Réunion is a French overseas region and department in the Indian Ocean, 700 km east of Madagascar and 200 km south-west of Mauritius. This volcanic island of extraordinary drama packs an active volcano, three steep-walled cirques, a UNESCO World Heritage mountain core, dense rainforest, and a warm lagoon into 2,512 km². It is simultaneously French enough to accept euros and credit cards everywhere, and exotic enough to feel like another world entirely.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Réunion.
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- family-friendly, calm lagoon with beach cafés
- Shark net
- Lifeguards
- Toilets
- Showers
- Snack bars
- Sun loungers for rent
Plage de l'Hermitage
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 9:00 on weekends to find parking near the sand
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- lively surf beach with beachfront bars and sunset dining
- Shark net
- Lifeguards
- Toilets
- Restaurants
- Surf lessons available
- Parking
Plage de Boucan Canot
Editor’s tip. Swim in the morning when the sea is calmer; surf builds in the afternoon
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- local family picnics, calm and shallow
- Shark net
- Lifeguards
- Toilets
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Parking
Plage de la Saline-les-Bains
Editor’s tip. Wear water shoes; exposed coral at low tide can cut feet
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- relaxed surf town atmosphere
- Shark net (inner swimming zone)
- Lifeguards
- Surf school
- Restaurants
- Toilets
- Parking
Plage de Saint-Leu
Editor’s tip. Swim only in the netted inner zone; currents are strong beyond it
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- busy, social beach beside Saint-Gilles restaurants
- Shark net
- Toilets
- Restaurants nearby
- Parking
- Good snorkelling on rocky edges
Plage des Roches Noires
Editor’s tip. Wear reef shoes; rocks are sharp and sea urchins may be present
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- wild, quiet south-coast beach with local picnickers
- Natural black-sand and grey-sand beach
- Car park
- No shark barriers — swim only in posted safe zones
- Picnic tables
Plage de Grande Anse (Saint-Joseph)
Editor’s tip. Do not swim between October and April because of strong swell
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- relaxed, local seafront with filao shade
- No shark net — black volcanic sand beach, ocean swimming only in calm conditions
- Lifeguards in peak season
- Restaurants
- Picnic area under filao trees
- Parking
Plage de l'Étang-Salé
Editor’s tip. Wear sandals; midday black sand is very hot
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- quiet, local, rugged east-coast pool
- Natural rock pool for swimming (sheltered)
- No shark net — stay in pool area
- Parking
Plage de Trou d'Eau (Saint-Benoît)
Editor’s tip. Swim only inside the sheltered pool, not in the open sea
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- small, quieter cove beside Saint-Leu town
- Shark net
- Small sandy beach with rocky formations
- Parking
- Snorkelling
Plage du Souffleur (Saint-Leu)
Editor’s tip. Keep a safe distance from the blowhole spray area
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- active, sociable lagoon beach with watersports
- Shark net
- Lifeguards
- Watersports rentals
- Beach volleyball
- Restaurants nearby
Plage Ermitage North (Les Brisants)
Editor’s tip. Arrive in the morning on weekends to find street parking
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- remote, quiet and often empty
- Small beach
- No facilities
- Parking
- Peaceful
Plage de Petite-Île
Editor’s tip. Bring water, food and sun protection; there are no facilities
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- quiet and adventurous, a hike-to freshwater pool
- Natural freshwater pool
- No facilities
- Walk required (45 min each way)
- Parking at cemetery
Bassin Bleu Natural Pool (Saint-Paul)
Editor’s tip. Avoid the walk during or after heavy rain because of flash flood risk
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Réunion’s coast.
Is Plage de l'Hermitage safe for swimming?
Swimming is safest inside the reef-protected lagoon within the netted and lifeguarded zone. Visitors should obey the posted flags and avoid the water beyond the reef.
From the Plage de l'Hermitage editorial.
How do visitors get to Plage de l'Hermitage from Saint-Denis?
By car it takes about 45 minutes via the RN1 and RD6. Car Jaune Line 2 also serves the area for around €3.
From the Plage de l'Hermitage editorial.
Is Boucan Canot good for surfing?
Yes. It is one of the west coast's popular surf beaches, with surf lessons available and waves strongest in the afternoon.
From the Plage de Boucan Canot editorial.
Can visitors swim at Boucan Canot?
Swimming is possible in the netted and lifeguarded zone, preferably in the morning. Visitors should follow the posted flags because the beach is open to ocean swell.
From the Plage de Boucan Canot editorial.
Is La Saline-les-Bains good for children?
Yes. The lagoon is wide, shallow and sheltered by the reef, so it suits families with young children.
From the Plage de la Saline-les-Bains editorial.
Can visitors snorkel here?
Yes. Snorkelling is possible over the coral patches inside the lagoon, with calmer conditions in the dry season.
From the Plage de la Saline-les-Bains editorial.
Is Saint-Leu good for surfing?
Yes. The reef break is among the island's best, with the strongest swell between April and September, and a surf school offers lessons.
From the Plage de Saint-Leu editorial.
Is swimming allowed?
Swimming is directed to an inner zone with a shark net and lifeguards. Outside it, conditions are not suitable.
From the Plage de Saint-Leu editorial.