Réunion Island was going to surprise me. What I didn’t expect was just how dramatic, diverse, and downright addictive this French-African island would be.Here’s how my 7 days unfolded, an unforgettable mix of volcano hikes, Creole flavors, and moments where nature truly humbles you.

Day 1 — Arrival & My First Glimpse of the Lagoon

I arrived in Saint-Denis early in the morning, grabbed my car rental, and drove straight toward the island’s sunny west coast. The closer I got to L’Hermitage Beach, the bluer the ocean became like shifting shades of turquoise stitched with coral reefs.

I spent the afternoon walking along the lagoon, watching families snorkel in the shallow water. The whole place felt peaceful. No rush. No noise. Just palm trees, soft sand, and the sound of waves breaking farther out beyond the reef.

By sunset, I settled at a beach bar in Saint-Gilles with a cold tamarind juice (and later my first rum arrangé). The sky lit up in orange and violet, and it finally hit me: I’m really here.

Day 2 — A Full Day Chasing Waterfalls in Salazie

I woke up early and headed inland toward Salazie, one of Réunion’s three giant volcanic “cirques.” The moment I entered the valley, everything turned impossibly green as if someone dialed up the saturation.

My first stop was Voile de la Mariée, a waterfall flowing like a bridal veil down a cliff hundreds of meters high. I stood there for a long moment, watching the water turn into mist before it touched the rocks below.

I spent the rest of the day wandering through Hell-Bourg, a colorful Creole village with lace-trimmed wooden homes and views that look painted. I ate a plate of cari poulet at a tiny restaurant run by an elderly couple who insisted I try their homemade vanilla rum.

If Day 1 was relaxation, Day 2 was nature shouting “Welcome to the jungle!”

Day 3 — Hiking into Mafate: A World With No Roads

Mafate is legendary, an isolated volcanic cirque with no roads at all. The only way in is on foot or by helicopter. So I laced up my shoes and started the hike from Col des Bœufs.

The trail crossed ridges and deep valleys, and the silence was so pure that I could hear my heartbeat. Arriving in a tiny hamlet like La Nouvelle, where kids run along dirt paths and chickens wander freely, felt like stepping into another time.

I stayed overnight in a mountain gîte. Dinner was hearty: rougail sausages, stewed lentils from Cilaos, and more rum arrangé (of course). When the stars came out, bright and unrushed,I realized I had never seen a night sky this clear.

Day 4 — Cilaos, the Village of 400 Curves

The drive into Cilaos is an adventure on its own: 400+ hairpin turns through tunnels and cliffside roads. I found myself stopping constantly just to admire the peaks surrounding the valley like stone cathedrals.

I spent the morning exploring the town and visiting the thermal springs. In the afternoon, I did a short hike to La Roche Merveilleuse, a rocky viewpoint overlooking the entire cirque.

For dinner, I tried Cilaos lentils and a glass of the area’s unique mountain wine. Sitting outdoors with the cooler air settling into the valley felt peaceful after days of trekking.

Day 5 — The Lunar Desert of Plaine des Sables & Volcanic Landscapes

This was the day I finally understood why people say Réunion looks like several planets in one island.

Driving toward the volcano, I suddenly entered Plaine des Sables, a reddish-brown desert that looks exactly like Mars. No trees. No sound. Just volcanic dust stretching to the horizon.

I walked a bit along the viewpoints, taking in the strange quiet. The landscape felt almost supernatural.

Then I continued toward Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. I didn’t hike the full trail this day, saving that for tomorrow, but I spent hours exploring the rim and admiring the massive caldera.

Day 6 — Hiking the Mighty Piton de la Fournaise

I started before sunrise, reaching the trailhead while the morning light was still soft. The descent into the caldera felt like entering the earth itself. Lava fields stretched for miles twisted, cracked, black, and ancient.

Hiking across cooled magma with steam rising in the distance is something I’ll never forget. At the final viewpoint overlooking the main crater, I stood speechless. It’s one of the few places where you can hike so close to a living volcano.

By late afternoon, exhausted and exhilarated, I returned to the west coast for a swim in the lagoon and nothing feels better than floating in warm water after trekking over lava.

Day 7 — Paragliding Over Saint-Leu & Beach Time

On my final day, I did something unforgettable: paragliding in Saint-Leu.

Running off the hillside and lifting into the air felt surreal. Below me were green sugarcane fields, cliffs, villages, and finally the bright blue lagoon. It’s the kind of view that stays with you long after the trip is over.

The rest of the day I spent lazily on La Saline-les-Bains, swimming, snorkeling, and watching the sun melt into the ocean. My week in Réunion ended the way it began, in front of the sea. Except now I felt like I’d discovered one of the most underrated islands on earth.

Final Thoughts: Why Réunion Island Stays With You

Réunion is wild, raw, and incredibly welcoming. In just seven days, I walked inside volcanic craters, crossed forests straight out of Jurassic Park, wandered Creole villages, and floated over the coast in a paraglider.