Leeward Coast

The island’s west coast in a true terrestrial paradise. Only 25 kilometers west of Saint-Denis is where you will find Saint-Paul, the island’s former main city. The shoreline’s only natural niche, this city was named by sailors “the best bay for anchoring”. Many colonial buildings are to be found on the island and it’s treasure-filled market is utterly picturesque. The road leading downtown is no other than the Royal Road dating back to 1789. A multitude of quaint towns are situated on the Leeward Coast of the island. Make sure to visit them all aboard your luxury charter mega yacht. Boucan-Canot, Saint-Gilles-Les-Bains, Saint-Leu, Saint-Gilles-Les-Hauts are awaiting your discovery during your luxury charter vacation.

Saint-Paul is Réunion’s premium charter destination thanks to it being “the best bay for anchoring”. The town was where the island’s first settlers arrived and where the prefecture was until Mahé le Bourdonnais relocated it to Saint-Denis. This quaint town boasts some wonderful colonial houses and picturesque markets and the road leading to the city center is no other than the Royal Road dating back to 1769. The façade of the former French-Chinese school was inspired by Indo-Portuguese architecture. To take a full adavnture of your luxury holiday, unwind in the afternoon during a picnic at the waterfront grotto which was inhabited by the first French settlers. Or savor some local delicacies while sitting back on the beach of black powdery sand. While in town, make sure to visit the waterfront cemetery to visit the tombs of Leconte de Lisle, born in Saint-Paul, and Olivier Levasseur, a famous 18th century pirate known as “The Buzzard”, whose treasure rests to this day unfound…

Boucan-Canot is a powdery white beach perfect for anchoring your luxury charter mega yacht and taking long, lazy walks along the beach. With plenty of water fun options available aboard your luxury charter catamaran or luxury charter mega yacht, take full advantage of the water toys while sailing your precious vessel. Boucan-Canot is very popular among locals who willingly visit it. The coast offers perfect conditions for all surfing enthusiasts; however, strong currents can also be dangerous.

Saint-Gilles-Les-Bains is Réunion’s celebrated spa resort known for its sandy beaches and luxury hotels. Roches-Noir is an extremely popular destination, a reason for which it was re-baptized Saint-Tropez. This gorgeous haven is protected by a vast coral reef barrier but one must be cautious of the sharp corals. Be enchanted by the Garden of Eden, only a short walk away from the beach, an extraordinary tropical botanical garden founded by Philippe Kaufmant, an agronomist who adapted more than 500 species of medical plants, water plants as well as species to grow in this paradise, a true fragrant delight.

Get ready for an exciting adventure with memories lasting a lifetime provided by the island’s two helicopter companies specializing in ethereal excursions. Your adventure begins in at the de l’Eperon Airport in Saint-Paul from where you will depart to fly over the island’s interior and admire, among others, the Belouve forest located in the cirque de Salazie caldera. From there, only a 10-minute flight to the “Iron Hole”, a deep canyon whose waterfall ferociously discharges its waters. Aboard the helicopter you will penetrate into the canyon’s narrow and deep ravine opening into the its fissure. Just like a small insect, the machine turns to unveil the most breathtaking cascades where water flows impetuously in this rocky crater. Needless to say, your blissful holiday on water and in the air will be one to remember.

SainSaint-Gilles-Les-Haut is opening its door to you to visit its de Villèle museum. Madame Desbassyns was a rich Creole who was the owner of one of the island’s grandest estates of the 18th century. This landlady reigned with an iron fist over more than 400 slaves. Many legends were passed on concerning her dominance. The de Villèle museum is her family’s ancient residence that is now open to tourists. Bought out by local authorities, the museum exhibits a collection of ancient furniture that saw the island’s golden age during the time of slavery and sugarcane plantations. On the premises, visit the ancient sugar mill and a hospital for the slaves as well as the Pointue Chapel, the place of Madame Desbassyns’ eternal rest.

The beach of Saint-Leu will welcome you with its powdery black sands so eagerly visited by surfers from all around the world to participate in various competitions. However, one must be cautious of the choppy and at times dangerous waters . The nearby harbor is all fishing enthusiasts’ favorite and is more than perfect for mooring your luxury charter mega yacht.

In this part of the island is located a natural garden overlooking the Saint-Leu area. With an exceptional view, the garden is home to luscious palm trees and cacti. Natural pathways guiding through the park are the best way to discover why these plants are so important to maintaining the natural habitat. All tropical plants lovers will enjoy this plush exhibit.

The miraculous Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette chapel, only a few steps away from Saint-Leu’s main church, is truly worshipped by locals. Married couples come place their wedding bouquets in the chapel and pilgrimages celebrating the Virgin’s birth take place each year on September 19th.

The Trou de Souffleur located near Saline-les-Bains is where powdery sands yield to deep black rocky bluffs. The breathtaking cliffs are not to be missed during your excursion to this part of Réunion where waves rush in to the bluff’s crevices only to drift out as impressive geysers.

“Le conservatoire botanique du Mascarin” is a premium botanical garden familiarizing its visitors with the local flora and fauna, often on the road to extinction.

The agricultural and industrial museum of Stella-Matutina takes the form of a glass vessel perched on the hill of la Pointe au Sel (“the Salty Peak”). The location of this museum was not coincidental as it was once a sugar mill now telling the story of sugarcane plantations covering a surface of more than 5000m2.

L’Etang Salé (“the Salty Lake”) a surfers hotspot located between the coral reef barrier and a long sandy beach bordered with plush verdant she-oak trees. The beach, however beautiful, can also be dangerous with violent currents restricting the bathing area. Nearly outside the city, raging waters violently erode the rocky shoreline.