Réunion’s coastal loop gives you four very different sides of the island in one connected drive. The north is urban, the west is beach-led, the south is rugged, and the east is green and wet.
When you rent a car in Réunion, you can stop as the scenery changes between cities, lagoons, lava fields, and waterfalls. Starting near Sainte-Marie also places you close to the north coast from the first kilometre. Our guide explains how to explore Réunion’s coasts, choose worthwhile stops, and complete the island loop safely.
A clockwise route gives you a clear start near Sainte-Marie and Saint-Denis. You begin your first driving stage near the north coast, then follow the RN1 west.
Roland Garros Airport is in Sainte-Marie, around 10 kilometres from Saint-Denis. The terminal area has car hire services, secure parking, and a dedicated rental area. Some counters are inside a separate car rental building near the terminal.
Before leaving, check your contract and confirm the cover included with your booking. Inspect the bodywork, organise your luggage, and set your navigation before joining the main road. This can save time later and let you record any existing marks.
Book a car with Final Rentals for unlimited mileage and free breakdown assistance during your coastal loop. These benefits can help when you explore Réunion across several long driving stages.
The north coast includes the island’s capital, so expect busier streets, more junctions, and attractions suited to short visits. In Saint-Denis, visit Le Barachois waterfront and walk through the old heritage streets. These stops give you an early island introduction before the scenery becomes less urban.
In Sainte-Marie, you remain near the airport area, while La Grande Chaloupe is a historic stop. The Lazaret reflects the island’s migration history. You can also explore small streets and marked coastal viewpoints before continuing towards La Possession.
Follow the RN1 from Saint-Denis towards La Possession and Saint-Paul. Traffic is often heavy along this corridor, especially on weekday mornings and late afternoons. Allowing extra time for traffic can prevent delays during the next part of your route.
Use the signed main route when you want a direct journey. Choose legal coastal stopping points when you want broader sea views. Watch the interchange signs near La Possession, where several routes meet.
Travellers usually notice drier and sunnier conditions after reaching the West Coast. Farther south, easy beach breaks give way to quieter communities, basalt shores, and stronger volcanic scenery.
The West Coast is for slower travel and relaxed seaside stops. Saint-Paul, Boucan Canot, Saint-Gilles, L’Hermitage, and Saint-Leu are within the island’s driest coastal belt. A coral reef protects much of the lagoon area and creates calmer shallow swimming areas.
You can enjoy relaxed swimming and family beach time in these conditions. However, you should only swim within marked or supervised areas. Use netted zones at Boucan Canot and Roches Noires, or reserved swimmer areas at Ermitage. The west coast also offers some of the island’s easiest sunset stops. Arrive earlier on weekends when popular beach parking areas fill more quickly.
Saint-Pierre is a useful service stop because it has a seafront, shops, and a covered market. It is also practical for buying food and water before the quieter section. South of the town, travellers notice a quieter coastal pace and fewer dense urban areas. You can use this quieter section for longer scenic stops.
Grande Anse is known for its beach and busy weekend picnic culture. Manapany has a basalt natural pool, while Langevin adds river scenery and scenic pools near the coast. Terre-Sainte still has a small fishing village character beside Saint-Pierre. Beyond Saint-Pierre, the surroundings become quieter, greener, and less urban.
The Wild South has the island’s most dramatic coastal scenery. Around Cap Méchant, Saint-Philippe, and Pointe de la Table, you will find black cliffs and old lava ground. Strong swell and wind have shaped the exposed ocean edge throughout this area.
These attractions appear close together on a map, but some roadside areas are narrow and exposed. Use proper viewpoints and signed parking areas instead of stopping on the road shoulder. From safe stopping places, you can see the volcanic landforms more clearly.
Slow down during rain, strong winds, or busy periods. This slower pace helps you explore Réunion while respecting exposed coastal conditions.
The RN2 takes you along the wetter east coast and back towards the north. Volcanic ground and rainfall create lush tropical coastal scenery, with lava fields, cane land, and several waterfall areas.
The Route des Laves is the most technical section of the coastal ring. The RN2 crosses Grand Brûlé, where Piton de la Fournaise lava flows have repeatedly covered the area. Past eruptions have also changed the coastal road line in several places.
Drive slowly and stop only in marked lay-bys. At signed viewpoints, you can examine the dark volcanic surface without blocking traffic. Check road updates before crossing this section, since eruptions and repair work can affect access.
After Sainte-Rose and Anse des Cascades, the east coast becomes greener and more humid. This area receives more rain than the west coast. As a result, you will see thicker forest and waterfalls beside farming areas and river valleys.
Saint-Benoît offers river stops and viewpoints, while Bras-Panon is closely linked with vanilla and other plantations. The east has fewer lagoon beaches than the west. However, its water, farming, and tropical scenery create a very different coastal drive.
Allow extra time when rain reduces visibility on shaded bends. This green section helps you explore Réunion beyond its better-known lagoons.
Continue through Sainte-Suzanne and return to Sainte-Marie to close the loop. Refuel before reaching the busiest airport roads, rather than leaving this task until the last moment.
Clear rubbish from the car and review your booking details before returning it. Take photos of the bodywork, fuel gauge, and cabin for your records. Keep your fuel receipt until the return is complete. Give yourself extra time if traffic builds along the north coast. Check the correct rental entrance before entering the airport area.
You will see another part of Réunion’s character along every coast, so spend enough time in each section. The best memories may come from an unplanned scenic stop, not the longest attraction list. Keep your route flexible, watch the weather, and explore Réunion one at a time.
Rent a car in Réunion with Final Rentals to complete the coastal loop with unlimited mileage. You also get free breakdown assistance, clear same-fuel return terms, and a 3-hour pickup grace period. Book and manage your car rental at any time. Download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.
The best way to explore Réunion by car is to follow the coastal loop from Roland Garros Airport. Start on the north coast, then drive west for lagoons and beaches. Continue south for fishing villages, cliffs, and lava scenery. Return through the greener east coast, where waterfalls, forests, and plantations line the route.
Driving gives you more freedom. You can reach beaches, viewpoints, markets, lava fields, and waterfalls without depending on bus times. When you rent a car in Réunion, you can also adjust your route when weather, traffic, or road conditions change.
The west coast is the best choice for beaches and swimming in Réunion. Boucan Canot, Saint-Gilles, L’Hermitage, and Saint-Leu offer sandy shores and protected lagoon areas. Always use marked or supervised swimming zones because ocean conditions can change. The west coast also has drier weather and excellent sunset views for relaxing stops in the evening.
