Plage de l’Hermitage, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains | Top 100 Bikini Destinations
SAINT-GILLES-LES-BAINS, RÉUNION / FRANCE
Spend a day beside the lagoon at
Plage de l’Hermitage.
Pale sand, filao shade, and a coral reef off Réunion’s west coast.
Plan your beach day ↘TOP 100 BIKINI DESTINATIONS / RÉUNION
Start beside the lagoon,
then head into town.
At Plage de l’Hermitage, a coral reef breaks the swell offshore. You can walk the pale sand under filao trees, find the lifeguard post at La Passe and decide how much time to spend in the water once you’ve checked the flags.
The beach sits south of the Saint-Gilles-les-Bains harbor in the municipality of Saint-Paul. Leave time to see the boats in town, or give yourself another day for the Saint-Paul market, the sea turtle center in Saint-Leu or the lookout at Maïdo.
ON THE WORLD MAP
On Réunion’s west coast in the Indian Ocean
Plage de l’Hermitage, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, Réunion
01 / GETTING THERE
Plan your way from the airport to the west coast.
Get around Saint-Gilles-les-Bains and the surrounding coast
Walk between the beach, the filao grove and nearby shops. Use local transit or a car for the Saint-Gilles harbor and surrounding beaches. Arrange a return ride if you plan to stay out after dinner.
On the beach
Check flags and ask lifeguards about the marked swimming area. Keep clear of the reef opening and stay out when access is closed. Float over coral with room below you and leave marine life undisturbed. Beach status ↗
02 / BEACH ESSENTIALS
Know before you go.
A coral barrier shelters a shallow lagoon along the sandy shore. The coast changes near the reef openings. Look for the designated swimming zone, read the flags and check the daily report before you get in.
01 / HOW TO GET THERE
Use the signed approach at La Passe
Follow the beach signs for l’Hermitage La Passe. Local maps also use the spelling L’Ermitage. Look for the lifeguard post and confirm which part of the lagoon is open before you pick a spot.
Official beach information ↗02 / BEACH ACCESS
Check the final approach
The approach varies along this long beach. Ask about a firm route to the sand, parking, toilets and the distance from your drop-off. The last stretch can involve loose sand and roots.
03 / THE SAND
Sand and shade behind the reef
Filao trees shade the land behind the sandy shore. Coral fragments and uneven ground can be sharp underfoot. Leave shells and coral in place and keep your feet off living reef.
04 / FOOD & WATER
Plan a shaded break
Pick up water and a snack in the neighborhood or stop at a beach café. Take your litter with you when you leave the sand.
05 / CHAIRS & UMBRELLAS
Ask about lagoon gear and rules
Check with a local operator for masks, snorkels and any guided outing. Ask which zones the marine reserve permits for your activity and what happens if conditions change.
06 / RESTROOMS & SHOWERS
Locate the nearest facilities first
Ask at the supervised beach or your café about toilets and changing access. Carry a dry layer so you can change later if the facilities at your entrance are limited.
03 / THE BEACH
A day at Plage de l’Hermitage.
01 / ARRIVE
Take a first look
Read the notices and check conditions before you unpack.
02 / WALK
Start with the shore
Choose a short walk that leaves you an easy return.
03 / PAUSE
Make room for a break
Drink some water and keep your plans flexible.
04 / TOWN
Finish with the village
Change into dry clothes before your next stop.
Start with a short walk on the sand and check the lifeguard board at La Passe. If the marked zone is open, take a swim inside it. Take a break under the trees and give yourself time for a meal or a stroll around the harbor later.
NEARBY BEACHES
Three nearby shores.
Use these as separate coast stops. Distances are approximate straight-line distances from La Passe. Allow longer by road.
Boucan Canot
Open ocean, a pale sandy shore and a natural seawater pool by volcanic rocks.
- Best for
- A promenade walk and open-ocean views
- Facilities
- Cafés and restaurants along the promenade.
- Good to know
- Ask which part of the shore is open and obey the posted flags. Swell can reach the rocks.
Roches Noires
A sandy cove beside the harbor in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains.
- Best for
- A town walk and a look at the surf
- Facilities
- Village cafés and the harbor are close by.
- Good to know
- Check daily flags and use the marked area only when swimming is permitted.
La Saline-les-Bains
A separate lagoon stop south of l’Hermitage with a sandy shore and easy views across the shallows.
- Best for
- A lagoon walk and a separate lunch stop
- Facilities
- Beach businesses and village shops.
- Good to know
- Check the flags at your entrance and keep clear of protected reef and any closed zones.
Distances are straight-line from Plage de l’Hermitage. Facilities change by season, so check on the day.
04 / MUST-SEE PLACES
Give the market, the turtles and the hills their own time.
01 / SAINT-PAUL / WATERFRONT
Saint-Paul’s outdoor market
Walk the waterfront stalls for produce, spices and prepared food. Check the municipality’s current market arrangements before you leave the beach and bring a bag for anything you take home.
City of Saint-Paul / markets ↗02 / SAINT-LEU / POINTE DES CHÂTEAUX
Kélonia sea turtle center
Give yourself time for the exhibits and observation pools. The center also treats injured turtles. Check the museum’s visiting arrangements and ask which spaces are open on the day.
Kélonia / visitor information ↗03 / SAINT-PAUL / HIGHLANDS
Maïdo lookout
Drive inland for a view into the Cirque de Mafate if conditions are clear. Bring a layer for the elevation. Check access and visibility before you leave, and stay on the marked paths if you walk beyond the lookout.
National Forestry Office / Maïdo lookout ↗EXPLORE THE AREA
Plage de l’Hermitage and Saint-Gilles-les-Bains.
The pin marks the La Passe approach at Plage de l’Hermitage. The harbor and Roches Noires are north by road. La Saline-les-Bains is farther south along the coast.
Open the interactive map ↗BEYOND THE BEACH
From the harbor to the highlands.
Head north to the working harbor in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains and the outdoor market in Saint-Paul. Look south for the turtle center and Pointe au Sel, or turn inland for the slopes and ridges around Maïdo.
05 / SIX HOTELS
Find your base.
SAINT-GILLES / RUE DE LA POSTE
Hôtel de la Plage
$ Budget · About €55–60 per night around the posted €55 starting price for a small room (checked 2026-11)
A small hotel in the village near the Roches Noires approach. The lowest room category has shared facilities. Check the exact bathroom setup and street noise before booking.
Hôtel de la Plage official site ↗SAINT-GILLES / CHEMIN BOTTARD
Hôtel Les Aigrettes
$ Budget · About €78–90 per night at posted starting prices for two-person rooms (checked 2026-11)
Stay uphill from the waterfront. Ask how steep the route back from town is and check if the standard or superior room fits your group.
Hôtel Les Aigrettes official site ↗SAINT-LEU / POINTE DES CHÂTEAUX
ILOHA Seaview Hotel
$$ Mid-Range · About €148–208 per night for two on a selected direct room or bungalow voucher, plus local tax (checked 2026-11)
A hillside base near Kélonia with rooms and bungalows. The estimate uses the hotel’s one-night stay voucher. Check availability, eligible dates and the road back to l’Hermitage.
ILOHA Seaview Hotel official site ↗LA SALINE-LES-BAINS / RUE DES ENGAGÉS
Dina Morgabine Saint-Gilles
$ Mid-Range · About €190–195 for two around the posted €191 one-night package with breakfast (checked 2026-11)
A La Saline base above the coast. The estimate uses the hotel’s Horizon room voucher for two with breakfast. Check eligible dates and the route from the hotel to the shore.
Dina Morgabine Saint-Gilles official site ↗BOUCAN CANOT / BEACHFRONT
Hôtel Le Boucan Canot
$$$ Upscale · About €255–265 for two around the posted €259 one-night package (checked 2026-11)
Stay near Boucan Canot’s promenade. The hotel’s voucher lists a one-night stay for two. Confirm eligible dates, room details and any parking charges before you book.
Hôtel Le Boucan Canot official site ↗SAINT-LEU / SOUTHERN HILLSIDE
Blue Margouillat Seaview Hotel
$$$$ Luxury · About €246–399 per night for a Grand Large room at posted seasonal starting rates (checked 2026-11)
An adults-only room category in a hillside hotel with a view of Saint-Leu Bay. Confirm the room rate, taxes and dinner reservation if you plan to eat at the hotel.
Blue Margouillat Seaview Hotel official site ↗
WHEN TO GO
Choose the day you want.
The austral summer is warmer and wetter, and storms can change road and sea conditions. The austral winter is generally drier and cooler. Conditions at the coast can differ from the highlands, so check both if you’re planning a drive up to Maïdo. Official conditions and seasonal planning ↗
06 / FOOD, LANGUAGE & LOCAL LIFE
From sand to table.
What to order
Look for samosas, a Creole cari or a fish main, depending on where you stop. The bands cover the named order and may exclude drinks. Confirm what comes with your meal when you order.
Local habits
Greet the person serving you before you order. Put on dry clothes for shops and cafés, ask before taking close-up photographs in the market and keep food packaging out of the lagoon.
A LITTLE FRENCH
Useful on the beach and in town.
- Bonjour
- Hello
- La baignade est-elle autorisée ici ?
- Is swimming allowed here?
- Où sont les toilettes ?
- Where are the restrooms?
- Est-ce que je peux payer par carte ?
- Can I pay by card?
SIX RESTAURANTS
Where to eat.
SAINT-PAUL / CAMBAIE
L’Atelier
$ Budget · About €5.50–10.80 per person for a selected sandwich or lunch dish (checked 2026-11)
A casual stop in Cambaie. Pick up a sandwich for later or check which prepared lunch dishes are available if you want to eat before heading to the coast.
L’Atelier official site ↗SAINT-PAUL / RUE RHIN ET DANUBE
Chez Sully
$ Budget · About €7.80–8.80 per person for the chicken-and-fries Box Galo (checked 2026-11)
The menu distinguishes takeaway and dine-in prices for the chicken box. Ask what Creole dishes are available if you’d prefer a rice plate.
Chez Sully official site ↗SAINT-LEU / TOWN WATERFRONT
Le Zat
$$ Mid-Range · About €17.50–25 per person for selected lunch mains (checked 2026-11)
A lunch stop near the shore in Saint-Leu. Check the current menu and reserve a table if you want a break between the waterfront and your next stop.
Le Zat official site ↗LA SALINE / TROU D’EAU
Le Choka
$$ Mid-Range · About €14–22 per person for selected starters before drinks (checked 2026-11)
The restaurant has a beachside setting near Trou d’Eau. Check the current menu and reserve the area you want if you plan to stay after lunch.
Le Choka official site ↗LA SALINE / AUGUSTE LACAUSSADE
Le Nautile Restaurant
$$$ Upscale · About €45–61 per person for selected starter and main combinations before drinks (checked 2026-11)
The hotel restaurant lists seafood and meat dishes. Confirm the current menu and whether you need to reserve as a visitor from outside the hotel.
Le Nautile Restaurant official site ↗SAINT-LEU / SOUTHERN HILLSIDE
L’Éveil des Sens
$$$$ Luxury · About €98–145 per person for the posted tasting menus before drinks (checked 2026-11)
Reserve a table at Blue Margouillat if you want a longer dinner in Saint-Leu. Check the menu and any dietary requirements with the restaurant ahead of time.
L’Éveil des Sens official site ↗RÉUNION AFTER DARK
Three bars.
Pinkananas
Stop for a cocktail in town and check the venue’s current opening and reservation options. Pinkananas ↗
Métis Café
A bar and restaurant near l’Hermitage. Check whether there’s music and how you’ll get back before you settle in. Métis Café ↗
Le Choka Bar
Order a drink beside the lagoon and check whether the terrace is open. The venue posts a separate drinks list. Le Choka Bar ↗
Choose an evening that fits your transport. Check the venue’s current opening and any performance program before setting out, and arrange a driver if you will be drinking. Seasonal listings do not guarantee service during every visit.
RÉUNION EVENT CALENDAR & MONEY
Plan around the celebrations.
Francofolies de La Réunion
In austral spring, the music festival uses venues in and around Saint-Paul. Check the organizer’s program for the exact venue and access before choosing an evening.
Francofolies de La Réunion official site ↗Grand Raid de La Réunion
In austral spring, the trail races bring runners through the island’s highlands. Check the organizer’s spectator access and road information before adding Maïdo or another lookout to your day.
Grand Raid de La Réunion ↗Currency / Euro
Prices are in euros. Carry some small notes or coins for market purchases and ask which cards a vendor takes. Confirm local lodging taxes and what a room package covers before comparing prices.
Réunion Tourism / practical information ↗07 / WHAT TO WEAR
Pack for the lagoon, then the hills.
BEACH TO TOWN
Swim.
Walk.
Stay out.
On the sand
Wear the Hermitage Orbit bikini with a lightweight cover-up and a hat. Take a small dry bag and check the lifeguard board before you choose where to swim.
For a walk
Wear sandals on the sandy approach and shoes with grip for the Maïdo paths. Bring a light layer for the elevation.
In town
Change into a dry shirt, shorts or a loose dress for the market or cafés. Take a reusable shopping bag if you’ll be buying produce.
SIZE GUIDE
Check your measurements.
Use the garment-specific chart below to compare your measurements before choosing a size.
Inches
| CHEST (inches) | HIPS (inches) | |
| XS | 33 ⅛ | 35 ⅜ |
| S | 34 ⅝ | 37 |
| M | 36 ¼ | 38 ⅝ |
| L | 39 ⅜ | 41 ¾ |
| XL | 42 ½ | 44 ⅞ |
| 2XL | 45 ⅝ | 48 |
Centimeters
| CHEST (cm) | HIPS (cm) | |
| XS | 84 | 90 |
| S | 88 | 94 |
| M | 92 | 98 |
| L | 100 | 106 |
| XL | 108 | 114 |
| 2XL | 116 | 122 |
BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Good to know.
Which airport should you use?
Use Réunion Roland Garros Airport, code RUN. Check the official airport transport options and plan a connection to the west coast before you land.
Can you swim at Plage de l’Hermitage?
Use the marked zone when it is open. Check the local flags and lifeguard guidance before you enter, and stay away from the reef opening.
Is l’Ermitage the same beach?
Local sources use both l’Ermitage and l’Hermitage. Check for La Passe if you want the beach approach marked on this map.
Can you visit the beach without a car?
The west coast has regional and local bus service. Check current connections and the walk from your chosen stop, especially if you want to return after dinner.
What can you do when the lagoon is closed?
Walk the Saint-Gilles harbor, visit the Saint-Paul market when it’s open or make a separate trip to Kélonia in Saint-Leu.
FOG & FOUNDRY / SWIM
Ivory moons on violet.
A deep violet bandeau with ivory crescents and full moons, paired with a melon-pink high-leg bottom.
Explore the featured bikini ↗
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