A dramatic French island in the Indian Ocean - one of the world's most active volcanoes, three vast amphitheatre 'cirques', plunging waterfalls and a UNESCO-listed interior that is a paradise for hikers.

Réunion is an overseas region of France in the Indian Ocean, near Mauritius, and it is the adventurous counterpoint to the region's beach islands. Its interior is staggering: the shield volcano Piton de la Fournaise is among the most active on Earth and frequently erupts in spectacular, safely-viewable fashion, while the three cirques - Mafate, Cilaos and Salazie - are immense collapsed-caldera amphitheatres ringed by jagged peaks and laced with waterfalls. The whole highland core is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the great trekking destinations of the world (the GR R2 traverse is legendary). The coast adds lagoon beaches around Saint-Gilles and Hermitage, a creole culture and cuisine that blends French, African, Indian and Chinese roots, and a capital, Saint-Denis, with elegant colonial architecture. Activities run from helicopter flights over the volcano and cirques to canyoning, paragliding above Saint-Leu and whale-watching in winter. It is France in the tropics - euros, baguettes and all - wrapped around a wild volcanic heart.

Signature moments

What you'll remember.

Piton de la Fournaise volcanoCirque de Mafate (road-free)Cirque de Cilaos & SalazieUNESCO highland trailsHelicopter flight over the cirquesSaint-Gilles lagoon beachesCanyoning & paraglidingCreole cuisine & markets

Things to do

Experiences worth the journey.

🌋

Piton de la Fournaise

Drive the lunar Plaine des Sables to the rim of one of the world's most active volcanoes and hike its lava fields.

🚁

Helicopter Over the Cirques

Soar above Mafate, Cilaos and Salazie, the Trou de Fer waterfall and the smoking volcano - the island's signature flight.

🥾

Trek into Mafate

Hike into the road-free cirque, staying in remote mountain gîtes reachable only on foot - a true wilderness immersion.

🪂

Canyoning & Paragliding

Abseil waterfalls in lush canyons, or launch off the heights above Saint-Leu for one of the world's best coastal paraglides.

The gallery

A glimpse of Réunion Island.

Good to know

Before you go.

Réunion is French territory - Indian passport holders need a France/Schengen-style visa (a short-stay visa for the French overseas departments); plan visa timelines well ahead.

Currency is the Euro (EUR); it is a developed French region, so costs are European, not budget-island.

The interior is mountainous and weather changes fast - carry layers, proper shoes and rain gear for the cirques even in the dry season.

Cirque de Mafate has no roads and is reached only on foot or by helicopter - plan guided hikes in advance.

A hired car is the easiest way to explore the coast and volcano road; mountain roads are winding.

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Experiences worth the journey.

🌋

Piton de la Fournaise

Drive the lunar Plaine des Sables to the rim of one of the world's most active volcanoes and hike its lava fields.

🚁

Helicopter Over the Cirques

Soar above Mafate, Cilaos and Salazie, the Trou de Fer waterfall and the smoking volcano - the island's signature flight.

🥾

Trek into Mafate

Hike into the road-free cirque, staying in remote mountain gîtes reachable only on foot - a true wilderness immersion.

🪂

Canyoning & Paragliding

Abseil waterfalls in lush canyons, or launch off the heights above Saint-Leu for one of the world's best coastal paraglides.

Before you go.

Réunion is French territory - Indian passport holders need a France/Schengen-style visa (a short-stay visa for the French overseas departments); plan visa timelines well ahead.

Currency is the Euro (EUR); it is a developed French region, so costs are European, not budget-island.

The interior is mountainous and weather changes fast - carry layers, proper shoes and rain gear for the cirques even in the dry season.

Cirque de Mafate has no roads and is reached only on foot or by helicopter - plan guided hikes in advance.

A hired car is the easiest way to explore the coast and volcano road; mountain roads are winding.