To the assault of an exceptional nature
MOUNTAIN BIKING. On the saddle of a mountain bike, from sandy paths to tamarind forests, from sugar cane fields to riverbeds, you're bound to find what you're looking for. Downhill mountain biking is well developed on the island, with over 1,400 km of marked trails. The most beautiful ride is certainly the descent of Le Maïdo (after a shuttle service with local service providers) and its 2,200 m vertical drop. Other popular sites include the plains, where, despite their name, you'll have to negotiate a few steep inclines, the volcano, the Dimitile and the Bébour-Bélouve forest.
Horseback riding. You don't have to be an experienced rider to ride merens (small mountain horses from the Pyrenees). The best places for a good ride are the plains. You can also trot along the beach at Étang-Salé, on the hills of Cap la Houssaye, in the cane fields or through the forests. The island has a number of equestrian centers.
Quad bikes and buggies. There are several rental outlets for quads and motorized buggies, which can be used on all the island's roads except certain stretches of dual carriageway. A number of service providers also organize rides on private land, with all kinds of thrills: cane fields, forests..
Exploring lava tunnels. The exploration of lava tunnels, the guts left behind by the retreating lava, has become a popular activity over the last ten years. A number of service providers are now offering you the chance to discover the volcano from underneath, to discover an unknown world of stalactites and stalagmites in unlikely colors.
Canyoning and climbing. With its sheer cliffs and cascading waterfalls, Réunion Island is an ideal place for canyoning or abseiling down waterfalls, under the refreshing spray of water jets. Nearly 100 canyons are equipped. Not only is the concentration of sites exceptional, but many of them are of a scale unknown in Europe (Takamaka, Trou-de-Fer, Ravine-Blanche, Bras-Magasin, rivière des Roches...). For beginners, initiation takes place at the Saint-Gilles basins. Later, you can practice at Cilaos, from the top of 30-metre-high cliffs.
Rafting, canoeing, water trekking. Less spectacular than canyoning, but just as thrilling in the island's breathtaking scenery. The rivers can be descended by a variety of craft: kayak-jump, raft, canoe-kayak or aquatic trekking, which involves jumping from waterfall to waterfall. Allow for a half-day at around €50 or a full day at around €70, with a riverside picnic. You'll find service providers in the regions concerned. The possibility of the activity and the choice of spot depend on your level, the weather, and above all the season, bearing in mind that the rivers are most practicable in the rainy season, from November to April.
Numerous nautical activities
Although Réunion Island is more about land than sea, there are plenty of water-based activities on offer, in addition to the classic paddleboard, towed buoy and parasailing outings.
Water sports and sea outings. You can take to the waves on sea kayaks or Optimists, thanks to the various nautical associations and service providers in the seaside towns (Saint-Gilles, Saint-Pierre). For more serious sailing, several sailboats organize trips along Reunion's coastline, even as far as Mauritius. It's also possible to hire sailboats without a boating license, as well as motorboats, this time with a license. Most service providers are located in Le Port or Saint-Gilles-les-Bains.
Glass-bottom and semi-submerged boat trips are also available. Also from Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, dolphin trips are available all year round in the Bay of Saint-Paul. But the most popular of all are the whale-watching trips, which migrate offshore from July to October. Most service providers offer them. Finally, sailboat and catamaran trips are also available for coastal cruising around the island.
Surfing and bodyboarding. Surfing has been banned all over the island since 2013, due to a prefectoral decree issued following shark attacks, with the exception of two areas secured by nets at Boucan-Canot and Roches Noires. The reinforced shark watch (VRR) is deployed on certain spots between Boucan Canot and Trois Bassins, subject to visibility of at least 8 m. Established and governed by prefectoral and municipal decrees, and constantly improved, the system has been scientifically evaluated. To find out more about surfing zones, safety measures and rules, visit surfingreunion.com or ouest-lareunion.com/surf.
Windsurfing and kitesurfing. Windsurfing has been practiced on the island since the 1970s, but is now more rare, replaced by kitesurfers, who are becoming more numerous every year. A dozen spots have been opened since the early days, most of them in the west and south. During the big winter swells, the occasional daredevil can be seen attacking the "left of Saint-Leu". A breathtaking spectacle! However, the level is high, and it's very difficult to get started on Reunion Island.
Scuba diving. Even if Reunion doesn't rival the world's most beautiful destinations, it does boast some beautiful spots and good conditions that will delight experienced divers and beginners alike. The sites are well catalogued and many are of great interest, such as Pointe au Sel and the wrecks. Most centers are located at the ports of Saint-Gilles and Saint-Leu, towns whose beaches are bordered by coral reefs. These centers don't dive in the lagoon, but behind the barrier reef, on the drop-off or on the flats. To explore the lagoons, all you need is a mask: depths rarely exceed 1 m. On the rest of the island, dive sites are much rarer and reserved for experienced divers. Diving centers comply with European safety standards and more often than not offer CMAS rather than PADI training. Beginners can try their hand in ideal conditions - a first dive costs between €55 and €65.
Water temperatures range from 23°C in winter to 29°C in summer; the best time to dive is from October to May. Visibility is good, currents weak and sharks remain offshore - in any case, they never attack divers (no cases have been recorded). The flora is not very developed; nevertheless, many species of coral and anemones are present. The fauna (richer in recent years, thanks to the fight against pollution) is made up of hundreds of multicolored fish, including groupers, barracudas, jacks, parrotfish, butterflyfish, stonefish, clownfish that rub against the anemones, scary moray eels and mischievous rays... and, if you're lucky, a turtle. The seabed is characterized by numerous faults and drop-offs, such as the 70 m-high Pointe au Sel. The faults are the result of lava flows that cooled and cracked, then were hollowed out by the flow of gullies; the flora and fauna are concentrated around arches and gorges, and the scenery is splendid.
Big-game fishing. Reunion Island is a paradise for lovers of big fish: marlin, swordfish, tuna and even shark for the bravest, fight furiously before ending up on your plate in curries or skewers. The best way to do this is to use a service provider, of which there are several in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains and one in Saint-Pierre.
In the air, the big show!
As you soar through the air, the views are fabulous and the scenery enchanting!
Helicopter. Helicopters are the most spectacular way to fly over the island's incredible landscapes. It's also the most expensive, but if ever there was a time to experience the thrill of flight, it's on Reunion Island, with its rugged terrain and landscapes of intense contrasts: lagoon, volcano, high mountains, dizzying waterfalls... For tourist flights, there are now several companies flying over the three cirques, the volcano and the unforgettable, extraordinary Trou de Fer, which is only accessible by helicopter - and which we highly recommend. A must, but a rather expensive activity (from €85 to €300).
Paragliding. Paragliding conditions are ideal on Reunion Island, whether you're an experienced paraglider or a beginner. Thanks to this magical glider invented by a local (yes, that's right!), the island's astonishing landscapes are virtually within reach, approachable at low speed and in silence. The favorite spot for paragliders is the Colimaçons area, in the Hauts de Saint-Leu, where you can fly 300 days a year, but the best season is from October to December. Paragliding depends enormously on the weather: flights are mostly in the morning, until midday or 1pm. You'll pay around €75 to €85 for a first flight, and up to €110 depending on your starting altitude. Flights start at 800 m or 1,600 m, allowing you to fly over the primary forest, the coast and the lagoon. Paragliding centers are all located in Saint-Leu.
ULM. This is perhaps the best way to discover Réunion from above. Cheaper than helicopters, microlights fly almost the same routes, with the notable exception of the Trou de Fer, where you need to be able to hover. You don't need to be in any particular physical condition to take a microlight for a sightseeing flight, and as with helicopters, Reunion Island is a prime location for this sport and for sightseeing flights. Choose your departure base according to the sites you wish to fly over first and your budget: from the south, the volcano is less expensive and less distant. From the north or west, Mafate and Salazie are the most accessible. You'll find service providers based in Sainte-Marie (Roland-Garros airport), Saint-Paul (Cambaie) and Saint-Pierre (Pierrefonds airport).
