 Reunion Island : Profile
La Reunion Island is a small French island in the South Indian Ocean lying south-west of Mauritius. It is a useful stop for yachts sailing from the latter to South Africa. It is an "overseas department" (département d'outre-mer or DOM) of France. The marina at Pointe des Galets is well-sheltered and is better suited for large yachts. Most cruising sailors tend to stop here. The capital St Denis is 17 km away. Facilities are better in the town of St Pierre in the south of the island where the marina was recently expanded. The entrance into the port is quite difficult due a sand bank limiting access, but there are good range markers. The marina is situated in the centre of town, berthing rates are good, with places for visiting boats and 24 hour security. There is also a small marina at Saint Gilles les Bains, near the island's best beaches and a centre for charter operations. The lush interior of this volcanic island has some stunning mountain scenery, and many people go walking in the mountains. It is a last opportunity to stretch one's legs before the long and possibly rough passage to South Africa. Juan de Nova, Europa, Bassas da India, Iles Glorieuses and Tromelin are uninhabited islands near Madagascar. After Madagascan independence they remained French, and are administered by the Reunion Commissioner. Tromelin is claimed by both the Seychelles and Mauritius.
The average temperature on the coast is 18-31°C, although it is cooler in the hilly interior. The island is divided by its mountain range into the lusher, rainier windward side and the drier leeward side to the south and west. Reunion lies in the SE trade wind area, and the cyclone season is from mid-November to April. The island is occasionally affected by cyclones.
Useful phone numbers:-
Weather forecast : 0892 68 08 08 or 3250
Weather forecast at sea : 0836 68 01 01
Cyclone information : 0836 68 01 01
Pointe des Galets
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, Saint Gilles les Bains
, Saint-Pierre
*
*Indicates a port of entry.
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Related ReportsFrench for Cruisers Book Review (06 Dec 2007) Mystery Disease Spreads on Island of Reunion (04 May 2007) World Cruising Handbook, Corrections August to November 2004 (18 Dec 2004) La Reunion Cruising Report (11 Oct 2004) World Cruising Handbook - Corrections November 2002 to May 2003 (18 Jul 2003) Website for Cape of Good Hope cruising route (31 Dec 2001) Juan de Nova Update (26 Oct 2001)
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