Which flight over Réunion to choose?
A volcanic island with a very pronounced relief of cirques, ramparts and pitons, Réunion offers an exceptional natural landscape that has made its reputation and earned its national park UNESCO World Heritage status. And to make the most of it, nothing beats a panoramic flight, which will give you unparalleled views of the island's most beautiful sites!
Paragliding, ULM (Ultra-Light Motorised Aircraft), helicopter, etc. - whichever way you choose to fly, you'll be treated to breathtaking panoramas of Réunion's landscapes. With the Piton des Neiges peaking at 3,070 metres, the Piton de la Fournaise at 2,632 metres, and many other peaks and ramparts forging the island's impressive relief, taking to the skies is one of the not-to-be-missed opportunities to get up close to the heights and observe the splendid geography of this territory from a new angle. But which flight over Réunion should you choose, depending on your desires and other criteria/constraints? Discover below our list of aerial activities to choose from according to your needs!
For budget travellers looking for a flight for under €100
As Réunion is a very touristy island, and as flying involves a great deal of expense (technical costs, fuel, licences, etc.), it's normal to expect that taking part in such an adventure would be expensive and therefore not accessible to those with a small budget. But if you leave aside the helicopter and paragliding, as well as the long flights, it is quite possible to find a flight over Réunion for less than €100!
The most accessible experience of all is the flight over the Saint-Gilles lagoon in a multiaxis microlight from La Saline-les-Bains: for 15 minutes, you'll have the pleasure of soaring over the superb Saint-Gilles lagoon, also known as the Hermitage lagoon. What's more, if you take part in this flight during the period from late June/early July to October, you may be lucky enough to spot whales swimming offshore!
But if you want to discover a little more, perhaps you should opt for a first flight in a multiaxis microlight along the west coast, departing from Saint-Paul. For 5 minutes longer than the previous activity, you'll be able to enjoy a few more panoramic views, particularly of Saint-Paul and its bay, which is also offered by the gyrocopter discovery flight in Saint-Paul. The only difference is that the gyrocopter doesn't have an enclosed cabin, so it's a completely different experience from the multi-axis microlight, and all for less than €100!
It's important to note that microlight flights can only be made alone with the pilot, as these aircraft can only take one pilot and one passenger at a time. So if you want to enjoy one of these activities as a family, you'll have to take it in turns to fly!
For those who want to fly with the wind in their hair
If you're not particularly keen on looking at the island and its landscapes from behind a window, and you're not averse to a few thrills, leave aside the multi-axis microlight and helicopter flights. The gyrocopter is more to your taste, as are 2 other aerial activities, some of which cost just over €100!
Paragliding on Reunion Island is one of the most incredible experiences you can have, even if you're afraid of heights, as your feet don't touch the ground! With no engine, it's a calm, safe adventure with an instructor in the harness right behind you. Whether in the mountains, on the Piton Maïdo, or overlooking the Saint-Leu lagoon, you'll have an unforgettable time for 20, 30 or even 40 minutes, depending on the option you choose. The little extra? You can even take part in an acrobatic paragliding flight if you fancy a bit of adrenalin!
The second way to take to the skies with your hair blowing in the wind is to take to the skies in a paramotor from La Saline-les-Bains. For around 25 minutes, a qualified pilot invites you to fly over the lagoon of Saint-Gilles in his ULM, a kind of motorised paraglider. Once again, there's no cabin, just a trolley equipped with a power unit and a wing that will allow you to climb to altitude effortlessly.
An experience to share with family and friends
As microlight aircraft cannot accommodate more than one passenger in addition to the pilot, and paragliding does not always allow you to fly at the same time as your loved ones, the helicopter remains the best way to share a flight over Reunion Island with your family. With up to 6 passengers on board the aircraft, which you can even decide to privatise if you can afford it, you'll enjoy your experience right next to your friends/family members, with whom you can share your impressions live!
Flying a helicopter in Réunion allows you to reach a higher altitude than with a microlight, which promises stunning panoramic views of the island and its relief. You can even take a complete overflight of the island with Corail Hélicoptères, departing from Saint-Gilles, or with Mafate Helicopteres, departing from Saint-Pierre, depending on your preference. You'll be able to admire all the major sites in Réunion's National Park: the Cirque de Mafate, the Cirque de Cilaos, the Cirque de Salazie, the Trou de Fer, the Bélouve forest, the Piton des Neiges, the Piton de la Fournaise, etc.
Of course, flying over Réunion by helicopter is more expensive than by microlight or paraglider, but the experience is clearly worth the diversions and will leave you with magical memories of this intense island!
As you can see, it doesn't matter if you're on a budget, suffer from vertigo, are looking for thrills or want to take part in a family experience, ... you'll always find a flight over Réunion that meets your expectations. So it would be a shame to miss out, just like the many other activities on offer in Réunion! And if you're more of an adrenalin-seeker, be sure to check out the craziest things to do on this intense island.