Exactly! 
Reunion Island is a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean, giving it a unique mix of tropical island charm and European influence. Its location—about 550 km east of Madagascar—means it enjoys warm waters, lush landscapes, and dramatic volcanic mountains.
The beaches themselves are diverse:
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White sandy beaches ideal for sunbathing and relaxing.
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Black volcanic sand beaches, which are rare and strikingly beautiful.
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Protected lagoons, teeming with colorful fish, perfect for snorkeling and safe swimming.
Because of the island’s volcanic origins, the coastline is a mix of calm lagoon areas and rugged cliffs with crashing waves, giving adventurers options for surfing, diving, or simply exploring.
If you want, I can list the top 7 must-visit beaches on Reunion Island, including which ones are best for families, snorkeling, or quiet escapes. Do you want me to do that?
Ah yes—the infamous sharks! 
Reunion Island is famous for its beaches, but it’s also known for shark activity in some areas. The Indian Ocean waters around the island are home to bull sharks, tiger sharks, and reef sharks. This means some beaches can be risky for swimming, especially if safety measures aren’t observed.
Here’s the key to staying safe while enjoying Reunion Island beaches:
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Check beach safety flags and signage – Many beaches have red, yellow, or green flags indicating the safety for swimming.
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Stick to monitored beaches – Some beaches are protected with netted swimming areas and lifeguards on duty.
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Avoid swimming at dawn, dusk, or after storms – Sharks are more active in these times.
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Don’t swim near fishing areas – Sharks may be attracted to bait and fish scraps.
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Use common sense – Avoid shiny jewelry, bright-colored swimwear, or excessive splashing.
The good news? Many lagoon beaches like Boucan Canot or L’Hermitage are well-protected and family-friendly, allowing you to enjoy turquoise waters and colorful fish without worry.
If you want, I can make a full guide to the safest beaches in Reunion Island—where you can swim, snorkel, and explore without worrying about sharks. Do you want me to do that?
Reunion Island Sharks
Reunion Island is often dubbed the ‘shark attack capital of the world’. Since 2011, the island has suffered 30 shark attacks, killing 11 people. This number is not as high as the figures for Australia or South Africa but is very grave relative to the size of the population, number of visitors, and the coastline in comparison to these two countries.
In fact, the problem is so bad that in 2013, authorities banned swimming or engaging in watersports within a 300m perimeter of the island.
Luckily, however, there are special swimming areas deemed safe from sharks and with lifeguards on duty. I have noted the safe to swim beaches here too! Let’s dive in!
10 Amazing Reunion Island Beaches To Visit
For all you beach bums, surfers, or swimmers out there, here is a list of the best beaches in Reunion Island:
1# Plage de L’Hermitage
Located on the western side of the island near L’ermitage-Les-Bains, which is where the beach got its name from. Apparently, it’s French for “place of seclusion”. Cool, huh?
This is one of the most popular beaches in the island due to the shallow water formed by the lagoon. The lagoon forms more than 500m of warm, shallow, and calm water no deeper than 1–2 meters. I wouldn’t worry about sharks in this beach as the turquoise water of the lagoon here is shallow and protected by a coral barrier.
Hermitage is also one of the most picturesque beaches in Reunion Island and an ideal place for beach walks, jogs, winding down with a good book, or just watching the beautiful sunset.
If you’re looking for more adventure and thrill, you can also venture across the coral reefs to catch waves or dive and explore the rich and colorful marine life.
To me, Plage de L’Hermitage is one of the most unique beaches on the island. It has the longest coastline of more than 7km and is the most visited and popular destination for snorkelling.
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2# Plage de la Saline-les-Bains
A little further south from the more noisy and lively L’Hermitage lies La Saline-les-bains beach. This beach, too, is lined with pine trees and protected by coral reefs.
Like Hermitage, this beach is one of the best beaches in Reunion island for swimming. It is popular with families due to its tranquility, shallow waters, smooth white sand, and relative safety from sharks and currents.
La Saline-les-bains is also popular for snorkeling and exploring seabeds alive with damselfish, clownfish, and other colorful fish.
There is a special area for children, dotted with fun activities like inflatable slides, trampolines, and a volleyball net.
Word of caution: La Saline-les-bains does not have enough trees to provide shade for everyone. You’re better off bringing sunscreen, a hat, and an umbrella.
Alternatively, you can also buy food and drinks from the many cafes and diners across the beach. These will provide you with sun loungers and umbrellas in exchange for orders.
I especially appreciate the lifeguards’ presence here, which adds to the safe and tranquil feel of this beach.
3# Plage du Trou d’Eau
At sunset many people can be seen paddle boarding at the beach of Trou d’Eau near the town of La Saline-Les-Bains on Reunion Island
Trou d’eau is another white sand beach on the western coast of the island. It is picture perfect with its exotic palm trees and snow white sand.
Trou d’eau is considered the most beautiful beach on the island. It is the kind of beach you see on Windows screensavers or the cover of a tropical destination brochure.
This beach is perfect if you’re looking for a nice, safe spot to swim. It is deeper than anywhere else in the lagoon but still protected from sharks by the coral reefs.
Many swimming races take place here. Alternatively, you can relax or engage in watersports and activities like kayaking, standup paddleboarding (SUP) or transparent canoeing.
Like all other beaches on the west coast, the sunsets here are to die for.
There is a free parking lot, but it’s relatively small and doesn’t fit too many cars.
Recommended reading:
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4# Plage de Saint Leu
Boy watching a sunset through a cave at Le Souffleur in Saint-Leu, Reunion Island
This is one of the most popular beaches in Saint Leu, and it gets crowded over the weekends as it is very close to the center.
Swimming is safe here within the designated area between the marina and a coral reef which partly closes the bay. Do not go further than the two lifeguard stations as there is a risk of being pulled by the current. Likewise, stay away from the wilderness area marked by yellow beacons.
The waters are bursting with life, with a beautiful coral garden sheltering so many beautiful and colorful kinds of fish. Many people come here to snorkel and explore the marine life by the lagoon.
Here, the corals attract species like triggerfish, butterflyfish, and surgeonfish. You can also find small moray eels and juvenile lionfish hiding in the crevices and underneath tabular corals. (Snorkelling report, Lagon de Saint-Leu)
If you’re lucky, you will also spot giant clams or arc-eye hawkfish.
Saint-Leu is full of screw pine trees, making it one of my favorite spots to sit back and relax in the shade. It is also an ideal spot for paragliding, swimming, or picnics.
5# Plage de l’Etang Sale
Etang-Sale beach on Reunion Island with its characteristic black sand and the waves of the Indian Ocean
L’etang Sale is a black sand beach tucked away from the comforts of the lagoon. Framed by palm trees and set on the southwestern part of the island, the beach is a local favourite for watching the sunset.
I also recommend bringing your beach throw or chair and just watching local fishermen arrive with their day’s catch. You’ll also see a lot of surfers, windsurfers, and kitesurfers taking on the waves.
Sharks are commonly found around here, so note the warnings of the locals.
For a break from the water, you can walk towards the northern part of the beach. There you’ll find the commercial center with camping grounds and hotels. You’ll also find many restaurants serving fresh seafood and dishes bursting with a mix of French and Creole flavors.
For family-friendly activities, you can also visit the AkOatys waterpark or Croc Park, a wildlife reserve and amusement park.
Rumor has it that UFOs paid this beach a visit in 2019.
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6# Plage de Saint-Pierre
This is one of the quieter and less crowded beaches in Reunion Island. Named after the city where it lies, the beach has beautiful, fine golden sand lined with casuarina trees.
Since it is protected by a coral reef, you can safely swim here. Make sure you get your mask and snorkels.
Saint Pierre is also kid-friendly with lifeguard stations, toilets, and showers. Popular with locals and visitors alike, the beach is a close walk from the marina and pedestrian-friendly embankments.
If you, like me, are a lover of art and history, you’ll also enjoy a stroll in the town to admire French, Creole, and Tamil architecture treasures.
7# Plage de Boucan Canot
Located on the west side of the island in the municipality of Saint-Paul, Boucan Canot is another breathtaking white sand beach in Reunion island.
This is the closest swimming area from the capital. The absence of a coral reef makes the water deeper than that of the lagoon in Hermitage and La Saline Les Bains.
Boucan Canot has a pedestrian walkway alive with restaurants, cafes, and bars where you can sip on your favorite drink while absorbing the magic of the Indian Ocean.
The bottom is full of rocks and corals, which attract many fish waiting to be explored! Boucan Canot is another nice place for snorkelling and surfing.
My favorite part in Boucan Canot are the anti-shark nets, which keep both the sharks and my anxiety in check, haha.
This beach is also a great option for those of you travelling with the little ones. The right side has a natural swimming pool surrounded by volcanic rocks. This pool is also perfectly located in front of the lifeguard station.
8# Plage de Roches Noires
Roches Noires is the iconic beach of Saint-Gilles – Reunion Island’s main beach resort.
It is not part of the lagoon and therefore has deeper water. The fine white sand here attracts many sunbathers and those looking to sit back and relax.
This beach suffered severe damage after a tropical cyclone hit in 2007. It is, however, a favorite for locals, specifically surfers. Many young surfers spend their school breaks or evenings catching waves here.
Like Boucan Canot, Plage des Roches Noires also has nets to keep the sharks away. As such, the beach is safe for swimming and watersports. However, I must warn you of stepping on rocks or sea urchins.
This beach is also a hotspot for snorkelling. Although small, it is abundant with fish like triggerfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, and sole.
This beach is also supervised by lifeguards and has many restaurants, cafes, and nightclubs nearby.
Every year, locals gather in this beach for their annual Grand Boucan carnival.
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9# Plage des Brisants
Bordering Hermitage beach on the western side of the island, Brisants is one of the longest beaches in Reunion island. It may not be the most picturesque, but it stretches a whole 2.5km 1.55343 Miles (which to me, is hard to beat!).
I would not recommend swimming here, especially in the northern side near the port of Saint-Gilles. The waves are too strong, and there are signs warning of sharks.
It is, however, famous among surfers, who call it the ‘breaking beach’. Outside the water, you can also play beach tennis or volley.
Locals really love hitting this beach, especially for sunset drinks or dinner at Sauvage bar and restaurant.
#10 Plage Grand Anse
Grand Anse is located towards the wilder southern end of the island. The white sand beach sits in a bay, lined with beautiful tall coconut trees and surrounded by basalt rocks, giving it a unique, exotic look.
This place is very popular among families in Reunion who love to come here to picnic and relax. The area also has children’s and sports playgrounds, a park with areas for barbecues, and even a bowling club!
There’s also a number of cafes around the area serving great food and beer.
Although it looks inviting from the outside, do not be tempted to get in the water. Due to the presence of sharks and strong currents, this beach is not suitable for swimming.
It is, however, ideal for water sports or just lounging about. If you’re looking to swim, there is a safe small sheltered natural pool nearby.
The nearest hills offer fantastic views of the beach and the surrounding area, including the islet of Petite-Ile.
Reunion Island Lagoons
Absolutely—Reunion Island really is one of those hidden gems where nature takes center stage. 
The lagoons you mentioned are especially remarkable because they offer safe, shallow waters teeming with vibrant marine life, making them ideal for snorkelers of all ages. You can literally float over schools of tropical fish while being protected from strong currents—an experience that feels magical without needing to be an expert swimmer.
Beyond snorkeling, Reunion Island has a stunning variety of beaches—some framed by black volcanic sand, others by golden stretches—plus lush forests, dramatic cliffs, and cascading waterfalls just inland. The combination of safety for swimmers, natural beauty, and relatively low tourist traffic is what keeps it off most mainstream travel radar, but that’s exactly what makes it a perfect escape for explorers seeking something unique.
If you want, I can make a quick guide to the best beaches and lagoons on Reunion Island, highlighting which are best for snorkeling, swimming, or just soaking in the scenery. Would you like me to do that?