Reunion Island is a small 2500 m2 island in the Indian Ocean, a tropical paradise known for its lush rainforests, rugged volcanic terrain, and exquisite beaches. Although it is located in the continent of Africa, it is a department of France and is therefore controlled by the French government. Approximately 40% of the island is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The west coast features a beautiful lagoon, while the east coast is cloaked with dry lava that flows from the volcano into the ocean.
West Coast of Reunion Island
The volcanic island is home to around 900 000 residents. French and Creole are the main languages spoken here and the official currency is the Euro. It is an hour away from Mauritius by air, or an overnight trip by sea. Direct flights on Air Austral (a French airline based in Réunion) from Johannesburg are just under 4 hours, and no visas are required for South Africans.
I had been wanting to visit the island for a long while but somehow never got down to it, until my cruise with Norwegian Dawn. We arrived in Reunion after a night of sailing, from Port Louis, Mauritius, and boarded a bus that would take us to Piton de la Fournaise, one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
Mathieu, our guide, introduced himself and began orientating us by showing us our location and destination on a map of the island. The route would take us 90 minutes. However, luck was not on our side, and around 20 minutes after we set off, our bus broke down. We pulled into a petrol station to wait for a replacement bus which took another 90 minutes.
Grazing cows
On the bright side, the petrol station in Saint-Paul was not the worst place to be stranded. Situated on a high vantage point, the green hills behind the petrol station tumbled down to the white sandy beaches of Boucan Canot, near Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, a popular seaside resort. Cows came grazing by and we spotted some pretty birds.
Pretty bird
Reunion being a French island, I was surprised to see samoosas and other Indian snacks at the well-stocked shop, which was priced in Euros. We bought snacks and drinks and sat at the al fresco restaurant area, while we chatted to our fellow travellers, who hailed from the USA, UK and Australia inter alia.
Eventually we were on our way again. We took a scenic drive along the coastline to Saint-Pierre then began ascending the high plateau of Plaine des Cafres. Along the way, we passed small villages, rugged mountains, lush canyons, and thick forests, stopping at a few viewpoints en route.
At the Nez De Boeuf viewpoint, we enjoyed panoramic views of the stunning Riviere des Remparts canyon. Far down below, we could see some small settlements.
Riviere des Remparts canyon
A few minutes later, we stopped at Pas de Bellecombe where the volcanic area begins, to get an overview of the area. As we drove further on, the landscape became more barren and otherworldly, from the Great Burnt Land, a lava field left behind after a previous eruption, to the Plaines Des Sables, a moon-like desert.
Plaines Des Sables
Piton de la Fournaise, the most visited attraction on Réunion Island, is a shield volcano known for its frequent eruptions several times a year and relatively fluid lava flows. While I would have loved to see the volcano erupt – from a safe distance, of course – it was quite calm during our visit. Visitors can hike to the top of the volcano but it takes at least 5 hours to go there and back, and since we were time-pressed, we weren’t able to do it.
Piton de la Fournaise
We spent some time there before beginning our journey back to the port. En route, we stopped for lunch at a traditional Creole restaurant, where we ate a cheesy pumpkin gratin for starters, rice and beans for mains (there was meat for the meat-eaters), and refreshing coconut ice-cream for dessert.
Creole restaurant
Then it was time to bid au revoir to the island and return to our ship. This short visit gave us a glimpse of what Reunion has to offer. Hopefully, it was a trailer for a future, longer visit, when we can take advantage of everything else the island has to offer.
Explore one of the world's most active volcanoes and enjoy breathtaking views along the way.
Nestled in the cirque is a picturesque village that is only accessible by foot (a long hike) or helicopter, adding to its seclusion and unique character.
Spend a day at the exquisite beaches of Réunion, such as Boucan Canot and l'Hermitage, known for their clear waters and white sand.
Dive or snorkel in the coral reefs to witness the diverse marine life.
Visit Niagara Waterfall, Langevin Waterfall, and Trou de Fer for a refreshing experience amidst lush greenery.
This is a museum dedicated to volcanoes.
Indulge in the local Creole flavours which is influenced by African, Indian, and French cuisines.
The capital city is known for its colonial architecture, markets, and vibrant atmosphere.
Learn about the cultivation of vanilla, one of Réunion's main exports.
Experience Réunion from above with a helicopter tour that offers panoramic views of the island's diverse landscapes.
Wander through the lush botanical gardens of Réunion to discover a variety of tropical plants and flowers.
You can see humpback whales migrating off the coast of Réunion between June and October.
Get a bird's eye view of Réunion's picturesque landscapes by paragliding from the hillsides.
Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world. Although she has been to 50 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.
Such a helpful article! I’ve been to Mauritius, but didn’t get a chance to add a trip to visit Reunion. Next time!
You got a better lunch than we did. Our tour circled the island, we could explore lava flows - but didn't see the inland. Next time!
I would have loved to see the lava flows. Were you also on a cruise excursion?
I had not heard of Reunion Island before. Fascinating to read that 40% of the island has a UNESCO designation. I will have to look for this on cruise itineraries as a taste test. We do love visiting volcanic islands like this. And so much else to see and do too!
Reunion is not very widely-known but it's such a beautiful island - and so convenient to visit on a cruise stop!
I’d love to take that helicopter tour and see the waterfalls from up above!
I want to go back and see both the waterfalls and the lava flow from a helicopter.
I'd love to hike to the top of the volcano, it looks beautiful.
I would love to do it when I go back again too!
An active volcano is something I so wish to see and experience. In India, we have only one (Barren Island).
I haven't heard of Barren Island before. We don't have any active volcanos in South Africa!