Lagoon beaches on Réunion's sunny west coast
Saint-Gilles-les-Bains is the heart of Réunion's west coast, the sunniest and driest part of the island. The beach at L'Hermitage is protected by a coral reef, creating a calm lagoon for swimming and snorkelling in an island where open-sea swimming is otherwise restricted. The marina runs boat trips to see dolphins, and humpback whales in the southern winter. Inland, the Bassin des Aigrettes and other waterfalls lie in the ravines, and paragliding flights launch from the hills above Saint-Leu.