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Réunion🇷🇪 | landmarksBassin des AigrettesCold ravine pool, egrets, stream-side path, slick basalt | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Bassin des Aigrettes
🌟 Highlightunique site ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Bassin des Aigrettes is a freshwater ravine pool, and it sits well inland of the lagoon beaches that give Saint-Gilles its reputation, so the swimming here means cold, green mountain water over rock. It lies in the hills above Saint-Gilles-les-Bains on the west side of Réunion, and you reach it on foot along a stream-side path. Crowds gather at the better-known neighboring pools on weekends, and the rocks get slick after rain, so shoes with grip matter more than a swimsuit. Entry costs nothing, but you pay in effort: heat, roots, damp stones, and a scramble or two. The reward is a shaded basin where the air smells of wet basalt and ginger lily, water trickles constantly over boulders, and white egrets stand motionless on the ledges before lifting off with a dry flap of wings.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 unique site in RéunionThe unique appeal for travelers

Bassin des Aigrettes gives you a swim in a mountain ravine a short drive from the beach scene of Saint-Gilles, which means you can have a lagoon morning and a jungle-pool afternoon in the same day. That contrast is the real draw. Most pools on the island demand a long trek or a hard-to-find trailhead, whereas this one links up with a chain of basins along the same watercourse, so you can walk upstream and stop wherever the water looks best. It also suits a mixed group, because the path is manageable for anyone in decent sandals and the pools are shallow enough at the edges for nervous swimmers. Add in the egrets that give the place its name, and you get wildlife without hiring a guide. Pair it with the west coast’s surf breaks, sunset beaches and the cirque hikes inland, and it fills the gap … read more 👉
Bassin des Aigrettes gives you a swim in a mountain ravine a short drive from the beach scene of Saint-Gilles, which means you can have a lagoon morning and a jungle-pool afternoon in the same day. That contrast is the real draw. Most pools on the island demand a long trek or a hard-to-find trailhead, whereas this one links up with a chain of basins along the same watercourse, so you can walk upstream and stop wherever the water looks best. It also suits a mixed group, because the path is manageable for anyone in decent sandals and the pools are shallow enough at the edges for nervous swimmers. Add in the egrets that give the place its name, and you get wildlife without hiring a guide. Pair it with the west coast’s surf breaks, sunset beaches and the cirque hikes inland, and it fills the gap between a beach day and a big summit day. It costs nothing to enter, so it is an easy item to add when the weather turns on the coast.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. Bassin des Aigrettes: the pool itself, ringed by dark volcanic rock and tropical greenery. Egrets perch on the boulders at the edges, and the water stays cool even in midsummer heat. Arrive early to have it quiet.
  2. Bassin Cormoran: a neighboring basin along the same ravine, deeper and busier. Locals jump from the ledges here, and the rock walls throw back every shout. Good for a longer swim once you have walked up.
  3. Bassin Malheur: another pool in the same string of basins, set below a small cascade. The name translates as Misfortune Pool, and the mood is shady and still. A pleasant stop for a picnic on flat rocks.
  4. Bassin Bleu: a pool in the same ravine system, named for the tint the water takes when sunlight reaches it. Photograph it around midday, when the light drops straight in rather than
… read more 👉
  1. Bassin des Aigrettes: the pool itself, ringed by dark volcanic rock and tropical greenery. Egrets perch on the boulders at the edges, and the water stays cool even in midsummer heat. Arrive early to have it quiet.
  2. Bassin Cormoran: a neighboring basin along the same ravine, deeper and busier. Locals jump from the ledges here, and the rock walls throw back every shout. Good for a longer swim once you have walked up.
  3. Bassin Malheur: another pool in the same string of basins, set below a small cascade. The name translates as Misfortune Pool, and the mood is shady and still. A pleasant stop for a picnic on flat rocks.
  4. Bassin Bleu: a pool in the same ravine system, named for the tint the water takes when sunlight reaches it. Photograph it around midday, when the light drops straight in rather than slanting across the rocks.
  5. The ravine trail: the walk between the basins is part of the experience. It passes through patches of tamarind and filao trees, over polished stones, and along small channels where the sound of water never stops. Sturdy sandals or trail shoes beat flip-flops here.
  6. Saint-Gilles-les-Bains lagoon: the coastal counterpart down the hill, with calm shallow water behind the reef, snorkeling over coral heads, and sand you can walk onto after the cold pool. It makes a good end to the day.
Bassin des Aigrettes and the neighboring pools are free to enter and need no ticket or advance booking.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Best time to visit Bassin des Aigrettes

  • Austral Winter (May to October): Dry, clear weather on the west coast, with highs of 23 to 26°C (73 to 79°F) at the coast and cooler nights of 15 to 18°C (59 to 64°F). Daylight lasts about 11 hours, so start walks early. Pools run lower and clearer, and trails stay firm underfoot.
  • Hot Season (November to April): Expect 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F), strong humidity and afternoon downpours. Daylight stretches to about 13 hours. Water levels rise, the setting turns green, and ravine paths get slippery.
  • Cyclone Window (January to March): Heavy rain can trigger sudden ravine flooding, and trails and pools are closed when alerts go out. Prices dip, but plans can change overnight.
  • School Holidays (July to August, mid-December to early January): Local families fill the pools on weekends. Beds near Saint-Gilles
… read more 👉
  • Austral Winter (May to October): Dry, clear weather on the west coast, with highs of 23 to 26°C (73 to 79°F) at the coast and cooler nights of 15 to 18°C (59 to 64°F). Daylight lasts about 11 hours, so start walks early. Pools run lower and clearer, and trails stay firm underfoot.
  • Hot Season (November to April): Expect 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F), strong humidity and afternoon downpours. Daylight stretches to about 13 hours. Water levels rise, the setting turns green, and ravine paths get slippery.
  • Cyclone Window (January to March): Heavy rain can trigger sudden ravine flooding, and trails and pools are closed when alerts go out. Prices dip, but plans can change overnight.
  • School Holidays (July to August, mid-December to early January): Local families fill the pools on weekends. Beds near Saint-Gilles cost 20 to 40% more, and rental cars sell out.
Go on a weekday in June or September for empty pools and calm weather, and be out of any ravine by early afternoon.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: good for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: good for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

Saint-Gilles-les-Bains is the best base for Bassin des Aigrettes, because the coastal resort sits a short drive from the site and holds most of the west coast’s budget beds.


Best quality hotels in Réunion

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)How expensive it really is

Bassin des Aigrettes costs a backpacker about €55 a day, including a bed in nearby Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, since the pool itself has no entry fee. Everything below is a rough estimate and prices on the island run higher than in mainland France for groceries and fuel. Payment is in euros.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entry to Bassin des Aigrettes€0Free access to the pool and the walk in. No ticket booth or guide requirement.
Accommodation (high season, Dec to Mar)€25 to 35Dorm bed or basic guesthouse room in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains. Low season runs roughly €20 to 28.
Local transport€3 to 6Kar’Ouest buses on the west coast cost roughly €1.50 to 2 a ride, but the last stretch to the trailhead is easiest by car or on foot.
Car rental (optional)€30 to 50Per day for a small car, cheaper if split
… read more 👉
Bassin des Aigrettes costs a backpacker about €55 a day, including a bed in nearby Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, since the pool itself has no entry fee. Everything below is a rough estimate and prices on the island run higher than in mainland France for groceries and fuel. Payment is in euros.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entry to Bassin des Aigrettes€0Free access to the pool and the walk in. No ticket booth or guide requirement.
Accommodation (high season, Dec to Mar)€25 to 35Dorm bed or basic guesthouse room in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains. Low season runs roughly €20 to 28.
Local transport€3 to 6Kar’Ouest buses on the west coast cost roughly €1.50 to 2 a ride, but the last stretch to the trailhead is easiest by car or on foot.
Car rental (optional)€30 to 50Per day for a small car, cheaper if split between travelers. Fuel adds a few euros.
Food€15 to 25Bakery breakfast and supermarket picnic lunch, plus a snack-bar or food-truck dinner at €8 to 12.
Gear and water€2 to 5Carry 1.5 liters of water per person and shoes with grip for wet rock.
Total Daily Budget€50 to 60Around €55 a day without a rental car.


source: reunion.fr
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQTraveler FAQ

Bassin des Aigrettes is a freshwater pool fed by a small waterfall in the hills above Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, on Réunion’s west coast. The setting is green, shaded and quiet compared with the busy lagoon beaches below. Swimming is possible when water levels are calm, and access is free. Rocks around the pool turn slippery, so shoes with grip matter.
Plan on two to three hours for Bassin des Aigrettes, including the approach on foot, a swim and a picnic stop. Add an extra hour if you travel up from Saint-Paul or Saint-Gilles without a car. Starting in the morning gives you cooler walking and fewer clouds rolling in before the afternoon.
Reaching Bassin des Aigrettes is easiest from Saint-Gilles-les-Bains or Saint-Paul, both on the west coast, with a 20 to 30 minute drive on local roads. A rental car costs roughly €30 to 50 a day, while Kar’Ouest buses to the nearest village cost about €1.50 to 2 a ride. From there you finish on foot along the trail. Avoid going after heavy rain, since ravines swell fast.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackParting advice and final tips

Bassin des Aigrettes catches out people who treat it like a beach stop, turning up in flip-flops after rain or in the middle of a crowded Sunday. Wear shoes with real grip, go on a weekday morning, and check the weather first, because a ravine can swell fast. Bring a dry bag for your phone and keep the lagoon for the afternoon.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Réunion. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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