At leisure to relax and enjoy the lively town of Saint-Gilles-Les-Baines, which has a lovely beachfront and splendid sunsets over Roches Noires beach.
At the Garden of Eden botanical gardens you can see chameleons and a magnificent volcanic lava tunnel. We suggest an early morning trip to the Maido viewpoint over the Cirque of Mafate, where hiking is popular. This popular holiday town is a favourite surfing spot, but as sea currents can be very strong you should only swim in the lagoon or at one of the protected beaches between L'Ermitage and La Saline-les-Baines.
In nearby Saint-Paul you can visit the fascinating Seaman’s Cemetery, where the French poet Leconte de Lisle is buried, as well as the famous pirate La Buse. Across the road you can visit the Grotte des Premiers Français - caves where the first inhabitants of the island are said to have lived. On a Friday don’t miss the local market, which is one of the nicest on the island.
You can also visit the Kélonia Sea Turtle research station in the nearby town of Saint-Leu, where a coral reef partly closes the bay to protect swimmers. Here you can snorkel over a coral garden that shelters numerous marine species including turtles, starfish, crustaceans and tropical fish. This is one of the best places in the world to view Humpback whales in season (June to September) and at the aquarium you can see moray eels, sharks and seahorses. Scuba diving and deep sea fishing trips are also available.
If you drive a little further, you can explore the wild south coast with its steep cliffs, lush vegetation and colourful Creole houses. Start with a walk along the harbour of Saint-Pierre, the largest town in the south. It has a small covered market in the town centre and a larger market each Saturday by the seaside. You can visit Grand Anse beach, famous for its spectacular sunsets, but be aware that sea currents are very strong here so only swim and snorkel in the volcanic rock-enclosed lagoon. You can also walk up the headland that overlooks this beach for beautiful tropical island views.
Other options include visiting Cirque de Cilaos and Piton de la Fournaise (Furnace Peak), the most active volcano on the island. You can also visit the Jardin des Parfums et Epices (Spice Garden) in the southeast of the island and Anse Waterfall in the east. Between the fisherman's harbour of Sainte-Rose and Saint-Philippe you can see the lava rivers that are gradually increasing the size of the island.