Réunion is a French overseas region and department in the Indian Ocean, 700 km east of Madagascar and 200 km south-west of Mauritius. This volcanic island of extraordinary drama packs an active volcano, three steep-walled cirques, a UNESCO World Heritage mountain core, dense rainforest, and a warm lagoon into 2,512 km². It is simultaneously French enough to accept euros and credit cards everywhere, and exotic enough to feel like another world entirely.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Réunion.
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- Shark net
- Lifeguards
- Toilets
- Showers
- Snack bars
- Sun loungers for rent
Plage de l'Hermitage
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- Shark net
- Lifeguards
- Toilets
- Restaurants
- Surf lessons available
- Parking
Plage de Boucan Canot
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- Shark net
- Lifeguards
- Toilets
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Parking
Plage de la Saline-les-Bains
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- Shark net (inner swimming zone)
- Lifeguards
- Surf school
- Restaurants
- Toilets
- Parking
Plage de Saint-Leu
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- Shark net
- Toilets
- Restaurants nearby
- Parking
- Good snorkelling on rocky edges
Plage des Roches Noires
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- Natural black-sand and grey-sand beach
- Car park
- No shark barriers — swim only in posted safe zones
- Picnic tables
Plage de Grande Anse (Saint-Joseph)
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- No shark net — black volcanic sand beach, ocean swimming only in calm conditions
- Lifeguards in peak season
- Restaurants
- Picnic area under filao trees
- Parking
Plage de l'Étang-Salé
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- Natural rock pool for swimming (sheltered)
- No shark net — stay in pool area
- Parking
Plage de Trou d'Eau (Saint-Benoît)
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- Shark net
- Small sandy beach with rocky formations
- Parking
- Snorkelling
Plage du Souffleur (Saint-Leu)
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- Shark net
- Lifeguards
- Watersports rentals
- Beach volleyball
- Restaurants nearby
Plage Ermitage North (Les Brisants)
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- Small beach
- No facilities
- Parking
- Peaceful
Plage de Petite-Île
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- Natural freshwater pool
- No facilities
- Walk required (45 min each way)
- Parking at cemetery
Bassin Bleu Natural Pool (Saint-Paul)
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.