Reunion Island can be visited year-round, but each season has its character. Here is how to choose the best time, especially in the West, the sunniest side of the island.
Two seasons, not four
In the tropics, the island has two main seasons: the austral summer (November to April), hot and humid, and the austral winter (May to October), drier and milder.
Austral winter (May to October) — the ideal time
The most pleasant season: clear skies, mild heat (24–28 °C by day), sea ideal for swimming. It is high season: book early.
Austral summer (November to April)
Hotter and more humid, with often brief showers and a cyclone risk between January and March. It is the green season, less crowded.
Whale season (June to October)
Every austral winter, humpback whales come to calve near the island. Trips from Saint-Gilles offer memorable sightings.
Why the West is a good choice year-round
Located on the leeward side, the West coast is the driest and sunniest: even in the rainy season, you will enjoy more sunny spells than elsewhere.
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The austral winter, the high season
From May to November the island has its dry season. Temperatures are milder, humidity lower and the days more settled: this is the most sought-after period, particularly for hiking, where visibility at altitude makes all the difference.
It is also humpback whale season, when the animals visit the island’s waters, generally from June to October. Boat trips leave from the marina at Saint-Gilles-les-Bains. In the highlands, bring warm layers: nights are cool.
The austral summer and cyclone season
From November to April the climate turns hot and humid. This is the rainy season, with showers that are often intense but brief, and the cyclone period. The west coast, on the leeward side, stays noticeably drier than the east of the island.
The season has its advantages: lush vegetation, warmer sea, often more accessible rates and fewer people at the sites. It simply calls for a flexible plan and an eye on the forecast.
The shoulder seasons, a good compromise
April–May and October–November strike an interesting balance: weather already settled or still mild, moderate crowds and wider availability. These are often the best periods for anyone not tied to school holidays.
School holidays and crowds
Local school holidays create demand peaks along the coast, whatever the season. They do not follow the mainland French calendar: check the dates before fixing yours if you are looking for quiet.
During those periods and through the austral winter, booking ahead becomes necessary, particularly for properties close to the lagoon.
A climate that changes with altitude
Reunion stacks several climates within a few kilometres. The west coast is hot and dry, the east far wetter, and the highlands can approach freezing in the austral winter. Piton de la Fournaise and the Maïdo call for warm clothing even in the middle of the dry season.
In practice you pack for two climates in the same day: light clothing for the beach, a warm layer and a windproof for altitude.
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