Naïades Locations

Best Beaches in Réunion Island:
Our selection of the 8 most beautiful spots

An invitation to unwind and reconnect with untamed, majestic nature.

The West Coast, Home to the Most Beautiful Beaches in Réunion Island

The west of the island concentrates the vast majority of Réunion's popular and paradise-like beaches. The reason? The coral reef forms a long, continuous barrier stretching nearly 25 kilometres, transforming the shoreline into a succession of calm lagoons in shades of turquoise. From Saint-Paul to Saint-Leu, white-sand and fine-sand beaches follow one after another, lined with filao trees and coconut palms, offering safe swimming conditions all year round. This is where, right next to our rentals in the town of Saint-Gilles, you'll find the beaches most appreciated by travellers and Réunion locals alike.

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Plage de l'Hermitage: The Iconic Lagoon

Plage de l'Hermitage is arguably the most beloved beach on the west coast. Its lagoon, protected by the Marine Nature Reserve and awarded the Blue Flag label, offers shallow waters with turquoise reflections, perfect for family swimming and snorkeling. Beneath the century-old filao trees that shade the fine sand, you'll find plenty of space to set up sun loungers, parasols and picnic gear. The swimming area is monitored, and the coral seabed is home to a multitude of colourful fish. Just steps away, Creole snack bars, beachfront restaurants and paddleboard or kayak rentals round out the offering.

👉 Local tip: arrive early in the morning to enjoy perfectly calm waters before the afternoon breeze picks up.

Plage de la Saline-les-Bains: Golden Sand and Laid-Back Vibes

Located just beyond l'Hermitage, Plage de la Saline-les-Bains is loved for its golden sand, turquoise waters and more peaceful atmosphere. The lagoon is wide, ideal for observing parrotfish, butterflyfish and occasionally sea turtles gliding above the corals. Several monitored areas guarantee swimming in full safety. The village is filled with restaurants, beach bars and boutiques, perfect for extending the day until sunset, which is often spectacular on this stretch of coast.

Plage de l'Hermitage: The Iconic Lagoon

👉 Local tip: arrive early in the morning to enjoy perfectly calm waters before the afternoon breeze picks up.

Plage de la Saline-les-Bains: Golden Sand and Laid-Back Vibes

Plage de Boucan Canot: The Chic Seaside Resort

An iconic beach of the west coast, Boucan Canot offers a different ambiance: no lagoon here, but a wide bay of golden sand facing the Indian Ocean. Swimming takes place in a zone secured by an anti-shark net. The stronger waves attract bodyboarding enthusiasts, and the seafront is lined with restaurants, beach clubs and lounge bars with ocean views.

This is the ideal spot for lunch with your feet in the sand or a cocktail just as the sun dips into the ocean. Couples seeking a romantic escape will also find a wonderful setting at twilight.

Plage des Roches Noires: A Stone's Throw from Saint-Gilles

In the heart of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, Plage des Roches Noires combines golden sand with immediate proximity to the town centre. Bordered by the promenade and the marina, it's appreciated by families for its easy access, showers, parking and monitored swimming area. The anti-shark net ensures safety, and the many nearby snack bars and restaurants make it a lively spot throughout the day.

👉 Several of our rentals, including Résidence Le Perchoir, are just a few minutes' walk away.

Plage de Boucan Canot: The Chic Seaside Resort

This is the ideal spot for lunch with your feet in the sand or a cocktail just as the sun dips into the ocean. Couples seeking a romantic escape will also find a wonderful setting at twilight.

Plage des Roches Noires: A Stone's Throw from Saint-Gilles

👉 Several of our rentals, including Résidence Le Perchoir, are just a few minutes' walk away.

The Wild Beaches of the South

The south of the island offers a radically different landscape. The coral reef gives way, the scenery becomes volcanic, and beaches are rarer but all the more spectacular.

Grande Anse: The Tropical Postcard

A few kilometres from Saint-Pierre, Plage de Grande Anse is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. A long stretch of golden sand fringed by coconut palms, a volcanic cliff in the background, and a setting straight out of a postcard. Sea swimming is forbidden here due to strong swells, but a developed pool allows visitors to enjoy calm, turquoise waters in complete safety. Shaded picnic areas, beach games for children, restaurants and Creole snack bars make it a perfect destination for a full day of family activities.

Plage de l'Étang-Salé: Volcanic Black Sand

Unique in its kind, Plage de l'Étang-Salé is made of fine black sand of volcanic origin, warm under the sun. This vast beach stretching over several kilometres, lined with filao trees and snorkeling-friendly in certain areas, is both a renowned surf spot and a place for contemplative strolls. Swimming is permitted in the monitored zone. It's also one of the most photogenic sites at sunset: the contrast between the black sand and the blue waters is striking and offers a spectacular view of the ocean.

Grande Anse: The Tropical Postcard

Plage de l'Étang-Salé: Volcanic Black Sand

Plage de Saint-Pierre: The Town Centre with Your Feet in the Water

Plage de Saint-Pierre unfolds its fine sand just steps from the market and the lively seafront of the southern capital. Protected by a small reef, its monitored swimming area is perfectly suited to children. Restaurants serving local produce, bars, ice-cream shops: everything is within walking distance. It's the perfect chance to combine relaxation, cultural discovery and a festive evening, as Saint-Pierre is the epicentre of Réunion's nightlife.

Hidden Spots and Diving Activities

Beyond its iconic beaches, Réunion Island holds a few well-kept secrets. The natural pool of Saint-Leu, carved into the volcanic rock, offers a protected bathing spot facing a world-renowned surf break. It's one of the most beautiful natural water holes on the island, ideal for a quiet swim. Further south, Cap La Houssaye reveals wild coves accessible on foot, perfect for lovers of unspoiled landscapes and coastal hiking.

When it comes to diving and water sports, the west of Réunion Island is an exceptional playground. Kitesurfing and windsurfing can be practised year-round at l'Hermitage and Pointe au Sel. Boat excursions departing from Saint-Gilles offer the chance to admire dolphins all year and humpback whales from June to October. Scuba diving, supervised by certified and responsible clubs, reveals the richness of the coral reef and volcanic drop-offs.

Plage de Saint-Pierre: The Town Centre with Your Feet in the Water

Hidden Spots and Diving Activities

Practical Tips: Weather, Access and Comfort

The best time to enjoy the beaches runs from April to November, during the austral winter. Réunion's climate then offers mild temperatures (24 to 28°C), low humidity and ideal weather conditions. The recommended months for a holiday in Réunion Island are May, June, September and October, outside the peak tourist season. The cyclone season (January to March) can disrupt the weather. The water temperature remains pleasant year-round, between 24 and 27°C.

SAFETY SIDE

When it comes to safety, swimming is only permitted in monitored areas: lagoons protected by the coral reef or pools secured by anti-shark nets. Outside these zones, never swim: the shark risk demands absolute caution. Respect the flags at the lifeguard stations and follow local instructions.

equipment side

For equipment, pack reef-friendly sunscreen to protect the corals, mask and snorkel for snorkeling, water shoes for rocky bottoms, and shade gear to escape the tropical sun. Pets are not allowed on most monitored beaches. A rental car remains the most practical way to follow a complete coastal itinerary, as public transport is limited on the island.

Book your vacation rental with Naïades Locations

From our villas, bungalows and apartments in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, you can walk to the most beautiful beaches of the west coast and easily reach the south of the island to discover Grande Anse, l'Étang-Salé or Saint-Pierre. Whether you're travelling as a family, as a couple or with friends, each day opens onto a new spot, a new atmosphere, a new experience. The best beaches in Réunion Island are waiting to be explored, and our hosts Corine and Radj will be delighted to guide you toward their favourite spots.

Book your stay near the best beaches in Réunion Island

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Beaches in Réunion Island

What are the most beautiful beaches in Réunion Island for swimming?

The beaches of l'Hermitage, La Saline-les-Bains and Saint-Pierre offer the best swimming conditions thanks to their lagoons protected by the coral reef. Boucan Canot and Roches Noires feature anti-shark nets securing the swimming zone. Grande Anse offers a developed pool for family-friendly bathing.

Where can you snorkel and dive in Réunion Island?

The lagoon of l'Hermitage is the most iconic snorkeling spot, with a coral reef accessible right from the shore. La Saline-les-Bains and the natural pool of Saint-Leu also offer excellent conditions for observing colourful fish and corals in calm, shallow waters.

What is the best time to enjoy the beaches in Réunion Island?

The austral winter, from April to November, is the ideal season: air temperatures between 24 and 28°C, water at 24-25°C, and low rainfall. The austral summer (December to March) remains pleasant but more humid, with a cyclone risk between January and March. May, June, September and October offer the best balance between weather and crowds.

Can you swim anywhere on Réunion Island?

No, swimming is strictly regulated. It is only permitted in monitored areas: lagoons protected by the coral reef along the west coast, or pools secured by anti-shark nets at Boucan Canot and Roches Noires. Outside these zones, sea swimming is forbidden for safety reasons.

Which beach should you choose for a family day in Réunion Island?

Plage de l'Hermitage is ideal: a shallow lagoon, fine sand, shade from the filao trees, showers and snack bars nearby. Grande Anse, with its developed pool and beach games, and Saint-Pierre, with its town centre within walking distance, are also excellent choices for safe family activities.

Are there black sand beaches in Réunion Island?

Yes, Plage de l'Étang-Salé is the most iconic, with its fine volcanic black sand stretching for several kilometres lined with filao trees. A renowned surf spot, it features a monitored swimming area. Other small black sand beaches can be found in the wild south, bearing witness to the island's volcanic nature.