UNDER WATER DRAWING
Dessin la Mer offers fun trips on the lagoon at La Saline-les-Bains, where you can learn how to draw and how to protect the underwater environment. The idea is to draw under the water on a drawing board wearing a mask and a snorkel. The result is quite surprising.
First you will observe the seabed under the water and learn the name of each species you see and then together you will choose a place which reflects the diverse fauna and flora.
A drawing board is provided for each participant, to recreate their vision of the seabed in colour.
The workshop is open to everyone from beginners to experienced artists. It takes place over one session and lasts 2 hours with 10 minute breaks every half hour on the beach, to review all your artistic endeavours and give practical safety advice about how to protect the underwater fauna and flora.
Dessin la Mer has a team of two qualified supervisors specialising in art and marine biology, who organise this fun trip.
At the end of the workshop participants will leave with their own personal drawing board as well as a Gopro video montage of the trip to keep as a souvenir of this half day.
Equipment to bring: masks, snorkels, swimming shoes and wetsuits.
VISIT VOLCANO MUSEUM
There are two sides to Piton de la Fournaise on Reunion Island. The first, all fire and brimstone, brings to mind obscure legends such as that of Grand-Mère Kalle. The second manifests itself in the scientists from all over the world who come to study the volcano. Both these sides can both be found at Cité du Volcan in Reunion Island.
It’s full of thrilling adventures for young and old alike! With a 4D Cinema, augmented reality and interactive exhibitions. A family trip to this museum is a fun way to learn all about the lava giant.
We begin our exploration of Cité du Volcan with a tour of a lava tube – an absolute must. It’s a recreation of a gallery
formed by a cooling volcanic lava flow. We wander through this lava corridor as if through the bowels of the earth, with its purple light and ambient sounds, to reach the core of the Volcano. The lights begin to glow red, the ground starts to vibrate and thunder rumbles around us. It doesn’t take long to feel totally immersed at Cité du Volcan!
The kids cry out “wow” in surprise. The first of a long series this afternoon.
A bit further on, in the museum hall we meet Maurice and Katia Krafft, the couple who founded the Cité. It is their passion for volcanoes and their hard work that led to the research centre that we are visiting today being built, in 1992. Bold and fearless, the “Devils of the Volcano” are a true source of inspiration for young ones in search of adventure.
After the Krafft myth, we discover the various legends and superstitions that surround Piton de la Fournaise. Somewhere between genesis and the end of time, the trepidation and the poetry of the island’s collective imagination reveal themselves before our eyes. In this special room, Cité du Volcan reminds us that beliefs are as beautiful as science and that they are an integral part of people’s culture.
With two holograms and an interactive quiz about how Reunion Island was formed, we get to know Ti’Krator, the museum’s mascot. The little erupting volcano wanders round the Cité every Sunday to guide budding explorers. He tells us that the next 4D film will be starting in the cinema soon!
Once the film starts, we enjoy a unique experience of Reunion Island from our seats. Heat, vibrations, sound effects and the fourth dimension: it all conspires to transport the spectator in a whirlwind of sensations to the centre of the earth. We plunge into the ocean before surfing on the lava while the children cling to their seats.
All this time, those with a contemplative bent enjoy the 270-degree panoramic screen, another bit of cutting-edge technology in the museum. When the lights go out, it only takes a few seconds for us to fly to the heart of the milky way or into the mists surrounding Piton de la Fournaise. Once the excitement is over, the tribe finds itself in a bathyscaphe, nestled comfortably in the large leather armchairs. Soothing images of the deep sea appear on the screen in this room which feels a bit like Nautilus.
Cité du Volcan is clearly the ideal port of call just after visiting Pas de Bellecombe in the first light of day. A perfect day in the Land of Lava that whole family will love and will leave you with lasting memories.
WONDER FROM THE TREE
Venture through immense nature amongst the trees of Reunion Island’s primary forest. Fun in the trees with itineraries at different levels for children of all ages. Treetop adventure park, zipline, Tibetan bridge, slackline, tarzan jump…there’s so many ways to have fun in the Japanese cedars.
KELONIA
This observatory in Saint-Leu is dedicated to the protection and reproduction of sea turtles and their habitats on Reunion Island and in the Indian Ocean. Your children can see turtles cared for by Kélonia and participate in interactive workshops.
On Reunion Island, there is a place that is entirely devoted to turtles. Kélonia is a museum, a research centre and also an aquarium and recovery centre. It is accessible to anyone who wants to find out more about these fascinating animals.
Spread over a surface area of almost 1,500m2, there are workshops and scientific areas to learn about what they do here at Reunion Island’s sea turtles observatory. The centre also has a research and protection programme that focuses on protecting these animals in the Indian Ocean.
COOLING OFF AND ENDLESS FUN AT AKOATYS
During summer, Akoatys is without a doubt one of the most popular place. This water park located in l’Étang Salé features a large choice of water slides, two whirlpool as well as a paddling pool for the little ones. The water park features a restaurant if you wish to spend the whole day at the park. This is without a doubt a refreshing activity for your family holidays in Reunion island !
SEASIDE ACTIVITIES
Families with young children may prefer the beaches facing the lagoon, protected by the coral reef; here, no “big fish”, shallow swimming areas and many portions patrolled by lifeguards present at the emergency stations. In the shade of casuarinas, you can look after your offspring on the sand and in the water (sunscreen, rash vest and shoes recommended), or take time for yourself by entrusting them to an approved beach club which will take care of them for a few hours.
For an “adventure” family expedition, embark everyone in transparent kayaks, ideal for exploring the coral fauna, the small tropical fish and corals that unfold before your eyes without risking of breaking this fragile ecosystem.
You can just go for the classic paddle boat that will allow parents to find their inner child. To enjoy the Creole
atmosphere of the traditional weekend picnics, do not hesitate to bring your snacks under the palm trees of the beach of Grande Anse or the casuarinas of the beach in l’Ermitage les Bains.
MOUNTAIN ACTIVITIES
Although an island, Réunion is also and above all a country of mountains. Many more or less experienced hikers come to visit its breathtaking mountains, and trail or ultra-trail enthusiasts come from all over the world to compete with champions during the famous Grand Raid, for example.
But Reunion’s mountains also offer families many opportunities to have fun with children and adults. For starters,
the “sentiers marmailles” (children’s trails) are suggested itineraries for groups with young children; a maximum length of two hours, they follow marked and secure trails. (Download “Les sentiers marmailles : le guide des balades faciles à La Réunion”) For those who like more thrills, we can only advise them more exhilarating activities like tree climbing or summer toboggan run.
THE AQUARIUM
Already overwhelmed by what they will find along the hiking trails, the curious little ones will still rave observing the flora and fauna of Reunion in some specialized institutions.
The Aquarium de la Réunion, located on the marina of the resort of Saint Gilles les Bains, is a genuine showcase of the underwater life of the Indian Ocean; 600 000 liters of seawater faithfully recreate the different submarine landscapes of the island (coral reefs, volcanic cliffs, deep reef, big blue) , where many species representing the marine biodiversity of Reunion evolve. Indeed several basins host 500 fish and 200 species of the reef life of the island.
Another way to inform and raise awareness about the importance of preserving the natural environment is to observe the impressive turtles in Saint Leu, or share the knowledge and experiments of the Conservatoire Botanique.
