Pointe des Galets (Réunion) Cruise Port
Le Port, Réunion · Africa
Cruise ships dock at Port Est cruise berth (Port Réunion, Le Port), Le Port.
Plan my port daysDocked port in a working harbour: cruise ships berth at Port Est (Port Réunion) in Le Port. Walking through the port is not allowed; a compulsory free port bus runs to the gate, where there is a small information booth, taxis and tour operators. Saint-Denis is about 30–45 minutes away by road.
At a glance
Port summary
Le Port itself is an industrial town, so plan to go further. With a half day, take a taxi or bus to Saint-Paul for the seafront market (best on Friday, and Saturday morning), the marine cemetery with the pirate La Buse's grave and the Grotte des Premiers Français, or head to Saint-Denis for the Barachois seafront, the Creole villas of Rue de Paris, the Jardin de l'État and the Noor-e-Islam mosque. With a full day and a hire car or day taxi, drive up to the Maïdo viewpoint at 2,200 m early, before clouds close over the Cirque de Mafate, then come down to the lagoon at L'Hermitage or the Kélonia turtle centre in Saint-Leu. The Cirque de Salazie and Hell-Bourg village are about 1.5 hours away on the east side. Swim only in the lagoons or at supervised, netted beaches, because of shark risk.
Cruise dock
Port Est cruise berth (Port Réunion, Le Port)
Cruise ships are handled at Port Est (commercial port, inaugurated 1986), 3 km from Port Ouest. Exact quay varies. Compulsory free port bus to the gate.
Latitude: -20.932898, Longitude: 55.317943
See dock on port map →Getting to Le Port
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Réunion uses the euro. Carry €30–50 in small notes for taxis, buses and market stalls, and use cards for restaurants, museums and car hire. Remember that many shops close for lunch.
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Inside the Africa collection
Here's a peek at everything waiting for your Le Port cruise day.
Typical weather
Emergency & contacts
Excursions compared
4 comparedPiton Maïdo lookout over the Cirque de Mafate and geranium country
≈ 4.5 h · sold by 4 cruise lines
Cruise line
€115$127
Do it yourself
€51$57
Save ≈ €64Save ≈ $71 (56% off)
Take the compulsory free port bus to the gate, then collect a pre-booked hire car (about €45–60 a day; the Budget branch in Le Port is open weekdays only, so arrange delivery to the gate for weekend calls). Drive about 75 minutes via Saint-Paul and the winding Route du Maïdo; the viewpoint is free. Come down for lunch at the Saint-Paul seafront and return to the port gate.
See the DIY plan →
Saint-Denis capital tour: Jardin de l'État, Rue de Paris and the Barachois
≈ 4.5 h · sold by 3 cruise lines
Cruise line
€110$122
Do it yourself
€27$30
Save ≈ €83Save ≈ $92 (75% off)
Take the free port bus to the gate, then a Car Jaune regional bus to Saint-Denis (€2 a ride; line O3 runs from the Le Port interchange via La Possession to Jardin de l'État and the Saint-Denis bus station, about 45 minutes). Everything in central Saint-Denis is walkable: the garden is free, Musée Léon Dierx opens Tuesday–Sunday 09:30–17:30, and shops close for lunch.
See the DIY plan →
Ready-made port days
7 plansSaint-Denis on Foot: Gardens, Creole Villas and the Barachois
The island capital by bus and on foot: a colonial garden, a small natural history museum, Creole villas and the sea front.
Saint-Paul Market, a Pirate's Grave and the First Settlers' Cave
Réunion's liveliest market by the sea, then the cemetery and cave where the island's story began.
Maïdo: the Viewpoint over the Cirque de Mafate
Drive up through geranium fields to a 2,200 m ridge for Réunion's most famous view, then come down for a swim.
Cap Noir: a Ridge Hike with Ladders above Mafate
A short but steep hike from a mountain village to a ridge-top viewpoint over the Cirque de Mafate.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Le Port?
- Your ship docks directly at the Le Port cruise terminal in Réunion.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Le Port?
- Walking into Le Port from the cruise port isn't practical. Plan to use a shuttle, taxi, or public transport.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Le Port centre?
- Typical options include Shuttle bus, Taxi, Local bus, Car rental. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Le Port?
- Plan for at least 4 hours ashore to see Le Port independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Le Port and are cards accepted?
- Le Port uses the Euro. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Free Wi-Fi is available at the Le Port cruise terminal.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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