Reunion Island Travel FAQ

No, EU citizens do not need a visa: Reunion Island is a French overseas department and region, fully part of France and the European Union. A valid national identity card or passport is enough, since a French carte d'identite is accepted for entry. There is no immigration checkpoint for EU nationals arriving from mainland France. Non-EU travellers should check French visa rules separately, since Reunion is outside the Schengen area.

No, Reunion Island is outside the Schengen area even though it is French and EU territory, because it is an outermost region (RUP) with its own entry rules. A Schengen visa does not automatically cover Reunion, so non-EU travellers with only a Schengen visa should verify eligibility before booking. EU and EEA citizens are unaffected and enter with a national ID card or passport. This distinction catches out some travellers connecting via mainland France.

A valid national identity card or passport is sufficient for EU and EEA citizens, the same as for domestic travel within France. No visa or additional permit is required since Reunion is French territory. Airlines will still check ID at boarding for flights from mainland France or elsewhere in the EU. It is worth carrying a passport rather than only an ID card if connecting through a non-Schengen hub, since Reunion itself sits outside Schengen.

Non-EU visitors generally follow standard French visa rules, since Reunion is French territory, but Schengen visas do not automatically apply because the island is outside the Schengen area. Travellers should check with the nearest French consulate for the specific visa category needed for Reunion. A valid passport is required, and return or onward travel proof is sometimes requested at check-in. Rules vary significantly by nationality, so this should be confirmed 4-6 weeks before departure rather than assumed.

The austral winter, from May to October, is the best window: dry, cooler air (roughly 20-25 degrees Celsius at lower altitude) and the safest period for hiking in the cirques and up the volcano. The austral summer, November to April, is hotter, more humid and coincides with cyclone season, which can close trails and roads for days. September and October often combine good trail conditions with fewer crowds than the July-August peak. Whale season, July to September, overlaps well with the dry season.

Cyclone season runs roughly from November to April, matching the austral summer, with January to March typically the highest-risk months. Direct hits are not annual, but tropical disturbances bring heavy rain, flooding and temporary road or trail closures even without a full cyclone. Meteo France issues vigilance levels that can shut schools, roads and tourist sites with little notice during this window. Travellers visiting in this period should build flexibility into the itinerary and monitor forecasts daily.

Meteo France Reunion uses a graduated vigilance system: green is normal, then pre-alert and orange alert signal an approaching threat with increased rain and wind, and red alert (alerte rouge) means confinement, with roads, schools, shops and most tourist activity fully shut. During red alert, everyone is required to stay indoors until the all-clear, which can last from several hours to over a day. Orange alert already disrupts hiking, boat trips and mountain roads, so bookings should be treated as provisional. Hotels and tour operators follow these alerts strictly, not personal judgment.

Reunion sits in the Southern Hemisphere Indian Ocean, so its seasons run opposite to Europe: austral summer falls in the European winter (November-April) and austral winter falls in the European summer (May-October). This means a European visitor arriving in July, mid-summer at home, lands in Reunion's cool, dry season, better for hiking than swimming-focused trips. It also explains why cyclone season, an austral-summer phenomenon, peaks around January-March rather than August. Packing should account for genuinely cooler temperatures at altitude during the austral winter.

May through October, the austral dry season, gives the most reliable hiking conditions, with less rain, clearer volcano views and firmer trail surfaces in Mafate and the other cirques. July and August are the busiest and coolest, with possible near-freezing temperatures at altitude on Piton des Neiges and the volcano rim, so warm layers matter even in the tropics. September-October often balances good weather with lighter crowds on routes like the GR R2. Outside this window, from November to April, heavy rain and cyclone risk regularly force trail and hut closures.

Yes, a rental car is close to essential: public transport (mainly the Car Jaune bus network) connects the main coastal towns but rarely reaches trailheads, cirque villages or the volcano access roads on a useful schedule. Driving also lets travellers reach the Maido viewpoint, Cilaos or the volcano's Pas de Bellecombe car park before sunrise, which fixed bus timetables do not allow. Car rental typically runs about 30-60 EUR per day depending on season and vehicle class. Mafate is the one major exception, reachable only on foot or by helicopter, so no car is needed there.

Driving is on the right-hand side of the road, the same as mainland France and most of continental Europe. Road signage and rules follow French standards, and an EU driving licence is valid without conversion. Mountain roads to Cilaos and Salazie are narrow with hundreds of hairpin bends, so speeds are naturally slow regardless of posted limits. Visitors used to left-hand driving should budget extra caution on these winding sections rather than on the coastal highways.

The road to Cilaos climbs through roughly 400 bends over about 35 kilometres from the lowlands near Saint-Louis, and typically takes 1 to 1.5 hours of careful driving, longer for anyone prone to motion sickness. It is often cited as one of the most tortuous roads in France, carved into the cirque's steep walls with narrow single-lane sections and short tunnels. Traffic and roadworks can add significant delays, especially in high season or after rain. Fuel up beforehand, since options in Cilaos itself are limited.

Car Jaune is Reunion's island-wide public bus network, connecting Saint-Denis to the main coastal towns including Saint-Pierre, Saint-Benoit and Saint-Paul along several numbered lines. Fares are low, generally a few EUR per trip, making it useful for budget travel between towns along the coast. It does not reliably serve trailheads, the volcano access road or the cirque interiors, so it works better for town-to-town movement than for outdoor excursions. Schedules are less frequent on weekends and holidays, so timetables should be checked in advance.

Reunion has two commercial airports: Roland-Garros (RUN) near Sainte-Marie in the north, which handles the large majority of international and long-haul flights, and Pierrefonds in the south near Saint-Pierre, mainly serving regional and some low-cost routes. Roland-Garros is the default choice for most visitors since it has more connections and car rental options. Pierrefonds can be convenient if a trip is focused on the south (Saint-Pierre, the Sud sauvage) and a suitable regional flight exists. Ground transport between the two airports takes over an hour by road.

Piton de la Fournaise, at 2,632 metres, is one of the world's most active volcanoes and a hikeable, still-erupting shield volcano in the island's southeast.

Piton des Neiges, at 3,070 metres, is the extinct, much older volcanic peak and the highest point in the Indian Ocean, reached via a longer multi-day trek typically from Cilaos through Caverne Dufour.

The two sit on opposite sides of the island's geological history, active versus dormant, and require very different levels of commitment: the Fournaise crater rim is a demanding day hike, while Piton des Neiges is usually an overnight trip. Both can be closed independently depending on volcanic activity or weather.

From Bourg-Murat, the Route du Volcan leads roughly 25 kilometres across the Plaine des Sables to the Pas de Bellecombe car park, a drive of about 45-60 minutes on a paved but exposed road with no fuel stations along the way. This road is often closed by weather, cloud cover or volcanic activity, so checking status the morning of the visit is essential rather than optional. Arriving early, ideally before 8am, gives the best chance of clear views before afternoon cloud rolls in. From Pas de Bellecombe, it is a further hike down and across to the crater area itself.

No, access to the Dolomieu crater and the Enclos Fouque is frequently closed due to active eruptions, gas emissions or unstable terrain, since Piton de la Fournaise is genuinely active and monitored closely. Closures can last from days to months depending on volcanic activity, and rangers enforce them strictly for safety. Even when open, trail extent can be limited to a viewpoint rather than the crater rim itself. Checking the Parc national de La Réunion or ONF status before planning the day is necessary, not just recommended.

The round trip from Pas de Bellecombe to the Dolomieu crater area typically takes about 4 to 6 hours, covering roughly 12-14 kilometres with a steep descent and matching climb back up the Enclos Fouque's inner wall. There is little shade and the terrain is volcanic rock, so sun protection and sturdy footwear both matter despite the tropical latitude. Weather changes fast at this altitude, and afternoon cloud or wind is common, so an early start is strongly advised. This hike is only possible when the crater zone is officially open.

The Cite du Volcan, near Plaine des Cafres, is an interactive museum dedicated to Piton de la Fournaise and volcanology in general, with exhibits including a simulated eruption experience and real seismic data. It gives useful context before or instead of the physical hike, particularly useful on days when the crater trail is closed. Entry costs roughly 10-15 EUR for adults, with family and child pricing available. It works well as a half-day stop combined with the Plaine des Cafres or Plaine des Palmistes area.

The three cirques are Cilaos, Salazie and Mafate, vast natural amphitheatres formed by the collapse and erosion of the ancient Piton des Neiges volcano. Cilaos is known for its hairpin access road, thermal spa heritage and canyoning; Salazie, centred on Hell-Bourg, is the greenest and wettest, with numerous waterfalls. Mafate is the most remote, with no road access at all, reachable only on foot or by helicopter, and home to scattered hamlets like La Nouvelle and Marla. Together with the volcano and surrounding remparts, the cirques form the UNESCO World Heritage core inscribed in 2010.

Mafate has no road access whatsoever, so entry is only on foot via marked trails (including sections of the GR R1 and R2) from trailheads such as Col des Boeufs, Dos d'Ane or Sans Souci, or by helicopter from Saint-Denis or the coast. A typical walking approach from Col des Boeufs to a hamlet like La Nouvelle takes around 2-3 hours. Helicopter transfers cost roughly 100-200 EUR per person one-way depending on the operator and drop point, and are popular for visitors with limited time or mobility. Most visitors combine the hike in with an overnight stay before hiking out a different way.

Accommodation in Mafate is in gites d'etape, simple family-run guesthouses in hamlets such as La Nouvelle, Marla, Roche Plate, Grand Place and Aurere, offering dormitory beds and home-cooked Creole meals since there are no restaurants or shops to speak of.

A bed with half-board typically costs around 35-55 EUR per person per night, and booking ahead is essential since capacity is limited and supplies are brought in on foot or by helicopter. There is no road access, so everything, including food, arrives the same way hikers do.

Multi-day itineraries usually link two or three hamlets before exiting via a different trailhead.

Cilaos, reached by the famous 400-bend road, sits in a drier microclimate and is known for thermal springs, vineyards, lentil cultivation and canyoning routes down its ravines.

Salazie, centred on the village of Hell-Bourg, is markedly wetter and greener, packed with waterfalls like the Voile de la Mariee and lush forest scenery, making it better for lovers of cascades than of dry-climate activities.

Both are accessible by paved road, unlike Mafate, so day trips are realistic from the coast for either. Cilaos suits active travellers seeking canyoning or spa relaxation, while Salazie suits those prioritising scenic driving and short waterfall walks.

Hell-Bourg, in the Cirque de Salazie, earned its Plus Beaux Villages de France classification for its well-preserved Creole architecture, ornate wooden case houses and dramatic mountain setting ringed by waterfalls and steep remparts.

The village retains 19th-century thermal-spa-era buildings from when it was a colonial retreat, giving it a distinct historical character compared to newer coastal towns. Its compact centre is easily walkable in an hour or two, with several trailheads (including toward the Trou de Fer area) starting nearby.

It remains one of the few Reunion villages recognised under this mainland-France heritage label.

The GR R1, R2 and R3 are the island's long-distance waymarked hiking routes, maintained largely by the ONF: GR R1 loops around Mafate, GR R2 is the classic traverse crossing all three cirques and the volcano region from Saint-Denis to Saint-Philippe over roughly 8-12 days, and GR R3 circles the volcano massif.

These trails link the gite network, so multi-day hikers rarely need to camp. Sections are frequently closed after storms or cyclones, particularly around Mafate and the volcano, so current status should be checked before departure.

GR R2 in particular is popular with visitors wanting a single trip that covers the island's full hiking highlights.

The Grand Raid, nicknamed the Diagonale des Fous (Madmen's Diagonal), is an ultra-trail race covering roughly 160-170 kilometres and around 10,000 metres of elevation gain, crossing the island from south to north through the cirques and volcano terrain in one continuous effort.

It takes place annually, usually in October, and draws thousands of international trail runners. Race weekend affects gite and hotel availability along the route, and some trail sections see closures or heavy foot traffic in the days around it.

It is widely regarded as one of the toughest ultra-trail events in the world.

Trail status is published by the ONF (Office National des Forets) and the Parc national de La Réunion, which post closures due to landslides, cyclone damage or volcanic activity, and these should be checked the same week as the planned hike since conditions change quickly.

Local tourist offices and gite operators are also reliable, up-to-date sources, often more current than general travel websites. Closures are common enough after the cyclone season that assuming a trail is open without checking is a real risk of a wasted trip.

Popular routes like the volcano crater trail or GR R2 sections through Mafate are the ones most frequently affected.

5-2 hours of walking each way. The falls themselves plunge into a narrow gorge and are also visible, more dramatically but at higher cost, from helicopter tours departing the coast, priced around 150-250 EUR per person.

Cloud cover frequently obscures the view from the ground viewpoint, so morning visits improve the odds. It is one of the most photographed natural features in Reunion's interior, alongside the cirques themselves.

Open-ocean swimming and surfing outside protected lagoon areas have been restricted since 2013 following a series of shark attacks, and this ban remains actively enforced along most of the west coast. Swimming inside the protected lagoons at Saint-Gilles, l'Hermitage and Boucan Canot is considered safe and is where the vast majority of swimming takes place. Ignoring the ban outside the lagoon carries real risk and is also illegal in monitored zones. Freshwater swimming in rivers after heavy rain carries a separate risk, leptospirosis, unrelated to the shark issue.

The safest and most popular swimming spots are the lagoon beaches along the west coast: l'Hermitage, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, Boucan Canot and La Saline-les-Bains, all protected by a coral reef that keeps waters calm and shark-free. L'Etang-Sale, with its black volcanic sand, is popular for sunbathing but has stronger currents in places. The east and south coasts have far fewer safe swimming spots due to rougher, unprotected water. Sticking to flagged, lagoon-enclosed areas is the standard local advice.

A series of shark attacks starting around 2011-2013, involving bull and tiger sharks, led authorities to ban swimming and surfing outside the protected lagoon zones along much of the west coast. The ban remains in force today and is enforced with fines for violators in monitored areas.

It significantly reshaped the island's surf culture, pushing most water activity into the lagoons at Saint-Gilles, l'Hermitage and similar spots.

Some surf and bodyboard spots outside the lagoon still operate under specific local exemptions or surveillance, but general leisure swimming there is discouraged and often prohibited.

L'Hermitage and Saint-Gilles-les-Bains offer the calmest, most reliably clear lagoon water, backed by beachfront restaurants and easy parking, making them the default choice for most visitors. Boucan Canot has a striking setting with white sand but a smaller reef-protected swimming zone. La Saline-les-Bains is quieter and popular with families for its shallow, sheltered water. All of these sit on the drier, sunnier west coast, in contrast to the wetter east, which has few equivalent beaches.

Humpback whales migrate past Reunion roughly from July to September, or sometimes into early October, using the warm Indian Ocean waters to breed and calve during their southern migration. Sightings from shore are possible on the west coast, particularly around Saint-Leu and Saint-Gilles, but boat trips greatly improve the odds and the quality of viewing. This window overlaps with the dry, cooler hiking season, so many visitors combine both activities on the same trip. Numbers and sighting frequency vary year to year, so no exact date range is guaranteed.

Whale-watching trips depart mainly from Saint-Gilles and Saint-Leu marinas between July and September, typically lasting 1.5 to 3 hours, and cost roughly 40-80 EUR per person depending on boat size and operator. Reputable operators follow a code of conduct limiting approach distance and time near pods to reduce stress on the whales, and it is worth confirming an operator follows this before booking. Some trips combine whale watching with dolphin sightings or snorkelling stops along the lagoon. Morning departures generally have calmer seas and better visibility than afternoon trips.

No, sightings are not guaranteed on any single outing, since whale presence depends on migration timing, weather and sheer chance, even within the July-September peak season. Many operators offer a second attempt at reduced or no extra cost if no whales are seen, so it is worth asking about this policy before booking. Success rates are generally good in peak months (often cited informally as high, but not universal) but drop sharply outside July-September. Booking mid-season rather than at the very edges of the window improves the odds somewhat.

Reunion uses the euro (EUR), the same currency as mainland France, since it is a full French overseas department. ATMs are widely available in Saint-Denis, Saint-Pierre and other main towns, though less so in remote cirque villages like those in Mafate, where cash should be carried in advance. EU travellers using euros elsewhere in the eurozone need no currency exchange at all. Non-EU visitors should convert to euros or expect standard card conversion fees.

Yes, credit and debit cards are widely accepted in towns, supermarkets, restaurants and most tourist services, following standard French/EU retail norms. In remote areas, particularly gites in Mafate and small rural stalls, cash is often required since card terminals and reliable connectivity are limited. It is sensible to carry roughly 50-100 EUR equivalent in cash for multi-day hikes or market purchases. EU mobile roaming makes contactless mobile payment straightforward for EU visitors in town centres.

Reunion is generally somewhat more expensive than mainland France for imported goods, fuel and some restaurant meals, due to shipping costs to an island roughly 9,000 kilometres from Paris, though this is not extreme. Locally produced food (fruit, vegetables, rum, fish) and public transport remain reasonably priced. Accommodation ranges widely, from around 30-50 EUR per night for a gite bed to well over 150 EUR for higher-end coastal hotels. Car rental and activities like helicopter tours or canyoning add up quickly, so budgeting for excursions matters more than for daily living costs.

No, tipping is not expected in Reunion, following French practice where service is included in the listed price by law. Rounding up the bill or leaving small change for particularly good service is appreciated but entirely optional. Tour guides and boat trip crews sometimes receive a modest discretionary tip, but nothing at the level expected in tipping-heavy destinations. Restaurant staff do not rely on tips as part of their income.

Dengue fever and chikungunya are the mosquito-borne diseases of most concern in Reunion, with periodic outbreaks reported by local health authorities, particularly during the warmer, wetter months from November to April. Zika has also circulated regionally in the Indian Ocean in past years, so pregnant travellers should seek specific medical advice before visiting. There is no vaccine for dengue or chikungunya widely used for travellers, so prevention is entirely about avoiding bites. Symptoms (fever, joint pain, rash) warrant prompt medical attention rather than waiting them out.

The main defence is mosquito bite prevention: DEET-based or equivalent repellent, long sleeves at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, and accommodation with screens or air conditioning. Emptying or avoiding standing water reduces breeding sites, relevant mainly for those staying in rural gites. There is no widely available vaccine for dengue or chikungunya for travellers, so repellent and clothing remain the primary tools. Checking current outbreak advisories before travel, especially in the wetter November-April season, is worthwhile since local risk fluctuates year to year.

Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection spread through water contaminated by animal urine, is a genuine risk in Reunion's rivers and pools, particularly after heavy rain when runoff increases contamination and river levels rise fast.

Swimming in rivers, ravines or natural pools shortly after storms should be avoided, and any cuts or grazes should be covered before entering freshwater at all.

Symptoms resemble flu at first (fever, headache, muscle pain) and can worsen if untreated, so medical attention is advised for anyone unwell after freshwater exposure. Lagoon seawater at beaches like l'Hermitage carries no such risk.

UV exposure increases with altitude, so hikers on the volcano rim or toward Piton des Neiges face stronger sun than the tropical coastline might suggest, even when air temperatures feel cool or cold.

The volcanic terrain offers little natural shade, and light-coloured rock can reflect additional UV onto skin already exposed from above. High-SPF sunscreen, a hat and UV-rated sunglasses are recommended even on cloudy days, since cloud cover does not block UV as effectively as it blocks visible light.

This combination of cold temperatures and strong UV catches many visitors off guard on the crater hike.

Yes, Reunion offers a strong mix for families: calm lagoon beaches at Saint-Gilles and l'Hermitage for young children, wildlife stops like Kelonia, and short, manageable nature walks alongside more demanding hikes for older kids and teenagers. The island's compact size means driving times between a beach day and a waterfall or volcano viewpoint day are often under an hour. Cyclone-season timing (November-April) is worth avoiding with young children given possible disruptions. Multi-day treks into Mafate are better suited to older, fit children given the terrain and lack of road access.

Kelonia, near Saint-Leu, is a marine turtle observatory and rehabilitation centre where visitors can see several sea turtle species up close in large pools, alongside exhibits on turtle biology and conservation. It combines education with a straightforward, engaging visit for children, typically taking 1-1.5 hours. Entry costs roughly 12-18 EUR for adults with reduced child pricing. It works well paired with a beach stop at nearby Saint-Leu or a visit to the Stella Matutina museum on the same coast.

L'Hermitage and La Saline-les-Bains offer shallow, calm, lagoon-protected water that suits young children well, with nearby shade, facilities and restaurants for family logistics. Saint-Gilles-les-Bains is similarly protected and has the added convenience of being close to shops and Aquarium de La Réunion. Boucan Canot is scenic but has a smaller protected swimming area, so it suits slightly older children better. Beaches outside the lagoon system, including much of the east and south coast, are not recommended for young swimmers due to currents and the offshore swimming restrictions.

Many shorter trails, such as walks around Plaine des Palmistes, Cite du Volcan surroundings or short sections near Hell-Bourg's waterfalls, are manageable for children with reasonable fitness.

Longer routes, including the volcano crater hike or any multi-day trek into Mafate, involve significant elevation change, exposure and remoteness better suited to older kids and teenagers. Weather and trail closures can affect family plans just as they do for adult hikers, so flexibility matters.

Gite accommodation in the cirques is basic (shared rooms, simple meals), which suits adventurous families but not those wanting more comfort.

Maloya is a traditional Reunionese musical style rooted in the island's history of slavery and indentured labour, characterised by percussion, call-and-response vocals and instruments like the kayamb and roulèr.

UNESCO inscribed maloya on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009, recognising its role in preserving Reunion's Creole cultural memory. It is distinct from sega, the island's other major traditional style, which tends to be lighter and more dance-oriented.

Live maloya can be heard at cultural events and some restaurants, particularly around Saint-Denis and the south.

Vanille Bourbon refers to vanilla grown across Reunion, Madagascar and neighbouring Indian Ocean islands using a hand-pollination method developed on Reunion in the 1840s by Edmond Albius, a enslaved boy on the island, since the vanilla orchid's natural pollinator does not exist there.

This labour-intensive process is why real vanilla remains expensive, and Reunion-grown pods are considered high quality within that broader Bourbon vanilla category. The Maison de la Vanille and similar sites in the island's east explain the full cultivation and curing process.

East-coast vanilla farms, around Saint-Andre and Sainte-Suzanne, can often be visited directly.

Cari (a Creole curry, often chicken, pork or fish) served with rice, grains (lentils or beans) and rougail (a spicy tomato-based condiment) is the island's signature everyday meal, found in most local restaurants for roughly 10-18 EUR. Rougail saucisse, a smoked sausage version, is a particularly popular variant. Bonbons piment (spiced lentil fritters) make a common street-food snack. Seafood dishes using local catch are strong along the coast, especially around Saint-Pierre and Saint-Gilles, reflecting the island's mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese and Malagasy culinary heritage.

The Saga du Rhum, near Saint-Pierre, is the island's main rum museum and distillery experience, covering the history of sugarcane and rum production with tastings included in the roughly 10-15 EUR entry fee. Stella Matutina, near Saint-Leu, also covers the island's sugar and rum heritage within a broader agricultural and industrial museum. Sugarcane fields are a defining feature of the landscape, particularly in the east and south, so distillery visits pair naturally with driving tours through those regions. Tastings typically include both white (agricole-style) and aged rum varieties.

Only partially. Most flagship hikes, the road to Cilaos, and the cirques are steep, unpaved, or reached by winding mountain roads with no easy stops. Flat, accessible alternatives do exist: the Barachois seafront in Saint-Denis, the Aquarium de La Réunion, Kélonia, Cité du Volcan, and the sheltered lagoon at Saint-Gilles and l'Hermitage. A helicopter flight is the most realistic way to see the cirques and the volcano without walking.

Réunion Island offers tandem paragliding over the lagoon at Saint-Leu, helicopter and microlight flights over the cirques and the volcano, scuba diving and snorkelling on the west coast reef, plus kayaking and off-road quad or buggy trips. Swimming and water sports are restricted to the lagoon and supervised zones because of a prefectural shark-risk ban on open-water bathing.

Swimming is restricted to the protected lagoon on the west coast (Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, l'Hermitage, La Saline-les-Bains, Saint-Leu) and to a few supervised or enclosed spots such as Étang-Salé and Grand Anse. Swimming outside these zones is banned by prefectoral order.

There is no single best hike — it depends on the time and fitness you have. A day walk to the Trou de Fer viewpoint from Bélouve needs no overnight gear, the Piton des Neiges summit needs one night at the Caverne Dufour gîte, and a full Mafate crossing needs one to three days between ilets like La Nouvelle and Marla. Always check trail status with the ONF before setting out.

May to October (austral winter) is the best window: dry, cooler in the highlands, and the best conditions for hiking and whale watching. November to April is hot, humid, and the cyclone season, with a risk peak in January-March.

Maïdo over Mafate, Pas de Bellecombe on the volcano's enclos, the Fenêtre des Makes above Cilaos, the Trou de Fer overlook from Belouve, and Cap Méchant in the wild south are all reached by car plus at most a 10 to 20-minute walk. Arrive before mid-morning: cloud usually rolls in by 10-11am at altitude.

The standouts are the Voile de la Mariée in Salazie, the Anse des Cascades in Sainte-Rose, the Langevin waterfall and pools in the Wild South, and the canyoning basins above Cilaos (Fleurs Jaunes, Gobert, Bras Rouge), which are only accessible with a guide. All are freshwater sites, not the lagon, so the relevant health rule is leptospirosis, not sharks.

Almost all canyoning in Réunion runs out of Cilaos, on named circuits such as Fleurs Jaunes, Gobert and Bras Rouge, always with a certified guide, harness, wetsuit and helmet. Trips are cancelled or postponed after heavy rain, since river levels rise fast and carry a leptospirosis risk.

Yes, but plan for a long day dominated by driving. The Saint-Louis to Cilaos road has roughly 400 bends and takes about an hour without stops, so most of the day goes into the drive and the village itself, not into reaching Piton des Neiges, which needs an overnight stay at the Caverne Dufour gîte.

Cilaos suits travellers who want canyoning, thermal springs, wine and the trailhead for Piton des Neiges, reached by a demanding 1-hour drive on the RN5's roughly 400 bends. Salazie is greener, easier to reach from Saint-André, and better for waterfalls, the village of Hell-Bourg and shorter walks. With two full days, many visitors do both.

The coastal roads are easy and drive like mainland France, but the mountain roads to Cilaos, the volcano, and the Maido are narrow, steep, and full of hairpin bends. Distances in kilometres are misleading there; plan by travel time, not distance, and start early to beat fog and traffic.

Yes, but plan for a full day. The drive from Saint-Gilles to Saint-Benoît takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes each way, and reaching Sainte-Rose adds another 30 to 40 minutes. Most visitors see Saint-Benoît, the Rivière des Marsouins and Sainte-Rose, and leave the Grand Brûlé and the volcano for a separate trip.

No. Réunion is French and part of the EU, but it sits outside the Schengen area, so a Schengen visa alone does not cover it. EU and EEA citizens enter with a valid national ID card or passport. Other nationalities must check Réunion's own entry rules on france-visas.gouv.fr, since they can differ from mainland France's.

Short, well-marked walks with real shade and water at the end suit families best, above all the waterfall paths around Hell-Bourg in the Salazie cirque, including the trail to the Voile de la Mariée viewpoint. Full-day summit hikes like Piton des Neiges and multi-day treks into Mafate are for trained walkers, not young children.

Reunion Island's clearest calendar markers are the Grand Raid (Diagonale des Fous) trail race across the island in October, humpback whale season roughly from June-July to October, and maloya, a Unesco-recognised music and cultural heritage that runs through the island's identity year-round rather than on a single date. Many smaller local festivals exist but do not have fixed, well-documented dates worth building a trip around.

Réunion has two airports: Roland-Garros (RUN) near Saint-Denis in the north, and Pierrefonds (ZSE) near Saint-Pierre in the south. Most long-haul arrivals, including the roughly eleven-hour flight from Paris, land at Roland-Garros; Pierrefonds mainly handles regional and domestic connections. Réunion is French and in the EU but outside the Schengen area, so a Schengen visa alone does not cover entry.

Plenty: the Barachois and rue de Paris in Saint-Denis, the lagon beaches of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, l'Hermitage and La Saline-les-Bains, the Maïdo viewpoint over Mafate, the Anse des Cascades and Notre-Dame-des-Laves church in Sainte-Rose, and most local markets. Paid sites like the Cité du Volcan or the Aquarium de La Réunion are not on this list.

A rental car is the practical default for most visitors, since it is the only way to reach the Hauts, the Maïdo, Cilaos and the volcano on your own schedule. Car Jaune buses cover the coastal towns cheaply but slowly, and Mafate has no road at all — it is reached on foot or by helicopter.

Flights departing Saint-Gilles-les-Bains fly out over the lagon and the west coast, then typically climb toward Mafate, Cilaos, Salazie or the Trou de Fer waterfall, depending on the circuit booked. This is a different axis from flights leaving Saint-Pierre, which head toward the wild south and the volcano instead.

Flights departing Saint-Pierre are built around the southern axis of Réunion Island: the Wild South coastline, the Grand Brûlé lava fields, Piton de la Fournaise, and often a pass over Cilaos. This is a different route from helicopter tours based in Saint-Gilles, which focus on the west coast and Mafate. Book through the operator's page for the current duration and price, since both change with fuel costs and demand.