Réunion Island - The French Hawaii
Réunion looks like a tiny speck in the Indian Ocean on the map, but zoom in and you’ll find a spectacular island with towering mountains, breathtaking canyons and stunning waterfalls. An overseas French department between Mauritius and Madagascar; a mecca for adventurers and hikers or for those seeking an active holiday infused with lovely beaches, awe-inspiring scenery and fascinating cultures.
Despite its remote location, Réunion is very well connected to Europe, with daily direct flights from Paris. French is the official language, but the craziest part is that you can use Euros and European phone services!
If you’re visiting it for the first time, here are the attractions you can’t miss on Réunion Island.
Activities you can't miss in Réunion
HIKING
Hiking the lush mountain peaks of Réunion is one of the main reasons I came here, and I can say it was definitely worth it! There are not many places in the EU that are comparable to the landscapes of Réunion, very similar to Hawaii.
These are some of my favourite hikes in Réunion:
CAP NOIR HIKE (3 KM)
Get to know this 3 km loop trail near La Possession. This hike between Roche Verre Bouteille and Cap Noir, offers a spectacular view of Cirque Mafate. Although there are some steep and dizzying inclines, these parts of the trail are secured with ropes and ladders, making the hike quite easy to do even though the terrain is sometimes difficult. If you have an adventurous spirit and you like adrenaline, this hike is for you!
CASCADE BLANCHE HIKE (3,4 km)
Discover the trail of the Cascade Blanche, one of the highest waterfalls in Réunion with a total height of 600 meters. The 3.4 km trail near Salazie, is generally considered a very easy route. It is a popular trail for hiking and enjoying the lush nature. The first part of the trail is relatively easy and provides access to a viewpoint to take some photos of Cascade Blanche. The last part of the hike which continues for 20 minutes, it’s more steep and takes you to the foot of the falls.
It really feels like being in Jurassic Park!
LE TROU DE FER HIKE (8,9 km)
The abundance of rain combined with the mountainous terrain blesses the island with spectacular waterfalls. The grandest of them all is the Trou de Fer (“The Iron Hole”), a 300-meter deep chasm that funnels a number of rivers and culminating in a 695m waterfall that is the highest in France and her territories.
This loop hike offers a stunning view of the Trou de Fer fall and the walk is mainly done in the Bélouve forest, so don't expect a panoramic trail on the way there.
TAKAMAKA VIEWPOINT
Accessible via a long and scenic winding road, the Takamaka viewpoint located around fifteen kilometres southwest of Saint-Benoît town centre is indisputably worth a visit. This impressive viewpoint indeed offers an exceptional view of the Takamaka Valley, whose river supplies two hydroelectric dams. An awe-inspiring, untamed site where you can not only admire majestic mountains covered in greenery but also some magnificent waterfalls! As the Takamaka Valley is considered to be one of the rainiest places in the world, it is advisable to go there on a fine day, preferably early in the morning before the clouds arrive, if you want to enjoy an untrammelled view…
The viewpoint of Takamaka is located at the beginning of the trail, so it’s not necessary to hike. But, if you would like to go on an adventure, there is a challenging 17 km hike that goes down in the Takamaka Valley. You will tackle wet terrain, with a steep drop, with 27 ladders and an average duration of 7 hours of walking.
You will be largely rewarded for your efforts by the magnificent waterfalls and the grandiose landscapes that will cross your path.
WHALE SAFARI TOUR
Réunion is a great place to experience marine life up close. It's not only famous for having one of the most dangerous sharks in the world but also for whale encounters.
In fact, humpback whales are easy to be seen from June until October. The best spot on the island for whale-watching tours is Saint-Gilles-les-Bains.
I highly recommend the company CetaSea, even in mid-October we were so lucky to see a pair of humpback whales jumping!
RELAX ON THE BEAUTIFUL BEACHES
After an exciting spotting tour, I recommend relaxing with the sunset on one of the most beautiful beaches on the Island in Boucan Canot, famous for its incredible shoreline and white sandy beaches.
Since 2021 it has not been possible to swim in the area, due to the presence of sharks, however, next to the beach, there is a natural swimming pool, formed by volcanic rocks where is possible to swim.
HELICOPTER TOUR
It’s certainly not cheap but, if there’s a place in the world where you need to seriously consider splashing out on a scenic flight, Réunion Island definitely tops that list. The view from above is simply out of this world, taking you over remote areas likely to have never been visited by humans. This island is so diverse that the landscapes change every few minutes.
I flew with the company RunHelico and I absolutely recommend it. They are very professional and it is the most economical helicopter tour you will find on the island. They will take you over the most remarkable sites, it’s up to you to choose which tour suits you the best.
I suggest the tour 'Le Grandiose' - the longest flight lasting 55 minutes that flies above the whole Island.
Flying over Salazie, you will discover the eastern coast, more humid, with luxuriant vegetation which dives you into a real tropical garden. You will be fascinated by the countless waterfalls, « Le Voile de La Mariée », the white waterfall, but especially the « Trou de Fer » where only a helicopter flight will make you discover the beauty of the site.
My favourite area was the Takamaka, most of which is only accessible by helicopter. But this helicopter flight would not be complete without flying over the Piton de la Fournaise - worlds most active volcano.
Where to stay in Réunion?
There are many areas where you can stay on Réunion Island. If you are looking for fancy hotels and white sandy beaches I recommend Boucan Canot.
If you are a sea lover and you want to do many water activities like diving, surfing or whale safaris, St Gilles is the place for you!
If you are looking for more restaurant options and affordable prices, Saint Pierre is what you are looking for.
The city of Saint Pierre is the area where I stayed. You can find many boulangeries and the street food is pretty amazing! It is also the ideal place for snorkelling and kite surfing.
My vacation in Réunion wouldn't have been as memorable without the beautiful accommodation where I stayed. If you decide to stay in Saint Pierre, I would highly recommend this apartment:
Vert Lagon
This is for sure the best apartment I’ve ever stayed in. I booked this residence through booking.com, and it was very affordable compared to other accommodations in Réunion Island, which can be quite expensive! There are not many places where you can get this ocean view, or watch the whales jumping 100 metres right in front of you!
During my stay of two weeks in Vert Lagon, I saw at least 50 humpback whales jumping!
Vert Lagon apartment is very spacious, with beautiful house decor and well furnished. You can see the moment you enter that the hosts put a lot of attention to every single detail and they really care about the comfort of the guests!
I highly recommend it for an unforgettable stay on Réunion Island.
