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Hidden spot · Les Avirons
Pointe des Avirons: the hidden spot by the sea on the west coast
A sand dune overlooking a black-sand beach, a 2-minute walk from the road. Wake up to sweeping views, with few amenities and hardly anyone around: it's one of the calmest wild camping spots on the west coast.
Pointe des AvironslocationDune and beachsceneryCar and a 2-min walkaccessFreecost
Pointe des Avirons, between Étang-Salé-les-Bains and Saint-Leu, is one of those little-known spots that locals keep to themselves. It's simply a sand dune overlooking a black-sand beach, a two-minute walk from the road, with no signposting to speak of. It's probably the calmest bivouac on the entire west coast, provided you accept minimal comfort.
This page brings together what you need to know before pitching your tent: access from the dual carriageway, gear suited to a site with no amenities, sea safety, nearby natural pools and ideas for nearby activities to combine (paragliding, quad biking, diving). If you'd rather not sleep in a tent, a campervan can still park on the roadside.
At a glance
The Pointe des Avirons bivouac essentials
The experience
A night at a hidden spot
Arrival. Park on the roadside, follow the "Croc parc" sign and take the small path that runs into the woods for 2 minutes. You emerge onto a sand dune overlooking the beach. The spot is known for staying under the radar: hardly any signs and hardly any people.
The scenery. Expect an open view over the ocean, a black-sand beach below and filao trees (casuarinas) providing a little shade. The dune's natural slope creates several small flat spots for pitching a tent. The atmosphere is rawer than the developed beaches of Saint-Leu or Boucan, but that's exactly the charm.
Sunset. Facing due west with nothing blocking the horizon, the sunset is magnificent from the dune. The sun drops into the ocean around 5.50pm in the austral winter and 7.05pm in high summer, when the golden light turns the black sand to dark gold: the moment for photos.
The night. Expect the constant sound of waves on the sand, an exceptional starry sky thanks to the near-total absence of light pollution, and hardly anyone around. It's one of the most peaceful nights you can spend bivouacking on the west coast.
Getting there
How to get to Pointe des Avirons
From the dual carriageway, head towards Étang-Salé-les-Bains then Saint-Leu / Pointe au Sel. Drive around 2 kilometres and park on the roadside before the turn for Les Avirons.
Follow the "Croc parc" sign and take the small path through the woods for around 2 minutes. You'll arrive at the sand dune overlooking the beach. Vehicles can't go beyond the road. Fuel and shops are in Étang-Salé or Saint-Leu, 5 minutes away.
There's no water or toilet on site, so everything you need comes from the car on the roadside: do your shopping before you park. If you haven't booked a car yet, compare car rental companies.
Backpack
What to bring for the night
- A wind-resistant tent: the west coast gets the trade wind in the late afternoon
- A lightweight sleeping bag (15°C is enough): the leeward coast stays mild year-round
- A head torch: essential, as there's no lighting at all
- 2L of water per person: there's no drinking water
- A portable gas stove: fires aren't allowed and there's no barbecue
- High-factor sunscreen and a hat: there's little shade
- Closed shoes for the rocks and the natural pools nearby
- Bin bags: take all your rubbish with you, the site is wild
Read before you go
A wild site: self-sufficiency and precautions
Pointe des Avirons is a wild site with no amenities and no supervision, so bring everything you need for water, food, toilets and first aid. Fires aren't allowed.
Sea swimming is dangerous because of the waves, currents and rocks. A few natural pools sheltered by rocks around 100 metres away allow a careful dip in calm seas. There's a real shark risk along the whole Reunion Island coastline, so don't swim in open water.
Combine it with
Activities to do in the area
Paragliding in Saint-Leu
Taking off from the Maïdo rampart, landing in Saint-Leu, 15 minutes to the north.
See the activity
Quad biking on the west coast
An electric-assist excursion on the trails of Étang-Salé and the highlands.
See the activity
Exploration diving in Saint-Leu
Coral drop-offs and tropical marine life in the marine reserve.
See the activity
Also worth combiningAerial view
The west coast and the Maïdo rampart from the sky
The bivouac at Les Avirons puts you right at sea level, among the pebbles. The helicopter flips the angle: the entire west coast seen from above, the Saint-Leu lagoon, the Maïdo cliff, and views no land-based viewpoint can give you.
8 routes departing from Saint-Pierre or Saint-Paul, from 15 minutes to 1 hour.
From €125 · 210 Manawa reviews · Saint-Pierre / Saint-Paul
See helicopter rates
Other spots
Other west coast bivouacs
Pointe au Sel, Saint-Leu
A protected natural site run by the Conservatoire du littoral, 5 minutes to the north, a cave pool.
See the spot
Étang-Salé seafront
1,500m of black-sand beach lined with filao trees, full facilities, 5 minutes to the south.
See the spot
Étang-Salé sinkhole
A neighbouring spot where waves crash into a volcanic fissure, 5 minutes to the south.
See the spot
Stay nearby
Accommodation nearby
Accommodation within 25km, on the west coast between Étang-Salé and Saint-Leu.
hotel4 km
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hotel5 kmFrequently asked questions
FAQ: wild camping at Pointe des Avirons
How do you get to Pointe des Avirons?
From the dual carriageway, head towards Étang-Salé-les-Bains then Saint-Leu / Pointe au Sel. Drive around 2km and park on the roadside before the turn for Les Avirons. Follow the "Croc parc" sign and take the small path through the woods for 2 minutes to reach the bivouac.
Is camping free here?
Yes, it's free and open to all. The site is public, little-known and managed by the town council, with no booking required. Pitch your tent late, take it down early, don't light fires, and take all your rubbish away with you.
Are there facilities on site?
No, the site has very few amenities: no toilets, no water point, no picnic table at the bivouac itself. It's a hidden spot that requires full self-sufficiency. The nearest public facilities are at the Étang-Salé seafront, a 5-minute drive away.
Can you swim there?
Sea swimming is dangerous at Pointe des Avirons: there are waves, currents and rocks, and no lifeguards. About 100 metres away are a few small natural pools, more or less sheltered by rocks, where a dip is possible in calm seas with caution. Watch children at all times.
Can you light a fire?
No, no fires are allowed on the sand or under the filao trees. A portable gas stove is the only option for cooking. There's no barbecue set up on the site.
When's the best time to camp here?
The austral winter (May to October) offers the most stable conditions, with clear skies, a moderate trade wind and mild nights. Avoid periods of heavy swell or cyclone risk. Visitor numbers stay very low year-round because the spot is so well hidden, making it one of the calmest bivouacs on the west coast.
Which activities pair well with the bivouac?
The west coast concentrates the best outdoor activities: a paragliding taster flight in Saint-Leu 15 minutes away, an electric quad bike, exploration diving in the marine reserve, or a helicopter flight for the widest perspective.
Page updated on 19 September 2026. GPS coordinates and access verified as of this date.