Red eroded “badlands” in the south of the island
At a glance
- Category
- Nature
- Time needed
- 30 min
- Admission
- Free
- Places to stay nearby
- 5 places to stay within 10 km
Patches of bare red laterite cut by erosion — the “padzas”. The contrast of red, green and the turquoise lagoon makes this one of the most photogenic spots in the south.
On the map
Orange dots: places to stay nearby. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Coordinates are approximate.
Where to stay nearby: The Padza of Dapani
All places to stay in the area →
Distance from the sight as the crow flies: MSLodge — 3.7 km; Banga Parc Tsimkoura — 4.2 km; Perle du Sud — 6.6 km; Les Baobabs — 7.5 km.
Tours nearby
All tours on the island →
Guided hikes
Mount Choungui with a guideA steep climb to 594 m with an all-round view of the lagoon
3–4 hMay — October≈ 5.8 km
Whales, dolphins, turtles
The turtles of N'Gouja and SazileyA swim above the seagrass and night-time nesting watches
2–3 hAll year; nesting peaks April — June≈ 8.4 km
Sea and lagoon
Diving the Passe en SA winding channel through the reef — the island's top dive site
Half a dayAll year; best visibility May — November≈ 17 kmMore to see nearby
Hike
Mount Choungui
A steep climb up the cone above the southern lagoon≈ 3.9 km
Beach
N'Gouja beach
Turtles graze a few metres from the shore≈ 8.4 km
Beach
The white-sand islet
A sand spit in the middle of the lagoon — by boat only≈ 10 km
Beach
Sakouli beach
A quiet beach on the east coast with a view of the islets≈ 12 kmOpening hours, prices and rules are a rough guide: check official websites before you go.