Reunion: When to Go

The peak tourist seasons are during the French school holidays, from late June to early September. The period from October through to the New Year holidays is also reasonably busy, but afterwards everything eases down for cyclone-prone February and March. The weather normally changes for the better in April, which isn't a bad time to a visit. The drier winter months are the most favourable for hiking. Festivals happen year-round on Réunion, but January, August and October have lots on.

Weather

Because of its high mountains, Réunion's climate varies greatly. In general, however, it experiences two distinct seasons: the hot, rainy summer from December to April and the cool, dry winter from late April to October. The windward east coast is considerably wetter than the dry, brown west coast, but wettest of all are the mountains above the east coast - around Takamaka, Plaine-des-Palmistes and the northern and eastern slopes of the volcano. As with Mauritius, the cyclone season is roughly December to March.

Temperatures on the coast average 22°C (72°F) during winter and 27°C (81°F) in summer. In the mountains, they are considerably cooler: 11°C (52°F) and 18°C (64°F) respectively. The southeast trade winds blow year-round.