Lava tubes of the volcano of Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island

Organized by
3 hrs
Occasionally sporty
From 7 years-old and up
Recommended
From€50

Come and discover the unique underground world of Piton de la Fournaise by caving in the lava tubes of Reunion Island!

Come and discover the unique underground world of Piton de la Fournaise by caving in the lava tubes of Reunion Island, an opportunity to learn more about volcanology and geology!

A visit to the lava tunnels located between Sainte-Rose and Saint-Philippe, in the south-east of Reunion Island, is a must-do activity around the Piton de la Fournaise volcano. These lava tubes were formed following the eruption and flow of lava from the Piton de la Fournaise in 2004, as the volcano's flow cooled on the surface and formed a solid crust, as well as a tunnel-like cavity afterwards.

In a small group and in a friendly atmosphere, you will go caving in the lava tunnels of Piton de la Fournaise with a guide for about 3 hours. During this underground exploration, you will experience 100 meters of positive and negative vertical drop with a high point at 400 meters, and will be able to observe multiple exceptional geological formations: lava stalactites, lava benches, stalagmites, vitrified walls and light wells.

For this caving trip near the Piton de la Fournaise, you will be supervised by a state-qualified instructor, a mountain and caving guide who will ensure your safety and that you leave amazed by this underground experience in Reunion Island. You will be immersed in a totally different universe from the outside world, which will allow you to better understand the process of formation of a volcano and a lava tunnel!

So don't hesitate any longer and go on this caving trip in the lava tubes of the Piton de la Fournaise on Reunion Island!

Book your activity

From€50

Practical information

Course of events

- Meeting with the instructor at the meeting car park

- Once equipped with a helmet, individual headlamp, kneepads and gloves if you wish, a 15 minutes walk on the lava ropes to reach the entrance of the tunnel with a description of the landscape around you by the guide

- Entry into the lava tubes with some initial explanations given by your guide while you get used to the darkness

- Discovery of the lava tunnels: ceilings from which dark chocolate seems to flow (stalactites), lava benches, forests of stalagmites, a "dodo", a "shark", and many other things if you let your imagination run free. Often standing, sometimes bent or crouched, you will progress slowly through the tunnels at your own pace

- After 2 to 3 hours, you will leave the lava tubes to finish the experience

Special terms

For photography enthusiasts, the team will take the time to help you make your own photo report.

Meeting point:
Car park of the 2001 lava flow, between Sainte-Rose and Saint-Phillipe on the RN2 in the Grand Brûlé enclosure
Spoken languages:English, French
Included
  • Caving equipment (helmet, lamp, gloves and kneepads)
  • Guide
Do not forget to bring
  • Trainers or hiking shoes
  • T-shirt (no tank tops or other tops that leave the shoulders bare)
  • Long and light trousers
  • Raincoat depending on the weather
  • Small backpack
  • Change of clothes
  • Bottle of water
  • Camera

Reviews

Average rating

4.9/5

(269)
  • Excellent
    96.3%
    259
  • Very good
    3%
    8
  • Average
    0.4%
    1
  • Poor
    0%
    0
  • Terrible
    0.4%
    1
Martin B., United Kingdom — 05/06/2024
5/5
Very exciting educational tour of the lava tubes and how they formed
Allison W., Réunion — 05/05/2024
5/5
There was so much to learn that we had no idea about before the tour. What a unique island and an impressive tour
Fabrice L., South Africa — 31/01/2024
5/5
Expérience souterraine agréable et facile, parfait pour les amoureux du chocolat.
Josep M., France — 12/08/2023
5/5
Very interesting to see and know about the lava tunnels
Salma M., France — 10/11/2022
5/5
Belle sortie et très belle découverte ! un incontournable à mon sens +++

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Piton de la Fournaise: Our selection of activities