The sea turtle research and care centre in Saint-Leu
At a glance
- Category
- Museums
- Area
- The west
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 h
- Opening hours
- Check the website
- Admission
- Paid
- Places to stay nearby
- 8 places to stay within 3 km
The sea turtle observatory: aquariums, a rehabilitation centre for injured turtles and an exhibition on their migrations across the Indian Ocean. Easy to combine with the Saint-Leu lagoon.
On the map
Orange dots: places to stay nearby. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Coordinates are approximate.
Where to stay nearby: Kélonia
All places to stay in the area →
Distance from the sight as the crow flies: Iloha Seaview Hotel — 800 m; Dodo Spot — 1.4 km; Le Palais d’Asie — 1.8 km; Santa Apolonia Residence — 1.9 km.
Tours nearby
All tours on the island →
From the air
Paragliding over the Saint-Leu lagoonA tandem flight from 800 m with a landing by the beach
15–30 minAll year, best in the morning≈ 1.8 km
From the air
Helicopter flight over the cirques and the volcanoThree cirques, the Trou de Fer waterfalls and the volcano crater in a single flight
25–55 minAll year, morning departures≈ 6.8 km
Whales, dolphins, turtles
Humpback whale watchingIn the southern winter the whales come to the west coast
2–3 hJuly — October≈ 6.8 kmMore to see nearby
Beach
Saint-Leu lagoon
A small lagoon by the town, with turtles and paragliders overhead≈ 1.8 km
Beach
La Saline-les-Bains
The continuation of the Hermitage lagoon — quieter, with cafés on the sand≈ 8.2 km
Beach
L'Hermitage beach
The island's main beach: a shallow lagoon, corals and the shade of casuarinas≈ 10 km
Beach
L'Étang-Salé-les-Bains
Black volcanic sand and a small lagoon≈ 13 kmOpening hours, prices and rules are a rough guide: check official websites before you go.