go-to centre
Base Nautique de l'Ouest, an FFV and FFCK school since 2009
A non-profit association founded in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains in 2009, certified as a sailing school by the French Sailing Federation (FFV) and as a kayaking school by the French Canoe-Kayak Federation (FFCK). Instructors hold the Brevet d'État, the French state coaching qualification, and fair play, team spirit and respect for the environment are part of the way they teach.
Address: 2 bis rue des Brisants, 97434 Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, 50m from the beach. Most packages are bookable on Manawa, or call directly on 02 62 44 52 58 (from abroad: +262 262 44 52 58). Opening hours differ between term time and school holidays; kayak hire runs every day from 9am to 5pm.
5 water sports options: self-guided kayak hire, private wingfoil and catamaran lessons, catamaran hire, and windsurfing as a private or small-group lesson. Prices, duration, minimum age and what to expect from each.
Activity 1
Sea kayak rental
Price: €12 for 1h, €20 for 2hDuration: 1h to 2h30Age: From 12Level: All levels, independent paddling required
The cheapest option on offer. Single or double kayak, paddle and life jacket included, launching straight from Saint-Gilles beach. You get a briefing with a map of the lagoon before setting off, and the last departure is at 3.45pm. Green turtles and reef fish are a common sight from the kayak. Ideal for exploring the lagoon at your own pace, with no fixed schedule.
Worth remembering: €12/h, the cheapest way to explore the lagoon
Price: €108Duration: 2h (1h15 to 1h30 of practice)Age: From 13Level: Beginner to advanced
The fastest-growing water sport on the island: a hydrofoil board plus a hand-held inflatable wing, so you fly above the water. One-to-one coaching with a state-qualified instructor, equipment matched to your size and a safety boat. You learn fast (first flights within 2 to 3 sessions if you've already tried a board sport), and Saint-Gilles has some of the most reliable conditions in the world thanks to the steady trade wind.
Worth remembering: 1 instructor per student, first flights possible within 2-3 sessions
Price: €50Duration: 1h30 to 2h30Age: From 12Level: Independent catamaran sailing required
A Hobie Cat 15 or sport catamaran to hire by the hour if you already know how to sail. There's a quick skills check before you go, a marked sailing area to stay within, and a life jacket and trapeze harness provided. An open lagoon facing the ocean and a steady afternoon sea breeze make perfect conditions for an hour's sailing on your own. Book the day before in the dry season.
Worth remembering: The self-sail option for those who already know the ropes
Price: €120Duration: 2h30 (1h45 of sailing)Age: From 12Level: Beginner to advanced
For anyone who wants to learn to sail a sport catamaran. A briefing on land (sail trim, points of sail, basic manoeuvres), then out on the water with the instructor, sailing inside the protected lagoon. A run out to sea is possible depending on the weather and your level, always returning before the late-afternoon gusts. Ideal for a couple or a parent and child.
Worth remembering: 2h30 one-to-one with the instructor, a premium way to learn to sail
Price: Price and time slots on the dedicated pageDuration: 2h on averageAge: From 12Level: All levels, from beginner to advanced
The centre's original sport. Wide boards for beginners, lightweight sails from 2.5m² and a training zone kept clear of fishing boats and the jet-ski lane. Instructors hold the Brevet d'État (the French state coaching qualification), with private or small-group lessons on booking. You progress quickly, sailing downwind within 2 to 3 sessions, before moving on to funboard skills outside the lagoon.
Worth remembering: An FFV-certified sailing school, so all instructors are state-qualified
Other water sports centres and spots on the west coast
Beyond BNO, the west coast is home to the island's best water sports spots: a protected lagoon, a busy marina, and beaches for surfing and paddleboarding. Here are 6 top spots between Boucan Canot and Saint-Leu.
Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
Base Nautique de l'Ouest (BNO)
Main activities: Kayak, wingfoil, catamaran, windsurfing
The go-to centre for technical water sports on the west coast. A non-profit association founded in 2009, with an FFV-certified sailing school and an FFCK-certified kayak school. 5 activities on offer, all taught by Brevet d'État-qualified instructors. Address: 2 bis rue des Brisants, 50m from the beach. Most packages are bookable on Manawa.
Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
Saint-Gilles marina
Main activities: Diving, big game fishing, catamaran cruises, whale watching, boat rental
The west coast's maritime hub and the starting point for almost every boat trip: big game fishing out beyond the reef, try-dives with local clubs and sunset catamaran cruises. Whale season runs from June to October, with watching trips that follow the Quiétude charter for responsible whale watching.
Main activities: Clear-bottom kayak, paddleboard, snorkelling
The calmest stretch of the west coast lagoon, with a shallow sandy bottom (1 to 2m), ideal for a first time on the water. A clear-bottom kayak lets you watch corals and reef fish without a mask or snorkel, a good option with kids. Stand-up paddleboards can be hired on the beach. No current and no swell inside the lagoon, so it suits everyone.
Main activities: Paddleboard, kayak, swimming, snorkelling
The island's widest lagoon (200 to 600m), with a beach shaded by filao (casuarina) trees. A top spot for family snorkelling, with a paddleboard school in season and morning outings on flat water before the sea breeze picks up. Towed rings and banana boat rides run from the southern lifeguard post, popular with teens and families. The easiest place for anyone to start.
Main activities: Surfing, outrigger canoeing, supervised swimming
The most iconic black-sand beach on the west coast, with decent waves in the southern swell season and a surf school right by the car park. Outrigger canoeing (va'a) is open to everyone from Saint-Gilles, an unusual way to ride the swell in a traditional Polynesian canoe. Swimming is strictly limited to the lifeguarded zone (with a shark net).
Main activities: Diving, surfing, paragliding over the sea
25 minutes south of Saint-Gilles, two major spots if you want to venture further. Saint-Leu has the most legendary wave in the Indian Ocean, plus superb diving in the bay (a drop-off down to 50m). Étang-Salé has a marine reserve, diving in 3-25m of water and surfing suited to intermediates. The 25km drive is easy enough for a day hopping between spots.
Getting ready for a water sports session on the west coast
Six things to know before a water sports session in Saint-Gilles or the lagoon: level, season, gear, safety, booking and combining activities.
Level required to get started
None for kayaking, beginner windsurfing or paddleboarding. You'll be asked everywhere whether you can swim 25m; the certificate is rarely checked, but you really do need to be able to. Wingfoiling and sport catamaran sailing call for some balance and quick reactions, but are still accessible from your very first taster session. Children aged 12 and over can take BNO lessons (13 for wingfoil).
Season and wind
Dry season from April to November: a steady 12-20 knot trade wind in the afternoon, perfect for windsurfing and wingfoiling. Calm mornings from September to April, ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding. The southern summer (December to March) brings less consistent wind, a cyclone risk, and hotter, more humid weather. Whale season runs from June to October, a bonus if you're out on a catamaran or kayak.
Personal gear
Swimwear, a UV-protective T-shirt or rash vest, a cap or bandana, neoprene boots (useful, as coral can cut) and reef-safe sun cream. Sunglasses on a strap, and a waterproof watch if you have one. All technical equipment (sail, board, life jacket, paddle, kayak, catamaran) is provided by the centre. Bring a towel and dry clothes for afterwards.
Safety in the lagoon
The west coast lagoon is protected by the coral reef, with no shark risk inside the marked zone. Outside the lagoon (beyond the reef pass) is a risk zone: swimming is banned, and water sports are only allowed when supervised or with a buoy and safety boat. Don't jump off the kayak outside the marked zones, and watch out for currents near the passes.
Booking and weather
Book 1 to 2 days ahead in low season and 1 week ahead in high season (school holidays, July-August for mainland France, December-January). If the weather turns (persistent rain, strong wind, cyclone alert), the centre reschedules the session and offers a refund or a credit valid for 1 year. Check the opening hours, which differ between term time and school holidays.
Combining several activities
A good plan for a week's stay: 1 kayak session (exploring the lagoon on your own), 1 lesson (wingfoil or catamaran) and 1 boat trip (whales in season, otherwise a sunset cruise). Over 3 or 4 half-days, you can try the full range of west coast water sports for around €250-300 per person.
Where to stay on the west coast
5 hotels near Base Nautique de l'Ouest
From a family-friendly 3-star hotel to a 5-star resort right on the lagoon. 5 hotels on Agoda from €104 to €267 a night, all rated 8/10 or above by 86 to 353 guests.
Saint-Gilles-les-Bains8/10 (135 reviews)
Le Grand Bleu Hotel
3 stars · breakfast included
A 3-star hotel a 5-minute walk from Roches Noires beach and 10 minutes from Base Nautique de l'Ouest. Good value for the west coast, a friendly family-run welcome and a simple bed-and-breakfast deal. The right fit if you spend most of the day on the water and just need somewhere to sleep.
A 3-star aparthotel a 10-minute walk from the beach and Base Nautique de l'Ouest. Studios and 1-bedroom apartments with a kitchenette, ideal for a week-long wingfoil or windsurfing course. An outdoor pool, parking and flexible check-in to fit around your session.
A 4-star hotel right on the L'Hermitage lagoon, the widest stretch on the west coast. A private beach, free paddleboards, snorkelling straight off the jetty and a restaurant on the sand. The obvious choice for a lagoon-focused stay with no logistics to worry about.
A 4-star hotel facing Boucan Canot bay, a 10-minute drive from Base Nautique de l'Ouest. An infinity pool, a fine-dining restaurant and a lifeguarded black-sand beach 50m away. The premium choice for a morning surf at Boucan followed by an afternoon on the water in Saint-Gilles.
A 5-star resort right on the L'Hermitage lagoon, the island's largest beachfront estate. 3 pools, a spa, 4 restaurants and an in-house dive school. The west coast's benchmark for luxury, rated 8.4/10 from 353 Agoda reviews, ideal if you want water sports with high-end comfort.
To see the coral reef, the passes and the west coast water sports spots in one go, a helicopter tour from Port l'Ermitage sweeps over the whole lagoon from Boucan to Saint-Leu before climbing towards Mafate or the volcano. A one-of-a-kind view of the lagoon's colours.
Wind in Saint-Gilles, swell in Boucan, diving in Saint-Leu: a campervan lets you move from one spot to the next depending on the conditions and sleep as close as possible to tomorrow's launch point. Yescapa connects local owners with travellers, with vehicles ranging from kitted-out vans to classic camper conversions.
Where is Base Nautique de l'Ouest (BNO) in Reunion Island?
2 bis rue des Brisants in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, 50m from the beach. Contact: 02 62 44 52 58 (from abroad +262 262 44 52 58) or bno.reunion@gmail.com. Most packages are bookable on Manawa. Term-time hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 9am-12pm and 2pm-5pm. School holidays: Monday to Friday, 9am-12pm and 2pm-5pm. Kayak rental is open every day, 9am-5pm.
What water sports can you do in Reunion Island?
Sea kayaking and clear-bottom kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, wingfoiling, sport catamaran sailing, keelboat sailing, outrigger canoeing, towed ring rides, surfing, scuba diving, snorkelling, big game fishing, and whale and dolphin watching. Most of it happens on the west coast between Boucan Canot and Saint-Leu, where the protected lagoon offers ideal conditions.
How much do water sports cost in Saint-Gilles?
Typical west coast prices: kayak hire €12/h at BNO, paddleboard €15-20/h, a snorkelling trip €35-50, a try-dive €75-90, a half-day catamaran cruise €60-80, whale and dolphin watching €60, big game fishing €120-180 per trip. For private lessons in the technical sports: wingfoil €108, catamaran €120, windsurfing depending on the time slot.
What's the minimum age for these activities?
12 at Base Nautique de l'Ouest for kayaking, catamaran sailing and windsurfing. 13 for wingfoiling. 8 for paddleboarding, clear-bottom kayaking, outrigger canoeing and guided lagoon snorkelling. 10 for a try-dive. Children need to be able to swim 25m and feel comfortable in the water.
What's the best season for water sports in Reunion Island?
Dry season from April to November, with a steady 12-20 knot trade wind in the afternoon. Ideal conditions for windsurfing, wingfoiling and sport sailing. For kayaking and paddleboarding, calm mornings from October to March are the most comfortable. Whale season runs June to October. Cyclone season (December-March) is still workable, but with a higher chance of weather delays.
Do you need to know how to swim for wingfoiling or windsurfing?
Yes, being able to swim 25m unassisted is required everywhere. The life jacket keeps you afloat if you fall, but you still need to be confident in the water. As long as you can swim, BNO accepts every level, from complete beginners to experienced riders looking to improve. A quick check at the start of the session helps match you to the right equipment.
Does Base Nautique de l'Ouest take groups?
Yes, group packages are available for schools, corporate events, and hen or stag parties. Activities open to groups: kayaking, catamaran sailing, windsurfing and paddleboarding. Book at least 3 weeks ahead by emailing bno.reunion@gmail.com; you'll get a tailored quote based on group size and level. The centre is certified as an FFV sailing school and an FFCK kayak school, with instruction led by Brevet d'État-qualified coaches.
Can you sail independently in Saint-Gilles?
Yes, the centre hires out sport catamarans (Hobie Cat 15-type) by the hour to anyone who already knows how to sail. There's a quick skills check before you go, a life jacket and trapeze harness are provided, and you stay within a marked sailing area. Price: €50 for 1h30 to 2h30. To hire a keelboat or a motorboat, try the rental companies at the marina, which offer day or half-day packages.
What's the difference between Base Nautique de l'Ouest and Base Nautique des Mascareignes?
Two separate organisations on the west coast. Base Nautique de l'Ouest (BNO) in Saint-Gilles is a non-profit founded in 2009, an FFV and FFCK school, focused on kayaking, catamaran sailing, windsurfing and wingfoiling. Base Nautique des Mascareignes focuses more on school groups and general leisure activities, and occasionally operates on the same beaches. Most visitors book BNO through Manawa.
Where should you stay for water sports on the west coast?
Saint-Gilles-les-Bains to be right next to the centre, L'Hermitage-les-Bains for the widest lagoon, La Saline-les-Bains for Trou d'Eau and Boucan Canot for the black-sand bay. The five Agoda hotels recommended above cost €104 to €267 a night. For a longer water sports course, the aparthotel (Tropic Appart'Hotel) is still the most affordable option.
How do you book an activity at Base Nautique de l'Ouest?
Three ways: on Manawa (the most popular, with online payment and live availability), by phone on 02 62 44 52 58, or by email at bno.reunion@gmail.com. Book 1 to 2 days ahead in low season and 1 week ahead in high season. If the weather turns, the centre reschedules the session with a full refund or a credit valid for 1 year.
Is there a shark risk on Reunion Island's west coast?
Not inside the lagoon: the coral reef protects the marked zone. No incident has ever been recorded inside the west coast lagoon. Outside the lagoon (beyond the reef pass), swimming and unsupervised water sports have been banned since 2013; water sports remain allowed in supervised zones or with a safety boat. At Boucan Canot, swimming is strictly limited to the zone protected by an anti-shark net.
