Reunion: Lava Tunnel Exploration & Volcanic Caves Tour

Summary

Explore reunion’s wild lava tunnels on foot with local guides sharing volcanic stories

You’ll walk across cooled lava fields near Piton de la Fournaise before heading underground with a local guide who really knows their stuff. Expect odd shapes in the rock, pitch darkness broken by your headlamp, and plenty of stories about how these tunnels formed. It’s hands-on (sometimes literally) and leaves you thinking about Reunion Island in a whole new way.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the crunch of old lava under my boots — not sharp, just sort of gritty, like walking on burnt toast. We’d barely started the walk from the meeting point near Piton de la Fournaise when our guide, Jean-Marc, stopped to point out how the ground rippled in frozen waves. He handed out helmets and headlamps (mine kept slipping over my ears — apparently I have a weird-shaped head), and then we set off toward the tunnel entrance. The air smelled faintly metallic, mixed with something earthy I couldn’t quite place. Maybe it was just anticipation.

Inside the lava tunnel, everything changed. My eyes took ages to adjust — there’s this deep blackness that feels thicker than night, but you start seeing shapes as your headlamp bounces off them. Jean-Marc joked that some of the formations looked like melted chocolate or sleeping animals; at one point he pointed to a lump and said “That’s our dodo!” I laughed too loudly and startled someone behind me. Sometimes we could stand tall, sometimes we had to crouch or shuffle sideways through narrow bits. The walls felt cool and rough under my gloves — not slimy, just solid and ancient somehow.

I didn’t expect to feel so small down there, honestly. There were moments where everyone went quiet except for our footsteps and the occasional drip of water echoing from somewhere deeper. It’s strange how being underground makes you think about time differently — like these caves have been here way longer than any of us will be around. When we finally crawled back into daylight after two hours, blinking against the sun, I realized I’d barely thought about my phone once. That almost never happens anymore.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore lava tunnels at Piton de la Fournaise

• Equip helmet, headlamp, knee pads, gloves
• Walk 15 minutes on lava ropes
• Listen to instructor's landscape description
• Enter lava tunnel and receive explanations
• Explore tunnel observing stalactites and stalagmites
• Progress slowly, standing, bending, squatting
• Exit tunnel after 2 hours
• View Piton de la Fournaise again

Top questions

How long does the lava tunnel tour last?

The underground portion lasts about 2 hours, plus a 15-minute walk each way to reach the entrance.

Is equipment provided for exploring Reunion's lava tunnels?

Yes, helmets, gloves, knee pads, and headlamps are included for all participants.

Where does the tour take place?

The tour is near Piton de la Fournaise on Reunion Island.

Do I need special fitness for this tour?

You should have at least moderate physical fitness; it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with heart conditions.

Are guides knowledgeable about volcanology?

Yes, guides share information on volcanology and explain how the lava tunnels formed during your exploration.

What’s included

Your day includes all safety gear—helmet, gloves, knee pads, and a headlamp—plus guidance from an instructor who shares volcanic facts as you walk across old lava fields and explore inside Reunion’s unique lava tunnels together.