Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee.
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Last updated on September 6, 2023
Ever since a shark net was deployed at Boucan Canot Beach, Cap Lahoussaye is the only snorkeling spot in Reunion that is not in a shallow lagoon. This volcanic rock cape forms a large sheltered area south of St Paul Bay, which is pretty unique on the island. Under the water, Cap Lahoussaye features dramatic rocky ridges and drop-offs covered with hard corals. This location supports reef fish species rarely seen in the lagoons, as well as visiting sea turtles.
Cap Lahoussaye is the rocky cape between Saint Paul Bay and Boucan Canot Beach, on Reunion Island’s western coast. The site is well-sign-posted from the national road, and you can easily park in one of the car parks on both sides of the road. From the car park, descend on foot through the rocks to reach one of the two water entries.
Several diving clubs in Saint Gilles marina offer boat snorkeling tours at Cap Lahoussaye.
You can enter the water from the rocky bar facing the bay (to explore area 1 on the map above), or from the rocky scree found in the small adjacent cove (to explore area 2 on the map). Water entrance can be quite tricky, so be sure to be careful. Try to get to Cap Lahoussaye very early in the morning to have the best chance of calm seas. Do not enter the water if there are swells, waves, currents, or strong wind.
If you participate in a boat snorkeling trip, you will enter the water directly from the boat ladders. In general, snorkelers are dropped in the central part of the cove (see map).
Cap Lahoussaye features varied underwater reliefs, including ridges, slopes, faults, and rocky drop-offs, often covered with hard corals. From the shore, the reef drops steeply to sandy areas about 59 feet deep.
In the areas between 3 and 12 feet deep, snorkelers can observe healthy corals, including raspberry corals (Picillopora). Coral colors include white, light blue, yellowish and pink. Some large massifs of fire coral are also present in places.
A diversity of fish can be observed at Cap Lahoussaye, particularly fish that are rarely (or never) observed in the lagoons of the island, which are very shallow. Among these “rare” species are the lined surgeonfish, the whitespotted surgeonfish, the emperor angelfish, the threespot angelfish, or the clown triggerfish that has incredible geometric patterns.
Moray eels are fairly common here, as are pufferfish, Moorish Idols and butterflyfish.
Cap Lahoussaye is also a good spot for encountering invertebrates such as octopus, starfish, including the famous crown-of-thorns starfish, and pencil urchins.
Hawksbill turtles and green turtles make occasional appearances out of the blue: an unforgettable encounter, even though it is possible to see turtles on shallower spots on the island such as the Lagon de la Saline or the Bassin Pirogue at Etang Salé.
Cap Lahoussaye is a natural site. Boucan Canot beach, bordered by several restaurants, is only a mile away by road.
These spots are only recommended to good swimmers, in good physical conditions, and with excellent snorkeling skills. These spots can experience currents, moderate waves, important depths, tight or narrow passages, or tricky water entrance, and can be located near hazardous areas (channels, boat traffic, strong currents…). The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas can be important - up to 500 meters. The “advanced” category includes drift snorkeling (transported by currents) and snorkeling off the coast. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell.You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
