Réunion: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
8 harbours
Réunion: 8 harbours, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
EU memberEU customs unionCurrency: Euro
Clearing in: French overseas department, part of the EU and the EU customs territory but not of the Schengen area. Clear in at Le Port (Port de la Pointe des Galets) with the border police (Police aux frontières) and customs; call the harbour office on VHF channel 16 beforehand. Call at Saint-Gilles, Saint-Leu, Saint-Pierre and Sainte-Marie only after clearing in.
Ausreise: Before leaving for abroad, clear out with customs and the Police aux frontières.
Documents: Passport or identity card (EU), ship's papers, insurance, crew list, clearance from the last port. Crew from third countries needs a visa for the overseas territories; a Schengen visa does not apply there.
Fees: Berthing fees of the harbours; VAT and dock dues (octroi de mer) if a yacht from a third country stays longer.
Fairway: Steep volcanic island without sheltered bays: the harbours are small, their entrances dangerous in heavy southwest swell (Saint-Pierre, Saint-Gilles). Southeast trades accelerate at the ends of the island. Buoyage IALA A.
Nature: Marine nature reserve on the west coast from Saint-Paul to Étang-Salé: anchoring on coral prohibited, zones closed to fishing.
Tropical storm season: Cyclone season from November to April; Météo-France La Réunion is the regional centre (RSMC) for the southwest Indian Ocean and warns in the levels vigilance, orange alert and red alert.
Emergency: 112; CROSS Réunion via VHF channel 16 and DSC.
Sources: Auswärtiges Amt: France (with the overseas territories), travel and safety advice, Douane: guide clearance 2024, Noonsite: Réunion (as of 2026-10-20)
Harbours by cruising area
Réunion: Le Port and Saint-Gilles
Réunion: Saint-Denis and Sainte-Marie
Réunion: Saint-Pierre and the south
Frequently asked questions
Réunion: Do I need to clear in?
French overseas department, part of the EU and the EU customs territory but not of the Schengen area. Clear in at Le Port (Port de la Pointe des Galets) with the border police (Police aux frontières) and customs; call the harbour office on VHF channel 16 beforehand. Call at Saint-Gilles, Saint-Leu, Saint-Pierre and Sainte-Marie only after clearing in.
Réunion: Which documents do I need on board?
Passport or identity card (EU), ship's papers, insurance, crew list, clearance from the last port. Crew from third countries needs a visa for the overseas territories; a Schengen visa does not apply there.
Réunion: What fees apply?
Berthing fees of the harbours; VAT and dock dues (octroi de mer) if a yacht from a third country stays longer.
Réunion: What is the emergency number at sea?
112; CROSS Réunion via VHF channel 16 and DSC.
Réunion: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 8 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning.