Why Should I Visit Reunion Island?

You should visit Reunion Island because it’s a jaw-droppingly gorgeous destination for adventure with a unique cultural background and hints of European character. Reunion is a wild collection of interesting facts – the furthest east you can go in the European Union, reached via the longest domestic flight in the world. It’s barely visited by anyone outside of France, and it’s got endless opportunities for an active vacation, whether you’re interested in hiking, biking, climbing, or something even more extreme.

The first question you’ll get when you tell someone you’re heading to Reunion Island is “… hu?”. Saying “it’s near Mauritius” will elicit a hesitant nod. Explaining that it’s about 600 kilometers east of Madagascar gets folks to the right neighborhood. Uninhabited until the French showed up in the 17th century, Reunion has a history of slave plantations, Indian Ocean trade patterns, and today is a proud district of France.

A trip to Reunion Island is a chance to encounter the dynamic nature of Earth up close, with an active volcano and a coastline that hasn’t yet been softened by wind and waves. If you’re more interested in cultural connections than geological facts, you can hike to the remote villages of the Mafate and have a homestay in a place unreachable by car.

ESCAPING THE BUBBLE

If you avoid visiting during peak French vacation season (August mostly), you probably won’t have much to worry about in terms of a tourist bubble. That doesn’t mean places are abandoned – you’ll see plenty of people out hiking and biking. They’re just likely to be locals – the Reunion population is extremely active, and many people from continental France have moved there specifically for the adventure possibilities.

Reunion Island isn’t tiny – it’s quite a bit bigger than Sao Miguel in the Azores for example. However, the population is mostly clustered in a few towns along the coast. That’s also where most of the more substantial hotel clusters are located. If you’ve got your heart set on a meal at a specific restaurant in town, you may want a reservation.

You’ll want to book some other activities too, but mostly because of the dynamic weather of Reunion Island. If you’re interested in a helicopter ride or paragliding, book those for early in your visit. That way, if weather throws a wrench in an early morning departure, you’ll be able to reschedule. Tour operators are generally pretty flexible.

GETTING AROUND

Renting a car on Reunion Island is affordable and easy – there are numerous rental firms at the airport, including international brands like Sixt and local brands like Tropicar. Rentals are pretty affordable – in the low season, we paid under $200 for a full week rental. Driving along the coast of Reunion is also pretty easy – the roads are very well built and maintained, and signage is good. Since there are so few routes though, traffic can get severe during busy times of the day.

Once you get into the mountains, things get a little more intense. Expect roads with endless switchbacks, one lane bridges and tunnels, and steep drop-offs. If you enjoy mountain roads, Reunion is about as good as they get. If you’re prone to getting carsick or nervous around heights, you might be a little uncomfortable.

Reunion does have a substantial bus network, and if you’re not comfortable driving it offers a very workable alternative. Some busses even go up into the mountain and drop passengers at trailheads.

No matter how you get around, don’t be surprised to see cyclists. No matter how steep the road or how hot the weather, they seem to be everywhere. As your little Dacia is struggling up an incline, they’ll be pumping their pedals on past you.

SIGHTS

Volcanos, waterfalls, valleys, and the ocean. There are very few major cultural destinations for sightseeing, and none that would be on the must-see list. The reason you go to Reunion is for the nature, and the nature doesn’t disappoint. It’s such a visually rich destination, you don’t need to feel like you’re following a well-trodden tourist loop. The major peaks like Piton Maïdo and Piton de la Fournaise are worth a visit, but you can also fire up AllTrails and take your pick.

If you’re chasing waterfalls, the island has plenty on offer. The dramatic Cascade Blanche tumbles more than 600 meters, while the technically-off-limits pools of the ‎⁨Bassin des Aigrettes⁩ feels like they could be a make-believe location at Disneyland.

Reunion Island is best seen early in the morning. Don’t expect to be sleeping in very much if you’re going to get the best views. By midday, clouds tend to roll in, especially at higher elevations. If you’re going to get the best sunrise shots, you’ll probably be starting hikes in the middle of the night. For those of us coming from a distant time zone, it’s not too bad – the jet lag is on your side.

EATING

Reunion Island has a lot to offer in terms of food. The extent to which you’ll be able to experience it depends on your activity schedule though – if you’re leaving your accommodation at 3am to make the trailhead, then coming home at sunset exhausted, you may not be eager to head into town for a fancy meal.

Reunion is rich in tropical fruits and vegetables, which you can find at roadside stalls, fruit markets, and at the bigger groceries like Carrefour. It also reflects its French-ness with an excellent bakery and pastry culture, and remarkably affordable cheeses. Most of our meals were trail picnics consisting of fruit and vegetables, baguettes, and cheese or honey.

The primary culinary tradition on Reunion is “Reunion Creole,” a fusion of east African and Malagasy dishes with French influences. There’s also a heavy south Asian and Chinese influence, so don’t be surprised to find samosas served on the same menu as a slow cooked pork stew.

GET YOURSELF TO REUNION ISLAND

If you’re interested in reading a book on a beach while sipping a Mai Tai, or bobbing in warm sea water, Reunion isn’t the destination for you. There aren’t many beaches and the water is neither warm nor especially shark-free. But if you want to go on an adventure, scale some heights, float down a river on a volcano, or jump off a cliff with a parachute, Reunion is a pretty amazing destination. If you’re considering putting it on your list, spend some time on the absolutely fantastic website of the tourism board. And if that provokes questions, don’t hesitate to write them – they’re very helpful. Don’t miss our full trip report as well.