15 Amazing Things To Do on Réunion Island (+ itinerary)

When I researched the best things to do on Réunion Island, I came across tons of websites in French, which makes sense, as Réunion Island is an overseas department of France.

But it made me think of all the non-French-speaking people possibly missing out on this peculiar island.

Think dense, green jungle and marvellous volcanic mountains with endless hiking possibilities; a food scene mixing Creole exotism with French culinary standards; a warm and welcoming culture with family-style accommodations, all surrounded by sandy beaches with perfect weather all year round.

After focusing on Europe for a while with an extensive road trip in Catalonia, Spain, and another one in Scotland (not to mention a failed one in Italy we would love to forget), we desperately needed some far-flung destination.

Little did we know that I would get pregnant right after booking our flights to Réunion Island. This meant we had to adapt our usual travelling tempo: we didn't hike as extensively as planned and stayed longer at each destination - which was fine.

We still managed to get all the major highlights in our two weeks trip.

And so, here are 15 of the best things to do on Réunion Island - have fun!

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DISCLAIMER: This blog post contains affiliate links, which means we earn a tiny commission every time you book through one of our links at no additional cost for you 

What And Where Is Réunion Island

Before diving into the activities, here's a little introduction to the island.

La Réunion Island is a trendy destination for French residents because, for them, it has many advantages that other tourists might not have.

For example, French people and Europeans generally don't need a passport to get there. A simple ID card suffices.

Also, Réunion Island is a French department, so, like in France, you pay in Euros.

And the most remarkable thing we experienced? You're in the middle of the Indian Ocean, but we Europeans have no roaming fees. You can use your mobile plan just like at home.

For all others, I recommend getting an App like Airalo, which allows you to buy e-sims with a specific amount of data. It's cheap, their service is good, and it will enable you to use the internet when away from a Wifi-network without seeing your bill explode.

Coman i lé?

While the official language is indeed French, you will most likely hear a Creole-French mix when they talk to each other. Also, some words are not your classic school French but are used daily.

For example, a case refers to a house. You won't find any maison anywhere, only cases. Your children will not be enfants, but marmaille. And when our host told us we had to get cash, it was because there was no gabier in the neighbourhood. I am a native French speaker and had never heard that word before.

Nevertheless, if you speak decent French, you will get by anywhere. English works quite well, too, with hosts used to international guests.

La Réunion Island in a nutshell

When To Visit Réunion Island?

Compared to Europe or North America, La Réunion seasons are opposite:

Mai to November is the "Austral winter", the cool season. But cool, in this case, still means about 25°C every day. The significant advantage is that it hardly ever rains (except on the East Coast), and there is no risk of cyclones. On the other hand, the sun goes down at 6 pm at the latest, and it gets dark quite quickly.

"Austral summer" is from November to April: very hot, very wet. Big thunderstorms and cyclone risk. And also a lot more cloudy during the day.

Winter is thus preferable for hiking and water activities (better visibility); June is the calmest month. We went in May, which was also fine, but there are several national holidays in France during that month, so many métros (what the people from the Réunion call the French) are here to enjoy their days off.

How To Travel To Réunion Island?

All flights to Réunion Island pass through France, specifically Paris Orly, Charles de Gaulle and Marseilles Airport. This might be inconvenient depending on what part of the world you are travelling from.

From Paris, though, the flights are always direct (usually operated by Air Austral - a pretty good company!) and take about 11 hours.

As Paris is well-connected will the whole world, getting to La Réunion Island is very easy for Europeans, maybe a bit less for others.

The best way is to research all the possible connections through Skyscanner, where you can choose different connecting airports and are sure to get the best possible deal as they compare all kinds of flight providers.

How To Get Around on Réunion Island?

While public transportation is doable and hitchhiking safe, renting a car is the best way to explore the whole island.

I think Rentalcars (click here to get straight to Rentalcars' main site) is still the best online platform to rent a car. It's easy and secure, with a wide choice of price ranges as they directly compare rental companies.

Plus, you can choose your extras and the insurance up front, which spares you the hassle of dealing with dishonest companies that want to upsell extra insurances you don't need.

That's not the case in La Réunion, but they tried to do this in Santo Domingo and Mexico, for example.

We had a little Hyundai, big enough for the both of us with luggage, and paid 350 € for two weeks, all insurances included.

Where To Stay on Réunion Island?

We would suggest looking for accommodations in four principal areas: Saint-Denis, Hell Bourg, Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul.

Having a base camp in at least three of these four corners is the perfect opportunity to explore the entire island.

Saint-Denis

Booking an accommodation in Saint-Denis isn't the top priority, but it can be practical if your flight lands at night. Other than that, I would not recommend staying too long in the city.

Appartement Chez Andy | Here's a cost-efficient option for one night in the city; much cheaper than a hotel and with great reviews

Appartement Le Pétrel | Another apartment but for a different budget; spectacular view over the city and the sea

Villa Angélique | A charming boutique hotel in a historic building; the advantage here is that you can book with breakfast

Hell Bourg

Hell Bourg is a very small town, most of the accommodations lie a bit outside of the centre like in Salazie - but it's still very close.

L'Orchidée Rose | Small guest house close to the centre of Hell Bourg offering simple, but lovely, rooms, reasonably priced 

Villa Le Jacaranda | An entire villa with two rooms, price-quality perfectly fine; the reviews are great; ideal if you want to spend a few nights

Chambre d'hôtes des Agrumes | This is where we stayed for three nights; big, charming bungalows in a gorgeous private garden; good breakfast and lovely hosts; this isn't an affiliate link as you book directly by mail or phone with the owners, no booking platform - highly recommend this

Saint-Pierre

Appartement 98 bis rue Suffren | A privately owned apartment, perfectly located; very spacious and modern, with a great host; comes at a low price

La Kazaka Terre Saint | Gorgeous little hotel, right next to the beach; beautiful interior and a great breakfast

Maximin Mon Coco | This is where we stayed, in a small town called Les Avirons; location-wise, it's not great as you have to get up and down the hill every time you want to visit something, but the apartment was terrific, with an excellent pool and a great host; we stayed for almost a whole week (not an affiliate link, just an honest recommendation!)

Saint Paul

Le Caillou Blanc | In the centre of Saint-Paul, with a fantastic terrace overlooking the sea; great reviews, lovely decorated and inexpensive

thomlocation | A holiday bungalow, very spacious with all amenities to spend a few nights; there is even a jacuzzi on the premise for all guests

Appartement La Saline Les Bains | This is where we stayed (again: not an affiliate link), which wasn't in Saint-Paul, but in La Saline Les Bains; it is ideally located near the best beaches, like La Saline Les Bains and l'Ermitage; the apartment was simple, but the view from the garden magnificent - especially at sunset

15 Amazing Things To Do on Reunion Island: Our Itinerary

As mentioned, I didn't know I was pregnant when we booked our flights and started our research. So we planned lots of hikes and our itinerary around these.

Once it was clear that we would have to adapt to the new circumstance, we kept the general itinerary but replaced some of the hikes with viewpoints accessible by car. Which, in hindsight, isn't bad either because I'm not sure how well my asthma would have coped with hikes in the tropical heat.

We still managed to see practically all the main highlights of Reunion Island, all in a much slower and safer tempo for a pregnant person.

Here's the itinerary for the Réunion Island we created and followed to maximise our two weeks stay - pregnant or not; it shows everything the island offers.

Like mentioned in the Where To Stay - section, our base-camps were in Hell Bourg, Les Avirons (near Saint-Pierre), and La Saline Les Bains (near Saint-Paul).

1. - Start With a Glimpse of Colonial History in Saint-Denis

Saint-Denis is the central city on the island and its economic and administrative capital.

Despite being located on a tropical island with various influences from foreign cultures, the general feel is European - the traffic jams mornings and evenings alone make you feel at home...

I would consider Saint-Denis as more of a stop-over on your way down. You will most likely arrive at the airport here, and it's also there that you want to get a rental car to explore the rest of the island.

There are a few exciting corners, like the Rue de Paris with the museums, the Tamil temple Kovil Kalikambal or the Maison Carrère. Still, Saint-Denis is also the loudest and probably the unsafest city in La Réunion.

But it's also here that you get a clear picture of how different cultures and religions can coexist in harmony: Tamil processions, Chinese stores, Creole restaurants, Muslim muezzins calling to prayer, all mixed with the typical French driving style and supermarkets that are all too familiar to Europeans.

2. - Visit The Most Creole Town on The Island: Hell-Bourg And Its Region

Welcome to "Les Hauts", where the cases créoles are the most authentic, where the spiders are the size of your palm, where your eyes will turn green from all the vegetation, and your lungs rejoice from the amount of oxygen in the air.

You will want to plan a few days in this area, as there is so much to see.

The name is misleading in English: I can assure you that hell is nowhere to be found here. Except maybe in the form of spiders (the black and yellow Nephila Aurata) if you have arachnophobia. They are everywhere. They are huge. They are black and yellow.

But they aren't venomous. Their bite hurts, but it won't kill you.

Picturesque Hell-Bourg

Located amid the Cirque de Salazie and an ancient thermal station, the town was named after French admiral Anne Chrétien Louis de Hell, the island governor during the 19th century. "Bourg" is a French term for a small town or village.

The advantage of sitting on a hill inside a caldera is that the climate is much softer and less hot than elsewhere. The Bourgeoisie chose this area to build their holiday homes, away from the noisy Saint-Denis.

Water trickling down from the surrounding mountains made it a success during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Unfortunately, a cyclone in 1948 had the principal source vanish, and the thermal activity stopped abruptly.

Nowadays, Hell-Bourg's primary source of income is tourism.

The town is a typical colonial town with colourful Creole houses, many little restaurants and a few excellent hiking possibilities.

Things To See in Hell-Bourg

Several little hikes depart from Hell-Bourg. One is particularly interesting as it's a pedagogical trek created by young students that relates the history of slavery and the marrons, a name given to enslaved people who escaped and started a new life in "the wild". It's about a 4.4 km round-trip, reasonably easy, with a bit of height to battle (roughly 250 m).

The parking at the start of the trek is located here, just follow the signs after that.

Another one is the Trois Cascades hike: quite steep initially, but the outcome is a series of three little waterfalls (hence the name) in a shadowy corner in the middle of the jungle. About 2.5 km round-trip, all the way up and the same way down (ca. 300 m elevation).

Don't forget to bring a bathing suit for a refreshing dip near the most prominent waterfall - it's a bit tricky to get there as the path is hidden behind a bamboo forest (to the left of the chapel) and overgrown, but it's certainly worth the detour.

Find the location of the Trois Cascades here.

On the way to and from the other attractions, you will certainly pass the Cascade du Voile de la Mariée (meaning: waterfall of the bride's veil) a nice photo stop along the road which you can find here.

La Maison Folio

The Maison Folio is a typical case créole from 1870, still inhabited by the oldest member of the Folio family. Therefore, only parts are accessible to the public - she needs a bit of privacy.

Either visit on your own with a map and some info on a piece of paper - though Sebi managed to get the English version on mobile - or as a guided visit.

Very well maintained and preserved authenticity; worth to check it out.

Le Musée des Musiques et Instruments - Maison Morange

Nestled inside a lovely house from the 1930s, this innocent-looking museum bears a rather large (private) collection of instruments worldwide.

This is an adorable thing to do with kids on Réunion island, as the museography is very educational and interactive, with screens and videos for the whole sound experience.

The cemetery

Here's a free activity in La Réunion: visit a cemetery.

Those who know me know my fascination with cemeteries, especially centuries-old ones. I love walking around and curiously examining the dates on the markers, wondering what these people did in life and how they came to die.

I guess that's partly because, as an archaeologist, digging into people's past is my job.

Side note | If you're new here and want to know more about me and my travel partner, check out the About Us section.

Eerie Fact: one of the most notorious criminals on Réunion island, a fellow called "Zitte", lies in this cemetery. That is to say: his body does. To be sure of his passing, he was decapitated, and his head was sent to Saint-Denis. His spirit is said to be still lingering somewhere between both cities.

La Mare-à-Poule-d'Eau and the ancient thermal springs

We didn't know what to expect after this very short and easy hike, but not a vast yellow pond, the Mare-à-Poule-d'Eau. It's not the most spectacular sight, but still a refreshing area for a picnic - which is what most Réunion families do anyway on weekends (literally everywhere).

The ancient thermal springs are also visitable, but there isn't much to see except for a few ruins. Their history is notable, though, because these were the first on the island and extremely popular from the 1830s until the ones in Cilaos became more important.

Find the Mare-à-Poule-d'Eau here.

3. - Feel Small in The Rain Forest of Bébour et Bélouve

The hike of the Bélouve forest is one of the most gorgeous hikes in the Salazie region.

It's about 3 hours for a round-trip that leads through the rain forest with thick vegetation, feeling very outer-worldly and primal until reaching a platform with beautiful views of the Piton des Neiges and the Cirque de Salazie.

Most of the plants here are endemic, which is particular as lots of European fauna found its way to the island during colonisation. This means that one minute you see the invading chouchou plant taking over the scenery, and the next, you drive on a maple tree-bordered street with leaves turning yellow and red because it's technically "autumn".

Although autumn and winter in La Réunion still mean 25°C every day...

Hiking these two forests is also possible as a guided group hike.

The Bélouve forest is located here. 

4. - Get Up Piton Des Neiges At Sunrise

Here's one thing to do on Réunion Island that we, unfortunately, had to forgo as it would have been irresponsible in my current state: hiking up the highest mountain on the island, the Piton des Neiges (3071 m altitude), before sunrise.

The scenery opening up before you in the early morning, revealing the cirques of Cilaos and Salazie and the surrounding hills, must be breathtaking. If you are in the proper condition, not asthmatic, pregnant, or otherwise struggling with your health, this is a must-do.

But even for healthy people, it's pretty challenging as there are no less than 1700 m in elevation to battle.

5. - Explore The South-Eastern Coast: Saint-Pierre And Surroundings

Before heading down to Saint Pierre, where we had our next base camp, we stopped by the Takamaka Waterfall viewpoint, which you will find here. 

It was a bit of a detour and a quite strenuous one involving lots of hairpin turns, but the drive through the green groves, past sugar cane fields, and the majestic view of lush hills with row upon row of waterfalls is reward enough.

Given that this is the wettest area on the island - and apparently in the world - expect a bit of rain and mist whenever you visit.

There is also a trek that leads down to the valley, which we didn't do for obvious reasons, and you can even dip into the natural pool at its base.

Saint Pierre's Weekly Market

Saint Pierre's weekly Saturday market came third at the national championship of "most beautiful markets in France" in 2019 (yes, it still feels strange that this gorgeous, tropical island is indeed technically "in" France). By all means, it is lovely.

Stalls upon stalls with neatly stocked fruit in all kinds of sizes, shapes and colours; rows of handcrafted jewels and trendy clothes; the smell of freshly made samoussas, bonbon-piments, rouleaux de printemps and spices of all kinds (vanilla!), Creole music floating all over the place and people smiling at you for no reason: that's what you get at Saint Pierre's marché forain.

I would suggest coming early, as it gets very crowded around noon - everyone wants a cheap and delicious lunch from the market. For example, you can get as many as ten samoussas for barely 3 €.

Also, the heat sets in as early as 9.30 am, and though the stalls are all under canvas, it can get rather hot with the crowds.

Add to that the scenic location right next to the sea - find it here -  couldn't be more perfect.

Around Saint Pierre: Saint-Leu And Kelonia, The Sea Turtle Sanctuary

Kelonia, located in Saint-Leu, might not be on everyone's bucket list when visiting Réunion Island. But it is undoubtedly an exciting activity, especially with kids, if only to support their efforts.

Kelonia is a nursing station for injured sea turtles. Brought here by local fishermen, who started the initiative, with most injuries caused by humans (fishing hooks, stomachs full of plastics, nets around their flippers), they first get treated in the intensive care unit in separate basins.

After the initial treatment, they are brought to a convalescence area, where they stay for quite a long time. The goal is to feed them until they are strong enough to be released back into the wild. This can take some time as these poor creatures are usually fragile when they arrive.

The release is always done together with local school classes; each class gets to adopt the released sea turtle.

The whole complex is well thought out, with many explanation panels, interactive screens, a museum about the history of La Réunion and the turtles' behaviour, and a significant focus on how climate change affects it.

Étang Salé: volcano sand beaches

Étant Salé is probably the best beach in this part of the island.

Don't expect pearly white sand and turquoise waters like in Maupiti, French Polynesia, or Caye Caulker, Belize, though: it is still a volcanic island after all, and thus the sand you find here is more of a dark ashen grey.

It's still an excellent spot for a swim, snorkelling, or sundowner.

Speaking of which: the sun sets early! Expect around 5.45 pm during the Austral winter and around 6.45 pm in summer.

The Étang Salé beach is located here.

6. - Get To Know The Island's Fauna at Domaine Du Café Grillé

Here's an activity that wasn't on our plans but came highly recommended by our host: Le Domaine Du Café Grillé, an impressive Creole botanical garden showing off the history of the island's fauna.

The plants are structured chronologically, and the walk through the garden takes you back from 2022 to 1665.

Inside the (big) shop, a 10-minute video shows the process of cultivating and roasting coffee, the primary industry in La Réunion before sugar cane took over.

At the Domaine du Café Grillé, which is located here, they roast their coffee beans of the Bourbon pointu variant (hence the name of the café grillé), which you can taste and buy in their shop/café.

7. - Visit One of The Impressive Tamil Temples in Saint Pierre

Nassaringua-Perournal is the largest Tamil temple on the island. An enjoyable visit if you want to know more about the Hindu culture in La Réunion.

Don't forget to dress decently: no showing arms and legs, no leather (!). 

Karli is a lot smaller but considered the most beautiful Tamil temple on the island.

Nassaringua-Perournal is located here, and Karli here. 

8. - Get Familiar With The (Somewhat) Sad History of Sugar at Stella Matutina

Without learning about the intrinsically linked sugar history, you can't know the real La Réunion.

The Musée Stella Matutina, located in Piton-Saint-Leu right next to Saint Pierre, is a vast museum complex set inside an old sugar factory that was active from 1858 until 1978.

Several thematically and chronologically arranged installations lead the visitor through the history of sugar exploitation since the 19th century.

A particular focus is put on slavery, which was, sadly, very dominant in La Réunion (and neighbouring islands Mauritius and Madagascar, for that matter).

The visit continues with a very personal exhibition of portraits and testimonies of ancient workers before ending with an introduction to the Creole culture and its particularities (like a typical boutik sinoi, a traditional supermarket held by Chinese immigrants, authentic rhum-ads or a multi-coloured bus).

Don't hesitate to stop by the gift shop; there is a whole array of souvenirs for the people at home centred around sugar. I, for example, brought several types of spiced sugars for my grandma, among which a brown sugar perfumed with combava, a citrus-like fruit prevalent on Réunion Island.

9. - Explore Creole Cuisine Through a Cooking Class

Speaking of combava, cooking classes are hard to find on the island, but it's a delicious experience if you do.

We were fortunate that our host was willing to show us exactly how to make the famous rougail-saucisse with gratin de chouchou, and it's been a regular in our kitchen ever since.

A quick explanation of these delicacies: a rougail is a kind of (spicy) stew, generally with traditional smoked sausages. It's served with a gratin of chouchou, a local vegetable used in all types of dishes, both savoury and sweet.

Chouchou (also known as chayote in France) is commonly called the "king of vegetables" as it's versatile and grows quickly. The plant has big green leaves, entwining around trees, sprawling everywhere, leaving a bright green carpet on the scenery. Although initially from Mesoamerica, the Réunion Island adopted it as their "national vegetable".

Creole food is rich in flavours and spices and not complicated to make if you know the secret tricks and have the right ingredients. For example, the sausage for the rougail is hard to find elsewhere, at least not with the same intense flavour.

I found a Creole cooking class on Tripadvisor if you like to dive deeper into culinary delights.

Or else, ask your host if they are an avid cook and would be willing to initiate you.

Also: beware that the rhum arrangé, meaning rhum with all kinds of fruits and spices added, is the speciality of the Réunionnais. They gladly offer you a glass of their homemade variation at every meal. The sweetness of some of them is treacherous, so be cautious...

10. - Head To The River Langevin For Some Canyoning And Waterfalls

Canyoning in The River Langevin

Book something like this canyoning tour in the Rivière Langevin in advance to be sure that there are spots left - not many offer these tours, and during high season, you won't find an available provider as places to do this safely are scarce.

Cascade De Grand Galet

For those who travel with a chronic disease (see the best tips on how to travel with IBD here) or are pregnant, here's a lovely sight not to miss, one easily reachable by car: the Cascade de Grand Galet, located here.

If you came unmotorised to the island, here's a driving tour which explores all the attractions along the Langevin River, including the waterfalls.

Please forgive the bad quality of the photos, it was shortly before noon, so the sun was very high, and it was nearly impossible to get a good picture without those damn light flares. But you get the picture.

So here's a little tip: get there early morning or late afternoon, maybe right before or after your canyoning tour.

If you don't do a full-day tour and need a lunch break, look for a quiet spot along the river for a picnic. It's a bit windy along the river, and that's very refreshing in this tropical heat.

Don't sit too close to the water, though. The river is home to a hydraulic station, and at some point, they might open de watergate, and that's when the water rises fast. Signs are posted everywhere that strongly advise against swimming in most parts of the river.

Hence: the need to book a safe tour; tour operators know the spots that aren't dangerous for water activities.

One of these safe swimming spots is not far from the main waterfalls and even has a little cascade. Of course, Sebi had to jump in - it's what he does. Every waterfall we ever saw, be it in the Dominican Republic or Croatia - hell, even the icy rivers and lakes in Scotland in the middle of October: he would always jump in.

11. - Visit One of The Numerous Vanilla Farms on Réunion Island

The truth is, vanilla is sold at every single market in La Réunion. Moreover, during high season, plenty of little vendors are along the road.

The problem is that there are huge differences from one vanilla to the next, and you might end up overpaying for a mediocre quality product with barely any vanilla aroma.

We went to l'Escale Bleue, near Saint-Philippe, as it was on the way to see the cold lava streams. They offer a guided visit to their farm, where they humorously explain how vanilla is made (a process that takes nine months for the aroma to develop!).

When you buy vanilla beans from the supermarket, you have to cut them open and scrape out the little dark crumbs.

Well, this family-owned vanilla farm has developed a procedure that allows the dried bean to be used whole and thus have a stronger taste. I will spare you the details, but I bought some of these beans for my dad, and the flavours are remarkably intensive. For example, a piece of barely two centimetres is enough for one litre of milk.

It's pricey, but nothing compared to what we pay in Europe for a single bean that can only be used once.

L'Escale Bleue, located here, also offers an array of products made with smaller vanilla beans that don't get sold, like sugars, drinks, sweets, scrubs, etc.

We stopped by the Jardin des Parfums et Épices de Mare-Longue on returning to Saint Pierre. This botanical garden is considered another amazing thing to do on Réunion Island.

Still, if you arrive in-between guided visits, there is hardly anything to learn: no signposts anywhere, very unlike the Domaine du Café Grillé we visited earlier.

Find the Jardin des Parfums et Épices here.

12. - Drive Along The Coast To Contemplate (Cold) Lava Streams

The road from Saint-Philippe to Piton-Saint-Rose is the most prolific area for lava streams due to the orientation of the active Piton de la Fournaise.

No building activity is allowed on this part of the coast - who would want to do that anyway? Knowing that the volcano erupts at least once a year.

Granted, not every eruption is followed by a massive lava river flowing down to the sea, but still. The most impressive ones are from the eruptions of 2007, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005.

2007 was probably the biggest (recorded) eruption that created two new beaches and a platform with lava fountains as high as 200 m, acid rain, and explosions along the coast: an insane firework.

Some streams are still more visible than others; nature has already taken back parts of them by spreading hardheaded vegetation on this rather hostile ground.

The stream from 2004 is the only one that formed proper lava tunnels that can be visited during a guided speleology tour like this one here. Just make sure you're not claustrophobic. Or pregnant. We didn't do it because of the latter.

While I myself am a little claustrophobic, my experience in the Crystal Cave in Belize showed me that one can overcome these fears.

13. - Admire A (Very) Active Volcano at Piton De La Fournaise

I give you: one of the most incredible things to do on La Réunion Island considered the number 1 attraction.

Given that a volcanic eruption is at the origin of the very creation of Réunion Island, the people here have adapted to and adopted the Piton and genuinely admire it.

A Young Volcano

Piton De La Fournaise was born 500.000 years ago, which is relatively young for a volcano. And for roughly 400.000 years, the largest mountain on the island, the Piton Des Neiges - noticeably older by eight million years - was active simultaneously. But the old man is dormant now; its last eruption was 12.000 years ago.

Unlike other active volcanoes, Piton De La Fournaise is much more innocuous because it's an effusive but not explosive volcano. This is why, during some eruptions, you can even hike around the volcano while contemplating glowing red-hot lava streams along the way.

The only real danger is when the direction of the stream changes and affects populated areas, which hardly ever happens - or at least not since modern science allows us to predict the direction of the flows precisely.

The Piton De La Fournaise is under 24/7 surveillance; nothing escapes their measurement equipment.

How To Get To The Piton De La Fournaise

There is only one road leading to the crater, the RF 5 ("route forestière du volcan"), a scenic route with various viewpoints along the way, like the Nez de Boeuf (2050 m altitude) overlooking a breathtaking gorge.

Hiking to the crater's edge, located here, is possible and even recommended, provided an eruption isn't actively going on. We visited the volcano area when an eruption was deemed likely "within the next few days or weeks", so portions of the trails were closed off.

For a guided hiking tour to the best parts of the volcano, including some off-trail portions you can't access alone, check out this well-rated activity on Viator or another one from GetYourGuide.

Check out this helicopter tour for another view of the volcano, ideally when it's erupting. Or get a guide for an epic sunrise tour of the volcano.

Don't skip the Plaine des Sables viewpoint on the way to or back from the central crater: the road is awful here (the worse portion - the rest of the route forestière is in excellent condition), but the scenery is outer-worldly. A brown-reddish Martian valley that strongly reminded us of some parts of the Wadi Rum desert.

There's also an excellent guided tour of the 2004 lava tunnels worth checking out if you're not pregnant (or claustrophobic).

14. - The Absolute Best Thing To Do on Réunion Island: Embark on a Multi-Day Hike in Cirque de Mafate

Side note: we didn't do this ourselves, for obvious reasons, but it will remain on our must-do list until we return someday.

The Cirque de Mafate is probably the wildest of the three cirques on the island (the other two being Salazie and Cilaos).

The central part of its 100 km² is cut off from the rest of the island, with about 800 people living in little villages called îlets dispersed in the vegetation. The îlets are only reachable by foot or helicopter (we incidentally witnessed their monthly refuse collection service in action, done by ... helicopter).

In total, five hills surround this cirque, rendering it thus inaccessible by roads. But that's precisely Mafate's charm.

I won't go into detail about the various hikes in Mafate since we couldn't do them, but for the best experience, you have to schedule at least five days inside the cirque to visit all the îlets.

Two main trails, the GR R1 and GR R2, go across Mafate, and another one, the GR R3, goes around it.

Six departure points on all sides are available to start your multi-day trek, but you must research them carefully as their degree of difficulty varies greatly.

Hiking in Mafate

Always carry a good site map, enough water and food, a flashlight, light shoes for crossing rivers, and everything you might need to spend a few nights in primary villages. Also, if you stay at the guesthouses, reserve the meals beforehand - they need time to get the groceries...

Word of caution: don't leave anything in the car if you leave it at one of the main parking lots near the departure points. As it's common knowledge that people parking there will be gone for a few nights, it's an open invitation for break-ins.

If you can't hike but still want to admire all of the cirques and especially Mafate, a helicopter flight is an absolute thing to do on Réunion Island for those who have money: it's expensive. We didn't do it because helicopters weren't recommended in my then-precarious pregnancy phase, but it is highly recommended by anyone who has done it.

Here's a tour offering the best sights of Cirque de Mafate from above.

Le Belvédère du Maïdo

Another possibility to get a glimpse of the grandeur of Mafate: the Belvédère du Maïdo.

It's THE best viewpoint on Réunion Island, and we loved it so much that we got up there twice.

Just kidding: the first time we tried was coincidentally the day France's Prime Minister went up there to plant something, a random political act. And so, for security reasons, we weren't allowed to drive to the top, only hikers. However, we didn't know that until we had almost reached the top (after more than one hour on sinuous and bumpy roads) and had to turn around at the last minute.

We got back up the next day, and it was worth the wait!

Here again: get there before 9 am at the latest. We arrived around 9.30 am, and already the clouds were beginning to seal the view. Half an hour later, you could barely see anything through the thick mist.

Find the Belvédère du Maïdo here.

15. - End Your Réunion Island Itinerary Around Saint-Paul

L'Ermitage Les Bains

An island trip isn't complete without at least a little bit of beach fun, and the region of Saint-Paul is ideal for that purpose.

Saint-Paul is located on the côte sous le vent, meaning "the coast underneath the wind", the West coast, protected from heavy winds. The east coast is a lot windier (hence: côte au vent, "coast exposed to the wind") and gets more rain than the other side of the island because rain clouds move from East to West and hit there first.

If lying around on a sandy beach, feeling the light breeze and the warming sun (beware of sunburns!) is too dull, add some snorkelling in one of the best lagoons, l'Ermitage Les Bains, or go for a proper scuba dive.

The latter can even be done inside a submerged lava tunnel at the Grotte du Portail - again, unsuitable for individuals with claustrophobia.

I must admit that we were slightly disappointed by our snorkelling outings. We had the fantastic luck of learning to dive in French Polynesia, and once you've experienced the extraordinaire natural aquariums of Fakarava, everything else seems a bit dull.

There are plenty of fish in the Indian Ocean but not as many coral reefs and colourful variety as in the Pacific.

The lagoon of l'Ermitage Les Bains can be found here.

Cimetière Marin

Oh, hey, there is also a notable cemetery in Saint-Paul!

This one is particularly fascinating because of its beautiful location and history.

Created in 1788, the cemetery of Saint-Paul holds some illustrious guests, all rendering a perfect image of the multi-cultural richness of the island.

It was abandoned in the 1970s but restored in 1977 to welcome the poet Charles Marie Leconte de Lisle (who died in 1894) to a more dignified resting place. 

Another eerily famous tomb has a quirky history: the pirate Olivier Levasseur, called "La Buse", is supposed to be interred here; a plaque on the Desbassayns family grave serves as proof.

But here's the thing: he died in 1730, long before the cemetery existed. Someone is apparently fond of practical jokes.

Then there is the "slave cemetery": in 2007, a cyclone revealed a part of the cemetery that was unknown until then. About 2000 people were inhumated there two centuries ago, at a time when white and enslaved people weren't allowed to share the same burial space. 

Frequently Asked Questions About The Island Of La Réunion

Is Réunion Island Dangerous?

Thanks to Réunion Island being a department of France and thus, in Fact, European, the dangers aren't greater than elsewhere on mainland Europe.

Animals

Except for one: tiger mosquitoes are very much present on the island. The last ten to twenty years have seen a resurgence of yearly Dengue and Chikungunya epidemics. While cases are still proportionally low, compared to countries in South-East Asia, for example, the danger is present.

The only way to protect oneself is by wearing long-sleeved clothing and applying lots of mosquito repellent, either containing DEET (unsuitable for pregnant people) or Icaridine (safe during pregnancy). Every other natural repellent won't work against tiger mosquitoes.

Also, when sitting outside, we took the habit of burning mosquito repellent discs in the evening (when they are most active), and we brought our own (impregnated) mosquito net to sleep underneath.

Theft

Another danger is petty theft, especially in Saint-Denis, the island's most extensive and most populated city.

I also already mentioned this: don't leave anything inside your (rental) car on the parking near the trek departures, especially overnight.

The sun

Often overlooked danger: the sun. Even with a cloudy sky, UV radiation is stronger between 11 am and 3 pm than in mainland Europe. The island is located way down to the South of the earth, and especially when hiking, you are a lot more exposed at a certain altitude.

In the water

At the beach, always keep an eye on the markers, as there has been an increase in shark attacks in recent years. Don't be stupid by venturing out to restricted zones. It's their habitat; you're the intruder.

The signs also indicate if there is a strong current or undertow. Respect that too or you might end up with your name on one of the crosses along dangerous beaches, bearing the phrase "vanished at sea".

Can You Drink The Tap Water on Réunion Island?

Generally speaking, the water on Réunion Island is safer than in many other parts of the world. But it's not necessarily European standard, either. Like the Réunionnais say: tap water is safe to drink if you're not too sensitive. People with Ulcerative Colitis refrain from drinking it. You better buy bottled water.

Also: after heavy rainfall, the water gets dirty and coloured. You can check more details on La Réunion's water quality on Eau du Robinet.

How Is The General Sanitary And Health Situation on Réunion Island?

Another advantage of La Réunion being part of France is the excellent health system. The island has the best hospitals in the Indian Ocean, like the CHR of Saint-Denis.

The equipment, the doctors, the medication, everything is French and European standard - a detail not to be scoffed at for people with various health issues.

How Long Should You Stay on Réunion Island?

Our itinerary covers approximately two weeks, but if you plan multi-day hikes, you should have at least two to three days more.

Especially since the flight is still eleven hours from mainland Europe, you lose two days for the journey alone. Even more, if you are coming from other parts of the world. Always count that in.

What Kind Of Budget Should Be Reckoned With on Réunion Island?

The budget for accommodations depends significantly on whether you choose big hotels on the coast or a cosy little Airbnb in a town on the hills. The prices are a bit cheaper in general than in mainland Europe.

Restaurants also have naturally significant variations: you can eat a delicious rougail-saucisse for as little as 10 €, which is still much compared to neighbouring Mauritius, for example. But once you lean towards the French kitchen, prices go up. That is because these ingredients have to be shipped over.

To stay within a reasonable budget, go Creole. Especially on the markets: as I mentioned earlier, you can get at least ten samoussas for as little as 3 €, and that's plenty of food. Sandwiches, snacks and food truck specialities are cost-efficient options.

Then there is the question of whether you want to splurge and spoil yourself with a helicopter flight - that's a luxury.

All in all, I would say that you should reckon with a slightly smaller budget than you would when vacationing in France.

15 Amazing Things To Do On Réunion Island: Conclusion

Due to my condition, our tempo to explore Réunion Island was much slower than it would have been otherwise. And yet, we managed to see all of the main highlights, and it didn't feel like we were missing out on something.

This contrasting island, with its dense forests, impressive volcanic cones, the warmth of the people, the mix of cultures and religions, and their flavourful culinary world, has conquered many travellers' hearts. And still, people from Western culture won't feel out of place or foreign. The French Art de Vivre and some of their quirkier characteristics are very well present in La Réunion.

It's an island we will be glad to return to, possibly with kids, this time with an increased hiking value.

Remember that this is only a condensed list of things to do on Réunion Island. Depending on your time and budget, the number can easily be doubled.

I hope this post will be helpful in your planning of a La Réunion round trip and that you enjoyed following our personal experiences.

Feel free to comment, pin and share this post!

As ever,

xx

Cyn

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