Looking for an adrenaline rush during your stay on Reunion Island? Here are our top tips for a successful caving trip on Reunion Island!
A small volcanic rock embedded in the heart of the Indian Ocean, Réunion Island is nicknamed the Intense Island. Intense for the contrast between its translucent lagoon and the green cirques and lunar landscapes of Piton de la Fournaise. Intense, too, for the colorful experiences on offer, including caving.
Are you a thrill-seeker ready to sink into the bowels of the earth? Discover the best caving activities on Reunion Island!
Main activity: 2004 lava flow
- 💰 From €50 per person
- 👍 The best part of this activity: get deep into the bowels of Reunion Island through lava tunnels that are unique in the world!
Information you need to know
There are few places on the planet where you can try your hand at caving in lava tunnels. These astonishing geological formations bear witness to the volcanic activity of Piton de la Fournaise, one of the island’s most intense spots.
This activity is open to adults and children aged 7 and over. Two options are available: a classic outing or a « sport » outing. The Réunion Mer et Montagne team will meet you at the 2001 lava flow parking lot. You can then explore the lava tunnels of the 2004 lava flow during your caving outing on Reunion Island.
Depending on your preferences, you can choose to leave at 8:30am or 1pm. For the classic outing, allow 2h30 to 3h of activity, 4h for the « sport » outing. The classic route has a vertical drop of 100 meters positive and 100 meters negative. For the « sport » outing, you’ll be entitled to 300 meters of as cent and descent. You don’t have to be an accomplished sportsman to go caving on Reunion Island. The classic outing is considered easy, while the sport outing is of medium difficulty. Prices are €50 for adults and €35 for children aged 7 to 12. The « sport » outing costs €65.
Your guide will make sure the pace is right for everyone. What’s more, there are plenty of breaks to explain the geological formations you’ll encounter. Please note: if you have back problems, some sections require you to bend or crouch.
At Réunion Mer et Montagne, the emphasis is on safety and personalization. The company was one of the first to take groups caving in lava tunnels. A state-qualified instructor with over 20 years’ experience on the island will supervise your outing, and your group will be limited to a maximum of 6 people, so you can make the most of the visit and your guide’s explanations.
The Réunion Mer et Montagne team will provide you with all technical equipment: helmet, lamp, knee pads and gloves. All you need to bring is a pair of long, lightweight pants, a T-shirt , sneakers or hiking boots, a small rucksack with a bottle of water and rain gear. Don’t forget your camera to immortalize your caving outing on Reunion Island!
Activity description
Photo credit: Facebook – Réunion Mer Et Montagne
To reach the meeting point, you’ll first take the lava road that links Saint-Philippe in the south to Sainte-Rose in the east of the island. This aptly-named road literally runs through the middle of the volcano’s lava flows, and has had to be rebuilt several times after the strongest eruptions. You’ll be blown away by the lunar landscape, which contrasts with the lush vegetation of the surrounding area.
After meeting the Réunion Mer et Montagne team at the 2001 lava flow parking lot, you’ll begin your approach walk to the lava tunnel entrance. For 15 minutes, you’ll follow your instructor through the various lava flows that have descended from the volcano over the last few decades. Your guide will take the opportunity to share his knowledge of volcanology and geology with you. You’ll learn how the island has been shaped and transformed since it emerged from the ocean some 3 million years ago.
You then enter the lava tunnel in single file. As soon as you take your first steps, you’re plunged into darkness and silence, and it’s already time to turn on your torch. Along the way, your instructor will point out the various geological formations: corded lava, stalactites, stalagmites, lava benches… Let your imagination work to recognize the dodo, the shark and many other figures hiding in the walls.
You’ll pass from narrow tunnels to more airy chambers, from dark gutters to cavities lit by shafts of light. During the walk, your guide will stop you for a moment and ask you to switch off your lights. In total silence, you’ll enjoy an unsettling sensory experience, where time and space are distorted by your lack of reference points.
Then it’s time to find your way out and head off to one of Réunion Island’s other must-see spots.
Alternative: Caving on Piton de la Fournaise
Photo credit: Facebook – Rando-Volcan.com
- 💰 From 80 euros per person
- 👍 The best part: 2 activities in one day!
Activity description
You’re off for a full day of adventure on the Piton de la Fournaise. You’ll meet your guide at the Pas de Bellecombe parking lot, the entry point to the volcano enclosure. The road to Pas de Bellecombe crosses the Plaine des Sables, a vast expanse of desert that gives the impression of being on the moon. After meeting your guide, you embark on one of the most beautiful hikes on Reunion Island.
First of all, you’ll have to descend the rampart to reach the volcano’s caldera by following a staircase in the cliff. You then cross the enclosure, a wide, cirque-shaped plain that surrounds the Piton de la Fournaise. In front of you, the giant rises to an altitude of 2,631 metres. You quickly reach the first slopes and set off on your assault of the mountain’s flanks. You follow a well-defined path winding through lava flows. At the summit, you reach the Bory crater, the highest point of the massif, and enjoy the view of the impressive Dolomieu crater. The crater is currently 320 metres deep, but its size varies with each eruption.
After a convivial picnic at the summit, it’s time to head back down. You’ll reach the Kapor crater, the point of entry to the lava tunnel. Throughout the day, your experienced, state-certified guide tells you the story of the island through its eruptions. He passionately shares his knowledge of volcanology and geology, describing each lava formation you encounter. After visiting the tunnel, return to the parking lot for an aperitif hosted by Rando Volcan. It’s a great opportunity to share your impressions of this crazy day!
The total duration of the activity isaround 8 hours, with 5 hours of actual walking. You’ll tackle a positive altitude difference of around 650 meters over a 15-kilometer walk. The route can be adapted to suit the level of participants.
For this hiking and caving activity on Reunion Island, you’ll need walking shoes, sportswear, fleece, windbreaker, headgear, sunglasses and sun cream. You’ll also need a picnic lunch and 2 liters of water per person. Caving equipment is provided, as is an aperitif and a photo report of the day.
Other caving activities on Reunion Island include the caverne Gendarme lava tunnel in the commune of Saint-Philippe. It was developed in an 18th-century flow and includes narrow passages where you have to walk on all fours. For thrill-seekers!
Our tips for caving
For a successful caving session, there are certain prerequisites. Nothing major, but essential information for a memorable experience.
- Caving is not recommended for claustrophobic people. The same applies to people afraid of the dark;
- Caving can be done from the age of 7, but the age can vary depending on the spot and the agency;
- Appropriate clothing (sportswear covering your limbs) is obviously recommended, so that you can get the most out of your caving session in complete safety. All other equipment (helmet, lamp, etc.) will be provided;
- You don’t need a medical certificate, but progressing underground requires more or less intense effort, so you need to be in good physical condition and have good stamina;
- Last but not least, you should be aware that access to caving spots depends on weather conditions and sometimes even the season, so make sure you get the right information!