The Best Beaches in La Reunion and Rodrigues

Two Indian Ocean Islands Most Travelers Miss

La Reunion and Rodrigues are French-administered islands in the southwestern Indian Ocean that rarely appear on beach vacation shortlists. La Reunion, a volcanic island 110 miles southwest of Mauritius, is better known for its dramatic mountains, active volcano (Piton de la Fournaise), and cirques (natural amphitheaters carved by erosion) than its beaches. But the west coast holds some of the best-protected swimming beaches in the Indian Ocean, backed by the infrastructure and safety standards you'd expect from a French overseas department.

Rodrigues, a small autonomous island within the Republic of Mauritius, sits 350 miles east of Mauritius in near-total isolation. It has fewer than 45,000 residents, no international airport (all flights connect through Mauritius), and a pace of life that Mauritius lost decades ago. The lagoon surrounding Rodrigues is twice the size of the island itself, shallow and turquoise, with sandbars and islets scattered across it.

Neither island caters to the resort-hotel model that defines Mauritius or the Maldives. These are places for travelers who want genuine local culture, serious outdoor activities, and beaches that happen to be stunning rather than manicured.

Best Beaches in La Reunion

Plage de Boucan Canot

Boucan Canot is a stretch of white sand on La Reunion's west coast, backed by basalt rock formations and lined with palms. The beach is protected by a shark net and cata (a type of anti-shark barrier), making it one of the safest swimming beaches on the island. La Reunion has experienced shark incidents since 2011, primarily on the east coast and during activities in open water — the protected west coast beaches behind shark nets are considered safe for swimming.

This is one of the reasons La Reunion Beaches continues to draw visitors year after year.

The beach has lifeguards, showers, and a handful of restaurants along the promenade. A sundowner at the Ti Boucan restaurant, built into the basalt cliff at the south end of the beach, is one of the better experiences on the island's coast. The water is warm year-round (24-28°C), and the sandy bottom slopes gently. On weekends, Boucan Canot fills up with local families — arrive before 10 AM for a quieter experience.

Plage de l'Ermitage (Hermitage Beach)

Hermitage Beach is the longest and widest white sand beach in La Reunion, stretching about 3 km along the coast between Saint-Gilles-les-Bains and La Saline-les-Bains. A coral reef runs parallel to the shore, creating a natural lagoon that keeps the water calm, shallow, and warm. Snorkeling in the lagoon reveals parrotfish, triggerfish, surgeonfish, and occasional sea turtles over coral formations that, while not pristine, support a healthy diversity of marine life.

The beach is backed by casuarina (filao) trees that provide natural shade — a rare luxury on tropical beaches where shade often costs money. Several sections of the beach cater to different crowds: families near the parking areas, younger groups near the bars and food trucks, and quieter stretches at the northern end. The Jardin d'Eden botanical garden sits just inland and makes a good combined outing with a morning beach visit.

Compared to similar options, La Reunion Beaches stands out for its mix of quality and accessibility.

Plage de Grande Anse

Grande Anse, near the town of Petite-Ile on the south coast, is a dramatic beach framed by black basalt cliffs and coconut palms. The sand is white and coarse, the water is bright turquoise, and the natural rock pool (bassin) at the south end provides safe swimming even when the open ocean is rough. The beach is accessed via a staircase from the cliff-top parking area, giving you an aerial view of the whole scene before you descend.

Grande Anse is exposed to the southern swell and swimming in the open water is not recommended — strong currents and powerful waves make it dangerous. Stick to the natural rock pool, which is large enough for proper swimming and refilled by waves washing over the rocks. The beach has basic facilities (toilets, a snack bar) and is popular with locals on weekends and holidays. The drive along the south coast between Saint-Pierre and Grande Anse is spectacular, hugging basalt cliffs above the Indian Ocean.

Plage de Trou d'Eau

Trou d'Eau is a small, sheltered beach between Hermitage and Saint-Leu that offers some of the best shore snorkeling in La Reunion. The coral reef here is closer to shore and more intact than at Hermitage, and the marine reserve status means fish populations are denser. Look for clownfish in anemones, moorish idols, trumpetfish, and octopuses hiding in coral crevices. The beach is small and shaded by filao trees, with a relaxed vibe that attracts fewer tourists than the larger beaches.

Local travel experts consistently recommend La Reunion Beaches as a top choice for visitors.

Best Beaches in Rodrigues

Trou d'Argent

Trou d'Argent is Rodrigues' most photographed beach, a small crescent of white sand at the base of steep green hillsides on the southeast coast. Getting there requires a 20-minute walk along a coastal path from the nearest road, descending through scrubland with views of the turquoise lagoon below. The walk filters out most visitors, and midweek you'll likely have the beach to yourself.

The swimming is safe in the sheltered cove, and the water clarity is exceptional — the lagoon floor is visible even at depths of 5-6 meters. There are no facilities at the beach, so bring water, food, and sunscreen. The return walk is uphill and exposed to sun, so time your visit to avoid the midday heat. Early morning or late afternoon light makes the water colors most vivid.

Anse Mourouk

Anse Mourouk sits on the south coast and is the closest Rodrigues has to a "resort beach" — the Mourouk Ebony Hotel backs onto the sand, and guests from the hotel and day visitors share the wide, sandy shore. The lagoon here is broad and shallow, with sandbars visible at low tide where you can walk out hundreds of meters in knee-deep water. Kitesurfing is popular at Mourouk when the southeast trade winds blow (May through October), and the hotel rents equipment and offers lessons.

If La Reunion Beaches is on your list, booking during shoulder season typically delivers the best value.

The beach faces south toward open ocean, but the reef protects the lagoon from heavy swells. Swimming is comfortable at any tide. The hotel's beachfront restaurant serves Rodriguan Creole cuisine — octopus salad, rougaille (a tomato-based fish stew), and local honey are specialties. A meal with drinks runs about EUR 25-35 per person.

Ile aux Cocos

Ile aux Cocos is a small coral island off Rodrigues' west coast, accessible by a 90-minute pirogue (traditional boat) ride across the lagoon. The island is a nature reserve with nesting populations of seabirds — fairy terns, noddies, and tropicbirds nest in the scrubby vegetation and are remarkably unafraid of humans. A resident guide (mandatory for all visits) leads you along a boardwalk through the nesting areas.

The beaches on Ile aux Cocos are sandbars that shift with the seasons — white sand surrounded by the shallow turquoise lagoon in every direction. Snorkeling off the island is excellent in the deeper channels between coral patches. Boat trips cost about EUR 30-40 per person including the guide and typically include a picnic lunch of grilled fish, rice, and salad on the beach. This is one of those rare places that looks exactly like the fantasy of a deserted tropical island. For more Indian Ocean beach options, see our Africa and island destination guides.

Practical Information

Getting There

La Reunion: Direct flights from Paris (11 hours), Mauritius (45 minutes), Madagascar, and several African cities arrive at Roland Garros Airport (RUN) near Saint-Denis. Air Austral and French Bee operate the Paris routes. As a French overseas department, La Reunion uses the Euro, and EU/Schengen visa rules apply.

Rodrigues: Air Mauritius operates daily flights from Mauritius (90 minutes). There are no international flights to Rodrigues — all connections go through Mauritius. A cargo ship, the Mauritius Trochetia, makes the 36-hour crossing from Port Louis to Rodrigues several times per month and is an experience in itself (deck class tickets around EUR 60).

When to Visit

Both islands have a warm, humid season (November to April) and a cooler, drier season (May to October). The dry season is generally better for beach days on both islands, with less rain and lower humidity. La Reunion's cyclone season runs from January through March — avoid these months for beach-focused trips. Rodrigues is slightly drier than Mauritius and La Reunion overall. The La Reunion tourism board provides updated weather and event information.

Costs

La Reunion uses the Euro and prices are comparable to mainland France — restaurant meals EUR 15-30, hotel rooms EUR 80-200/night. Rodrigues is significantly cheaper than Mauritius, with guesthouse rooms from EUR 30-60/night and restaurant meals for EUR 10-20. Neither island has the luxury resort pricing of Mauritius or the Maldives, which is part of their appeal for travelers who want value alongside beauty.