gite6 km
Mafate · lower cirque · Lataniers
Camping Îlet des Lataniers: simplicity on 600 m² of greenery in lower Mafate
An authentic, welcoming campsite in the lower part of the Mafate cirque, at Îlet des Lataniers. 600 m² of greenery, a shared fire pit, basic facilities (cold water), a small grocery store nearby. Reachable after a few hours of walking from La Nouvelle, Marla or Aurère.
Îlet des Lataniers, MafatelocationFrom €5 / personrateOn foot onlyaccess600 m² of greeneryarea
Îlet des Lataniers is one of the least visited îlets (hamlets) in the Mafate cirque, tucked away in the lower part of the cirque. The campsite it holds, described as “authentic and welcoming”, keeps things deliberately simple: 600 m² of greenery to pitch your tent, a shared fire pit to heat up meals, and basic facilities with no hot water. For self-sufficient hikers who want to avoid the busier îlets of La Nouvelle or Cayenne, it's the quietest option in Mafate.
This page brings together what you need to know before booking: rates, access from the various Mafate entry points, minimalist facilities, the need to bring your own gear and ideas for planning your crossing. For anyone discovering Mafate, the guided trek from Cayenne can include a stop at Lataniers depending on your route.
At a glance
The campsite essentials
The experience
A night in lower Mafate
Arriving at Îlet des Lataniers. The îlet sits in the lower part of the Mafate cirque, further down than the iconic îlets like La Nouvelle or Marla. The campsite is signposted right by the trail, on a large expanse of greenery covering over 600 m². Several pitches are available, to choose from depending on shade and slope.
The spirit of the place. The campsite embraces simplicityon purpose: no frills, no home-cooked set meals (table d'hôte), no gear rental. You arrive with your own tent, sleeping bag and meals. The shared fire pit lets you heat up whatever you've prepared, and that's it. It's exactly what some hikers are after: the authenticity of a night out in nature, with no middleman.
The facilities. The campsite has basic shared facilities. Hot water isn't available, so be aware of that before booking. It's one of the trade-offs of the minimalist format that keeps the rate at €5/person.
Supplies. A small grocery store is available nearby on the îlet, for basic items (bread, tinned goods, drinks). But as everywhere in Mafate, it's best to bring the essentials up from the coast: the selection is limited and prices are high because of helicopter transport.
How to get there
How to reach Îlet des Lataniers
Îlet des Lataniers is only reachable on foot, like all of Mafate. The îlet sits in the lower part of the cirque, which means access either from the other îlets within the cirque itself, or from the lower entry points:
From La Nouvelle: around 3 to 4 hours descending towards the lower cirque via the internal trails. The classic route for anyone heading down to Lataniers from the main îlet.
From Marla: around 4 to 5 hours via the trails in the south of the cirque. An option for anyone combining Lataniers with a stop at Marla, the highest îlet in the cirque.
From Aurère: around 5 to 6 hours via the eastern trails, then a descent towards the lower cirque. A long route, best suited to experienced hikers.
From Rivière des Galets (La Possession):the “lower” entrance to the cirque, around 4 to 5 hours from Deux Bras. Flash-flood risk, don't attempt it in rainy weather.
There's no road access: all supplies come in on foot or by helicopter.
On site
Services and facilities (minimalist)
- Over 600 m² of greenery to pitch your tent (several pitches)
- You must bring your own camping gear
- A shared fire pit for heating meals
- Basic shared facilities (toilets, sink)
- Cold water only, no hot water available
- A water point for washing up and washing
- A small grocery store nearby on the îlet for basic items
- Trail advice and orientation from the hosts
Rates
How much does a night cost
The base rate is from €5 per person per night. It's one of the lowest rates in Mafate, justified by the minimalist format: no table d'hôte on site, no hot water, no gear rental.
For the small grocery store nearby, bring cash. Confirm current rates by phone before booking. No card payments on site, which is the norm throughout Mafate.
Contact & booking
Booking the Lataniers campsite
Phone: +262 692 03 68 50
Address: Îlet des Lataniers, Mafate, 97419 La Possession
Booking is by phone only. Signal is poor at Îlet des Lataniers, so be patient if you try to reach it from the island. Plan several weeks ahead in high season (June to October).
Bring all your own camping gear(tent, sleeping bag, cooking set, gas). Rental isn't available on site, unlike some other Mafate campsites (Cayenne, Les Filaos).
Combine it with
Activities to combine with the campsite
Lataniers sits in the lower cirque. Make the most of your stop to explore the internal trails or reach neighbouring îlets.
Guided trek in Mafate from Cayenne
A multi-day crossing of the cirque with a qualified local guide.
See the activity
Bélouve and the Trou de Fer waterfall
A guided trail to the viewpoint over the island's tallest waterfall, from the highlands of Salazie.
See the activity
Horse riding at Piton Maïdo
A horse-riding trip through the cryptomeria forests of the western highlands, towards the rampart overlooking Mafate.
See the activity
Also worth combiningAerial view
Mafate from the sky: the complementary perspective
Camping in lower Mafate gives you the territory at ground level: the roughness of the trails, local life. A helicopter flips the perspective: it flies over the entire cirque in a few minutes, from the rampart shared with Salazie to the Brèche, and reveals the full geography that no hike can offer.
Ideal alongside a trek, to see the same territory before and after the flight. 8 routes, from 15 minutes to 1 hour.
From €125 · 210 Manawa reviews · Saint-Pierre / Saint-Paul
See helicopter rates
Other campsites
Other campsites in the Mafate cirque
Camping La Bonne Terre, Aurère
A neighbouring campsite at €5/person in Aurère îlet, more sociable with a table d'hôte.
See the campsite
Camping Chez Gigi, Îlet à Malheur
A homestay campsite at €7/person, a family atmosphere.
See the campsite
Camping du Cryptoméria, La Nouvelle
A campsite in a cryptomeria forest in the cirque's largest îlet (check availability).
See the campsite
Stay nearby
Alternative accommodation nearby
If the campsite is full or you're after more comfort, here are partner places to stay within 25 km.
gite6 km
hotel7 km
hotel13 kmFrequently asked questions
FAQ: everything to know before booking
How do you book the Lataniers campsite?
Book by phone on +262 692 03 68 50. Signal is poor at Îlet des Lataniers, so be patient. Plan several weeks ahead in high season (June to October).
How much does a night cost?
From €5 per person per night. It's one of the lowest rates in Mafate, justified by the minimalist format: no table d'hôte, no hot water, no gear rental. You need to bring your own tent and food.
Is there hot water at the facilities?
No, hot water isn't available at the facilities. It's one of the trade-offs of the minimalist format that keeps the rate at €5/person. For hot water, Les Filaos at Mr Libelle's place in Îlet à Malheur is a better fit, around 5-6 hours of walking away.
Do you need to bring your own gear?
Yes, you need to bring your own tent, sleeping bag, cooking set and gas. Rental isn't available on site, unlike other Mafate campsites such as Jeff et Cathie (pre-pitched tents) or Les Filaos (gear rental).
Is there a grocery store on site?
A small grocery store nearby on the îlet offers basic items (bread, tinned goods, drinks). The selection is limited and prices are high because of helicopter transport. It's best to bring the essentials up from the coast before heading up.
How do you get to Îlet des Lataniers?
Access is on foot only. From La Nouvelle (3-4 hours descending), from Marla (4-5 hours), from Aurère (5-6 hours), or from Rivière des Galets / Deux Bras in La Possession (4-5 hours, the cirque's "lower" entrance, flash-flood risk in rainy weather).
Why choose Lataniers over other îlets?
For absolute peace and quiet. Lataniers is one of the least visited îlets in Mafate, away from the main touristy crossing routes (La Nouvelle, Marla, Cayenne). It's the option to favour for self-sufficient hikers who want to experience Mafate without the buzz of the more visited îlets.
When should you come and camp at Lataniers?
The austral winter (May to October) offers the most stable conditions for Mafate's trails: dry ground, often clear skies. Avoid the cyclone season from January to March, when some trails leading to the lower cirque can become impassable after heavy rain (flash-flood risk on the Rivière des Galets).
Which activities pair well with the campsite?
From Lataniers, you can radiate out to the cirque's other îlets (La Nouvelle, Marla, Roche Plate) or continue on descending trails towards Deux Bras. For the widest perspective on the cirque, the helicopter flyover remains unbeatable.
Page updated on 22 September 2026. GPS coordinates, contact details and rates verified as of this date. Confirm availability with the campsite before travelling.