Reunion Island
Overview
The exotic island of Reunion, a French territory in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, is an island of major contrasts. One of the world’s unique and most intriguing islands, Reunion, located near Mauritius, features an active volcano on its south east coast, beaches along the west coast, amazing mountains with the highest peak reaching 3,069 metres and a fascinating culture.
Reunion offers a very diverse holiday experience with something for everyone. Relax on one of the many beaches, indulge in the amazing cuisine and culture of the French and Creole locals, hire a car and explore the inland mountains or enjoy the shopping and spectacular sightseeing.
For adventure and adrenaline junkies, the activities are endless. Try hiking through Reunion’s unique ‘cirques’, rock climbing in the magnificent mountains or canyoning down one of the island’s many waterfalls. In Reunion you can, scuba dive, surf the marine rich waters, fly a micro-light, paraglide, sky dive or take a trek to the crater of the island’s active volcano. The ultimate thrill and ‘must do’ is the helicopter flight through the awesome ‘cirques’ - a towering ring of extinct volcanoes.
General Information
Entry
A valid passport is necessary and a return or continuation ticket must be shown for entry into Reunion Island.
Visas
Réunion is a French department but is not part of the Schengen treaty. The visa requirements for entry to Réunion are similar as for France, however Western countries such as Australia, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Mauritius currently do not require visas to visit Réunion as tourists. We recommend checking with the official visa consulate prior to departure in case of changes.
Currency
The Euro (€) is the official currency of Reunion. Euro coins come in denominations of one, two, five, 10, 20 and 50 cents and one and two euros. Banknotes are issued in denominations of five, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros. Credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at many establishments.
Electricity
220 volts. A European / French adaptor is required
Business Hours
Many businesses in Reunion close for lunch between noon and 2pm and close in the evening from 6pm. Banks are usually open from 8am til 4pm
Moneychangers
Changing money in Réunion is difficult since the introduction of the Euro due to a reduction in foreign exchange facilities, which have been replaced by ATM’s. There are no foreign exchange facilities at the airport except for an ATM. Therefore, it is recommended to bring Euro currency with you and then top it up from the ATM’s.
Travellers cheques
Travellers cheques are not widely accepted in Réunion. We suggest you take Euro and also a valid credit card.
Driving in Reunion
An international drivers licence is required for driving in Reunion. Driving is same as in France, left hand drive. Driving in mountain regions may take longer than expected due to steep inclines and narrow sections. More time should be allocated than expected when touring through these regions.
Getting to Reunion
The best ways to get to Reunion from Australia are with Air Austral which departs from Sydney or with Air Mauritius via Mauritius which departs from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Connections from other cities can be arranged.
Weather
Reunion has a sub-tropical climate similar to Mauritius, offering year round holiday fun for all guests. Temperatures and rainfall vary according to the altitude and exposure, and there can be significant variation from one end of the island to the other.
The average coastal temperatures range from 21 to 28 degrees. Mountain areas and the east coast region will be cooler and more prone to changes in weather so a light weight jacket and raincoat (or poncho) along with comfortable walking or hiking shoes is recommended.
Like Mauritius, the west side is the more holiday friendly area with the east coast suffering from the annual trade winds. The west coast is protected by the amazing mountains providing warmer drier weather and magical sunsets. The milder dry season lasts from May to October while the summer months are from November to April.
Things to See & Do in reunion
Reunion is a fantastic holiday destination with a wide variety of sightseeing and adventure activities, some great beaches, interesting markets and quaint restaurants and boutiques.
The Cirques
Being volcanic, the geography of Reunion is unique. The island’s famous natural formations are its three cirques - amphitheatre-like valleys. Formed inside Piton des Neiges (meaning ‘Snow Peak’), the volcano that gave birth to Reunion, the cirques of Salazie, Cilaos, and Mafate are all different in vegetation and terrain.
Cilaos
The Cirque de Cilaos is a natural wonder and the drive is memorable with hundreds of twists and turns and numerous tunnels. The village of Cilaos’ attractions include local vineyards, lentil production, embroidery work and the unique thermal baths. Rock climbing and trekking are popular activities
Mafate
Cirque de Mafate is totally surrounded by mountains and is only accessible by foot or by helicopter. The unspoiled wilderness of this cirque is a favourite destination for hikers. A number of mountain ‘gites’ (small cabins) are available for overnight stays. For spectacular views of Cirque de Mafate, go to the 2200 metres high Maido Peak.
Salazie
Cirque de Salazie is the largest and greenest cirque with its long, deep canyon, lined with magnificent waterfalls, steep cliffs and plunging valleys. One of the most breathtaking waterfalls is Le Voile de la Mariée (bridal falls). Nearby is the beautiful village of Hell-Bourg.
Volcano - Piton de la Fournaise
Situated in the southeast corner of Reunion and reaching 2,631m high, is Piton de la Fournaise (Furnace Peak), one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Tourists can walk to the top of the mountain or take a shorter trek to the baby crater, Leo Formica.
Saint Denis
The capital Saint Denis, is surrounded by mountains on three sides and is home to many charming Creole buildings, historical monuments, art galleries, museums and shops.
St Gilles-les-Bains
With a 20 km stretch of beach, this is the islands main region for beach holidays. It and the Boucan Canot area, have many restaurants, cafes and bars providing a vibrant nightlife and holiday atmosphere. Diving and snorkelling are popular activities in this region.
St Leu
St Leu, located on the west coast, is the islands number one surfing location. Surfers from around the globe come to ride the legendary left hand break.
Hell-Bourg
Located on the edge of the Cirque de Salazie, Hell-Bourg, with its stunning Creole architecture, is a quaint mountain village which has been the recipient of France’s ‘most beautiful French village’ award. Enjoy some traditional cuisine.
Helicopter Tours
The ultimate sightseeing trip in Reunion is by helicopter. A variety of flight options are available to take you over and through the Cirques of Reunion and to view the Volcano.
Adrenalin Sports
If you’re looking for excitement and adrenalin pumping action, try any of the following activities: Hang gliding, Paragliding, Kayaking, Rafting, Canyoning, Jet ski, Waterski, Surfing, Deep Sea Fishing, Sky Diving, Mountain Biking, Trekking.
