Pack clothes to suit the season
Reunion Island is in the southern hemisphere meaning it has a tropical climate, thanks to the Indian Ocean. It is hot and sunny all year round and each region has its own microclimate. The seasons are reversed compared to the northern hemisphere.
Austral Summer
FROM NOVEMBER TO APRIL
This is the hot and humid season with an average temperature of 30°C. In high altitudes, the temperature can be around ten degrees lower. This is the period to go swimming, diving or for white water activities such as canyoning.
- Make sure you pack light summer clothing: shorts, t-shirts, loose clothing that covers your legs and arms for late afternoons to avoid mosquito bites.
Austral Winter
FROM MAY TO OCTOBER
This is the cool season. In high altitudes, the temperature is much lower, and on the coast and mainly in the west, near the beaches, the water still reaches temperatures of around 26°C.
- You are advised to pack warm clothing because in the island’s highlands in the evenings, temperatures can be much lower. Take wind-proof clothing if you plan on sleeping or walking in the mountains, seeing the sunrise over the Piton des Neiges or being at the Volcano at dawn.
The in-between seasons
APRIL-MAY, OCTOBER- NOVEMBER
On Reunion Island, there are two distinct seasons: austral winter (May to October) and austral summer (November to April). But in-between these seasons there are periods of the year that are sometimes difficult to determine. October and November often mark the beginning of the rainy season and April and May mark the beginning of austral winter. These periods are difficult to determine because some years, the rainy season will begin earlier or later. On the coast the temperature may decrease to 19 or 20 degrees at night, but in the highlands, it can go down to 5 degrees. In the day, temperatures can reach 27 to 29 degrees on the coast, and 18 to 22 degrees in the Highlands.
Your holiday essentials
Hat or cap, sunglasses, sun cream… and bathing suit, flip-flops for the beach, trainers or walking shoes.
Top Tip
Zip-off trousers will help you go from one climate to another more easily.
Dress Code
Conservative/casual clothing is acceptable in the bigger towns and cities in Reunion and dependent on the climate. Comfortable beach wear is fine on the coast, just be sure to take sun cream because the sun gets very strong in the summer months. Generally speaking, light layers of clothing are the best items to bring with you, as well as a warmer jacket or fleece for the cooler evenings. A hat is also a must have!
What to Pack
Layers – long and short sleeve shirts and trousers
A warm fleece or jumper
A lightweight waterproof jacket
Comfortable but sturdy shoes
Flip-flops
Swimming costume
A hat or baseball cap
Sunglasses
Sunscreen – a must!
Toiletries – most properties will provide shampoo, shower gel and soap
A small torch
Spare batteries, plug adaptors and charging equipment
A good pair of Binoculars
Books or a fully loaded Kindle / iPad for siesta time
Most properties will have a small medical and first aid kit, but we recommend bringing your own supply of essentials – cough medicine, plasters, vitamins, aspirin and paracetamol, and anything else you use on a regular basis.
Electricity
In Reunion, the power sockets are of type E, which is a two pin plug, exactly the same as France. The standard voltage is 220/240 volts and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. You can use your electric appliances in Reunion if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 – 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa). If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100 V – 127 V (as is in the US, Canada and most South American countries), you will need to bring an adapter/convertor combination.
