Helicopter Volcano Tour

Helicopter tours over the volcano are among the most popular aerial activities in Réunion, an overseas department of France in the Indian Ocean. Flights depart from the Aérodrome de Pierrefonds, on the Route Nationale 1 near Saint-Pierre in the south of the island, and fly toward Piton de la Fournaise, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. A 30-minute flight covers the volcano, the Plaine des Sables and the crater rim, while a 60-minute island tour extends over the cirques and further coastline. Prices are around €160 per person for the short tour and €240 for the longer one. The experience is passive and requires no fitness or skill; it suits families, older visitors and anyone who wants to see the island's interior without hiking. Operators set minimum ages and weight limits, and passengers are weighed or asked to declare their weight so the pilot can balance the aircraft. Héli Réunion is the operator listed, and flights are conducted by licensed commercial pilots under French aviation regulations. Headsets are provided, and some flights are made with the doors off, which makes photography easier but is cold, so warm clothing and secure loose items are important. Phones and cameras should be held with a strap or wrist cord. Before departure the crew gives a safety briefing covering seat belts, boarding and exiting the aircraft, and behaviour near the rotor. Flights are cancelled when cloud covers the summit or winds are too strong, and during eruptions that produce dangerous gas plumes or when civil authorities restrict airspace; passengers are usually offered rebooking or refunds in such cases. Year-round operation is possible, but June to October generally offers clearer air and better visibility over the volcano. Mornings are usually the best time, before afternoon cloud builds in the highlands.