Réunion Island Volcano & Beach Tour: La Fournaise, Saint Paul

Explore La Fournaise Volcano, Lava Fields & Reunion’s Best Beach

You’ll get to walk volcanic craters, cross wild lava fields, and relax on one of Réunion’s best beaches: all with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. This tour mixes adventure with real island life, perfect if you want more than just a postcard view.

Options for this experience

3 options

From € 569 to € 720 per group, depending on the option and date you choose. See options & prices

Sedan 4 travelers 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00 Guide in English or French Up to 3 per booking Comfortable, pickup is included

6-passenger mini-van 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00 Guide in English or French Up to 6 per booking Pickup is included, very spacious

Minibus 8 passengers 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00 Guide in English or French Up to 8 per booking Includes pickup, spacious

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Step-by-step itinerary

Reunion Island Highlights

• Grand panoramic view
• Visit impressive crater
• Explore otherworldly landscape
• See lunar volcanic lava fields
• Relax at beautiful beach
• View bay of Saint Paul and Savannah

Stops and time spent at each 6 stops

1. Le Nez De Boeuf Entry included 15m
2. Cratere Commerson Entry included 15m
3. La Plaine Des Sables Entry included 15m
4. Piton de Fournaise Entry included 15m
5. Plage de l'Ermitage Entry included 15m
6. Cap La Houssaye Entry included 10m

What’s included

• Bottled water is provided throughout the day, and you’ll travel in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• The tour includes all transport between sites, with time for breaks and photos.
• If you need a child seat or have special requests, just let us know in advance.

Times

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• Every day 08:00 09:00 10:00

Information

Discover Réunion’s active volcano, wild lava fields, and a top white sand beach with local stories and panoramic views. Small group, all ages welcome.

Group Private

Live guide English and French

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included. See the pickup points

Book up to the start time

Cancellation and refunds Free 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.

Good to know

Low physical effort Stroller-friendly Infant seats available Public transport nearby

More information The pickup points, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

4.29 ★★★★★ Very good 7 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

The experience

First thing you notice is the air: cooler up here, with a faint scent of burnt earth. We started early, winding past Cap La Houssaye, where the ocean glints silver and fishermen already line the rocks. Our guide, who grew up nearby, pointed out a tiny roadside vendor selling samoussas. If you’re hungry, grab a couple. They’re spicy and go fast.

The crater at La Fournaise is something else. It’s easy to reach, but the ground crunches under your shoes, and there’s this quiet hum from the wind. You can see steam rising in the distance. Standing on the edge, it almost feels like you’ve left earth behind. Just endless black rock and a sky that looks too big. The guide shared how the volcano last erupted in 2020. He even showed us a photo on his phone of lava glowing at night.

Driving through the lava fields, it gets oddly silent except for the car’s tires on gravel. The landscape looks lunar: bare, wild, but somehow peaceful. I remember rolling down the window and catching a whiff of warm minerals, mixed with salty air blowing in from the coast. There’s a spot where you can see both the volcano and the ocean at once, which doesn’t feel real until you’re there.

Later, we stopped at a white sand beach near Saint Paul. The water’s so clear you spot little fish darting around your toes. Locals were out snorkeling, and a couple of kids tried to sell us fresh coconut slices. I just sat in the shade for a while, listening to the waves and watching someone teach their dog to swim. Before heading back, our guide took us up for a view over the bay and the Savannah: sunset here turns everything gold for a few minutes. If you like photos, don’t put your camera away too soon.

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.

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes, it’s family-friendly. There are infant seats available, and you can bring a stroller or pram for little ones.

How much walking is involved? Are the sites accessible?

Most stops are easily accessible with short walks. The crater area has some uneven ground but isn’t difficult for most people.

What should I bring for the day?

I’d suggest comfy shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and maybe a light jacket. The weather can change quickly up near the volcano.

Is swimming possible at the beach stop?

Absolutely! The water’s clear and calm, perfect for swimming or snorkeling. There are fish and corals close to shore.

Operated by VTC-Excursion La Buse. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago