Réunion's West Coast concentrates the most complete beach experience on the island, in a dry and sunny microclimate that contrasts strongly with the rest of the coast. Stretched over about fifty kilometres between Saint-Paul in the north and Étang-Salé in the south, it is protected over 25 kilometres by a coral reef that creates the only true lagoon in Réunion — calm turquoise waters, white sand, safe snorkelling, hotels at the water's edge.
This is where Réunionese come to spend their beach weekends, where tourists set up their base camp in the first days to recover from jet lag (3 hours ahead of mainland in winter, 2 hours in summer), and where honeymoon couples drop their bags in the rare real 4-5 star resorts on the island. But the west coast is not just a beach resort: it is also the world epicentre of humpback whale watching from June to October, the world capital of paragliding at Saint-Leu, and an ideal starting point for excursions to Maïdo and the cirque of Mafate.
Count 2 to 3 days on the west coast as part of a complete 10-14 day stay in Réunion, or 4-5 days if you are looking for an exclusively beach and turtle sea experience.
Read also
- Saint-Gilles - L'Hermitage — Réunion's beach resort: turquoise lagoon, white-sand beach, hotels at the water's edge.
- Piton Maïdo — Belvedere at 2,205 m altitude above the cirque of Mafate, accessible from Saint-Paul in 1h30.
- The Cirques of Réunion — Mafate, Cilaos and Salazie: the mountain experience complementary to your beach stay.
- Réunion — Complete guide of the intense island: formalities, budget, climate, regions to discover.