For a relaxing beach holiday, choose the west coast of Reunion with its sandy beaches, coral reefs, cafés, clubs and restaurants. Surfing at St Leu is popular and there are some excellent diving spots on this coast. St Gilles-les-Bains is the island’s chief resort, with several good 4-star hotels beside the beach, natural pools and a chic nightlife.Three kilometres along the coast we recommend the five-star Lux* de la Reunion, which has large tropical gardens right by the beach, a gorgeous pool and excellent facilities.
St Leu is one of the world’s most desirable surfing spots, with a range of accommodation, a good sandy beach, and the famous geyser.
There is a good coast road running right around the island although beware that this can get busy during rush hour in the small towns. The east coast has a coastline of black volcanic cliffs, and black pebble beaches, the remains of lava flows stopped by the sea. This is an area of high rainfall, and the coast is exposed to quite violent seas. As you travel south, you come closer to the active Piton de la Fournaise and the coast road is cut by lava flows which have not fully cooled. The first white sand beach is at St Pierre in the south-west.
Helen Kennedy
Travel Specialist
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