La Réunion City
Island in Seychelles, known for beaches
A tiny islet off La Digue where day-trippers come for reef snorkeling, picnic lunches and rock-strewn shores. Boats leave from La Digue; cyclists and beachcombers use short trails between coral flats and palm groves.
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#
La Réunion Bucket List#
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.
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.
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.
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.
May - September
24-28°C (75-82°F)
Breezy, drier months-great for sailing, snorkeling and sunbathing; seas can be choppier but visibility remains good and beaches are less crowded.
November - March
26-31°C (79-88°F)
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.
April & October
25-30°C (77-86°F)
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.
January
January is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (370 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is hot, feeling like 30°C due to high humidity. Heavy rain (272 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is hot, feeling like 31°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (188 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is the hottest month, feeling like 31°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (168 mm).
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May
May is hot, feeling like 31°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (146 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Regular rainfall (93 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Regular rainfall (85 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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August
August is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (134 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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September
September is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (139 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (186 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (212 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (289 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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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#
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
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
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’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
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.
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.
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.
