Piton Maïdo and Ermitage Beach tour: Volcanic views and lagoon

Three landscapes in one morning: mountain, lagoon, and ocean cliffs

This half-day tour on Réunion Island combines three distinct sites (Piton Maïdo at 2,200 meters, Ermitage Beach with its protected lagoon, and Cap La Houssaye's volcanic cliffs) with a live guide in English or French and private transportation. The route covers roughly four hours of travel and stops, with a 30-minute driver break built in. You choose between a sedan for four, a minibus for eight, or a six-passenger van at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Discover Piton Maïdo and beaches

• Ascend Piton du Maïdo via forest road
• Enjoy panoramic views of Mafate cirque
• Visit Hermitage beach and lagoon
• Explore marine life at Hermitage
• Admire volcanic cliffs at Cap La Houssaye
• Look for sea turtles or whales

The experience

The tour starts at Piton du Maïdo, where a road lined with Cryptomeria forest climbs to views over the Mafate cirque. At 2,200 meters above sea level, the panorama opens across wild, unspoiled terrain: the kind of vantage point that justifies the early start. Your guide shares stories about the island's history and culture as you take in the scale of what surrounds you.

From there, the route drops to Ermitage Beach, one of Réunion's most protected stretches of sand and lagoon. The marine reserve keeps the water clear and the coral and small fish intact. This is where the pace slows: a place to walk, look at what lives in the water, and let the quiet of the site settle. The contrast between the high altitude you just left and the sea-level calm is deliberate.

Cap La Houssaye closes the loop with volcanic cliffs that drop straight to the ocean. The savannah spreads inland while the turquoise water fills the view seaward. Depending on the season, your guide watches for sea turtles or whales offshore. The vehicle includes air conditioning, bottled water, and WiFi. A 30-minute driver break is part of the schedule, so the four-hour total accounts for rest as well as travel and stops.

What’s included

• Private transportation in your choice of sedan, minivan or minibus.
• live guide in English or French.
• bottled water and air conditioning in the vehicle.
• WiFi on board.

Options for this experience

3 options

Sedan 4 travelersUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English or French · 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00Includes pickup

6-passenger mini-vanUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English or French · 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00Spacious vehicle with pickup included

Minibus 8 passengersUp to 8 per booking · Guide in English or French · 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00Very spacious vehicle with pickup included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00

Book up toStart time

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by VTC-Excursion La Buse

Is this one for you?Pick the sedan if you're traveling as a couple or small family and want the most flexible routing. Choose the minibus if your group is larger and you prefer to share the experience with other travelers. The fixed four-hour window suits a morning departure that leaves your afternoon free, and the three stops (mountain, lagoon, cliff) mean you see Réunion's range of landscapes without backtracking.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Piton Maïdo and why start the tour there?

Piton du Maïdo is a mountain viewpoint at 2,200 meters above sea level on Réunion Island. The ascent follows a road through Cryptomeria forest, and at the top you see across the Mafate cirque: a wild, unspoiled landscape that frames the rest of the island's geography.

Can I swim or snorkel at Ermitage Beach?

Ermitage Beach sits inside a marine reserve with a protected lagoon, clear water, and coral and small colorful fish. The site is preserved and ideal for exploring the marine life, though the tour itself is structured as a stop for observation and a contemplative break rather than an extended water activity.

What should I bring or wear for a half-day tour at these elevations?

You'll move from 2,200 meters at Piton Maïdo down to sea level at the beach and cliffs. Layers work well for the temperature shift. Sunscreen and a hat are useful at the high viewpoint and on the beach. Comfortable walking shoes suit all three stops.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel?

Private transportation is included in the tour price. Confirm your hotel location and pickup time when you book. The route and timing adjust based on where you're staying on the island.

How many people travel together on this tour?

You choose your vehicle size at checkout: a sedan for four travelers, a six-passenger minivan, or a minibus for eight. The guide and driver are the same across all options. The group size depends on which vehicle you select.

What happens if the tour runs over four hours?

The four-hour total includes a 30-minute driver break. If the tour extends beyond that, a supplement of 55 euros per hour applies.