The Lagoon and West Coast

In contrast to Réunion's dramatic volcanic mountains, its sheltered west coast offers a sunny, relaxed seaside escape. Here, along the leeward shore around the resort towns of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains and l'Hermitage, a fringing coral reef encloses a calm, clear turquoise lagoon, creating the island's best beaches of golden and white sand shaded by casuarina trees. Within the protected lagoon, the water is safe and inviting for swimming, snorkelling among the coral and marine life, and family relaxation, a welcome contrast to the island's wild, shark-patrolled open coast. Lively beach towns, seaside dining and a marina add to the coast's appeal.

What you actually see

• The lagoon - the calm, clear reef-protected turquoise water.
• L'Hermitage and Saint-Gilles beaches - the white-sand beaches.
• The snorkelling - the coral and marine life within the lagoon.
• The beach towns - the lively seaside resorts and dining.

When to go

May to November, the cooler, drier season, for the best beach weather and calmest lagoon; the wetter, hotter months bring more rain and a cyclone risk. The lagoon's protected waters are warm and safe for swimming and snorkelling year-round, and the west coast is the sunniest, driest part of the island.

Honest expectations

Réunion's good, safe swimming beaches are limited to the protected west-coast lagoon, as the island's wild open coast has a genuine and serious shark risk that has led to bans on swimming and surfing outside the reef, so visitors must heed local warnings and stay within the lagoon. The lagoon itself can be busy at weekends. As a sunny, sheltered turquoise playground of white-sand beaches and safe snorkelling, though, a relaxing contrast to the wild mountains, the west coast is a lovely part of the island.

Nearby

The cirques, the volcano and the town of Saint-Paul are within reach.