A French island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, just 2,512 km² yet packed with three cirques, two summits over 2,500 m, an active volcano and 25 km of protected lagoon. No wonder it's nicknamed the “intense island”. This guide sorts its 5 zones, towns and must-see places by type of trip and how long you have.
Reunion Island measures 70 km at its widest. In 4 hours of non-stop driving, you can go right around it via the coastal road and the Route des Tamarins. But this is an island to take slowly, stopping along the way: mountains, volcano, lagoon, Wild South, lush east. Every zone deserves its own time.
The pillars of a first trip to Reunion Island. Three cirques, two summits, the west coast lagoon, Le Maïdo, Saint-Denis. For each one, the essentials to remember and a link to the detailed guide.
The cirque with no road, reachable only on foot or by helicopter. Seven inhabited îlets (hamlets), more than 140 km of marked trails. The island's most iconic hiking ground, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
A thermal cirque you climb into, reached via the famous 420 bends from Saint-Louis. A mountain village at 1,200 m, thermal baths, AOP wines and lentils, via ferrata, Fleur Jaune canyoning, a 2-day ascent of Piton des Neiges.
The greenest and wettest of the three cirques. The Creole village of Hell-Bourg, one of the officially listed 'Most Beautiful Villages of France', waterfalls galore (Voile de la Mariée), primary forests, the scenic road to Mares à Voile.
One of the most active volcanoes on the planet, its summit reaching 2,632 m. Access via the Route du Volcan forest road to Pas de Bellecombe (2,311 m), then a 5-hour round trip hike to the Dolomieu crater. A lunar landscape on the Plaine des Sables approach.
The roof of the Indian Ocean at 3,070 m. The classic 2-day ascent with a night at the Caverne Dufour hut, sunrise at the summit. Three access routes: Cilaos (the most direct), Bourg-Murat (Plaine des Cafres) or Hell-Bourg. A real commitment, but achievable for regular hikers.
The Reunion Island postcard: 25 km of lagoon protected by the coral reef, from l'Hermitage to Saint-Leu. Saint-Gilles-les-Bains is the main seaside resort (marina, beaches, nightlife). Snorkelling, paddleboarding, clear kayaking, turtle watching, premium diving at Saint-Leu.
An iconic viewpoint at 2,200 m overlooking the Mafate cirque. Reachable by car via the forest road from Saint-Paul. A legendary sunrise over a sea of clouds, the starting point for the Grand Bénare hike, horse rides through the cryptomeria forest.
The island's administrative and cultural capital, population 150,000. Preserved colonial heritage (the cathedral, the Jardin de l'État, the former prefecture building), the Petit Bazar market, the Noor-e-Islam mosque, the Kalikambal Tamil temple. The logical first stop for anyone landing at Roland Garros airport.
The seaside west coast and its lagoon, the volcanic Wild South, the lush and humid east, the north with the capital, and the Hauts (the mountainous interior) with the cirques and the volcano. Each zone has its own climate, culture, specialities and highlights. Getting to grips with this layout is the first step to planning a trip that flows.
Seven days lets you cover three zones, ten days four, fourteen days the whole island. Here's the detail on each zone, with its towns, climate, specialities and signature sights.
25 km of lagoon protected by the coral reef, from Boucan Canot to Saint-Leu. The island's driest climate, clear skies year-round, guaranteed sunshine. This is the main tourist hub, with seaside resorts, marinas and most of the hotels.
A town of history and markets. The Friday and Saturday morning street market is one of the largest in the Indian Ocean. Sitarane's grave, the seafront cemetery, and the road to Mafate starts from here.
The island's main seaside resort. A marina, Roches Noires and Boucan Canot beaches, a lively nightlife scene, the west coast's water sports hub. The departure point for whale-watching trips, diving and catamaran cruises.
The widest, most peaceful beach on the west coast lagoon, separated from Saint-Gilles by the Hermitage bay. Trou d'Eau, crystal-clear water, clear kayaking, paddleboard schools, a family atmosphere away from the bustle.
The paragliding capital, with the coast just above, a premium diving club, and a lively Monday street market. The legendary Spot de Saint-Leu surf break for experienced surfers, beaches that are rockier than up north.
A volcanic black sand beach, a state-owned casuarina forest, a sinkhole, tree-top adventure courses. A different vibe from the classic lagoon, wilder and more natural. The natural corridor between the west coast and the Wild South.
The other Reunion Island, more authentic and unspoilt. Spectacular 2004 and 2007 lava flows, black sand beaches, the Grand Galet waterfall at Langevin, Saint-Philippe vanilla, the Anse des Cascades. A wetter climate than the west, contrasting landscapes.
The island's second town, a sub-prefecture, a lively Creole atmosphere. A bustling seafront, a Saturday morning street market, nightlife, theatres and culture. A practical base for exploring the volcano and the Wild South.
The great Wild South. Cap Méchant with its raging ocean against black lava, the Langevin river with its succession of waterfalls, Manapany-les-Bains, the Wild South road running alongside the lava flows. A playground for lovers of raw nature.
The gateway to the volcano. Le Tampon in town, Plaine des Cafres at altitude (1,600 m), Bourg-Murat as the volcano hub. A cool climate, pastures, geraniums, strawberries and tomatoes under cultivation. The starting point for Piton de la Fournaise and Piton des Neiges hikes via Bloc.
A steep-sided valley in the south, a succession of waterfalls including the Grand Galet (the iconic jump spot), freshwater swimming pools at 22-24°C. Langevin canyoning, a scenic road along the river, a rainforest atmosphere.
Reunion Island at its most lush, humid and abundant. Exotic fruit orchards, vanilla farms, rivers and waterfalls, the Bébour-Bélouve primary forest, the Anse des Cascades. The island's most humid climate, green landscapes year-round, and little tourist traffic.
The capital of the east, a fishing port, a water sports hub. Grand-Étang and its Bras d'Annette waterfalls, the Rivière des Marsouins for rafting, a horse-riding farm, the Sainte-Anne vanilla farms. Authentic Creole cooking at the market.
The Niagara waterfall, Bassin Bœuf (swimming and horse rides), the Délices waterfall, a former rum distillery. A municipality with authentic charm, low on tourists but rich in natural and industrial heritage.
The island's Tamil capital, the Kalikambal temple at Saint-André, the Rivière du Mât distillery, a Sunday morning market. A strong Indian cultural atmosphere, Creole-Indian cuisine, spiced goat curry as a speciality.
A mountain village (1,100 m) between the east and the highlands. The gateway to the Bébour-Bélouve primary forest, the Biberon waterfall, the Trou de Fer hike. A cool, humid climate, frequent mist, a lush mountain atmosphere.
Every traveller's arrival point on the island. Roland Garros airport in Sainte-Marie, the capital Saint-Denis with its colonial heritage, markets and monuments. The logical starting point for a stay, a practical base for the first few days.
The administrative and cultural capital. Saint-Denis Cathedral, the Jardin de l'État, the former prefecture building, the Noor-e-Islam mosque, the Kalikambal temple, the Petit Bazar. Preserved colonial heritage, the island's densest urban atmosphere.
The wild heart of Reunion Island, a playground for hikers and lovers of spectacular scenery. Three cirques, vast amphitheatres left by collapsed volcanic peaks (Mafate, Cilaos, Salazie), two iconic summits (Piton des Neiges, Piton de la Fournaise), 900 km of trails, a sea of clouds at sunrise.
The cirque with no road. Seven inhabited hamlets (La Nouvelle, Marla, Roche Plate, Aurère, Grand Place, Cayenne, Îlet à Malheur), reachable only on foot or by helicopter. 140 km of trails, stays with locals, a timeless atmosphere.
A mountain village (1,200 m) reached via the famous 420 bends. Historic thermal baths, AOP wines and lentils, via ferrata, Fleur Jaune canyoning, the ascent of Piton des Neiges. The most touristy of the three cirques.
The greenest and wettest. Hell-Bourg, one of the officially listed 'Most Beautiful Villages of France', the Voile de la Mariée waterfall, primary forests, the road to Mares à Voile. An authentic atmosphere far from mass tourism, with rural gîtes and table d'hôte (home-cooked set meals).
3,070 m, the highest summit in the Indian Ocean. The classic 2-day ascent with a night at the Caverne Dufour hut, sunrise at the summit facing a sea of clouds. Three routes: Cilaos (the most direct), Plaine des Cafres (Bloc), Hell-Bourg.
A viewpoint at 2,200 m overlooking Mafate. Reachable by car via the forest road, a legendary sunrise, the starting point for the Grand Bénare hike (3 hours one way). Cryptomeria forest, horse rides, exceptional paragliding for experienced pilots.
Piton de la Fournaise, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, is at the very heart of the island's identity. You reach it via the Route du Volcan forest road from Bourg-Murat, across the lunar landscape of the Plaine des Sables, then walk on recent lava flows along the Pas de Bellecombe to Dolomieu trail.
An active volcano, its summit reaching 2,632 m. The classic trail from Pas de Bellecombe (2,311 m) drops into the Enclos Fouqué, circles the Formica Leo (a small, symbolic red cone) and allows you to approach the Dolomieu crater in a 5-hour round trip.
The volcano's antechamber, a desert-like lunar landscape between 2,100 and 2,300 m altitude. A bumpy 5 km track crossing a former crater lake, a unique mineral panorama before reaching Pas de Bellecombe. An iconic photo stop on the island.
Six travel profiles, six typical itineraries. First visit, family, hiker, couple, tight budget, outside cyclone season. For each one: the ideal duration and the must-dos to tick off.
If it's your first time, the priority is covering the three highlights that define the island's identity: the west coast lagoon for postcard relaxation, a cirque for a nature immersion (Cilaos is the most accessible first-timer's choice), the volcano for the signature experience. 7 days minimum.
Centre the trip on the west coast lagoon and supervised activities from age 6-8. La Saline and l'Hermitage for the lagoon, clear kayaking, snorkelling, turtle watching, tree-top adventure at l'Étang-Salé. A half-day volcano excursion by road, without a committing hike.
This is where the island really comes into its own for walkers. A 2-day ascent of Piton des Neiges, a 3-4 day crossing of Mafate, the full Piton de la Fournaise trail via the Plaine des Sables, the Trou de Fer hike from Bélouve. 10 days minimum to cover the big ones.
Boutique accommodation, spectacular settings, exclusive experiences. A seafront hotel at Boucan or Saint-Leu, a boutique gîte at Hell-Bourg, sunrise at Le Maïdo, a sunset horse ride, a private catamaran cruise, a helicopter flight over Mafate and the volcano.
Gîtes from €25-40 a night in the cirques, wild camping tolerated in the Hauts, public transport (Car Jaune buses), Creole restaurants at €12-15 for lunch. Seven days split between a rural gîte and a Saint-Denis hostel, a self-guided Mafate hike, and hitchhiking is widely accepted.
May to November is the ideal window for the Hauts and hiking. Lagoon water at 24-25°C, stable trails, clear panoramas, few showers. September-October often bring the best prices before the December high season.
Four options for exploring the island. The car remains the standard; the van offers maximum freedom; the helicopter opens up unique views; a private driver frees you from driving.
The simplest way to get around. Budget €25-45 a day depending on season, agencies at the airport or in the main towns. A compact car is enough even for the cirques (Cilaos's 420 bends are manageable). Roads are in good condition.
Car rental guideThe most immersive way to explore the island at your own pace. A van, plus wild camping allowed in certain areas of the Hauts, is a major logistical advantage. Yescapa has a solid catalogue, with 30 vans available at any one time in Reunion Island.
Yescapa reviewThe island's signature aerial experience. Fly over Mafate, Piton de la Fournaise and the lagoon in 30-60 min. Several operators depart from Le Port, Saint-Pierre or Pierrefonds. Prices €190-320 depending on duration.
Helicopter, prices and reviewsFor those who'd rather not drive or prefer a personalised service. Airport transfers, guided excursions, events. The site's local partner MLJ Concept covers the whole island, on booking.
MLJ Concept private driverSuggested durations and travel times for the key zones. Driving times exclude photo stops and detours, so adjust them to your own pace and the season.
| Zone | Minimum | Ideal | From Saint-Denis |
|---|---|---|---|
| West coast and lagoon | 1 day | 2 to 4 days | 30-60 min |
| Wild South | 1 day | 2 to 3 days | 1 hr 30 |
| Lush East | 1 day | 2 to 3 days | 1 hr |
| Cirques (a single one) | 1 day | 2 to 3 days | 1 hr 30 to 2 hr |
| Mafate, hiking | 2 days | 3 to 5 days | 2 hr to the trailhead |
| Piton de la Fournaise | 1 day | 1 to 2 days | 2 hr 30 |
| Piton des Neiges | 2 days | 2 days, no less | 2 hr to Cilaos |
The only way to see Mafate, Piton de la Fournaise and the lagoon within the same hour. Prices €190-320 depending on the package. Book it early in the trip to get the lie of the land before planning the rest, or at the end to piece together everything you've seen on the ground.
Article published on 24 September 2026.