Les Avirons Travel Guide

City City in Réunion, known for its beaches

A western Réunion commune where steep volcanic ridges meet agricultural terraces; hiking trails, Creole roadside markets and viewpoints over the Indian Ocean draw visitors seeking the island’s geology and local cuisine.

Main image
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La mairie des Avirons.jpg
Costs
Typical tourist budget: $90-140/day
Island prices and French standards push costs above regional averages.
Safety
Generally safe with occasional petty crime
Generally safe; petty theft can occur in busy coastal spots.
Best Time
Best months: May-November (dry season)
Dry season is cooler and ideal for hiking and coastal views.
Local Time
1:32 PM
GMT+4
Weather
Mostly Clear 81°F
Mostly Clear
Population
11,434
Infrastructure & Convenience
Good paved roads but car recommended; French signage and services.
Popularity
Attracts hikers and nature lovers; not overloaded with international mass tourism.
Known For
volcanic landscapes, coastal cliffs, hiking trails, tropical flora, waterfalls, Creole cuisine, whale and dolphin watching, sugarcane fields, viewpoints, rural beaches
Humpback whales migrate past Réunion's west coast; they are often visible from Les Avirons' shoreline July-October.

Why Visit Les Avirons? #

Perched on Réunion’s western slopes, Les Avirons draws visitors for its mountain viewpoints, sugarcane landscapes and access to rugged hiking routes such as approaches toward Grand Bénare. Creole culture is visible at market stalls selling cari and other local specialties, and evening Sega music sessions showcase island traditions. Nearby coastal towns let you mix mountain walks with beach time, making Les Avirons a compact, nature-focused base for exploring the island’s volcanic scenery.

Best Things to Do in Les Avirons

All Attractions ›

Les Avirons Bucket List

Don't Miss
  • Église des Avirons - Visit Église des Avirons for local colonial-era architecture and parish life.
  • Belvédère des Avirons - Climb to Belvédère des Avirons for panoramic coastal and cirque views.
  • Marché des Avirons - Browse Marché des Avirons for fresh produce, spices, and Creole street snacks.
Hidden Gems
  • Sentier du Dimitile - Hike Sentier du Dimitile for quiet ridgeline trails and sweeping southern landscape views.
  • Forêt de l'Éperon (walks) - Explore forest trails at l'Éperon to see endemic plants and shaded paths.
  • Petite plage de l'Étang-Salé - Discover the small black-sand coves near l'Étang-Salé for secluded seaside moments.
Day Trips
  • Plage de Saint-Leu - Relax and snorkel at Plage de Saint-Leu with calm lagoon and reef access.
  • Cirque de Cilaos (drive) - Drive inland to Cirque de Cilaos for mountain roads, villages, and crater scenery.

Best Time to Visit Les Avirons #

Les Avirons (Réunion) is at its best in the cool, dry months (May-October) for hiking and beaches. The hot/wet season brings lush scenery but higher rain and cyclone risks.

Hot/Wet Season
November - April · 24-30°C (75-86°F)
Warm, humid days with frequent heavy showers-lush landscapes and waterfalls, but rain can disrupt beach plans and hikes.
Cool/Dry Season
May - October · 18-25°C (64-77°F)
Drier, cooler and sunnier-best for hiking, beaches and clear views of the island's interior without oppressive humidity.
Cyclone Season
January - March · 25-30°C (77-86°F)
Highest risk of tropical storms and cyclones-warm seas and dramatic weather; travel plans may be interrupted, so monitor forecasts closely.

Best Time to Visit Les Avirons #

Climate

Les Avirons's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and mild winters (coldest in August). Temperatures range from 16°C to 28°C. Abundant rainfall (1328 mm/year), wettest in March.

Best Time to Visit
OctoberSeptemberNovember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
30°
Warmest Month
14°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 22°C. Significant rainfall (192 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
22° 28°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

192 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.9
UV Index
Extreme
13.1h daylight

February

February is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 22°C. Significant rainfall (184 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
22° 28°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

184 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.8
UV Index
Extreme
12.7h daylight

March

March is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (205 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
21° 28°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

205 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.1h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (143 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
20° 26°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

143 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
11.5h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
19° 25°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

103 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
11.0h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
17° 23°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

79 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
10.7h daylight

July

July is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
16° 22°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
10.8h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
16° 22°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

61 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
High
11.3h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

84 Excellent

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
17° 23°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

55 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.9h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

86 Excellent

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
18° 24°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
12.5h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

84 Excellent

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
19° 26°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

73 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
13.0h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (125 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
21° 27°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

125 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.9
UV Index
Extreme
13.3h daylight

How to Get to Les Avirons

Les Avirons is a mid‑southwest commune on Réunion and is best reached by road from either Roland Garros (RUN) or the nearer Pierrefonds (ZSE). The island has no passenger rail network, so buses, taxis and rental cars are the default transport modes.

By Air

Roland Garros / Saint‑Denis (RUN): The main international airport for Réunion is Roland Garros (RUN) near Saint‑Denis. From Roland Garros to Les Avirons (southwest of the island) expect a road journey of around 1.5-2.0 hours depending on traffic; rental cars, taxis and private transfers operate from the airport.

Pierrefonds Airport (ZSE): Pierrefonds (near Saint‑Pierre) is the island’s secondary airport and is much closer to Les Avirons (roughly 20-40 minutes by road). Pierrefonds has fewer commercial flights but can be very convenient when available.

By Train & Bus

Train: Réunion has no railway network for passenger service.

Bus (Car Jaune / Intercity coaches): Intercity bus services (commonly called ‘Car Jaune’ / regional operators) connect Saint‑Denis, Saint‑Pierre and towns across the island; buses serve Les Avirons from Saint‑Pierre and Saint‑Denis with varying frequencies. For reliable connections check the regional bus operator timetables as services are less frequent outside peak times.

How to Get Around Les Avirons #

Les Avirons (Réunion) is a small town where walking covers the centre comfortably; surrounding viewpoints and coastal spots are best reached by car. Local buses provide connections across Réunion, though schedules can be sparse - renting a car gives the most flexibility for exploring the island’s hills and coast.

Where to Stay in Les Avirons #

Budget
Les Avirons centre - $30-70/night
Small guesthouses and self-catering gîtes inland. Quiet, scenic setting; amenities are modest compared with the busier coastal resort areas of Réunion.
Mid-Range
West coast access - $70-140/night
A few comfortable family-run hotels and gîtes; better facilities and more hotel options are available along Reunion's west coast and in Saint-Paul.
Luxury
Limited - $140-300/night
Limited luxury within Les Avirons itself; most high-end resorts and full-service spa hotels are located elsewhere on Réunion's west coast.

Where to Eat in Les Avirons #

Nightlife in Les Avirons #

Nightlife in Les Avirons is limited and low-key, centred on cafés and local restaurants. For a busier evening scene with bars and late options, Saint‑Pierre and other coastal towns offer more choices.

Shopping in Les Avirons #

Shopping in Les Avirons is practical and local: small shops, markets and convenience stores meet daily needs. For larger shopping centres, supermarkets or specialty products you’ll travel to Saint‑Pierre or other larger Réunion towns.

Nearby Cities #