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Tents lined up under the cryptomeria trees at the La Nouvelle campsite, Mafate cirque
11 campsites checked and reviewed

Camping in Reunion Island: 11 campsites, from the seaside to Mafate

Camping in Reunion Island means sleeping under Mafate's cryptomeria trees, by the lagoon in Saint-Gilles, on a farm in Salazie or at an eco-campsite deep in the countryside at Sainte-Anne. Here are the island's 11 main campsites, checked and sorted by area, with prices, facilities and contacts.

11campsites€5lowest rate (Mafate)5areas of the island3with a Creole table d'hôtes

Dreaming of a Reunion Island holiday close to nature? Camping puts the island within reach of any budget and gets you right into its most iconic landscapes. Sous Les Étoiles 974has checked all 11 of the island's main campsites to bring you an up-to-date guide: prices, contacts, facilities, access and quirks.

This page groups the campsites by area. For free wild camping spots (sites set up by local councils or the national park), see my bivouac section with its 31 listed spots. If you'd like a bit more comfort, a campervan is the most flexible way to combine several stops.

At a glance

Camping in Reunion Island: the essentials

Lowest price
From €5/person (Mafate)
3-star campsite
1 (Ermitage Lagon)
Creole home cooking
8 out of 11 campsites
Mafate campsites
6 (on foot only)
Best season
May to October (southern winter)
Booking
Phone or Booking.com
Vans and motorhomes
Welcome (Le Relax, Ermitage)
Accessibility
Several adapted campsites
Mafate

Mafate campsites (6)

The cirque with no road access, reachable only on foot or by helicopter. Six authentic campsites run by Mafate locals. From €5 per person.

Cryptoméria Campsite, La Nouvelle, Mafate CirqueFrom €5/person

Cryptoméria Campsite, La Nouvelle, Mafate Cirque

Cryptoméria, La Nouvelle

See the campsite
La Bonne Terre, Îlet Aurère, Mafate CirqueFrom €5/person

La Bonne Terre, Îlet Aurère, Mafate Cirque

La Bonne Terre, Aurère

See the campsite
Jeff et Cathie Campsite, Cayenne, Mafate CirqueFrom €13/person

Jeff et Cathie Campsite, Cayenne, Mafate Cirque

Jeff et Cathie, Cayenne

See the campsite
Les Filaos Campsite, Îlet à Malheur, Mafate CirqueFrom €5/person

Les Filaos Campsite, Îlet à Malheur, Mafate Cirque

Les Filaos, Îlet à Malheur

See the campsite
Camping Chez Gigi, Îlet à Malheur, Mafate CirqueFrom €7/person

Camping Chez Gigi, Îlet à Malheur, Mafate Cirque

Chez Gigi, Îlet à Malheur

See the campsite
Îlet des Lataniers Campsite, Lower MafateFrom €5/person

Îlet des Lataniers Campsite, Lower Mafate

Lataniers, Lower Mafate

See the campsite
Salazie

Salazie campsites (1)

The greenest cirque and the easiest to reach by car. A farm campsite with the Bienvenue à la ferme (Welcome to the Farm) label.

Le Relax Campsite, SalazieFrom €12/person

Le Relax Campsite, Salazie

Le Relax, Salazie

See the campsite
West Coast

West Coast campsites (1)

Camp by the lagoon or in the wooded highlands, from the beaches of Saint-Gilles to the forests of Tévelave.

Ermitage Lagon Campsite, Saint-Gilles-les-BainsFrom €30/night

Ermitage Lagon Campsite, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains

Ermitage Lagon, Saint-Gilles

See the campsite
East Coast

East Coast campsites (1)

The windward coast and eco-friendly campsites, close to waterfalls and the Plaine des Palmistes.

Le Bois Joli Cœur Campsite, Sainte-AnneFrom €15/person

Le Bois Joli Cœur Campsite, Sainte-Anne

Bois Joli Cœur, Sainte-Anne

See the campsite
Entre-Deux

Entre-Deux campsites (2)

A listed Creole village with two authentic, officially labelled campsites serving farm-cooked meals.

Josian et Céline Campsite and Farm Table, Entre-DeuxFrom €10/person

Josian et Céline Campsite and Farm Table, Entre-Deux

Josian et Céline, Entre-Deux

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Entre 2 Songes, Entre-Deux VillageFrom €10/person

Entre 2 Songes, Entre-Deux Village

Entre 2 Songes, Entre-Deux

See the campsite
Prices at a glance

How much does a night's camping cost in Reunion Island?

From the cheapest (€5 per person in Mafate) to the best equipped (€30 a night at the 3-star Ermitage).

CampsiteAreaPrice fromSee
Cryptoméria, La NouvelleMafate€5/personDetails →
La Bonne Terre, AurèreMafate€5/personDetails →
Les Filaos, Îlet à MalheurMafate€5/personDetails →
Lataniers, Lower MafateMafate€5/personDetails →
Chez Gigi, Îlet à MalheurMafate€7/personDetails →
Josian et Céline, Entre-DeuxEntre-Deux€10/personDetails →
Entre 2 Songes, Entre-DeuxEntre-Deux€10/personDetails →
Le Relax, SalazieSalazie€12/personDetails →
Jeff et Cathie, CayenneMafate€13/personDetails →
Bois Joli Cœur, Sainte-AnneEast Coast€15/personDetails →
Ermitage Lagon, Saint-GillesWest Coast€30/nightDetails →
How to choose

Which campsite suits your trip?

You want comfort. Ermitage Lagon campsite (3-star, Saint-Gilles) ticks every box: a restaurant, a snack bar, a kids' club, mini-golf, wifi, supervised parking and direct lagoon access. Ideal for families who want a single base for day trips.

You want Creole authenticity. Josian et Céline in Entre-Deux (Accueil Paysan label, farm-cooked meals) or Le Relax in Salazie (Bienvenue à la ferme label) are the ones to go for.

You want full Mafate immersion. Six campsites in the cirque, reachable on foot only. Jeff et Cathie (tents pre-pitched) or Les Filaos (gear hire and hot water) are the best bets for hikers who want to travel light.

You're eco-conscious. Le Bois Joli Cœur in Sainte-Anne is the island's only eco-campsite: solar power, harvested rainwater, wood-fired cooking, local produce.

You're after the cheapest option. Four campsites at €5 per person, all in Mafate: La Bonne Terre, Cryptoméria, Les Filaos and Lataniers. The walk in is part of the deal.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ: camping in Reunion Island

How many campsites are there in Reunion Island?
There are 11 main campsites on the island, spread across 5 areas: 6 in the Mafate cirque (reachable on foot), 1 in Salazie, 3 on the west and east coasts (including the Bois Joli Cœur eco-campsite) and 2 in Entre-Deux (including labelled farm tables).
What's the cheapest campsite on the island?
Several Mafate campsites start at €5 per person per night: La Bonne Terre in Aurère, Camping du Cryptoméria in La Nouvelle, Les Filaos in Îlet à Malheur and the Lataniers campsite in the lower cirque. The catch is that you have to walk in (there's no road into the cirque).
Which campsite has the best facilities?
Ermitage Lagon campsite in Saint-Gilles is the only 3-star site, with a restaurant, a snack bar, mini-golf, a kids' club, free wifi, supervised parking and direct access to the lagoon. Prices from €30 a night. It's the island's closest thing to a hotel-style campsite.
Can you camp with a van in Reunion Island?
Yes, some campsites accept vans and motorhomes. The Le Relax farm campsite in Salazie has dedicated pitches, and Ermitage Lagon campsite has supervised parking. For free wild camping with a van, also see my bivouac section, which lists the free, purpose-built pitches.
Do you need to book ahead?
Yes in high season (June to October), especially for Mafate's popular campsites (Cryptoméria, La Bonne Terre, Jeff et Cathie) and the 3-star Ermitage Lagon. The rest of the year, there's usually plenty of availability. Most bookings are made by phone; only Bois Joli Cœur is listed on Booking.com.
Which campsites serve home-cooked meals (table d'hôtes)?
Several Mafate campsites (Les Filaos, run by Mr Libelle in Îlet à Malheur; Chez Gigi on the same îlet, or hamlet; La Bonne Terre, run by JP Thomas in Aurère; Jeff et Cathie in Cayenne) serve Creole meals cooked on site. Outside Mafate, Josian et Céline in Entre-Deux, Entre 2 Songes (same village), Le Relax in Salazie and Le Bois Joli Cœur in Sainte-Anne also offer meals.
What's the best time of year to camp in Reunion Island?
The southern winter (May to October) brings the most settled conditions: often clear skies, dry trails (important for Mafate) and cool but pleasant nights. Avoid the cyclone season from January to March, when campsites in the cirques can be cut off (flooding, landslides).
Can you drive to the campsites in Mafate?
No, there's no road into the Mafate cirque at all. Every campsite in the cirque can only be reached on foot (1h30 to 9 hours depending on the îlet and where you start) or by helicopter (supply flights, but no regular tourist service).
Other formats

Not keen on camping? Other places to stay

Free wild camping

31 free wild camping spots across the island, set up by local councils or the national park. No booking needed.

See all bivouac spots

A campervan

For anyone who wants to combine several stops and still sleep in a proper bed. The most flexible way to explore the island at your own pace.

See campervan rental

Hotels and gîtes

For maximum comfort, highly rated hotels and rural gîtes (holiday cottages) all over the island, via Booking, Agoda and local partners.

See all places to stay
Page updated on 23 September 2026. GPS coordinates, contacts and prices checked as of this date. Confirm availability with each campsite before you travel.