Reunion Island
Reunion Island is an overseas French department located within the Indian Ocean 804km east of Madagascar and 175 km west of Mauritius. This unique island is often forgotten under the radar of the blissful beaches of nearby Mauritius, but it really is a hidden gem! Offering both beachside relaxation and extreme adventure, this UNESCO World Heritage Site spans merely 30 miles and is a haven of streaming waterfalls, lush green forest, dramatic mountains and volcanic craters. It is home to one of the most active volcanoes in the world and plays host to hundreds of humpback whales during migration, who flock to the warm waters to give birth to and nurse their young. The central 100,000 hectares of the island (which is around 40% of the area) makes up the Reunion National Park, which is home to a variety of flora and fauna.
Reunion Island Quick Facts
- Size: covers an area of 2,512 squared kilometres.
- Wildlife: rusa deers, hares and chameleons can all be found here.
- Birdlife: 91 species of birds can be found here.
- History: the first settlers arrived from France in the 17th century.
Tips & Advice
The Island was originally claimed by French Colonists (who were known as Bourbon) in the 1640s. The population here is around 700,000 and is comprised of residents of French, Creole, Indian and Chinese descent; resulting in a wonderfully diverse and exciting culture. The official language is French, however Creole is the language used for day-to-day life, which is a mixture of Malagasy, French and Tamil. The peaceful islanders are respectful of one another’s beliefs and heritage, and there has been no political or social unrest here for hundreds of years.
The island’s capital city, St.Denis, occupies the northernmost part of the island and has a distinctly European feel with many fascinating colonial and religious buildings. Towns such as St-Gilles-les-Bains and l’Hermitage-les-Bains are magnets for tourists because of the idyllic beaches, reefs and fantastic water-sports available, but if you fancy visiting some of the quieter Reunion villages then a trip up into the mountains will be very rewarding. Hellbourg is ideal for cultural visits; it is an enchanting mountain town steeped in history. The streets are lined with old Creole mansions, and majestic mountain walls encase the scenic former spa-town. One of the best locations on the Island for scuba diving and surfing is St-Leu on the central west coast.
The most striking features of Reunion are the volcanoes and dramatic cirques (which literally translates to ‘volcano that has fallen in on itself’) which dominate the island’s landscape. The inactive volcano Piton des Neiges (which translates to snow peak), soars to 3070 metres and is great for challenging treks and there is a biological reserve on its lower slopes where over 200 species of plant life and many species of animals reside. At over 530,000 years old, Piton de la Fournaise – or ‘Peak of the Furnace’ - rises 2630 metres and is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, with 3 eruptions occurring over the last 6 years, and is located on the eastern side of the Island.
There are three Cirques; La Salazie, de Cilaos and de Mafak; these gnarled, twisted peaks topped with thick areas of forest contrast with deep ravines to create a truly magical sight. The cirques are fantastic for hikers, offering challenging and rewarding routes past waterfalls, valleys and hills. The cirques are also fantastic taken in by air; take a helicopter to admire an aerial view which allows you to take in the dramatic landscape to its full effect.