hotel1 km
Trou d'Eau · La Saline
Choka, Trou d'Eau: beach camping by a sheltered lagoon
A small stretch of beach behind Le Choka Bleu bar-restaurant, with shady filao trees, toilets 100m away and swimming in the reef-protected lagoon.
Trou d'Eau, La SalinelocationLagoon + filao treessettingCar, Le Choka Bleu car parkaccessFreecost
The Choka spot, on Trou d'Eau beach (La Saline, in the municipality of Saint-Paul), takes its name from Le Choka Bleu bar-restaurant next to the car park. It's one of the few west coast camping spots that combines shade from filao trees, access to the reef-protected lagoonand a restaurant for the days you don't feel like cooking.
Here's what you need to know before pitching a tent: getting there, gear for the beach, swimming safety and shark risk, and nearby public facilities, plus activities nearby (whales, diving, paragliding). If you'd rather not sleep in a tent, a campervan fits in the car park, a few steps from the beach.
At a glance
Choka camping at a glance
The experience
A night under filao trees by the lagoon
Arriving. Park at the far end of the Choka Bleu car park and take the small path on the right. The camping area is a grassy strip under a row of filao trees, with direct access to the sand and the lagoon. It's very quiet on weekdays and busy at weekends.
The setting. Trou d'Eau lagoon is one of the most sheltered on the west coast: turquoise water, a sandy bottom and marine life you can see with just a mask, snorkel and fins. The filao trees along the beach give welcome shade and some shelter from the wind.
The sunset. Facing due west, with nothing breaking the horizon, the beach has one of the latest and most photogenic sunsets on the island, around 5.50pm in the southern winter and 7.05pm in midsummer.
At night. The waves on the reef make a constant background sound. The lights of the restaurant and car park go off after closing time, and you can still see the stars out to sea, despite the glow of Saint-Gilles to the north.
Route
How to get to the Choka spot
On the Route des Plages (N1A) between Saint-Gilles and Saint-Leu, at Trou d'Eau (La Saline), look for the Le Choka Bleu bar-restaurant. Park at the far end of the car park: the path to the camping area starts on the right, past the terrace.
Allow about 10 minutes by car from Saint-Gilles, 15 minutes from Saint-Leu, 30 minutes from Saint-Pierre. There are shops and fuel on the main street of La Saline or in Saint-Gilles.
Packing list
What to bring for the night
- A wind-resistant tent: the trade wind sweeps the west coast in the late afternoon
- Long sand pegs or rocks to weigh the tent down
- A light sleeping bag (15°C is enough): this leeward coast stays mild year-round
- Flip-flops or sandals: the sand can get hot around midday
- High-factor sunscreen and a hat: there is little shade away from the trees
- A head torch: there is little street lighting
- Bottled water: there is no drinking water at the spot itself
- Bin bags: take all your rubbish home. The site only stays pleasant because visitors keep it that way
Read before you get in the water
Swimming, the lagoon and shark risk
The Trou d'Eau lagoon, protected by the reef, is safe for swimming when the sea is calm, a clear advantage over west coast beaches without a reef. Even so, stay inside the lagoon: swimming beyond the reef is strongly discouraged (shark risk).
No campfires on the sand. There are a few barbecues near the spot, and a portable gas stove is fine as a backup. With the restaurant and homes so close, improvised fires are out of the question.
To combine
Things to do at Trou d'Eau and Saint-Gilles
Whale Watching from Saint-Gilles
A boat trip to spot humpback whales in season (July to October), 10 minutes to the north.
See the activity
Paragliding Taster in Saint-Leu
Take off from the Maïdo cliffs, fly over the lagoon and land on the beach.
See the activity
Exploration Dive in Saint-Gilles
Coral drop-offs and tropical marine life in Saint-Gilles bay.
See the activity
Also worth doingAerial view
The Trou d'Eau lagoon and the Maïdo cliffs seen from the sky
Camping puts you right on the lagoon. A helicopter reveals the whole picture: the reef that shapes the west coast lagoon, the Maïdo cliffs rising inland, and mountain peaks you can only see from the air.
There are 8 routes departing from Saint-Pierre or Saint-Paul, lasting 15 minutes to 1 hour.
From €125 · 210 Manawa reviews · Saint-Pierre / Saint-Paul
See helicopter prices
Other spots
Other camping spots on the west coast
Cap Homard, Boucan Canot
A quieter beach just south of Boucan Canot, 15 minutes to the north.
See the spot
Pointe au Sel, Saint-Leu
A protected natural site run by the Conservatoire du littoral (the French coastal protection agency), 15 minutes to the south.
See the spot
Pointe des Trois Bassins, a Surfers' Paradise
A west coast beach with coves and shaded corners, 5 minutes to the south.
See the spot
Sleep nearby
Places to stay near Trou d'Eau
Places to stay within 25 km, on the west coast between Saint-Gilles and Saint-Leu.
hotel1 km
hotel1 km
hotel2 kmFrequently asked questions
FAQ: camping at the Choka spot
How do you get to the Choka spot?
Drive to the far end of the car park of Le Choka Bleu bar-restaurant, in Trou d'Eau (La Saline). Take the small path on the right to a grassy area under filao trees and a little sandy cove. The restaurant makes a handy landmark and has toilets reached from the terrace side.
Is wild camping here free?
Yes. The site is public land managed by the municipality of Saint-Paul, which tolerates one-night camping on the grassy areas behind the beach, as long as your tent goes up late, comes down early and you leave no rubbish behind.
Can you swim at the Choka spot?
Yes, the reef-protected lagoon is safe for swimming when the sea is calm. The shark risk is much lower than in open water, but swimming beyond the reef is strongly discouraged.
Are there facilities on site?
There is a large car park, barbecues nearby, and public showers and toilets 100 metres away. Le Choka Bleu serves food and drinks on site, and there are shady corners under the filao trees to pitch your tent.
Can you light a fire or a barbecue?
There are a few barbecues at the spot, but no campfires on the sand. A portable gas stove is fine. Bring your own charcoal and wood, as nothing is provided.
When's the best time to camp at Choka?
The southern winter (May to October) brings the most stable conditions. Avoid weekends and school holidays, when it fills up fast and the restaurant draws a crowd. Come on a weekday for peace and quiet.
What else is there to do nearby?
From Trou d'Eau you can easily reach Saint-Gilles for whale watching in season (July to October) or a dive with a club, go paragliding in Saint-Leu 15 minutes away, or take a helicopter flight for the best view of all.