Réunion Island combines volcanoes, green cirques, waterfalls, beaches, and Creole culture within one compact destination. Renting a car gives you the freedom to start early, reach remote viewpoints, and travel on your own schedule. These Réunion Island experiences include mountain drives, lava fields, lagoon snorkelling, local food, vanilla farms, and marine wildlife. Our guide explains what to see, how to reach each place, and what first-time travellers should know.
Mountain roads offer their clearest views early in the day. Clouds often gather over the cirques by late morning, so leave early and drive slowly.
From Bourg-Murat, follow Forest Road No. 5 through farmland and the bare Plaine des Sables. The route ends at Pas de Bellecombe-Jacob, overlooking Piton de la Fournaise and its 8-kilometre-wide caldera. Park in the small car park and walk along the crater rim. Longer trails descend into the Enclos for closer views.
Check volcano alerts before leaving because access can close without much notice. Bring water, sun cream, layers, and sturdy shoes. Sunrise gives you clear light, while clouds often arrive by mid-morning.
The RN5 from Saint-Louis winds into Cilaos through around 400 sharp bends, rocky tunnels, and steep cliff sections. Use official pull-ins for photos and never stop on blind corners. Heavy rain can cause rockfalls, so follow warning signs and check road conditions. Try local lentils, visit the market, enjoy the thermal spa, or choose a nearby hiking trail. These Réunion Island experiences combine a famous drive with mountain food and village life.
From Saint-André, follow the RD48 through Salazie, the island’s greenest cirque. Waterfalls drop beside the road, including the easy-to-spot Pisse en l’air. Rain keeps the road damp, so check tyre grip and visibility before climbing.
Hell-Bourg has Creole wooden houses, shady lanes, small museums, snack huts, and local curry. Park near the village edge and explore on foot. Stop near the Voile de la Mariée waterfall on your return. Drive slowly because mist and wet roads are common. These Réunion Island experiences reveal the island’s greener mountainside.
Reach Le Maïdo before dawn for wide views over the roadless Cirque de Mafate. The viewpoint stands about 2,200 metres above sea level. A short path leads from the parking area to views of peaks, trails, and tiny villages.
Wear warm clothes for sunrise, and bring breakfast if you want a slow start. Clouds often move across the cirque later in the morning. You can only reach Mafate on foot or by helicopter because there are no public roads. On calm evenings, you may also enjoy clear skies and bright stars.
A coastal road trip links lava fields and beaches with reefs and small towns. Carry water, use marked parking areas, and follow reserve signs near protected habitats.
Follow RN2 between Saint-Philippe and Sainte-Rose along the Route des Laves. The road crosses old lava flows beside the Indian Ocean. Stop at marked viewpoints and walk carefully across hardened rock, including sections from the 2007 eruption.
Wear sturdy shoes because the lava is rough and sharp. Near Sainte-Rose, visit Notre-Dame-des-Laves, a small church linked to the 1977 eruption. Ocean wind and spray can make the coast cooler, so carry a light layer and a towel. These Réunion Island experiences show how volcanic land meets the sea.
Guided tours enter lava tubes formed during earlier eruptions, including flows from 2004. Book ahead because group numbers are limited. A certified guide usually provides a helmet, a headlamp, and pads for the 2- to 4-hour trip.
You may crawl or crouch through dark passages with lava benches, stalactites, and textured walls. Wear long trousers and boots. Tours often begin from the RN2 parking area. Some accept children aged around seven or older. Check age and fitness rules before booking.
Book online with Final Rentals to compare suitable car types with unlimited mileage for island drives.
L’Ermitage has Réunion’s largest protected lagoon. Calm, clear water and a coral reef support snorkelling close to shore. You may see tropical fish and turtles, but stay inside the orange buoys. Use reef-safe sun cream.
There’s a large free car park behind the beach under casuarina trees. It fills quickly on summer weekends, so arrive early. Showers and toilets are available. After swimming, continue to Saint-Leu for a meal, the aquarium, or the turtle sanctuary. These Réunion Island experiences add a relaxed coastal break to your trip.
Food, farming, and marine tours reveal daily life and traditions beyond the island’s landscapes. Carry cash for smaller stalls and reserve popular tours before your visit.
The market in Saint-Paul opens all day Friday and on Saturday morning. Arrive before 9 am for fresh fruit, spices, crafts, and hot Creole snacks. Try samosas, rougail, curries, bonbons piment, or pressed sugarcane juice.
Many stalls mainly accept cash, so bring small notes. You can also buy Bourbon vanilla, turmeric, masalé, and local crafts. Vendors often begin packing by midday, especially during winter. This is one of the easiest Réunion Island experiences for meeting local sellers and tasting island food.
Réunion was once called Bourbon, which gave its name to Bourbon vanilla. Plantation tours explain how workers hand-pollinate the flowers. They also cover how workers harvest, cure, and dry the green pods. Some visits include a short walk through humid forest.
Tours may last around 2 hours and run only on set days. Some sites pause visits during the busy pollination season from October to December. Wear sturdy shoes and rainwear. Plantation shops may sell pods, ice cream, rum, and other vanilla products.
Humpback whales usually visit Réunion from June to October. Boat trips leave from west coast harbours such as Saint-Gilles, Saint-Leu, and Saint-Paul. Dolphins may appear throughout the year.
Choose a tour that keeps a safe distance and avoids crowding wildlife. Some trips offer supervised dolphin swims with snorkelling gear. Bring sun protection and seasickness medicine. Morning trips often have calmer water, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. These Réunion Island experiences can become a highlight of your first visit.
Réunion brings volcanoes, mountain villages, lava fields, calm lagoons, Creole cuisine, and marine wildlife into a single trip. Each experience shows a different side of the island, from sunrise above Mafate to snorkelling at L’Ermitage. Start early, stay flexible, and give yourself time to enjoy every stop without rushing.
Rent a car in Réunion with Final Rentals for included collision cover, third-party cover, and free help with covered breakdowns. Choose a compact, economy, standard, or SUV type based on your route. Book and manage your car rental at any time. Download the Final Rentals app Google Play and the App Store.
For a first visit, do a mix of nature and culture: drive up to the volcano Piton de la Fournaise, tour the mountain cirques (Cilaos, Salazie, Mafate), snorkel in coral lagoons like L’Ermitage, and try local Creole food (samosas, vanilla, markets). Rent a car to reach viewpoints and beaches on your own schedule.
Yes. Renting a car in Réunion gives you the freedom to explore widely. The roads are good, and a car lets you visit remote sites at your own pace. Choose a suitable vehicle, as a compact SUV helps on steep, winding routes. Having insurance included and unlimited mileage is ideal for safety and value.
Humpback whale season runs roughly from June to October. During these winter months, whales breed and can be seen from boats off the west coast. Dolphins like spinner and spotted can be encountered year-round on ocean trips. Book a responsible tour operator and go during calm seas, which is usually in the morning.
