The verdict
- Bottom lineFor a classic beach holiday of white sand and calm lagoons, Mauritius wins comfortably; for dramatic volcanic landscapes and the best hiking in the region, Reunion wins, but it is an adventure island first and a beach island a distant second
- Choose ReunionFor the active volcano, the soaring peaks and cirques, waterfalls and world class trails, with swimming kept to the protected west coast lagoons such as L'Hermitage and Saint-Pierre
- Choose MauritiusFor long white sand beaches and reef sheltered lagoons almost all the way round, easy gentle swimming, and the widest choice of beach resorts
- One thing to knowThe two are close neighbours, about an hour apart by air, so the smartest trip for many is to combine them, hiking in Reunion and lying on the beach in Mauritius
Published 15 March 2026. Last reviewed 4 April 2026
They sit barely a hundred miles apart in the Indian Ocean, share a French heritage and a creole culture, and are forever mentioned in the same breath, yet as beach destinations they could hardly be more different. Mauritius is the classic dream, an island wrapped almost entirely in a coral reef, so that long white sand beaches give onto calm, shallow, jewel coloured lagoons where the swimming is gentle and easy. Reunion is its wilder cousin, a young volcanic island of soaring peaks, deep green valleys and an active volcano, where the coast is mostly rugged and the swimming is kept to a few protected lagoons.
So the honest answer depends entirely on why you are going. If you picture a beach holiday, days on soft sand and floating in a warm lagoon, Mauritius delivers it about as well as anywhere on earth. If you picture hiking volcanic ridges, standing at the rim of a live crater and chasing waterfalls through cloud forest, Reunion is one of the most thrilling islands in the world, with the beach as a pleasant aside rather than the main event. Because they are so close and so complementary, the best of all worlds is often to do both, and let each island play to its strength.
How they compare
| What matters | Reunion | Mauritius |
|---|---|---|
| The beaches | Few, with swimming concentrated in protected west coast lagoons such as L'Hermitage and Saint-Pierre | Long white sand beaches and calm lagoons almost all the way round the island |
| The sea and swimming | Gentle inside the reef sheltered lagoons; the open coast is generally not used for swimming | Calm, shallow and easy across most of the coast, ideal for relaxed swimming and snorkelling |
| Scenery and landscape | The headline; an active volcano, towering peaks, cirques and waterfalls | Pretty hills and coast, with Le Morne and Black River Gorges the scenic highlights |
| Hiking and adventure | Among the best in the world, with epic multi day trails and the volcano | Good walks and watersports, but far less mountain drama than Reunion |
| Resorts and mood | Fewer big resorts; guesthouses, self catering and an outdoorsy French feel | The full spread, from simple stays to some of the finest beach resorts anywhere |
| Crowds and feel | Less touristed and more local in rhythm, especially inland | A well established beach destination, busier along the resort coasts |
| Getting there | Direct flights mainly from France and the region; about an hour from Mauritius by air | Wide international links and frequent flights from Europe, Africa and Asia |
| Best for | Hikers and adventurers who want landscape over beach | Beach lovers and couples wanting easy sand and calm lagoons |
Where each one wins
The volcano, the peaks and the trails
Reunion is one of the great adventure islands, and that is the reason to choose it. It is built around the active Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world's most accessible volcanoes, and the cloud wreathed peak of Piton des Neiges, with three vast natural amphitheatres, the cirques, carved into its heart. The hiking is extraordinary, from gentle lagoon walks to multi day crossings, and the green interior feels a world away from any beach. Swimming is kept to the protected lagoons of the west coast, so come for the mountains, the waterfalls and the wild, treat the lagoon at L'Hermitage as a reward, and you will not be disappointed.
The lagoon, and the easy beach days
Mauritius is the better island when the holiday is really about the beach. Because a coral reef rings almost the whole island, the sea inside it is calm, shallow and warm, and the white sand beaches that fringe it make for some of the most relaxing swimming in the world. It has the widest choice of places to stay, from friendly guesthouses to legendary luxury resorts, plus golf, watersports, good food and gentle days out for when you want a change from the sand. For couples, families and anyone who simply wants to unwind by a perfect lagoon, this is the easy and obvious winner.
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Reunion vs Mauritius, answered
Does Reunion or Mauritius have better beaches?
Mauritius wins clearly for beaches. It is ringed by long white sand beaches and calm turquoise lagoons protected by a coral reef, which makes for easy, gentle swimming almost all the way round the island. Reunion has far fewer beaches, with swimming concentrated in a handful of protected lagoons on the west coast such as L'Hermitage and Saint-Pierre. If a classic beach holiday is the goal, Mauritius is the stronger choice.
Can you swim in the sea in Reunion?
Yes, but mainly within the protected lagoons. Swimming and water sports in Reunion are concentrated in the reef sheltered lagoons of the west coast, such as L'Hermitage and the lagoon at Saint-Pierre, which are calm and good for snorkelling. Outside these designated areas the open coast is generally not used for swimming. Always follow local signage and lifeguard guidance, and treat conditions as typical and never guaranteed.
Is Reunion or Mauritius better for hiking and scenery?
Reunion is the standout for landscape and adventure. It is a dramatic volcanic island with the active Piton de la Fournaise, the soaring Piton des Neiges, deep amphitheatre valleys known as cirques, and some of the best hiking in the Indian Ocean. Mauritius has lovely scenery and some good walks too, including Black River Gorges and Le Morne, but for raw mountain drama and trails, Reunion is in another league.
Is Reunion or Mauritius more expensive?
Both can be done at a range of budgets. Reunion is a French region, so prices feel European and it is less geared to all inclusive resorts, leaning instead toward guesthouses and self catering. Mauritius has the wider spread, from simple guesthouses to some of the most luxurious beach resorts in the world. Rates vary widely by season and property and are best confirmed directly.
Can you visit both Reunion and Mauritius in one trip?
Yes, and many travellers do. The two islands are close neighbours with a short flight between them of roughly an hour, so it is common to combine the mountains and hiking of Reunion with the beaches and lagoons of Mauritius in a single Indian Ocean trip. Flight schedules are seasonal and best confirmed in advance, and a few days on each gives a good taste of both.