SHORE EXCURSIONS

Visit a vanilla plantation and explore a stunning cirque on this fascinating tour that includes lunch and free time for shopping. Take a picturesque drive to Saint-Denis, the economic and political center of Réunion Island, and notice eye-catching colonial mansions and buildings that date back to the time of the East India Trading Company during the 18th century.

Driving through the Sainte-Marie region, you’ll view sugar cane fields, lush greenery and, further east, vibrantly hued Indian temples. At a fragrant vanilla plantation, relish a guided tour and informative demonstration of how the plant’s aromatic oil is produced. Continuing to the Cirque of Salazie, thrill to a route through the natural amphitheater that passes countless cascading waterfalls, verdant gardens and colorful flowers while you ascend to approximately 3,300 feet. You’ll capture amazing photos during a stop at Bridal Veil Falls, then enter the town of Hell-Bourg, named for a respected former admiral and island governor.

Take a walking tour past the village’s enchanting Creole houses and enjoy time on your own to shop before savoring a traditional lunch, a wonderful conclusion to your delightful exploration.

OVERVIEW

This extraordinary tour gives you the opportunity to view one of the world's most active volcanoes and the surrounding geological wonders. Departing the pier, you will enjoy a scenic drive along the coastline to Saint Pierre, where you will turn inland and begin your ascent to the high plateau of the Plaine des Cafres. Making your way inland, you will soon notice that the cooling freshness of the coast gives way to the natural heat of the volcano as you pass a landscape of heathers, gentians, small villages, pastures and lush forests. From the nearly 6800 ft. summit of the 'Nez de Boef', you can see down across the valley below with all of its geological surprises. This includes the gaping hole in the crater 'Commerson'. The splendid calderas created by the volcanoes are also referred to as amphitheaters and hold many amazing discoveries that delight geologists from around the world.Next, you will visit the viewpoint that overlooks the 'Plaine des Sables'. Marvel at this barren terrain that is strewn with volcanic rock and makes one think they have stepped from the surface of the Earth to that of the Moon. It is truly an incredible sight to behold. Continuing, you will reach 'Pas de Bellecombe', the main viewpoint for the Bory crater which rises up in front of you over 8600 feet. This advantageous viewpoint is situated on the top of a 492 foot high cliff that overlooks the volcanic valley which includes more than 60 smaller craters that are spread around the two main ones, Crater Bory and Crater Dolomieu. Before it's time to make the 2 and one-half hour journey back to the ship, you will be treated to lunch at a nearby restaurant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ascend the Plaine des Cafres plateau, passing lush forests and small villages.
• Behold the Commerson Crater’s massive caldera from the approximately 6,800-foot summit of Nez de Boeuf.
• Take in magnificent views from the Pas de Bellecombe overlook atop an approximately 500-foot cliff.
• Marvel at a lunar-like volcanic valley showcasing over 60 small craters and the larger Bory and Dolomieu Craters.
• Refresh with a relaxing and tasty lunch at a specially selected restaurant.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, lightweight, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Admire the untamed natural beauty of Réunion Island on this beguiling tour that includes a visit to an aromatic garden and lunch.

Settle in for a leisurely 90-minute drive to Réunion’s south coast, reaching a rugged shoreline of volcanic rock that has been battered for centuries by the tumultuous sea. You’ll find dense vegetation and a primeval inland forest that stretches along the volcanic slopes and provides shelter for an abundance of avian species. Gaze in wonder at the stark Grand Brûlé, or Great Burn, which has been covered over the ages by successive lava flows and stands in dramatic testament to nature’s sometimes beautiful devastation.

After a delicious lunch of traditional dishes at a local restaurant, tour the Perfumes and Spices Garden, where you’ll be introduced to hundreds of native and exotic plants, an aromatic coda to your scenic and fragrance-filled day.

OVERVIEW

Revel in mesmerizing scenery and magnificent vistas on this entrancing tour that explores the western region of Réunion Island and includes visits to a small handmade geranium production and a shopping center near Le Port. Journey approximately 90 minutes to the dramatic volcano Piton Maïdo and take in striking views of the Cirque of Mafate, which encompasses over 22,000 acres of nearly untouched wilderness. During an approximately 45-minute stop, discover that the cirque includes some 15 small villages, home to approximately 700 citizens, and that it’s a haven for hikers and nature lovers. Gaze in awe at Piton des Neiges, the highest mountain in the Indian Ocean, before continuing to a local geranium plantation to explore the traditional production and distillation methods used to create the flower’s alluring perfume. You’ll savor time on your own at the shopping center near Le Port.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ascend to the summit of volcanic Piton Maïdo and gaze over the astonishing Cirque of Mafate.
• Survey thousands of acres of Mafate’s pristine wilderness, which is home to only some 700 inhabitants.
• Wonder at views of Piton des Neiges, the Indian Ocean’s highest peak.
• Tour a geranium plantation to understand how aromatic perfume is extracted from these flowers.
• Shop the busy shopping center near Le Port.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, lightweight, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring an umbrella or poncho, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Carry a bottle of water, as you may require hydration.

Geared for those who like to explore on their own, this shuttle gives you the opportunity to visit the tropical resort town of Saint Gilles les Bains.

Your shuttle leaves from the pier and travels approximately 45-minutes to this charming town that features shopping, a beautiful sandy beach, turquoise lagoon, aquarium and full-service marina. There is no lack of things to do here and there are numerous cafés, restaurants and bars as well.

After approximately 3.5 hours at your leisure in Saint Gilles les Bains, you will meet your shuttle at the appointed time and place for the return trip to the pier in Pont de Galets.

OVERVIEW

Explore the most intriguing attractions along Reunion Island’s eastern shore, a ruggedly beautiful landscape that eons of volcanic activity have shaped. While following a mostly coastal route from the Pointe des Galets peninsula, you hear enlightening commentary about the island, a remote French overseas department in the Indian Ocean. Natural beauty is only part of its allure as you will discover at the Church of Sainte-Anne, a baroque gem so glorious that it was declared a national monument. You will also see a 19th-century suspension bridge built to withstand the raging waters of the East River and frequent cyclones. Notre-Dame des Laves is inspiring in a different way – the church was miraculously spared from a lava flow that devastated the surrounding village. Still, the most destructive vagaries of nature are the island’s volcanic eruptions, evidence of which you will see in the hardened black lava fields at Grand Brûlé and the basalt sea cliffs at Cap Méchant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for a leisurely and incredibly scenic drive, mostly along Reunion Island’s east coast.
• Snap photos at two churches: one a baroque masterpiece, the other saved from a lava flow.
• Dine on delicious French cuisine at a waterfront restaurant in Sainte Rose.
• Behold an expansive hardened lava field and the volcanically formed cliffs at Cap Méchant.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Fly high over Reunion Island in a helicopter for a bird’s-eye view of the staggering natural beauty of this remote French overseas department in the Indian Ocean. As you soar over the island, you will get a good sense of the topography, which is volcanically formed, ruggedly mountainous and mostly blanketed with lush vegetation. You will look down on a number of natural amphitheaters known as cirques, each one a bit different from the others. Cirque de Mafate is completely surrounded by mountains and wonderfully pristine because it is so inaccessible. Cirque de Salazie is the largest and greenest of the cirques and lined with many waterfalls. Then, there is Trou de Fer – the Iron Hole – a deep collapsed volcanic crater ringed by waterfalls. You will also fly over Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. It last erupted in 2023.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See Reunion Island from high above in a helicopter with large windows.
• Look down on the primeval terrain of volcanic peaks and craggy mountains.
• Fly over natural amphitheaters lined with waterfalls thundering over their cliffs.
• Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of one of the world’s most active volcanoes.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.