West of Reunion half-day tour: Maïdo, Boucan Canot, St Paul
Mountain peaks, a preserved cirque, and the island's most beautiful beach in one morning
A half-day guided tour of the west of Reunion with hotel pickup, covering the high-altitude Maïdo belvedere overlooking the Mafate cirque and Piton des Neiges, the white-sand beach and natural swimming pool at Boucan Canot, and the historic settlement cave and marine cemetery at St Paul. The guide speaks English, French or Chinese, and bottled water is included.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore west Reunion's nature and history
- Visit Maïdo belvedere panoramic viewpoint
- Relax at Boucan Canot beach
- Tour historic settlement cave and marine cemetery
- Piton Maido 1h
- Plage de Boucan Canot 1h
- Saint Paul Marine Cemetery 1h
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and return.
- bottled water.
- guide in English, French or Chinese.
- Every day 08:00
Information
Half-day guided tour west of Reunion visiting Maïdo's 2000m viewpoint of the Mafate cirque, white-sand beach at Boucan Canot.
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The experience
The tour starts with a drive to Maïdo, where you reach an altitude over 2000m and stand at a 360° viewpoint of the Mafate cirque, Piton des Neiges, Grand Bénare, La Roche Écrite and the Saint Paul coastline stretching toward the sea. Bring a jacket, sunglasses and sunscreen. The elevation means the weather shifts fast. From there the route descends through the island's varied terrain, moving from arid savannah into the primary forest before the panorama opens.
Next comes Boucan Canot, the beach on the west coast with white sand and a natural swimming pool. You can swim if you want to, walk the boardwalk, or sit with a drink and watch the ocean. In the right season, whales pass close enough to spot from shore. The pace here is yours. There is no fixed schedule for how long to stay.
The final stop is the historic site at St Paul: a walking tour of the settlement cave where the first inhabitants landed and the marine cemetery, both layered with stories about early settlement and the pirates of the Indian Ocean. The guide walks you through the site and explains the history as you move through it. The whole excursion runs four to five hours from pickup to return.
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, French and Chinese.
What will I see from the Maïdo belvedere?
From Maïdo at over 2000m altitude, you get a 360° view of the Mafate cirque, Piton des Neiges, Grand Bénare, La Roche Écrite and the Saint Paul coastline. The elevation means the weather can shift, so bring layers, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Can I swim at Boucan Canot?
Boucan Canot has a natural swimming pool and white sand, so yes. You can swim if you want to. The beach also has a boardwalk if you prefer to walk or sit with a drink instead.
What is the St Paul stop about?
St Paul is a historic walking site with a settlement cave and marine cemetery, both tied to the first people who landed on Reunion and the pirates of the Indian Ocean. The guide walks you through and explains the history as you go.
How long does the tour take?
The half-day tour runs four to five hours total, including hotel pickup and return. The pace at each stop is set by the guide, though you have time to move at your own speed at Boucan Canot.
Is there anything included besides the guide?
Bottled water is included. Hotel pickup is also part of the tour, so you don't need to arrange transport to the starting point.
Operated by Reunion Discovery Tours by Geotravelers. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated yesterday
West of Reunion half-day tour: Maïdo, Boucan Canot, St Paul
4h–5h · EN · FR +1 · at your hotel
from € 349 per group
≈ US$ 392 in your currency
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