Hand-picked by our editors — only the best 5 helicopter experiences from 19 reviewed.
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55 min
Soar above volcanoes, waterfalls, and remote cirques on this comprehensive aerial journey from Saint-Pierre
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55 min
Soar above volcanic peaks, ancient cirques, and cascading waterfalls on this aerial adventure over Réunion.
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45 min
Soar above three dramatic cirques, the Indian Ocean's highest summit, and one of Earth's most active volcanoes
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The landmarks, rooms, and views travelers on this tour remember — all visible on a single visit.
A remote volcanic caldera accessible only by foot or air. You will see deep green valleys and jagged ridges from above.
A massive canyon featuring impressive waterfalls dropping hundreds of meters. It is considered one of the most rugged geological features.
A scenic volcanic basin known for its winding roads and thermal springs. The flight provides a unique perspective of the peaks.
One of the world's most active volcanoes. The ride offers a rare view of its desolate, moon-like lava fields.
Renowned for its abundance of waterfalls and lush tropical vegetation. This area showcases the island's impressive biodiversity.
They complement each other; most visitors who do both call the reunion helicopter ride the more efficient way to grasp the island's volcanic scale, whereas hiking offers a deeper connection to the terrain.
| Feature | Top pick Helicopter Ride | Guided Hiking |
|---|---|---|
Perspective |
Panoramic aerial view | Ground-level immersion |
Physical Effort |
None | Moderate to high |
Duration |
45–75 minutes | 4–8 hours |
Accessibility |
High (limited mobility friendly) | Requires physical fitness |
Weather Dependency |
High (cloud cover affects flights) | Moderate (trails remain open) |
Primary Focus |
Volcanic cirques and waterfalls | Flora and fauna interaction |
| See tickets → |
Verdict: Opt for the reunion helicopter ride tours if you want to cover vast island landmarks quickly, but choose guided hikes if you prefer exploring the volcanic cirques on foot using reunion helicopter ride tickets as a supplement for orientation.
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Arrive at the entrance, show your voucher on your phone, and walk in. Most tickets include priority or skip-the-line access.
Practical details for your visit straight from our verified partners — hours, access, rules, and how to get there.
Route Cannière, 97434 Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
Main reception desk
Follow the RN1 highway to Saint-Gilles-les-Bains. Ample parking is available on-site.
Request a transfer from your hotel to the Saint-Gilles heliport.
Wear comfortable, layered clothing suitable for varying altitudes. Avoid loose hats or scarves that could pose a risk during boarding.
All passengers must pass a brief security check before accessing the tarmac. Large bags are prohibited; store them in your vehicle or designated facility lockers.
Photography is permitted and encouraged during your reunion helicopter ride. Ensure your camera strap is secure and avoid using flash inside the cabin.
The facility is wheelchair accessible, though specific assistance is required for boarding the helicopter. Please notify the team in advance if you have limited mobility.
Mobile phones must be set to airplane mode during the flight. Use them primarily for capturing footage through the window.
Children are welcome on a reunion helicopter ride with adult supervision. Infants under two years must sit on a parent's lap.
No food or beverages are allowed inside the aircraft. Water may be consumed in the lounge area before departure.
Animals are not permitted on the aircraft for safety reasons. Service dogs must be pre-arranged with the operator.
Weight limits apply to every passenger for balance. Provide accurate weight information during your booking process.
Route Cannière, 97434 Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
Main reception desk
Get directionsBest time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.
How crowds, weather, and events shift across the year.
December to March provides warmer weather. Mornings are critical for stable visibility.
May to November offers cooler, drier air. This is ideal for clear views of the peaks.
Small details that turn a good visit into a great one.
Reserve your reunion helicopter ride seat at least two weeks in advance. Flights fill up quickly during peak seasons.
Aim for the 06:30 window for optimal visibility. Clouds frequently cover the mountain peaks by midday.
Provide precise weight data when purchasing reunion helicopter ride tickets. This ensures proper balance for safe operation.
Temperatures drop significantly in the mountain cirques. A light jacket is essential for high-altitude comfort.
Operators may reschedule flights due to wind. Confirm your reservation status 24 hours prior.
Non-bookable sights within a short walk — free to visit, easy to pair.
Popular surfing and swimming spot in town. Excellent area for evening coastal walks.
Botanical garden showcasing local flora. Relaxing atmosphere after a reunion helicopter ride.
Coastal lookout point with dramatic cliff scenery. A great spot for sunset photos.
Flexible, no hidden fees.
Full refunds are available if cancellations are made at least 48 hours before the scheduled flight. The 0 EUR entrance fee does not apply as this is a private airfield facility.
Hand-picked options within walking distance — pick a district for vibe, or a specific hotel for convenience.
Beachfront resort with colonial architecture.
Comfortable rooms near the lagoon.
Upscale hotel overlooking the ocean.
Réunion Island's active volcano, Piton de la Fournaise, erupts on average once every nine months, sending fresh lava flows down the southeastern flank toward the Indian Ocean. A reunion helicopter ride offers the only practical way to witness the island's full geological theatre in a single morning: the volcano's caldera, the three cirques carved into the interior highlands, and waterfalls that plunge three hundred metres into rainforest ravines. The island's topography—two volcanic massifs separated by a collapsed plateau—creates a vertical landscape that remains largely inaccessible by road, making aerial tours the standard method for reaching Cirque de Mafate, which has no paved access and shelters villages reachable only by foot or helicopter. Corail Hélicoptères operates from Saint-Gilles-les-Bains on the island's leeward coast, where morning conditions between six-thirty and eleven offer the clearest visibility before cloud buildup obscures the interior peaks. The company's fleet flies routes ranging from twenty minutes over the western coastline to fifty-five-minute circumnavigations that cross Piton des Neiges, the island's highest point at three thousand and seventy metres, before descending over the Grand Brûlé lava field. Pilots follow the same corridors year-round, adjusted for wind shear off the cirque walls and volcanic gas plumes when Piton de la Fournaise enters an eruptive phase. UNESCO designated the island's volcanic peaks and cirques a World Heritage Site in two thousand and ten, recognizing the geomorphology as an ongoing illustration of shield volcano evolution. The recognition formalized protections that limit construction within the core zone and restrict helicopter operators to certified routes that avoid nesting sites for the Barau's petrel, an endemic seabird that breeds on high-altitude cliffs. Helicopter tour demand peaks between May and November, when the southern hemisphere's dry season delivers stable weather and reduced cyclone risk. Flights operate daily, though afternoon turbulence and cloud cover frequently force operators to consolidate departures into the early window. The island's population of eight hundred and seventy thousand supports a visitor economy built on volcano tourism, with helicopter tours serving as the flagship experience for travelers who arrive from metropolitan France, Mauritius, and South Africa. Charter flights to remote cirque villages carry supplies and emergency medical personnel, blurring the line between tourism infrastructure and essential services in a landscape where geography dictates mobility.
"The island's topography creates a vertical landscape that remains largely inaccessible by road, making aerial tours the standard method for reaching Cirque de Mafate."
A step-by-step walkthrough of the visit — what you'll see, how long each stage takes, and the details that matter.
You arrive at Route Cannière in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains at dawn, when the tarmac is still cool and the interior peaks are visible above the coastal haze. After a safety briefing in the hangar, you step onto the helipad and climb into the cabin—four or five passengers depending on the aircraft model, each seat angled toward the windows. The pilot lifts off over the lagoon, tracking northeast along the coastline before banking inland toward the highlands. Within ten minutes, you cross the first rampart and enter Cirque de Salazie, where hamlets cling to ridge lines and terraced crops occupy every arable shelf. The helicopter climbs toward Piton des Neiges, and the landscape shifts from green valleys to exposed basalt ridges. You pass over Cirque de Mafate, its villages marked by corrugated roofs and footpaths that switchback down to river crossings. The pilot descends toward the eastern flank, where Piton de la Fournaise rises from the Plaine des Sables—a lunar expanse of red cinder. You circle the caldera, close enough to see fissures in the crater floor and the glassy surface of recent lava flows. On the return leg, the helicopter follows the coast above black sand beaches and cane fields, descending over Saint-Gilles as fishing boats motor out through the reef pass. You land forty-five minutes after departure, the engine spooling down as passengers unbuckle and step back onto the tarmac.
The facility is open daily from 06:30 to 20:00. These hours apply to the booking office at Route Cannière.
Yes, booking your reunion helicopter ride tickets in advance is strongly recommended. This secures your preferred flight time and date.
The best arrival window is 06:30–11:00. This ensures optimal visibility before cloud buildup over the interior mountains.
Children are welcome on a reunion helicopter ride. Infants under two years must be held on an adult's lap.
Yes, safety is the top priority for every reunion helicopter ride tour. The operators follow strict aviation regulations and maintenance schedules.
Yes, you are encouraged to bring your camera for your reunion helicopter ride. Please ensure it is secured with a strap during the flight.
Full refunds are available for cancellations made at least 48 hours prior. Contact the operator directly to manage your booking.
Yes, strict weight limits are enforced for every reunion helicopter ride passenger. Please provide accurate weight information during your reservation.
The meeting point is Route Cannière, 97434 Saint-Gilles-les-Bains. Follow signs for Corail Hélicoptères upon arrival.
If a reunion helicopter ride is canceled due to weather, the operator will provide a full refund or reschedule your flight. Safety remains the primary concern.