L'Etang-Sale
A long black sand beach on the west coast, formed from eroded volcanic rock rather than coral.
Updated 2 September 2026
L'Étang-Salé-les-Bains has the island's best-known black sand beach, several kilometres of dark volcanic grains ground down from basalt and carried to the coast, backed by casuarina trees. It is one of the few long beaches on the island outside the lagoon, and it is used for surfing and for walking rather than for casual swimming, since it lies outside the protecting reef and the sea is open. A supervised zone is marked in season.
What's there
- The black sand - kilometres of dark volcanic beach, unusual in the region.
- The casuarina belt - the filao trees planted behind the sand.
- The surf - the open ocean break that draws surfers here.
- The Gouffre approach - the coast running south towards the blowhole.
When to go
May to November is the drier season. The supervised swimming zone operates in season only. Cyclone swell closes the beach.
Before you go
Swimming outside the supervised zone is dangerous; this is open ocean with no reef protection. The black sand gets extremely hot underfoot at midday. Shark risk has led to bathing restrictions on this coast.
Nearby
Le Gouffre is south, and Saint-Leu is north.
What to pack for L'Etang-Sale
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Reef-safe sunscreen - High SPF that will not bleach the coral you are swimming over. Find on Amazon
- Quick-dry clothing - Board shorts or synthetics that shrug off spray and dry fast. Find on Amazon
- Quick-dry towel - A microfibre towel packs small and dries in minutes. Find on Amazon
- Secure water shoes or reef boots - Grip on slippery launches and protection on rocky shores. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
