La Réunion
La Réunion at a Glance
Costs: Moderately expensive - $110-200/day - island‑hopping and ferry costs raise daily spending.
Safety: Very safe; tourist‑friendly - small island community with low crime and strong visitor services.
Best Time: Apr-May and Oct-Nov - dry spells and perfect snorkeling conditions.
Why Visit La Réunion?
On La Digue, the La Réunion area is a gateway to the island’s most famous sights while retaining village calm. Combine visits to L’Union Estate and Anse Source d’Argent with island cycling, then sample Creole seafood and traditional ladob at small cafés. The island’s local festivals and the Veuve nature reserve give cultural and natural depth to a short stay.
Best Things to Do in La Réunion
Nature Reserve
Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve
Pristine palm forest reserve home to coco de mer
Island
Curieuse Island
Small Seychelles island with giant tortoises and trails
Island
Praslin
Seychelles island with beaches and Vallée de Mai reserve
Island
La Digue
Small Seychelles island notable for granite beaches
Island
Moyenne Island
Small Seychelles island, marine reserve and conservation site
Island
Frégate Island
Private Seychelles island noted for endemic wildlife
Island
Aride Island
Remote Seychelles island nature reserve for seabirds
Island
Cousine Island
Private island nature reserve for seabirds and turtles
La Réunion Bucket List
Don't Miss
Anse Source d’Argent - Pink sands, framed by granite boulders and shallow snorkeling waters.
L’Union Estate - Historic plantation with giant tortoises, vanilla fields, and traditional copra mill.
Nid d’Aigle Hike - Steep trail rewarding hikers with elevated island views and lush forest scenery.
Hidden Gems
Anse Cocos - Secluded beach accessible by hiking trails, great for quiet swims and picnics.
Veuve Nature Reserve - Small reserve focused on protecting rare birds and endemic plants near Anse Source d’Argent.
Island Bicycling - Rent a bicycle to circle La Digue’s quiet lanes and discover hidden coves.
Day Trips
Praslin - Short ferry to Praslin for Vallée de Mai and iconic Anse Lazio beaches.
Cousin Island Special Reserve - Boat excursion to bird sanctuary with guided walks and strict visitor limits.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit La Réunion
The best time to visit La Réunion (Seychelles) is during the southeast trade wind season (May-September) when it’s drier, breezy and ideal for beaches and sailing. April and October are excellent shoulder months with calm seas and top diving visibility; avoid the peak rainy period (November-March) if you want consistently sunny days.
Southeast Trade Winds
Breezy, drier months-great for sailing, snorkeling and sunbathing; seas can be choppier but visibility remains good and beaches are less crowded.
Northwest Monsoon
Hot, humid days with frequent heavy showers and rougher seas; expect afternoon storms and higher humidity, still fine for culture but less reliable for snorkeling.
Intermonsoon
Calmest seas, best underwater visibility and fewer jellyfish-ideal for diving and snorkeling; expect warm, settled weather and great light for photos.
La Réunion's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 24°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (2282 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 24° - 30° | 27° | 370 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 3.7 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.2h |
| February | Very Good | 24° - 30° | 30° | 272 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.5 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 12.1h |
| March | Very Good | 25° - 30° | 31° | 188 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.9 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Very Good | 25° - 31° | 31° | 168 mm | some cloud | 77% | 3.7 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 11.9h |
| May | Very Good | 25° - 30° | 31° | 146 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.6 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.8h |
| June | Very Good | 24° - 29° | 27° | 93 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 5.8 m/s | 2.0 very high | 11.7h |
| July | Very Good | 24° - 28° | 26° | 85 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 6.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.8h |
| August | Very Good | 24° - 28° | 26° | 134 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 6.4 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 11.9h |
| September | Very Good | 24° - 29° | 26° | 139 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 5.8 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.0h |
| October | Very Good | 24° - 29° | 27° | 186 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.4 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.1h |
| November | Very Good | 24° - 30° | 27° | 212 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.9 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.2h |
| December | Very Good | 24° - 30° | 27° | 289 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.7 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.3h |
How to Get to La Réunion
La Réunion (within the Inner Islands grouping) is normally reached from Mahé after arriving at SEZ; island-hopping requires ferries or domestic flights depending on the specific island. Victoria on Mahé serves as the main departure point.
Seychelles International Airport (SEZ): The main international airport on Mahé is the usual entry point for visitors to La Réunion locality noted in the Inner Islands. From SEZ you must continue by ferry or a domestic flight to reach islands beyond Mahé; taxi transfers to Victoria take about 20-30 minutes and cost roughly 250-350 SCR (≈US$18-25).
(Domestic airfields): Some outer islands have small airstrips served by domestic flights; check with local carriers for schedules and luggage restrictions when planning island transfers.
Train: Seychelles has no passenger rail network.
Bus: Mahé’s public bus network links Victoria with many coastal and inland stops; fares are typically 7-15 SCR. For islands off Mahé, buses will get you to the Victoria harbour departure points for ferries.
How to Get Around La Réunion
Reaching any Inner Island labelled La Réunion will involve SEZ arrival on Mahé followed by a ferry or domestic flight. For short island hops ferries are the usual choice; domestic flights are faster but costlier and have baggage limits.
- Taxi (~250-350 SCR (airport to Victoria)) - Taxis from SEZ or Victoria will take you to harbour departure points and local destinations quickly. For inter-island journeys they’re useful to transport luggage to the ferry/flight terminal; agree fares for longer transfers.
- Domestic flights (Varies by route and carrier) - Domestic carriers operate short hops to some inner islands with small airstrips. Flights are fast but have baggage limits and can be more expensive than ferries; check schedules in advance.
- Inter-island ferry (Varies by operator) - Ferry services connect Mahé with nearby islands; ferries are the main option for visitors without a time premium and usually depart from Victoria harbour. Timetables and capacity vary by operator and season - book ahead when possible.
- Public bus (~7-15 SCR) - Buses on Mahé will get you to Victoria harbour and local points of interest; they are inexpensive and run frequently during daytime hours. They are not used for inter-island travel beyond reaching ferry departure points.
- Walking - On small islands and local settlements, walking is the primary way to explore beaches and village streets. Respect local paths and wildlife, and carry water in hot weather.
Where to Stay in La Réunion
Budget
La Digue Island - $40-160/night
La Réunion (La Digue/Inner Islands) offers several small, family-run guesthouses and bungalows. Budget options exist but can book up quickly in high season.
La Digue guesthouses (various) - Local guesthouses and self-catered studios
La Digue tourism listings - Directory of budget guesthouses and bungalows
Mid-Range
La Digue Village / Harbour - $120-260/night
Mid-range boutique hotels on La Digue provide charming, comfortable stays close to beaches and the ferry terminal. Expect bicycle-friendly grounds and seaside dining.
Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie (La Digue) - Boutique plantation-style accommodations
Hotel L’Archipel La Digue - Comfortable rooms near the harbour
Luxury
Praslin / Mahé transfers - $350+/night
There are few high-end resorts directly on La Digue; luxury travelers usually stay on Mahé or Praslin and make day trips to La Digue by ferry.
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles - Luxury villas (on Mahé) - island hop required
High-end resorts (Mahé or Praslin) - Luxury resorts reachable by inter-island transfer
Where to Eat in La Réunion
La Digue Classics
La Digue’s small restaurants and takeaways focus on fresh seafood and Creole island cooking.
- Island Restaurants (La Digue) - Seafood and Creole dishes island-wide
- L’Union Estate (visitor info) - Historic site with nearby eateries
- Bike-route Takeaways - Popular stops for cyclists and beachgoers
Markets & Beach Snacks
Grab fresh bread, market produce or quick grilled fish from stalls between bike rides and beach visits.
- La Digue Market - Local produce and fish sellers
- Island Bakeries - Fresh bread and pastries each morning
- Beach Food Stalls - Simple grilled fish and snacks by the sand
Breakdown of cuisine types found across La Réunion’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in La Réunion
Nightlife is very limited: a handful of bars, beach restaurants and guesthouse evenings. Most evenings are relaxed and centered on dining rather than clubs.
Shopping in La Réunion
Shopping on La Digue is focused around La Passe: small craft shops, souvenir stalls and local produce sellers at the harbor area. For bigger shopping needs, visitors return to Mahé or Praslin.