The craziest things to do on Réunion Island
An outdoor destination with breathtaking scenery between the sea and the mountains, Réunion is a must for all lovers of outdoor adventure. The island offers a range of adrenalin-fuelled activities to help you make the most of its magnificent setting while enjoying some crazy, unforgettable experiences!
On land, in the air or even in the water, there is no shortage of thrilling activities on Réunion, in almost every corner of the island. They are an integral part of this intense island, fascinated by the beauty of its landscapes and the richness of its heritage. Whether you're an adrenalin junkie or just looking for a taste of what certain experiences can be like, you're bound to find something to suit you! All you have to do now is choose which of the thrilling activities on Réunion Island best matches your expectations: see below for a list of not-to-be-missed adventures to suit your tastes.
A unique experience with breathtaking panoramic views
If you want to fly over magnificent landscapes and feel the thrill of the thrill, the intense island has something to satisfy your desires in a variety of ways.
Paragliding in Réunion is a gentle activity, accessible to the greatest number of people, offering superb panoramic views of most of the island's most beautiful sites. But if you want to add a little spice to the experience, that's entirely possible! Flights are always made in tandem with an instructor, who can, if you like, spice up your time in the air with more or less sensational acrobatics such as the wing over (an accentuated turn for a real feeling of weightlessness), the 360 (a 360° turn, as the name suggests), and so on. Some services even allow you to take control of the paraglider, making your flight even more exciting!
Another thrilling aerial activity in Réunion is flying a paramotor over the lagoon at Saint-Gilles. This class 1 ULM (Ultra-Light Motorised Aircraft) offers unique flying sensations, very similar to those of paragliding, with the difference that the harness or trolley, usually on wheels, is equipped with a power unit. So you don't need to reach a certain altitude to take off. So if there's one microlight flight in Réunion that you really must try out, it's a paramotor flight!
Thrills for a moment of intense refreshment
The west of Réunion Island is a veritable paradise for water-based activities, but it's not the only place on the island where you can have fun and enjoy sporting moments in the water: head to the cirques and the north-east of the island for even more refreshing adventures!
Saint-Benoît is home to one of the island's most fun activities, rafting on the Rivière des Marsouins. It's impossible not to come out of the river soaking wet, and above all, with a smile on your face! Accessible from the age of 6, the descent is made either in a canoraft (a 2-seater inflatable canoe) or in a raft (a larger boat for 5 people, apart from the guide), depending on the water level of the river. This thrilling activity on Réunion Island is ideal for families and groups of friends looking for a fun and exciting adventure!
And for those who want to push themselves to the limit, canyoning in Réunion is the perfect way to satisfy your need for adrenalin. The island has no shortage of canyons accessible at different levels, with obstacles ranging from simple natural slides and small jumps less than 3 metres high to abseils of around 30 metres and jumps of 10 metres or more, giving you plenty of thrills! Between the Rivière des Roches in Saint-Benoît, the Rivière Sainte-Suzanne, the Rivière Langevin in Saint-Joseph, the Trou Blanc canyon in the Cirque de Salazie, the Fleurs Jaunes canyon or the Bras Rouge canyon in the Cirque de Cilaos, etc., you're bound to find an aquatic course that will give you the thrills you're looking for! If you need more information, take a look at our list of the best canyoning spots in Réunion.
Pure adrenalin for the most adventurous
Fans of extreme activities won't be disappointed on Intense Island either, with experiences that are sure to stay with you forever.
The most famous of these is undoubtedly the mountain bike descent from Piton Maïdo to Saint-Paul, which you can do at sunrise or a little later in the morning. Departing from an altitude of 2,200 metres, this sensational excursion will give you intense emotions, particularly in view of the superb panoramas awaiting you over the Cirque de Mafate and the west coast of Réunion. It's accessible from the age of 12, but if you're looking for a more technical descent at higher speeds, the Piton Maïdo extreme mountain bike descent is for you, provided you're at least 18 and regularly practise downhill mountain biking or cross-country.
If you're not afraid of leaping into the void, there are 2 bridges where you can bungee jump in Réunion: the ravine Fontaine viaduct in Saint-Leu and the Bras de la Plaine bridge in Saint-Pierre. The ravine Fontaine viaduct offers a jump of 120 metres, the second-highest bungee jump in France, while the Bras de la Plaine bridge is 115 metres high and can also be used as a pendulum jump (attached by the back, not the feet). Needless to say, whichever one you choose, you're in for a real adrenalin rush!
Finally, for the most intrepid among you, the ultimate thrill-seeking experience on Réunion Island is a tandem parachute jump: from an altitude of 3,000 metres, you'll take off for a freefall that will undoubtedly offer you the most impressive panoramic views of the intense island! But if that sounds too extreme, don't hesitate to start by discovering the sensations of a jump into the void thanks to the free-fall simulator located in Saint-Paul.
As you can see, Réunion has a wide range of thrilling activities to suit all tastes. Whether you're near the lagoon at Saint-Gilles, in the cirques, in the south towards Saint-Joseph or in the north-west near Saint-Benoît, there's always a crazy experience within easy reach! And for even more choice for every type of person, check out our round-up of things to do in Réunion during your stay.