6 Days • 5 Nights
Reunion Lagoon & Beaches: Sun, Reef & Whales
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- The turquoise lagoon and white beaches of the west coast are the blissful heart of this escape. Reunion's west coast is fringed by beautiful white beaches and a calm, protected turquoise lagoon and marine reserve, sheltered by a coral reef. You relax on the white beaches of Saint-Gilles and L'Hermitage, swim in the warm, calm turquoise lagoon, and soak up the beauty, serenity and Creole seaside charm. The beaches and lagoon are beautiful. Relaxing on the white beaches and swimming in the calm, protected turquoise lagoon of the west coast is the blissful and beautiful heart of this Reunion beach escape.
- Snorkelling the protected coral reef and marine reserve is a beautiful highlight. Reunion's west coast is protected by a coral reef and marine reserve, offering beautiful, safe snorkelling. You snorkel over the coral reef of the marine reserve, teeming with clouds of colourful tropical fish and, sometimes, turtles, in the calm, clear turquoise lagoon, a beautiful underwater world safely within the protected reserve. The reef and marine life are beautiful. Snorkelling the protected coral reef and marine reserve, teeming with colourful fish and turtles in the calm turquoise lagoon, is a beautiful and rewarding highlight of this Reunion beach escape.
- Whale watching and swimming with dolphins are magical highlights. Reunion's waters teem with marine life. From about June to October, humpback whales gather offshore to mate and calve, and you take a boat trip to watch these magnificent creatures breaching and playing, a thrilling encounter. Year-round, you can swim with pods of playful dolphins offshore, a magical experience. The whales and dolphins are magical. Watching humpback whales breaching offshore (in season) and swimming with playful dolphins are magical and unforgettable highlights of this Reunion beach escape.
- Charming seaside towns and Creole cuisine are a delightful highlight. Reunion's west coast has charming seaside towns, Saint-Gilles, with its lively harbour and beaches, and Saint-Leu, a charming coastal town, offering warm Creole seaside charm, lively markets, and delicious Creole and French cuisine, fresh fish, cari, and tropical flavours, at seaside restaurants and Creole tables. The towns and cuisine are delightful. Enjoying the charming seaside towns and delicious Creole cuisine of the west coast is a delightful and rewarding highlight of this Reunion beach escape.
- A glimpse of the dramatic mountains and cirques adds spectacular contrast. Even on a beach escape, the dramatic mountains are close at hand. You ascend to the spectacular Maido viewpoint, high above the coast, gazing down into the remote, roadless cirque of Mafate, a breathtaking sight, and take in the dramatic scenery that makes Reunion so spectacular, a wonderful contrast to the beaches. The scenery is spectacular. A glimpse of the dramatic mountains and cirques, from the spectacular Maido viewpoint over Mafate, adds spectacular contrast, a rewarding highlight of this Reunion beach escape.
- Above all, this journey offers a relaxed, beautiful sun-and-sea escape on the west coast of a spectacular island. Reunion's west coast is a beautiful world of turquoise lagoons, white beaches, a protected reef and Creole charm, and this journey lets you savour it. Over six days you relax on white beaches and turquoise lagoons, snorkel the protected marine reserve, watch whales and swim with dolphins, enjoy charming seaside towns and Creole cuisine, and glimpse the dramatic mountains. The combination of beautiful beaches, a protected reef, marine wildlife, Creole charm and dramatic scenery nearby makes this a relaxed and beautiful escape.
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 6-day journey.
Your Reunion beach escape begins as your flight arrives at Roland Garros Airport near Saint-Denis, where you are met and transferred to your hotel on the beautiful west coast, near Saint-Gilles-les-Bains. Reunion's west coast is a beautiful world of turquoise lagoons, white beaches and a protected reef, and the beauty is immediately apparent. Spend the rest of the day settling in and relaxing after your journey, taking a first swim in the calm, protected turquoise lagoon, relaxing on the beautiful white beach, and watching a glorious sunset over the ocean. This evening, dine on the delicious blend of Creole and French cuisine at a charming seaside restaurant. As you settle in, the beauty and charm of the west coast work their magic. Rest well, ready to savour the beaches and reef.
Today you savour the beautiful beaches and reef of the west coast. You relax on the white beaches of Saint-Gilles and L'Hermitage, swimming in the calm, protected turquoise lagoon, and snorkel over the coral reef of the marine reserve, teeming with clouds of colourful tropical fish and, sometimes, turtles, a beautiful underwater world safely within the protected reserve. You savour the beauty, serenity and Creole seaside charm. The beaches and reef are beautiful. As the sun sets over the ocean in a blaze of colour, you savour the glorious sunset. This evening, dine on Creole cuisine at a seaside restaurant. Rest well, ready for a magical marine encounter tomorrow.
Today you enjoy a magical marine encounter. In whale season (about June to October), you take a boat trip to watch humpback whales breaching and playing offshore, a thrilling encounter, and, year-round, you can swim with pods of playful dolphins offshore, a magical experience, snorkelling and enjoying the beautiful ocean. The rest of the day is yours to relax on the lagoon beaches. The whales or dolphins are magical. As the sun sets over the ocean in a blaze of colour, you savour the glorious sunset. This evening, dine on Creole cuisine at a charming seaside restaurant. Rest well, ready to glimpse the dramatic mountains tomorrow.
Today you glimpse Reunion's dramatic mountains and cirques. You ascend to the spectacular Maido viewpoint, high above the coast, gazing down into the remote, roadless cirque of Mafate, a breathtaking sight, and take in the dramatic mountain scenery, lush forests and viewpoints that make Reunion so spectacular, a wonderful contrast to the beaches. You might take a gentle walk amid the highland forests. The scenery is spectacular. As the day ends, you return to the west coast. This evening, dine on Creole cuisine at a seaside restaurant, reflecting on the dramatic mountains. Rest well, ready to relax and savour the beaches tomorrow.
Today you enjoy a final, relaxed day on the west coast. You relax on the beautiful beaches and turquoise lagoon, swimming and snorkelling the reef, and explore the charming coastal town of Saint-Leu, with its charm, market and, perhaps, the Kelonia turtle centre, savouring the Creole seaside charm and beauty. You might enjoy gentle water sports or a spa treatment. It is a lovely finale to your beach escape. As the sun sets over the ocean for the last time, you savour the glorious colours. This evening, enjoy a final dinner, savouring the delicious flavours and warm charm of Reunion's west coast, reflecting on your beautiful escape. Rest well ahead of your departure, the beaches, reef and charm of Reunion vivid in your memory.
After a final, relaxed morning on the west coast, perhaps a last swim in the turquoise lagoon or a snorkel over the reef, you are transferred to Roland Garros Airport near Saint-Denis for your onward international departure. You leave sun-soaked and deeply relaxed, having savoured the beautiful west coast of Reunion, the turquoise lagoons and white beaches, the protected coral reef and marine reserve, the whales and dolphins, the charming seaside towns and Creole cuisine, and a glimpse of the dramatic mountains. The images stay vivid long after you land, the turquoise lagoons and white beaches, the vibrant reef, the whales and dolphins, and the breathtaking Maido viewpoint over Mafate. Reunion's west coast offers beautiful beaches, a protected reef, marine wildlife and Creole charm in abundance, with dramatic mountains close at hand, and you depart deeply refreshed, already dreaming of a return to this spectacular island.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 5 nights accommodation on a bed-and-breakfast basis
- Airport and land transfers
- Guided tours, hikes and excursions as per itinerary with expert local guides
- Services of expert local guides as per itinerary
- A lagoon and marine reserve snorkelling experience, a dolphin or whale-watching boat trip (whales seasonal), a Maido viewpoint excursion, and use of the lagoon beaches
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Most lunches and dinners (to enjoy Reunion's Creole cuisine)
- Optional excursions and tips for guides and drivers
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Reunion is a French overseas department in the EU; entry rules follow those of France, and many nationalities can visit visa-free for short stays with a passport valid for the trip (note Reunion is not in the Schengen Area, so requirements can differ). We confirm the exact process for your nationality before travel
- Currency: The currency is the Euro (EUR); cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants and shops, but carry some cash for markets, small guesthouses (gites), mountain villages and rural areas. ATMs are available in towns; Reunion is a modern, well-developed French department
- Best time to visit: The cooler, drier winter (roughly April to November) is ideal for hiking and touring, with clearer mountain weather; the humpback-whale season runs about June to October. The summer (December to March) is hotter and wetter with a cyclone risk, though the coast remains warm; mountain weather can change fast year-round
- Hiking & the volcano: Reunion is a world-class hiking island; bring good boots, warm and waterproof layers (mountains are cool and weather changes fast, and Piton des Neiges is over 3,000m), and start early. Access to Piton de la Fournaise volcano depends on its activity and official rules; we follow current guidance for safe, rewarding visits
- Mafate & the cirques: The remote Cirque of Mafate is accessible only on foot or by helicopter, with stays in mountain gites (lodges); Cilaos and Salazie are reached by dramatic, winding mountain roads. We arrange guided hikes, gite stays, transfers and, where wished, scenic helicopter flights for an unforgettable mountain experience
- Language & driving: French is the language and Reunion Creole is widely spoken; some English is spoken in tourism, and our guides assist throughout. Driving is on the right, and mountain roads are steep and winding; we arrange private transfers and guides. Reunion blends French and Creole culture, with excellent cuisine
- Health & safety: Reunion is a safe French department with no malaria, though mosquito-borne dengue and chikungunya can occur, so use repellent. The tropical sun and high-altitude UV are strong, so bring sun protection; heed swimming-safety advice on some coasts (shark-safe swimming is within the protected lagoons and marine reserve). Take comprehensive travel insurance
- Power & getting around: Touring combines private vehicles and guided hikes, with some long, scenic mountain drives; Mafate is on foot or by helicopter. Power is 230V with European type C/E plugs, so bring an adapter. Reunion offers dramatic mountains, an active volcano, lagoon beaches and rich Creole culture in a compact, spectacular island
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Reunion's beaches safe for swimming?
Reunion's beautiful west-coast lagoons (Saint-Gilles, L'Hermitage, Saint-Leu) are protected by a coral reef and marine reserve, and swimming and snorkelling within the lagoons and reserve are safe and beautiful. Beyond the reef, on the open coast, swimming is restricted for safety, so we advise swimming within the protected lagoons and marine reserve, which are lovely and shark-safe. We base you near the best lagoon beaches and advise on safe, beautiful swimming and snorkelling spots.
Can I combine beaches with the mountains and volcano?
Absolutely, and it makes a wonderful combination. While this journey focuses on the west-coast beaches with a glimpse of the mountains, Reunion's dramatic volcano, cirques and waterfalls are close at hand, and we can easily extend or tailor the journey to include the active Piton de la Fournaise, the spectacular cirques of Cilaos and Salazie, and hiking or adventure, for a varied holiday combining beaches with the island's spectacular scenery. We tailor the balance of beach and mountains to you.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary (such as dinners at mountain gites on multi-day hikes, or half board at some hotels). Reunion has superb Creole and French cuisine, from cari (Creole curries) and rougail to fresh fish, tropical fruit and French pastries and wine, and we advise on the best board basis and dining, often leaving meals free to explore the island's excellent restaurants and Creole tables d'hotes.
Are the tours and hikes guided?
Yes, the touring and hikes are led by expert local guides who bring the volcano, cirques, waterfalls and Creole culture vividly to life and ensure safety in the mountains, and touring is by private vehicle. Reunion is a world-class hiking and adventure island, and guided experiences, from volcano hikes and cirque treks to canyoning and paragliding, greatly enrich and enable the adventure. We tailor the guiding and pace to you.
Do I need a visa for Reunion?
Reunion is a French overseas department in the EU, and entry follows French rules; many nationalities visit visa-free for short stays with a valid passport (note Reunion is not in the Schengen Area, so requirements can differ from mainland France). We confirm the exact, current requirements for your nationality before travel, so entry is smooth. Reunion is a modern, well-connected French department.
Is Reunion safe to visit?
Reunion is a safe, modern French department, welcoming and well-developed, with excellent infrastructure and no malaria. Standard precautions apply, as anywhere. In the mountains, we use expert guides and follow weather and volcano guidance for safety; on the coast, we advise swimming within the protected lagoons and marine reserve (which are shark-safe). The island is easy, rewarding and spectacular to explore, blending French and Creole culture.
When is the best time to visit?
The cooler, drier winter (roughly April to November) is ideal for hiking and touring, with clearer mountain weather, and includes the humpback-whale season (June to October). The summer (December to March) is hotter and wetter with a cyclone risk, though the coast stays warm and the island lush. Mountain weather changes fast year-round. We advise on the best timing for your interests, whether hiking, whales or beaches.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of volcano and cirque hiking, canyoning, paragliding and adventure, lagoon beaches, Creole culture and relaxation, add a Mafate trek or helicopter flight, whale watching in season, and tailor the pace and difficulty to you. Reunion offers dramatic mountains, an active volcano, beaches and rich culture, and every journey is tailored to create your ideal adventure and discovery of this spectacular island.
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