Nicknamed the intense island, the Reunion Island will not disappoint! The volcanic island is a real outdoors enthusiasts’ paradise with its rugged mountain peaks, cloud forests, canyons, natural massive amphitheaters (called “cirques“) with their ramparts and peaks so unique and striking that they are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In these cirques, meet the locals in their islets and share a slice of their lives, a glass of homemade infused rum and homegrown food, while hiking these otherwise inaccessible settlements. More a mountain destination with hardly-explored rock-climbing routes, exhilarating mountain biking trails, lava tunnels at the foot of one of world’s most active volcanoes, and a Mecca for canyoning, as a bonus, the lagoon provides a fantastic way of cooling down and resting after exploring the center of the island.
Here is a compilation of our best shots capturing the essence of the Reunion Island to inspire you.
Click on the photos for a more comfortable experience:
A cold Dodo beer, St. Pierre, Reunion Island, France
Endemic gecko feeding at Domaine du café grillé, Reunion Island, France
Coffee beans drying at Domaine de café grillé, Reunion Island, France
Traditional house made of palm leafs, Reunion Island, France
Domaine du café grillé, Reunion Island, France
Eruption of the Piton de la Fournaise volcano, Reunion Island, France
Rum barrels at Saga du rhum, Reunion Island, France
Hand-made soap on the St. Pierre market, Reunion Island, France
Saint Pierre market, Reunion Island, France
Enjoying the ocean at Saint Pierre, Reunion Island, France
Hotel Villa Delisle, Reunion Island, France
Fresh cabbage palm salad at Chez Pierre, Reunion
The St. Pierre market, Reunion Island, France
Enjoying the lagoon, Reunion Island
Creole plate @ Chez Noé, Reunion Island
Cooking cari poulet palmiste @ Far Far Kréole, Réunion
Rougail @ Chez Noé, Reunion Island
Hiking La Chapelle in Cilaos, Reunion
Ready to enjoy the best food in Cilaos at Chez Noé after exclusive multiday hike through the 3 cirques, Réunion
The 3 Roches waterfall on the exclusive multiday hike through the 3 cirques, Réunion
The church of Ilet des Orangers, exclusive multiday hike through the 3 cirques, Mafate, Réunion
Ilet des Orangers, exclusive multiday hike through the 3 cirques, Mafate, Réunion
Sunrise from Ilet des Orangers on the exclusive multiday hike through the 3 cirques, Mafate, Réunion
Bras rouge, Cilaos, on the exclusive multiday hike through the 3 cirques, Réunion
Mafate on the exclusive multiday hike through the 3 cirques, Réunion
The trail to the remote Ilet des Orangers in Mafate on the exclusive multiday hike through the 3 cirques, Réunion
Flowers in Ilet a Bourse on the exclusive multiday hike through the 3 cirques, Réunion
Hell Bourg on the exclusive multiday hike through the 3 cirques, Réunion
Hell Bourg, Salazie, on the exclusive multiday hike through the 3 cirques, Réunion
Sentier Scout on the exclusive multiday hike through the 3 cirques, Réunion
Trou de Fer on the exclusive multiday hike through the 3 cirques, Réunion
Cilaos on the exclusive multiday hike through the 3 cirques, Réunion
Le Belier on the exclusive multiday hike through the 3 cirques, Réunion
The Marla Gîte on the exclusive multiday hike through the 3 cirques, Réunion
Hawksbill surfacing for air, Kelonia, Réunion
Green turtle baby, Kelonia, Réunion
The beach of Saint Pierre, Reunion Island, France
Relaxing at Villa Delisle, Reunion Island
The Maïdo Peak at the break of dawn, Reunion Island
Zip lining in the Sainte Suzanne Canyon, the Reunion Island
The majestic Mafate ramparts by the Maïdo Peak, Reunion Island
Rock climbing the Maïdo Peak with the Cirque of Mafate as a backdrop, Reunion Island
Rock climbing the Maïdo Peak, Reunion Island
Olivier abseiling the Sainte Suzanne Canyon, the Reunion Island
Mountain biking down the lava slab from the Maïdo, Reunion Island
Canyoning the Sainte Suzanne Canyon, the Reunion Island
Ginger Lily, in fact an invasive species, Réunion
The epic 35 meter abseil/zipline of the Sainte Suzanne Canyon, the Reunion Island
Downhill mountain biking the Maïdo through the highland tamarind forest, Reunion Island
Close-up of the Maïdo Peak, a challenging rock climb, Reunion Island
Beautiful colonial architecture in Entre Deux, Reunion Island, France
L’Anse des Cascades, Reunion Island, France
L’Anse des Cascades, Reunion Island, France
The Routes des Laves, or Lava Route, along the slope of the volcano Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island, France
Water vaporising by the ocean along the Routes des Laves, Reunion Island, France
Hiking the volcano, Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island, France
Basalt layer on the volcano, Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island, France
Driving down to the Plaine des Sables, Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island, France
Fertile grounds on the Plaine des Remparts, on the way to the top of the Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island, France
Volcanic eruption of 2019 seen from the Routes des Laves, Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island, France
Volcanic eruption of 2019 seen from the Routes des Laves, Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island, France
One of the craters on the volcano of Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island, France
Three layers of volcanic stones, Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island, France
Claire and Marcella
Travel tips:
- Check out this interactive map (quick tutorial) for the specific details to help you plan your trip and more articles and photos (zoom out) about the area! Zoom in on the area of interest, and check out the black pins: each of them corresponds to an article.
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Best regards from far, 
What a beautiful island and nice pictures you made. Really impressive!!
Thanks Adri!! 🙂
Beautiful pictures, which provide a great summary of what the island has to offer. (Though, by pure chance, I’ve just read today that swimming there can be dangerous due to shark attacks. So visitors should take care and note of any signs not to swim).
Yes this island is stunning! Indeed shark attacks have occurred and it is well indicated there when it is forbidden to swim. It is safe in the lagoon that is protected by the reef. You may want to check our article about diving there – you’ll find more details. Thanks!
I can’t believe I’ve not heard of this Island! I just came from another post about it, and it sounds remarkable. You’ve captured it so wonderfully – especially love the turtle!
Thank you for your lovely comment! I am happy we could bring this wonderful paradise to your attention! Reunion Island is a true gem to explore and far from the beaten tourist path. Really one of those places where you can venture out in nature, visit some very authentic villages, enjoy some incredible food and spot turtles 🤗
Marcella