Plage des Roches Noires / St. Gilles, La Reunion
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Plage des Roches Noires Saint-Gilles-les-Bains

4.4
·232 reviews·, Réunion

A mile-long sandy and rocky beach with a boardwalk, popular for its safe swimming, boogie boarding, and stunning sunsets.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekdays mornings

Fewer crowds, prime sunbathing

CrowdLow
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Plage des Roches Noires / St. Gilles, La Reunion

Plage des Roches Noires Saint-Gilles-les-Bains

Best Time

Weekdays mornings

Fewer crowds, prime sunbathing

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A mile-long sandy and rocky beach with a boardwalk, popular for its safe swimming, boogie boarding, and stunning sunsets.

4.4
(232 reviews)

"Nice and safe white sand beach with a bodyguard and a net keeping you safe!"

Vertical photo
TIP

🚗 Marina Parking is Key

Park at the marina and walk over the bridges for the best beach access. 🚗

🏄‍♀️ Boogie Board Fun

Head to the north end for slightly bigger waves, perfect for boogie boarding! 🌊

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Rating

4.4 · 232 reviews

Type

Beach

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Half-Moon Bay

Half-Moon Bay

Saint-Gilles-les-Bains

A protected bay with gentle sandy slopes, ideal for swimming and boogie-boarding.

Northern Waves

Northern Waves

North end of the beach

Catch slightly bigger waves perfect for boogie-boarding and fun in the surf.

Sunset Cocktails

Sunset Cocktails

Beachfront eateries

Enjoy a refreshing cocktail while watching the spectacular sunset over the ocean.

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Planning Your Visit

Beat the Crowds & Sun

Roches Noires beach can get busy, especially on weekends. Arrive early for the best spots and to avoid the midday sun. Consider weekdays for a more relaxed vibe. Parking near the beach is challenging; the marina offers a better option, followed by a short walk. Reddit

Beach Essentials & Safety

While Roches Noires is known for its safety with lifeguards and a protective net, the water access can feel small and crowded. Bring your own snacks and drinks as options can be limited, though there are eateries nearby. Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekdays mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, prime sunbathing
Crowd
Low
When
Weekend afternoons
Why
Lively atmosphere, social buzz
Crowd
High
When
Sunset
Why
Golden hour for photos & drinks
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

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@leananas97
16.1K likes • 245.7K views

🚗 Marina Parking is Key

Park at the marina and walk over the bridges for the best beach access. Reddit 🚗

🏄‍♀️ Boogie Board Fun

Head to the north end for slightly bigger waves, perfect for boogie boarding! Reddit 🌊

Une 🥞crêpe gourmande et un 🍹cocktail de fruits frais avec Ti Délices ? Retrouvez Daryn et ces compositions à tomber sur la plage de l’Hermitage ! 🏬Les commerces, 🎨les activités, 🎡les événements et ℹ️l’actualité de Saint-Gilles : c’est sur 🔗 saintgilleslesbains.com ! #crepes #plage #hermitage #saintgilleslesbains #saintgilles #hermitage #troudeau #actusaintgilleslesbains #otélaréunion #iledelareu...
@saintgilleslesbains.com
15.2K likes • 174.7K views
Simple ➡️ Double. Le corps parle, l’esprit suit. #teamnewgravity - - - - - - #salto #vrille #doublevrille #parkour #freestyle #réunionisland #backflip #flip #beachvibe #training #parkour #freerun #mouvement #sunset #pkfr #chillvibes
brandon_kddr
132 likes • 3.8K views

🍹 Sunset Drinks

Grab a cocktail and enjoy the stunning sunset views from the beachfront. Reddit 🍸

🏖️ Safe Swimming

Lifeguards and a protective net ensure a safe swimming experience. Reddit 🛡️

Réservation sur instagram : Villazen974 😍 plus d’infos 👇 Capacité : 10 personnes Lieu : Saint-gilles, 3 minutes en voiture du rooftop Chambre : 5 Salle de bains : 3 Prix : 347€/nuit pour 1 semaine minimum Je reponds aux questions en commentaire 🥰 #saintgilles #airbnbsaintgilles #airbnb974 #villa974 #villacreole #villaluxe #reunionisland🇷🇪 Bonnes adresses restaurant Bonnes adresses restaurant ...
@jessie_grapher
14.9K likes • 155.3K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚗 Marina Parking is Key

Park at the marina and walk over the bridges for the best beach access. Reddit 🚗

🏄‍♀️ Boogie Board Fun

Head to the north end for slightly bigger waves, perfect for boogie boarding! Reddit 🌊

🍹 Sunset Drinks

Grab a cocktail and enjoy the stunning sunset views from the beachfront. Reddit 🍸

🏖️ Safe Swimming

Lifeguards and a protective net ensure a safe swimming experience. Reddit 🛡️

🍦 Beachside Treats

Enjoy crepes and fresh fruit cocktails from local vendors. TikTok 🍨

What Travellers Say

4.4
(232 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Roches Noires beach is praised for its safe, sandy shores and protected bay, making it ideal for swimming and families. Visitors appreciate the nearby amenities and the beautiful sunset views. However, parking can be a significant challenge, and the beach can get crowded, especially on weekends.

"Of the three main beaches in Reunion, Roches Noires has the best mix of features.

The beach is on a half-moon shaped Bay and is protected from the bigger waves that come in at other beaches like Boucan Canot. The seabed slopes away gently and has a sandy bottom, whereas most other beaches can be a little rocky, and hard on the feet.

The waves do come in bigger at the north end of the beach. The waves are normally big enough there for some boogie-boarding.

It also attracts a mixed crowd, at the weekends it's busy and feels quite young, the rest of the week it's fairly quiet. It's also one of the few beaches that's close to town, so there's a good choice of eateries and shopping.

Parking in St Gilles is difficult, there's a couple of car parks in town but they'll be busy during the week. The best place to park for the Beach is the marina, then walk over the bridges back to the beach area."

Russell Reed

"Very nice and safe white sand beach !

Bodyguard and a net keep you safe !"

Thibault Decousus

"The beach is quite small and the water access is even smaller because of the nets so it can easily get crowded but there aren't too many beaches on the island and this one is among the best."

John

What People Like

Safe and sandy beach
Protected bay for swimming
Beautiful sunset views

What People Dislike

Difficult parking
Can get crowded

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The beach is located in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains. Parking in town can be difficult, so the best option is to park at the marina and walk over the bridges to reach the beach area. Reddit

Information on specific public transport routes is limited, but local buses often serve popular coastal areas in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains. It's advisable to check local transport schedules upon arrival. Reddit

While parking directly at the beach is tough, parking at the marina and taking a short walk over the bridges is recommended by visitors. Reddit

Yes, Roches Noires beach is conveniently located close to the town center, making it accessible for shopping and dining. Reddit

The beach is close to the marina and town, offering various eateries and shops. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, Plage des Roches Noires is a public beach and does not have an entrance fee. You can enjoy the sand and sea for free. Reddit

Public beaches are generally accessible from sunrise to sunset. Lifeguard hours may vary, so it's best to check locally for specific times if you plan to swim. Reddit

No advance booking is required for general access to the beach. However, if you plan to dine at nearby restaurants or rent equipment, it's wise to check their availability. TikTok

Generally, you can bring your own food, drinks, and beach gear. However, always be mindful of local regulations regarding fires or excessive noise. Reddit

Information on specific accessibility features is limited. It's recommended to contact local authorities or beach management for detailed accessibility information. Reddit

🎫 🏖️ Onsite Experience

You can swim, sunbathe, boogie board (especially at the north end), and enjoy the sunset with a cocktail. The beach also has a boardwalk popular with surfers. InstagramReddit

Yes, the beach is considered safe for swimming due to lifeguards and a protective net that shields from larger waves. The seabed slopes gently. Reddit

The beach features nice and safe white sand, with a sandy bottom that is comfortable for your feet, unlike some rockier beaches. Reddit

Rental availability for beach equipment can vary. It's advisable to check with local vendors or beach concessions upon arrival. Reddit

On weekends, the beach can get busy and has a younger, lively atmosphere. Weekdays are generally quieter. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, the beach is close to town, offering a good choice of eateries and shopping options. You can also find vendors selling crepes and fresh fruit cocktails. TikTokReddit

You'll find a variety of dining options, from casual cafes to restaurants. Local specialties and fresh seafood are often available. TikTokReddit

Yes, visitors are generally allowed to bring their own food and drinks to enjoy on the beach. Reddit

Absolutely! Many beachfront spots offer a nice cocktail while you watch the sunset. Reddit

Don't miss out on delicious crepes and refreshing fresh fruit cocktails from local vendors. TikTok

📸 📸 Photography

Sunset is a prime time for photography, offering beautiful golden hour light. Early mornings can also provide soft light and fewer crowds. InstagramReddit

The half-moon bay itself, the waves at the north end, and the sunset views are all highly photogenic. The boardwalk also offers interesting perspectives. Instagram

The combination of the sandy bay, the waves, and the vibrant sunset creates unique photographic opportunities. You might also capture surfers or people enjoying watersports. Instagram

A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expanse of the beach and bay. A telephoto lens can be useful for capturing surfers or distant details. Don't forget a polarizing filter for vibrant skies and water. Instagram

Drone regulations can vary by location. It's essential to check local laws and obtain any necessary permits before flying a drone over the beach or surrounding areas. Instagram

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