Helicopter Tour · Saint-Pierre
How to choose
All 5 tours depart from Saint-Pierre/Pierrefonds Airport with Mafate Helicopteres and are open to everyone, no physical fitness required. Prices range from 205 € to 1,207.50 €, with flight times spanning 1h15 to a half-day. The entry point (205 €, 1h15) focuses on Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world's most active volcanoes, and is the sharpest way to test the format. Mid-range options (280 € to 345 €, 1h30 to 1h45) add the cirques of Mafate, Salazie or Cilaos and the waterfall canyons of the island's interior. At the top end, the half-day with lunch (1,207.50 €) combines aerial coverage with a ground experience. Simple decision rule: if the volcano is your primary target, start at 205 €. If you want the full island panorama, the 345 € / 1h45 circuit covers the most ground for the price.
5 offers available
Our picks
Helicopter Flight over Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island
At 205 €, it's the most direct way to hover over Piton de la Fournaise in 1h15, no frills, pure volcano.
Helicopter Flight over Reunion Island from Saint-Pierre
The 345 € / 1h45 circuit covers the most ground of any standard option, combining volcanic terrain and cirques in a single flight.
Helicopter Flight over the Waterfalls and Cirques of Reunion Island
At 280 €, the 1h30 flight targets the waterfalls and cirques specifically, the island's most dramatic canyon scenery from the air.
Helicopter Flight over the Waterfalls and Basins of Reunion Island with Lunch
At 1,207.50 €, the half-day format with lunch is the only tour that combines aerial coverage with time on the ground.
Frequently asked questions
How active is Piton de la Fournaise right now?
Piton de la Fournaise is one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, with eruptions occurring multiple times per year on average. When an eruption is ongoing, helicopter operators often adjust routes to fly as close as safety permits, making it one of the most intense aerial experiences available. Check the Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise for real-time activity updates before you book.
What's the most intense moment of a helicopter tour here?
The peak intensity hits when the helicopter crests the crater rim of Piton de la Fournaise and the caldera drops away beneath you. At that point you're hovering over a landscape of solidified lava flows, active fumaroles and, during eruptions, visible lava fields. Nothing on the ground prepares you for that scale.
Is there a weight or age limit for these flights?
The data provided lists all 5 tours as open to everybody, with no specific age or weight restrictions stated. That said, helicopter operators typically apply a combined passenger weight limit per seat. Contact Mafate Helicopteres directly before booking if this applies to your group.
What's the difference between the 280 € and the 305 € tour?
Both run 1h30, but the 280 € flight focuses on the waterfalls and cirques of the island's interior, while the 305 € option adds the volcanoes to the cirque coverage. The extra 25 € buys you the volcanic terrain on top of the waterfall and canyon scenery.
What does the half-day tour at 1,207.50 € include that the others don't?
It combines the aerial helicopter coverage of the waterfalls and basins with a lunch on the ground, making it a full half-day experience rather than a pure flight. It's the only option in this lineup that pairs the overhead perspective with time spent at destination level.
Is this experience accessible if I've never flown in a helicopter before?
Yes. All 5 tours are rated 'Everybody welcome' and depart from a commercial airport with professional operators. First-time passengers are the norm on these routes. The flight duration ranges from 1h15 to 1h45 for the standard options, giving you enough time to settle in before the most dramatic sections of the route.
Best time to go
| Month | Temperature | Rainfall | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27.8°C | 177.8 mm | Good |
| February | 27.8°C | 165.2 mm | Good |
| March | 27.1°C | 225.7 mm | Possible |
| April | 26.5°C | 144 mm | Good |
| May | 24.8°C | 100.6 mm | Good |
| June | 22.9°C | 87.8 mm | Peak |
| July | 21.7°C | 59.9 mm | Peak |
| August | 21.6°C | 64.2 mm | Peak |
| September | 22.7°C | 66.1 mm | Peak |
| October | 24.3°C | 50.5 mm | Peak |
| November | 25.7°C | 109.2 mm | Good |
| December | 27.3°C | 119.7 mm | Good |
Practical info
Equipment
No physical preparation needed as all tours are rated 'Everybody welcome', but bring a light jacket as temperatures drop at altitude over the volcanic plateau. Wear dark or neutral clothing to reduce window glare on your photos, and bring a fully charged camera or phone since flight durations run up to 1h45.
Getting there
All tours depart directly from Saint-Pierre/Pierrefonds Airport (142 Chemin de L'Aerodrome, Saint-Pierre 97410), a 5-minute drive from Saint-Pierre city centre on Reunion Island.
See also
Other activities in Saint-Pierre
Updated March 2026