You plan to visit Reunion and want to know when is the best time to see whales and where to go? Indeed, Reunion is the ideal destination for observing or swimming with whales.
Here are my tips for choosing the right time to go and the best place to meet the whales in Reunion.
Which whales can we see off this island?
La humpback whale is a migratory species that lives in the cold waters of the oceans at high latitudes and which goes to mate and reproduce in the tropics or subtropics. Humpback whales can travel up to 25 km per year!
Those seen in Reunion migrated from Antarctica to come to the warm waters off Reunion Island.
For 3 months, these whales stay on these coasts of the Indian Ocean to mate and give birth to calves.
Best time to see whales in Réunion
Reunion Island enjoys a tropical climate with:
- A season the hot but rainy season from November to April;
- A cooler (but still hot) season from May to November. It is this cooler season that we call thesouthern winter.
During the southern winter, it does not rain much and the temperatures are very pleasant on the coasts (from 22 to 25 ° C), just like the temperature of the Indian Ocean which is around 22 ° C!
It is during this southern winter period and more precisely in July, August and September that the whales come off the coast of Réunion.
Where to go to see whales in Reunion?
There are several spots where you can see whales on the Reunion coast, whether from certain beaches with good binoculars or directly at sea by taking a boat trip.
The beaches of Reunion where you can see whales
The best whale watching spots can be found on the west coast of Reunion :
- Boucan Canoe
- Cap Lobster
- Cape La Houssaye
- Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
- The Hermitage les Bains
- Saint-Leu
- Salt tip
- Grande-Anse Beach
Map of the best places to see whales
See whales by boat
Many professional agencies in the marina of Saint Gilles offer sea trips to observe whales. Usually, we ship port of Saint Gilles les Bains. The spectacle that awaits you is unforgettable: whale ballet a few meters from the boat with jumps, jets, dives ...
Where to swim with whales in Reunion?
For swim with whales in Réunion, it will be necessary to choose among the many diving clubs who make outings from the port of Saint-Gilles-Bains or from Saint-Leu. I recommend you choose a club O²CR labeled (Certified Observation Responsible for Cetaceans in Reunion Island).
Indeed, with this label, you are sure to choose a professional who respects and protects marine species and their environment.
If you are looking from the port of Saint-Gilles, you can choose between
And from Saint Leu:
Here is another recommended club to go swimming with whales: duocean. He is a specialist in boat trips to approach whales in palm, mask and snorkel.
Find out now where to go for swim with dolphins in Reunion ?