East Coast Wild on La Réunion

Mirela Letailleur - (TheTravelBunny)
Itinerary created by
Mirela Letailleur
What you’ll do

Ready to feel the edge of the earth? This 3-day east coast itinerary explores La Réunion’s rawest, wildest side — where waves hammer black cliffs, the roads twist through lava flows and jungle, and the food is as bold as the landscapes.

You'll picnic above crashing surf at La Cayenne, sip vanilla rum beneath jungle trees in Saint-Philippe, and end with cocktails and ocean spray at Sauvage, perched high above the island’s southeast cliffs. With slow drives, clifftop stops, hidden viewpoints, and culture-rich food moments, this is not the polished coast — it’s the honest one.

Includes daily driving routes, local eats, picnic spots, photo tips, and safe access notes for all viewpoints.

Day Total

53.3 km (33.1 mi)

1 hr 19 min

Day 1: Route du Lave + Picnic on the Cliffs

Morning

  • Depart from Saint-Pierre or Saint-Leu

  • Take RN2 toward Saint-Rose, hugging the coast where lava fields meet the sea

  • Stop at the 2007 lava flow viewpoint — jagged, stark, unforgettable.

📸 Tip: Get out of the car — the textures deserve your feet on the rock.

1

Coulée de Lave 2007
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Thrilling lava tunnel exploration experience
Category
Historic
Direction

8.8 km (5.5 mi)

9 min

2

This one is optional

Sainte-Rose Coastal Lookout
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Lush east coast views over cliffs and crashing waves
Category
Photospot
Direction

Midday

Detour to Notre-Dame-des-Laves — church surrounded by lava, not touched

  • 20 minutes is enough to soak in the atmosphere and quiet

Drive toward Saint-Philippe.

3

This one is optional

Notre Dame des Laves
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Volcano-surviving church with powerful history and views
Category
Historic
Direction

Afternoon

Arrive at La Cayenne Picnic Spot near Saint-Rose

  • Park near the viewpoint, have a picnic

  • Waves crash violently against black cliffs

  • Sometimes forms mini “sea waterfalls” when the swell is strong.

🧺 Ideal food: fruit, samoussas, chilled juice, coconut cake.

👉 Optional: walk the clifftop trail, watch sky gliders overhead, feel very small.

4

La Cayenne Cliff Picnic Spot
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Wild cliffside picnic spot with crashing ocean views
Category
Photospot
Direction

Dinner

  • Les Letchis – low-key, very local

  • Ferme-Auberge Eva Annibal - home-cooked local food, ponche, rhum arrangé.

5

Restaurant Les Letchis
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Casual local spot serving modern Creole cuisine
Category
Restaurant
Est. Price
$$
Restaurant Type
local
Direction

As far as accommodation goes, I recommend:

  • Booking early to stay at Ferme Auberge Eva Annibal

  • Ti Case Bord de Mer for a cozy night by the sea

  • Arbre à Pain to enjoy the garden and swimming pool before bed.

6

Choose the option that fits you the best

Ti Case Bord de Mer
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Quiet seaside holiday home with sea view terrace
Category
Homes
Est. Price
$$
Direction

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