Fly over the Piton de la Fournaise in a ULM
The Piton de la Fournaise volcano seen from the sky?
It is an experience that you absolutely must live during a trip to Reunion.
For those who have neither the time nor the energy to launch an assault on the impressive Reunionese relief by the usual means (hiking), this formula allows you to have an overview of the geological beauties of the island in a few tens of minutes.
Several companies organize overflights of the island in ULM.
Piece of choice in the proposed circuits: the flight over the crater of the volcano (the Dolomieu) and its annexes (plaine des Sables, Fouqué enclosure, Commerson crater).
To discover
Trips to Africa: tours, hotels and tailor-made stays from our partners
With whom ?
Air Adventures
.
From €110 (one hour), departing from Pierrefonds airport in Saint-Pierre.
Go rafting down the Marsouins River
It is on the east coast that we discover the best spots.
Jean-Bernard Carillet
It is in the Saint-Benoît sector, on the east coast – the wettest – that the practice of white water sports is most widespread.
The Rivière des Marsouins presents exceptional conditions.
Within a tropical nature, this particularly capricious watercourse, with crystal clear waters, flows from basin to basin, with a variable flow according to the seasons.
Something to delight lovers of rafting, canoraft (inflatable two-seater boat) and airboat (inflatable kayak, very handy).
Adrenaline rush guaranteed when crossing the aptly named “Dechirator” rapids.
With whom ?
Rafting Reunion
.
Outings of around 3 hours (from €40).
Read alsoVolcanoes, waterfalls and peaks: Reunion in ten natural paradises
Go canyoning in Cilaos
Swimming in a setting of the first morning of the world.
IRT Studio Light
Canyoning enthusiasts will find their happiness in the Cirque de Cilaos, a mecca for this leisure activity in Reunion.
The pearl of the canyons is called
Fleurs Jaunes
: a cocktail of sensations, with a succession of abseils from 12 to 55 meters (dry or in waterfalls), jumps, slides and swimming in a setting of the first morning of the world.
Between the rough-hewn rock walls, you cross a succession of basins of clear water with, as a bonus, grandiose views of the Cirque de Cilaos and the Piton des Neiges.
Beginners will opt for the section called Mini Fleurs Jaunes, an excellent canyon suitable for beginners.
With whom ?
Cilaos Adventure
.
Half-day outing from €55.
Climb the Piton des Neiges
The ascent of the highest peak of the island (3,071 m) is ideally done in two days.
Jean-Bernard Carillet
It's a formidable "breaking the leg", but the reward is up to the efforts made. The ascent of the highest peak of the island (3,071 m), at the point of convergence of the three volcanic cirques, is ideally done in two days, with an overnight stay at the Dufour cave refuge (book here). Starting point: Le Bloc, a locality 2.5 km from Cilaos. From there, it is necessary to count 3 hours 30 of abrupt but shaded rise, with a profile in steps of stairs, until the lodging. The next day at dawn, equipped with a headlamp, we take a rocky path that crosses a lunar setting to the summit (1 hour 30 walk), from where we enjoy an indescribable 360° panorama. The descent to the Block is done in stride (4 hours).
With whom ?
No risk of getting lost, the trail is very well marked.
You can enlist the services of a guide with
Alpanes
.
Read alsoWhat to do on Reunion Island without being a fan of hiking?
Paragliding over the lagoon in Saint-Leu
Saint-Leu is world renowned for paragliding.
Jean-Bernard Carillet
Saint-Leu is one of the world famous spots for paragliding, thanks to the exceptional aerological conditions which prevail nearly 300 days a year – a record.
Protected from the wind by mountains exceeding 3,000 m, this stretch of coast has several training slopes, including one at 800 m on the side of Maïdo (Colimaçons site) and another at 1,500 m.
No need to be experienced, tandem flights are available.
We set off on a gentle slope, harnessed in pairs with the instructor, who manages all the maneuvers, letting ourselves be carried by the rising winds.
Exhilarating!
The icing on the cake: the landing takes place on the beach.
With whom ?
Paragliding Reunion
.
Tandem flight from €75 (20 minutes).
Observe whales and dolphins
A unique show.
IRT Eric Lamblin
During the austral winter (July-October), groups of humpback whales (megaptera) leave the Antarctic regions and migrate to tropical waters to reproduce and give birth.
Several dozen cetaceans then boarded along the west coast of Reunion, especially off Saint-Gilles and the bay of Saint-Paul.
The songs and the leaps out of the water of these mastodons constitute a unique spectacle, which it is possible to attend during sea trips organized by specialized service providers.
Dolphins are also present, all year round.
With whom ?
Duocéan
offers observation outings with launching from €70.
This service provider applies an ethical and animal-friendly observation protocol.
Read alsoIn Reunion, the return of turtles and humpback whales told by Cécile de France
Diving along the drop-offs in Saint-Leu
Reunion has a number of spectacular dive sites.
IRT Antoine Mettra
It is off Saint-Leu, along the west coast, that the most spectacular dive sites are found, including the Tombant de la pointe au Sel.
This majestic underwater cliff attracts many pelagic species including tuna, trevally and barracuda.
After a descent into the blue down to around 20 metres, the drop-off comes into view, steepening dizzily up to 70 metres.
We can complete this superb dive with the wreck of the
Antonio Lorenzo
, an old trawler which rests at -40 m.
For beginners, it is possible to book a baptism in the lagoon, in complete safety.
With whom ?
Excelsus Diving
.
The dive costs 55 €, the baptism 65 €.
Explore the lava tunnels at Grand Brûlé
We venture into the tunnels dug by the eruptions.
Photo press / Lava Tunnels
It is called “volcano-spelunking”.
This unique (and booming) activity, accessible to all, is practiced in the far south of the island, in the Grand Brûlé sector.
It is actually an underground hike, done standing or sometimes bent over, but never crawling.
Accompanied by a guide, we venture into the lava tunnels dug by the eruptions of the Piton de la Fournaise volcano.
Under the magmatic crust, we discover a surreal universe, a network of galleries where solidified lava alternates with multiple shades of black and various shapes, some evoking phantasmagoric animals.
The service providers provide a helmet equipped with a frontal, knee pads and gloves.
With whom ?
Lava Tunnels
.
Supervised outings of 2 to 3 hours, €50.
Read alsoGuest house, hotels or lodges... Ten accommodations to take it easy in Reunion
Descend the Maïdo by mountain bike
A paradise for mountain bikers.
IRT Emmanuel Virin
The slopes of Maïdo (west coast) are a paradise for mountain bikers.
Fifteen marked circuits, from 2 km to 12 km, have been developed and are suitable for all levels.
The must is the accompanied descent, with pre-routing by van to the summit, which avoids unnecessary efforts.
We descend along tracks for 35 km to the sea lagoon, i.e. 2,200 m of elevation, crossing various types of vegetation (forest of tamarinds, cryptomerias, fields of geraniums, sugar cane, meadows).
The outing is punctuated by several stops to read and admire the landscape.
With whom ?
Hike Reunion Passion
.
Half-day outing (€65).
Read the fileCycling tourism and cycling trips: advice and itineraries
Climb the Three Salazes
Impressive, yes... but not very technical!
Adventures Reunion / Photo press
The big thrill!
This site made up of three peaks at the junction between two volcanic cirques (Cilaos and Mafate) is a breathtaking mix of hiking and climbing, impressive but not very technical, accessible to those who are in good physical condition.
The departure takes place at dawn, in the Cirque de Cilaos.
After an approach walk, the progression is carried out roped along a vertiginous path on a vertical wall, with on both sides 400 m of vacuum, until the foot of the three peaks.
Then begins the climbing of the central Salaze.
From there, a zip line takes you to the first Salaze.
Unforgettable.
With whom ?
Reunion Adventures
.
Day trip €90.