All you need to know about paragliding in Réunion

Réunion, a paradise for outdoor activities

Lost in the middle of the Indian Ocean, this terrestrial paradise of just 2,500 km² conjures up images of sumptuous landscapes, lush exotic vegetation and superb beaches of fine sand. Reunion Island is like that, full of contrasts: steep volcanic heights ideal for canyoning and caving; jungles full of flowers and rich in flora and fauna, perfect for long hikes; crystal-clear waters that will delight diving enthusiasts; and so much more.

Reunion Island is structured around one of the world's most active volcanoes, Piton de la Fournaise. Lava flows, mountain passes, craters and cirques all contribute to the wild beauty of Bourbon Island. This extremely varied geography makes the island a recognised paradise for outdoor sports enthusiasts, with more than a dozen sporting activities available on the island. And among them, paragliding is one of the most incredible!

The best paragliding spots in Réunion

There are several ideal locations for paragliding in Réunion. We'd like to introduce you to 3 very different flights: a classic first flight, a longer flight and a mythical flight!

Paragliding flight over the Saint-Leu lagoon

90% of paragliding flights in Réunion take place from Saint-Leu, in the west of the island, with more than a dozen schools and service providers offering this aerial activity.

The most 'classic' flight is in a two-seater paraglider, accompanied by an instructor, over the bay of Saint-Leu. For your paragliding flight over the Saint-Leu lagoon, you'll have the pleasure of taking off for 40 minutes of discovery: before your very eyes, the landscape of Reunion's coastline will leave you speechless! The instructor, seated behind you in the harness, will take you over the lagoon, where you might even spot a turtle swimming, or why not whales further out in season!

You'll also enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the west coast of Réunion, with the magnificent cirques of Mafate and Cilaos behind you and the turquoise lagoon of Saint-Leu beneath your feet.

Paragliding at Le Dimitile

Another option is to paraglide to Dimitile, a mountain peak in the south of Réunion that forms the southern flank of the Cirque de Cilaos.

What makes this flight special? The possibility of doing it as a "hiking flight". After a 1? hour climb on foot or 50 minutes in a 4×4 from the Entre-Deux stadium, you'll take off to take in the magnificent panorama of the Plaine des Cafres and Le Tampon in front of you, the Piton de la Fournaise to the south and the Indian Ocean to the west. Once airborne, you'll glide along the jagged ridges of the Dimitile. You'll finish your paragliding experience by landing back at your starting point in l'Entre-Deux, a commune characterised by its many Creole huts.

This magnificent flight of around 30 to 40 minutes is ideal for those who want to combine hiking and paragliding in Réunion. The whole experience lasts a good half-day and costs from €189.

Paragliding flight from Le Maïdo

Some instructors also offer longer mountain flights, departing from within the island of Réunion. The most famous of these is the paragliding flight over the Piton Maïdo, in Saint-Paul.

You'll arrive bright and early at 5am to take advantage of the best possible weather conditions. After an hour's drive to reach the take-off point on the Maïdo ridge at an altitude of 2,200 metres, you'll take off for more than 40 minutes of contemplation, with a breathtaking end to the flight as you land either on the beach of the Baie de Saint-Paul or towards Saint-Leu, at the Pointe des Châteaux (more than 15 km downhill).

For this experience, which costs from €300, you need to plan for at least the whole morning, as well as a windbreaker and warmer clothes. It can be chilly at an altitude of 2,200 metres! You should also be aware that this flight is much more dependent on the weather. After the road to take-off, the weather may have changed and the clouds may be threatening. So this is a paragliding flight on Reunion Island that's much more 'adventurous' than the others, but clearly unforgettable!

Questions and answers about paragliding in Réunion Island

What is paragliding?

Paragliding is an aircraft derived from the parachute, which allows non-motorised free flight thanks to a flexible fabric structure (the sail). To take off, the paragliderist launches from a mountainside or the top of a cliff.

Where are the best paragliding centres and schools in Réunion?

There are many paragliding centres on this French island. All have their own equipment and cars for shuttle transfers to take-off and landing sites. Most offer tandem flights over Saint-Leu.

We check the seriousness and professionalism of these service providers, as well as their insurance system and cancellation conditions. We work mainly with Adrenaline Parapente, Saint-Leu Parapente and Addict Parapente, but there are many others.

What is the minimum age for paragliding?

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 aged 8 and over.

Maximum weight and age?

Whatever your age (up to 99), weight (up to 120kg depending on the instructor) or health (many instructors also accept disabled people), you can get your adrenalin fix with a paragliding flight.

Note that paragliding take-offs and landings are very gentle: you don't need to be a top sportsman to enjoy this activity. And unlike skydiving, you don't need a medical certificate to go paragliding!

Can you fly in all weathers?

Paragliding is an activity that is highly dependent on the weather: rain, thunderstorms and strong winds make it impossible to take off. Don't worry, though, because it never lasts very long in Réunion, where the weather is often changeable. And if you stay at least 3 days on the island and are a little 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 a week in advance to be sure of being able to fly.

Can you suffer from vertigo when paragliding?

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 your chosen paragliding flight in Réunion, you will always be accompanied by a qualified expert who will take care of everything while you relax, sitting back and taking in the scenery.

What to wear

For standard flights, we recommend wearing at least trousers, a jacket and windbreaker, closed shoes and sunglasses. If you are flying at an altitude of over 1,500 metres (Maïdo), wear warm clothing as not only may the temperature be lower, but you will also be flying for longer.

Is paragliding dangerous?

This is only the case if you are flying with an amateur, which is not the case with our partners, who are all certified instructors with many years' experience.

In the event of a " sail collapse " in paragliding (a canopy that deflates), if it is not caused deliberately, don't panic. You will lose altitude, but you will quickly regain stability and, most of the time, everything returns to normal very quickly without you having to move. You just need to stay on course and on trajectory, and you'll be fine. If not, you have a reserve parachute, so don't worry!

In any case, paragliding equipment has come a long way nowadays, so you can take it easy, especially on a first flight accompanied by a certified instructor (you risk absolutely nothing). You can enjoy your paragliding flight in Réunion with peace of mind!

The price of a flight?

This varies from €75 to over €300, depending on the length of the flight (from 20 minutes to over 2 hours), and also whether there is a long drive to the take-off point (sometimes several hours).

And if you want more thrills in flight?

You often have the choice between a "discovery" flight, which is a leisurely first flight, or a "sensation" flight for people who are looking for adrenalin, with more speed and height, and even some aerial acrobatics (360, sat...) if you wish. You can also book a discovery course where you will learn to steer the paraglider by handling 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 there's the beginners' course, where you'll learn to fly on your own.

Can I have photos and videos of my flight?

For a few extra euros, most paragliding instructors offer to film and immortalise your flight. In general, you should add between €15 and €20 to have these images on a USB key. There's no need to book this extra service, as it will be provided on the spot.

The difference between paragliding and hang-gliding?

If you want to compare the 2, here's an article that differentiates these activities.

Other outdoor activities on Réunion Island?

As you can see, Réunion is a paradise for lovers of outdoor activities. Canoeing in the lagoon at Saint-Gilles, potholing in the lava tunnels, mountain biking down the Piton Maïdo, canyoning in one of the 70 canyons on the island, hiking to the summit of a volcano at over 3,000 metres, rafting on the Rivière des Marsouins, bungee jumping 110 metres (the second highest jump in France!) from the Bras de la Plaine bridge, diving to explore the underwater world, microlight flights in Saint Paul, etc. The list goes on! But you'll be able to find all the activities on offer in Réunion without any difficulty.

One thing's for sure, though, and that's that there are plenty of ways to discover the island's wild nature! If you'd like to find out more, we recommend you read our article listing the 12 outdoor activities you can enjoy on Réunion Island.

Ready to discover this beautiful island from the air, underwater or in the gorges? And if you want to plan your trip beyond outdoor activities, here's an excellent article offeringother tourist activities and sites to visit in Réunion.