A calm reef lagoon, a live volcano and lush green cirques
🌋La Reunion
France
Updated 1 July 2026
Reunion is an intense French island in the Indian Ocean, a single volcano peak wrapped in rainforest, waterfalls and deep green amphitheatres, with a warm lagoon strung along its sheltered west coast. That west coast is where families base themselves: at L'Hermitage, Saint-Gilles and Boucan Canot a coral reef holds back the ocean and leaves calm, shallow, safe water that is ideal for toddlers and first swims. Away from the beach it is pure adventure, the active Piton de la Fournaise volcano, the wild cirques of Mafate, Cilaos and Salazie, sea turtles at Kelonia and whales offshore, all wrapped in generous Creole food and culture. One rule shapes every beach day: because of a real shark risk, you only swim inside the lagoon and supervised zones, never in the open sea.
11h
Direct flight from Paris
3070m
Height of the Piton des Neiges
May to Nov
Dry, mild best season
3
Wild cirques to explore
Live prices & availability
Stays near La Reunion, France
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Why it works with kids
- The reef-protected west-coast lagoon means calm, shallow, safe water for toddlers and first swims
- Kelonia sea turtle centre and offshore dolphins and whales, from July to October
- An active volcano, Piton de la Fournaise, and the dramatic green cirques for older kids to hike
- Warm all year, with a dry, mild sweet spot from May to November
Best areas to stay
- 1L'Hermitage-les-Bains and Saint-Gilles: the calm reef lagoon, the island's best toddler beaches and most family hotels
- 2Boucan Canot: a lively supervised beach with a netted swimming zone, walkable cafes and sunsets
- 3Saint-Leu and Saint-Pierre in the south: nature, turtles, Creole town life and the closest base for the volcano and cirques
Our KidProof picks
Hand-picked and scored on the eight things that matter to families.
in La Reunion
LUX* Saint Gilles
Bright contemporary rooms and family suites set in tropical gardens, most steps from the lagoon. Family suites and connecting rooms sleep four to five, so parents and kids get their own space and everyone sleeps.
in La Reunion
Akoya Hotel & Spa
Smart, contemporary rooms and family suites, many with a balcony over the gardens or the sea. Family suites give two sleeping areas, handy when younger kids go to bed early.
in La Reunion
Palm Hotel & Spa
Elegant rooms, junior suites and villas terraced into a cliffside garden, most with a private terrace and ocean view. Villas and family rooms give the space larger families need.
in La Reunion
Le Recif Hotel
Comfortable garden-style rooms and family rooms spread through tropical grounds, many a short barefoot walk from the lagoon. Family rooms and connecting options sleep four.
in La Reunion
Hotel Le Saint-Alexis
Comfortable sea-view rooms and family rooms right above Boucan Canot beach, many with a balcony over the ocean. Family rooms sleep up to four.
in La Reunion
Le Nautile Beachfront Hotel
Simple, well-kept rooms and a few family rooms in a low-rise block right behind the L'Hermitage lagoon, some with sea glimpses. Family rooms sleep four.
in La Reunion
Ness by D-Ocean
Contemporary rooms and apartment-style family units with kitchenettes, in the heart of Saint-Pierre. The self-catering options suit families who want flexibility around nap and meal times.
in La Reunion
Iloha Seaview Hotel
Creole-style bungalows, rooms and family bungalows scattered through a hillside tropical garden, some with kitchenettes and sea views. Family bungalows sleep four to five.
Compare our picks in La Reunion
| Hotel | Score | Kids club | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| LUX* Saint Gilles | 89 | ✅ Free kids club | 340€ |
| Akoya Hotel & Spa | 87 | — | 250€ |
| Palm Hotel & Spa | 86 | — | 260€ |
| Le Recif Hotel | 86 | ✅ Free kids club | 160€ |
| Hotel Le Saint-Alexis | 85 | — | 180€ |
| Le Nautile Beachfront Hotel | 85 | — | 120€ |
| Ness by D-Ocean | 83 | — | 110€ |
| Iloha Seaview Hotel | 82 | — | 80€ |
Browse La Reunion by what matters
Family things to do in La Reunion
Kelonia turtle centre
A sea turtle observatory and rescue centre at Saint-Leu, where kids meet rescued turtles up close, an easy all-ages morning.
Piton de la Fournaise volcano
Drive up to the lunar Plaine des Sables and the viewpoints over one of the world's most active volcanoes, unforgettable for older children.
Dolphins and whales by boat
Boats from Saint-Gilles spot dolphins year-round and humpback whales from July to October, a highlight for the whole family.
Maido viewpoint and the cirques
An early drive to the Maido balcony reveals the hidden cirque of Mafate below, best before the midday clouds roll in.
Parents also ask
Is it safe to swim in the sea?
Only inside the reef lagoon and supervised, netted zones. Reunion has a real shark risk on its open coast, so swimming outside these areas is banned. The good news is that the west-coast lagoon is calm and shallow, perfect for children.
When is the best time to visit with kids?
May to November is the dry, mild season and the ideal family window. December to April is the southern-hemisphere summer, hotter and wetter with a cyclone risk, though whales pass the coast from July to October in the cool season.
Which area is best for toddlers?
L'Hermitage-les-Bains and Saint-Gilles, where the reef lagoon gives the calmest, shallowest and safest water on the island. Boucan Canot works too, using its netted swimming zone.
Do we need a hire car?
Yes, a car is strongly recommended. The lagoon beaches, the volcano, Kelonia and the cirque viewpoints are spread across the island, and a car turns a beach holiday into a real Reunion adventure.
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