All about paragliding in Reunion Island
Reunion Island is one of the most beautiful places in the world to practice outdoor activities, because of its steep and varied relief, its wild nature, and its luxuriant vegetation. But if there is one sport which allows you to appreciate the exceptional landscapes of Reunion Island, it is paragliding! In this article you will find all you need to know about paragliding in Reunion Island !
Reunion, a paradise for outdoor activities
Lost in the middle of the Indian Ocean, this earthly paradise of only 2,500 km² conjures up images of sumptuous landscapes, lush exotic vegetation and superb fine sand beaches. Reunion is like that, full of contrasts between the steep volcanic heights, ideal for canyoning and caving, a flowery jungle rich in flora and fauna, perfect for long hikes and magnificent crystalline waters that will delight diving enthusiasts, and much more.
Reunion Island is structured around one of the most active volcanoes in the world, the Piton de la Fournaise. Lava flows, mountain passes, craters and numerous cirques contribute to the wild beauty of Bourbon Island. This extremely varied geography makes the island a recognised paradise for all lovers of outdoor sports, with more than a dozen sporting activities.
In the past, this little piece of paradise was also world famous for its surfing spots such as Boucan Canot and Reunion was even a stage of the professional world championship. Unfortunately, in recent years, surfing and all other water sports have been banned, mainly due to the many tragic shark attacks that have plagued this beautiful island. Until the authorities find a solution, access to the ocean is restricted. But Reunion continues to be a world-class destination for outdoor activities, to be enjoyed with family or friends.
The best paragliding spots in Reunion
There are several places on the tropical island that are perfect for a paragliding flight. Below we present three very different flights: a classic first flight, a rando flight and a mythical flight!
Paragliding flight from La Baie de Saint-Leu
90% of paragliding flights in Réunion take place from Saint-Leu, in the west of the island, with a good ten schools and service providers offering this aerial activity.
The most "classic" flight is a two-seater paragliding flight over the bay of Saint-Leu accompanied by an instructor. For paragliding flights from Saint-Leu with Tropic Parapente, the duration of the flight varies from 20 minutes to 1 hour depending on the option chosen and the weather conditions. The meeting point is also the landing point: a magnificent sandy beach at Kelonia, 5 minutes north of Saint-Leu by car. A shuttle bus will take you from here to the take-off point at 800?m.
Depending on the weather, this paragliding flight will take you along the Mafate rampart between the Grand Bénare and the Galets river. You will enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the west coast of Reunion, with the magnificent cirques of Mafate and Cilaos behind you and the turquoise lagoon of Saint-Leu at your feet. To see the island in an even more exceptional light, choose the sunset or sunrise flight.
Depending on the flight you choose, this unforgettable experience will cost you between 80€ and 120€!
Paragliding flight on the Dimitile
Another possibility is to paraglide on the Dimitile, a mountainous peak in the south of Reunion Island which forms the southern flank of the cirque of Cilaos.
What makes this flight special? The possibility to do it as a "rando flight". After a 1.5 hour climb on foot or 50 minutes in a 4×4 from the Entre-Deux stadium, you will take off to enjoy the magnificent panorama of the Plaine des Cafres and the Tampon in front of you, the Piton de la Fournaise to the south and the Indian Ocean to the west. Once in the air, you will glide along the jagged ridges of the Dimitile. Then you will finish your paragliding experience by landing at your point of departure, in l'Entre-Deux, a commune characterised by its many Creole huts.
This wonderful 30-40 minute flight is ideal for those who want to combine hiking and paragliding in Reunion Island. The whole experience, which lasts well over half a day, will cost you from 189€.
Paragliding flight from the Maïdo
Some instructors also offer longer mountain flights, departing from the interior of the island. The most famous of these flights is the paragliding flight from Mont Maïdo to Saint-Paul. An early morning meeting point (6.30 am!) near Saint-Paul to take advantage of the best aerology possible. After an hour's drive to reach the take-off point on the Maïdo ridge at an altitude of 2000?m, you will take off for 45mn to 1h30 of great spectacle, leaving Saint-Leu to your left to land in the heart of Saint-Paul, next to the fairground market... Please note that for this experience, which costs from 230€, you need to bring at least the whole morning, as well as a windbreaker and warmer clothes. It can be cool at 2000m... This flight is also more dependent on the weather. After the road to the take-off, the weather may have changed and the clouds may be threatening. It is therefore a much more "adventurous" flight than the others, but what a flight!
Questions & Answers on paragliding in Reunion
What is paragliding? Paragliding is an aircraft derived from the parachute which allows the practice of non-motorised free flight thanks to a flexible fabric structure (the canopy). To take off, the paragliderist launches from a mountain slope or the top of a cliff.
What are the best paragliding centres or schools in Reunion Island? There are many paragliding centres on this French island. All of them have their own equipment and cars for the take-off and landing. Most of them offer tandem flights over Saint-Leu. At Manawa, we check the seriousness and professionalism of these service providers, as well as their insurance system and their cancellation conditions. We work mainly with Courants d'R, Adrenaline Parapente, Tropic Parapente and Addict Parapente but there are many others.
From what age? Some paragliding centres accept children from the age of 3 for an unforgettable and magical encounter with free flight and the clouds. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. The Maïdo flight is strictly reserved for passengers over 15 years old.
Maximum weight and age? Whatever your age (up to 99 years), your weight (up to 120 kg depending on the instructor) and your health condition (many also accept handicapped people), you can get your adrenaline fix with a paragliding flight. Note that paragliding take-offs and landings are very gentle: you don't have to be a top sportsman to practice this activity. And unlike skydiving, you don't need a medical certificate to fly paragliding.
Can you fly in all weathers? Paragliding is an activity that is very dependent on the weather: rain, storms and strong winds prevent you from taking off. Don't worry though, because it never lasts very long in Reunion Island, where the weather is often changeable. And if you stay at least 3 days on the island and are a bit flexible, you have a good chance of making your flight. However, for the mountain flights (Dimitile, Maïdo) which are longer, we advise you to book at least one week in advance to be sure of being able to fly.
Is it possible to suffer from vertigo? Contrary to popular belief, it is physically impossible to suffer from vertigo while flying. Vertigo is only possible when your feet touch the ground. So no false excuses! And don't forget that whatever flight you choose on the island, you are always accompanied by a qualified expert who takes care of everything, while you relax, sitting comfortably to observe the landscape.
What to wear For classic flights, it is recommended to wear at least trousers, a jacket and a windbreaker, closed shoes and sunglasses. If you are flying above 1500?m (Maïdo), wear warm clothes, as the temperature may be lower, and you will be flying for longer.
Is it dangerous? It is only dangerous if you are flying with an amateur... This is not the case with our service providers whose instructors are certified with several years of experience. In the event of a paraglider " wing closure " (deflating canopy), if it is not caused voluntarily, do not panic. You will lose altitude, but will quickly regain stability and most of the time everything will return to normal without you having to move. You just have to keep your course and your trajectory and everything will be fine. If not, you have a reserve parachute so no need to worry. In any case, paragliding equipment has evolved a lot today so you can go with peace of mind, especially when accompanied by a certified instructor (you risk absolutely nothing). You can enjoy the experience with peace of mind!
The price? It varies from 75 to 349€ depending on the duration of the flight (from 20 minutes to more than two hours) and also if there is a long drive to the take-off point (sometimes several hours).
And if you want more sensations in flight? You often have the choice between a "discovery" flight, which is a first flight in paragliding, or a "sensation" flight for people who are looking for adrenaline with more speed and height and even some aerial acrobatics (360, sat...) if you wish. You also have the possibility to book a discovery course where you will learn to steer the paraglider with the handling of the wing on the ground. This is an educational flight with an instructor during which you will have the opportunity to fly the aircraft. Then comes the introductory course with a more advanced learning experience, the objective of which is to make you fly alone.
Photos and videos? For a few extra euros, most paragliding instructors offer to film and record your flight. In general, it is necessary to add between 15 and 20 euros to have these images on a USB key. It is not necessary to book this extra, it will be offered on site.
The difference between paragliding and hang gliding? If you want to compare the two, here is an article that differentiates these activities.
What other outdoor activities can be practised in Reunion Island? As you can see, Reunion Island is a paradise for all lovers of outdoor activities. Canoeing in the lagoon of Saint-Gilles, caving in the lava flow tunnels, mountain biking down Mont Maïdo, canyoning in one of the 70 canyons the island has to offer, hiking on the summit of a volcano at an altitude of more than 3,000 metres, rafting on the Rivière des Marsouins, bungee jumping 110 metres (the second highest in France!) from the Bras de la Plaine bridge, exploring the underwater world by diving, flying in a microlight in Saint Paul... The list is endless!
What is certain is that you have many opportunities to discover the wild nature of this island! If you want to know more, we advise you to read our article with the 12 outdoor activities to enjoy on Reunion Island.
Ready to discover this beautiful island from the air, underwater or in the gorges? Discover all our outdoor activities on Reunion Island.
And if you want to prepare your trip beyond outdoor activities, here is an excellent article proposingother tourist activities and sites to visit in Reunion.