Things to do in Réunion

Trek across lunar landscapes to the edge of one of the world's most active volcanoes, where you can peer into the red-hot caldera.

Begin an early morning hike to the highest peak in the Indian Ocean, where dawn breaks above a sea of clouds with views of the island’s three cirques.

Descend into the 'Iron Hole', a deep canyon filled with waterfalls, including the dramatic cascade that plunges 300 meters into the mist.

Trek into this isolated caldera, accessible only by trail, where colorful Creole hamlets like La Nouvelle and Marla offer a timeless mountain escape.

Follow a short jungle path to a series of clear pools fed by a waterfall, where you can cool off in emerald water surrounded by basalt cliffs.

Savor a spicy chicken curry simmered with local spices, served with rice, grains, and rougail, in the cozy setting of a family-run guesthouse.

Discover the history of Réunion’s rum industry through interactive exhibits at this former family distillery, ending with a tasting of award-winning rums.

Glide over coral gardens teeming with butterflyfish and parrotfish in the calm, protected waters of the island’s best swimming beach.

See the Catholic church that survived the 1977 lava flow, which split and flowed around it, leaving a surreal testament to faith and geology.

Soar from the heights of Saint-Leu, catching thermals over sugarcane fields before landing on the beach with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.

Follow a trail through the misty Forêt de Bélouve, alive with tree ferns and endemic birds, to the edge of a vertiginous viewpoint overlooking the ‘Iron Hole’ canyon.

Explore a subterranean tunnel formed by flowing lava, illuminated by headlamps, revealing frozen waves of basalt and stalactite-like formations.

Browse stalls piled high with spices, handwoven baskets, tropical fruits, and local crafts at one of the island’s liveliest open-air markets.

Feel the pulse of Réunionese identity as drummers, singers, and dancers perform this UNESCO-listed traditional music in a village square or bar.

Stop at dramatic cliffs where waves explode against black lava formations, with views of sugarcane fields and the vast ocean stretching to Antarctica.

Sample the fragrant local lychees (in season) and hand-pollinated Bourbon vanilla pods directly from growers in this small eastern town.

Wander through historic gardens planted with rare endemic trees, past the natural history museum housed in a former governor’s residence.

Trek down into an ancient volcanic crater now blanketed in lush vegetation, passing through bamboo and giant heather on the way to the bottom.

Sip a rum cocktail at a beachfront bar as the sun sinks into the Indian Ocean, casting golden light over the moored sailboats.

Board a zodiac to witness humpback whales breaching and slapping their fins, with the volcanic peak of Piton des Neiges as a backdrop.

Explore a former sugar plantation house and its slave quarters, which provide a sobering insight into Réunion’s colonial past and the history of slavery.

Rappel beside huge cascades like Grand Galet, slide down natural water chutes, and jump into crystal-clear pools in a wild tropical gorge.

Walk among palm trees and flamboyants to a picturesque cove where several waterfalls tumble directly onto a rocky beach, a feast for the senses.

Bite into crispy triangular samosas stuffed with cheese or meat, and spicy lentil fritters, the island’s favorite savory snacks.

Hover above the dramatic amphitheaters of Mafate, Salazie, and Cilaos, then circle the smoking crater of Piton de la Fournaise for an unforgettable aerial perspective.