How Safe Is La Réunion for Travelers?

La Réunion is a French department adrift in the Indian Ocean, stitched together by volcanoes, sugarcane fields, and cliffs that seem too big for the land that holds them. It’s beautiful. It’s wild. And if you're planning a trip, it’s normal to wonder: is it safe?

When you first land in La Réunion, it doesn’t feel like a place where danger lurks behind the scenery. There’s the easygoing air of island life, the polished roads, the hum of French pharmacies on every corner. But look a little closer (especially if you're used to traveling through the lens of caution)and you'll notice this volcanic island demands a few quiet adjustments to your instincts.

This isn't about fear. It's about situational awareness, respect for nature, and a few smart choices that make the difference between a good trip and a story you tell differently.

Here’s what you need to know before you go, from the ocean currents to mountain fogs and the rare but real risks that don't make the brochures.

Water Safety: Respect the Shark Risk (and the Sea)

La Réunion has one of the most studied shark risk profiles in the world, and it's not just hype. Certain beaches (especially in the west and south) have seen incidents in the past, leading to official swimming bans outside protected areas.

Shark attacks have been a real issue in the past on certain beaches (especially in the west and south). The victims were mostly surfers and bodyboarders venturing out near river mouths and reef breaks. Swimming anywhere without a protected lagoon or net barrier is risky if you don't know what you're doing.

When I visited, I stuck to beaches where swimming was allowed. Stay inside the officially designated swimming areas, like Boucan Canot’s protected pool, L’Hermitage lagoon, which are safe for tourists and lifeguarded during peak times. There is also Saint-Leu when flags say it's open.

Currents can also be strong even in areas that seem calm. Check local conditions every day because the ocean changes fast here. If you’re unsure, always check the beach signage, ask a local (people are refreshingly honest about it), and never swim alone outside designated zones.

👉 A red flag at the beach means no entry, not just caution. Orange flag? Conditions are unstable, so enter at your own risk.

⚠️ I often watched surfers heading out at sunset in seemingly risky spots. I felt a twinge of worry for them, but I was told these were locals. They know the currents, the seasons, and the shark behavior. They use protection against sharks. I advise you to NOT follow their lead unless you really know what you’re doing.

Driving: Confidence Required, Caution Rewarded

La Réunion’s road network is remarkably good. French-quality tarmac, even in remote areas. But the style of driving is not mainland France.

Expect fast, aggressive passes on winding mountain roads, sudden slowdowns in villages, and tight hairpins where the road seems almost too small. Roundabouts come fast. Motorbikes are impatient.

In the highlands, fog can roll in thick and fast. One minute you have a view across the cirque, and the next, you're squinting at brake lights ahead.

Night driving outside cities can also feel isolated. If you’re a solo traveler or just someone who values peace of mind, plan to be settled before dark, especially in the southeast, where villages are small and the coast feels rougher.

If you’re comfortable driving in Corsica or the Azores, you’ll be fine here. If not, take it slow, stick to daylight driving when you can, and trust the locals to pass you. Don't speed up to prove a point.

👉 Always fill your tank when you can, especially before heading into the highlands or the east coast. Gas stations can be far apart, and many close early.

Hiking Risks: Respect the Volcano and the Rainforest

La Réunion is a hiker’s paradise. But these hikes aren't neatly packaged and waymarked like in mainland France. Trails can be narrow, rocky, muddy, and cut into steep ravines with minimal barriers. Weather changes fast, especially at altitude.

If you’re heading into Cirque de Mafate, Piton des Neiges, or even easier trails like Grand Étang, know this:

• Trail conditions change fast after rain. Mudslides and landslides are not uncommon.

• Cell phone signal disappears in many places. Offline maps aren’t optional here; they’re basic survival tools.

• Weather shifts quickly above 1,500 meters. Bring layers, even if it looks sunny at the start.

Most maintained trails are clear and manageable, but never treat a Réunion hike like a casual Sunday walk, even if the distance looks short. Stick to marked trails, plan hikes early in the day to avoid afternoon fog and storms, and never underestimate short hikes. Elevation gain here is real.

👉 Always pack a jacket, a phone with offline maps, water, and a snack, even for hikes that look "easy". Leave before noon for any major hike. Afternoon storms aren’t a maybe, they’re part of the rhythm.

Cyclone Season: Know When Not to Come

La Réunion’s cyclone season runs roughly from December through March. Direct hits are rare, but heavy rain and dangerous swells can happen even when a storm passes at a distance.

If you're visiting during cyclone months, know that weather events can close roads, cancel ferries and flights, and cut power in remote areas. If you do travel during cyclone season:

• Watch Météo France bulletins daily.

• Always book flexible accommodation and be prepared to change plans fast.

• Never plan backcountry hikes during an active warning.

Traveling outside cyclone season makes everything easier. During my visit, the weather was dry, the trails were clear, and driving was straightforward. No sudden evacuations, no panicked forecasts.

👉 Cyclones aren’t guaranteed, but when they come, life slows down. It's safer (and saner) to plan your trip between April and November if you want to hike, swim, and move around freely.

Health & Medical Care: Surprisingly Excellent

One thing nobody told me before visiting? La Réunion has some of the best healthcare access in the French system and faster appointment availability than mainland France.

Dermatologists, general practitioners, and dentists are all bookable, often faster than on the French mainland. My husband needed a dermatologist mid-trip and got an appointment easily, with no drama and no weeks-long waitlist.

For travelers, this means two things:

• Minor injuries or illnesses can be treated quickly and affordably.

• It’s smart but not mandatory to bring a full medical kit from back home. Local pharmacies are excellent.

Language barrier can exist (mostly French spoken), but pharmacists and doctors are used to tourists. You can bring basic over-the-counter meds (ibuprofen, antihistamines) to avoid language hiccups, but know you’ll be well supported if anything goes wrong.
👉 Save the number for emergency medical services (SAMU: 15) on your phone before you go.

Personal Safety: More Intuitive Than Alarming

La Réunion isn’t a dangerous island for personal safety, but like anywhere, moments of unease can happen.

On my birthday night, we ended up in the wrong accommodation booking on the East Coast. I was upset and I left for a walk on my own. On the way to the beach in a new place, I felt the stare of a few too many men on an otherwise empty area. Nothing happened, but the moment stuck with me. It was that old, familiar feeling when you’re a woman, alone, visible. I felt better when my husband came to join me.

La Réunion is not a high-crime destination. But like anywhere:

• Stick to populated, well-lit areas at night

• Avoid flashing valuables

• Stay alert around major markets and transport hubs.

👉 Greet people with a bonjour before asking for help. It's culturally respectful and sets the right tone.

Respect the Island, and It Will Respect You Back

La Réunion isn't a theme park. It's alive, a breathing, shifting, climbing, crashing place. It asks for respect for its waters, its roads, its trails, and its rhythms.

If you bring that (plus sunscreen, common sense, and a little French), you'll find it’s one of the safest, most naturally powerful places you’ll ever travel.

You'll leave salty, dusty, a little more careful, and much more alive.