Holidays in Réunion

Réunion is the Indian Ocean’s capital of adventure. Hiking on your holiday is a must – Réunion is criss-crossed with over 600 miles of walking trails. Tread deep into its emerald interior, spying unique birdlife like the Mascarene paradise flycatcher and the white-tailed tropicbird, or feel like you’re walking on the Moon at the barren Plaine des Sables. The walks afford epic vistas over the jade-tinged mountainous landscape, with La Roche Merveilleuse giving spectacular valley-wide views. Quad and mountain biking are also popular activities and downhill bikers can find plenty of joy hurtling down Maido massif, a rugged land that climbers can enjoy, too. For something truly unforgettable, a helicopter flight soars above the island’s volcanic majesty. Glimpse a trio of glacially carved cirques (hollows) in Mafate, Salazie and Cilaos, and dive into the Iron Hole, a deep, lush chasm seeping with waterfalls around its perimeter.

Over the years, Réunion has become a crossroads of cultures, a French enclave that has not only been influenced by European settlers but also Chinese merchants, slaves brought over from Africa and migrants from the neighbouring island of Madagascar. This web of cultural history has led to a mix of brightly coloured religious buildings popping up all across the island, including Catholic churches, mosques, temples and even pagodas. The pastel colours extend to all of the island’s architecture, the best of which can be found in the old Creole mansions that line the village streets of Hell-Bourg. For a buzzing snapshot of the island’s diverse food, arts and crafts, wandering the market at Saint-Paul is a great experience!

Réunion’s wild interior may grab all the headlines but offshore it’s still just as rewarding. The calm turquoise lagoons that lie off Réunion’s west coast hide tropical fish such as parrot, angel and trumpetfish which flit among the coral, while rays and turtles can also be spotted. Go stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking either on the lagoons or along one of Réunion’s rivers, where white-water rafting is a real thrill. Beyond, Réunion is also brilliant for deep-sea fishing, jet-skiing and day cruises.

Réunion isn’t all about having an adventurous holiday. It has plenty of brilliant beaches to relax on after a few days of exploring and while they’re not like the white sands of the Maldives, its golden stretches have a wild appeal that’s hard to match. LUX* Saint Gilles is just feet away from two of the best - the powder-soft Plage de la Saline les Bains and Plage de L’Hermitage – where you can relax and rest those feet!

One of the most active volcanoes in the world, Piton de la Fournaise is one of Réunion’s icons. Hearing the crunch of the cinder while treading across the barren solidified lava fields is an otherworldly experience in itself – sometimes it’s like you’re walking on Mars rather than Earth – but climb up to the Formica Leo cone’s rim for a fantastic view of this desolate landscape and the volcano’s main Dolomieu crater beyond.

No vaccinations are currently recommended for Réunion. If you’re entering Réunion from a Yellow Fever zone, possession of a valid Yellow Fever inoculation certificate is required. For any current travel health advice, you should seek guidance from your GP at least four to six weeks prior to travel.

The time difference is GMT +4 hours.

The flight time from London to Réunion is around 14 and a half hours, via a connection in Mauritius.

The currency is the Euro.

British passport holders don’t need a visa to visit Réunion.