The Internet is abuzz today with news about Reunion Island since a plane wreckage was recently discovered in the area, and it's widely speculated that the plane debris found are from the previously missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in March last year. An island located in the Indian Ocean, near Madagascar, Reunion Island is known as a travel and surfing destination but is also reportedly home to certain dangers. Here are some essential facts you need to know about the island.
Lonely Planet describes Reunion Island as "mini-Hawaii" with its "magical" scenery that includes majestic waterfalls, stunning landscapes, vibrant coastal cities and a combination of beautiful black and white sand beaches. Various activities can reportedly be enjoyed in the tropical island like hiking, surfing, diving, paragliding, canyoning, rafting, and more.
According to Fodor's Travel, the peak season in Reunion is from June to September, during which the island enjoys cool and dry weather ideal for hiking. However, this is also the time when a large chunk of tourists visit the island as summer break in France is within such months.
There are reportedly various amazing places to visit in the island that suit every traveler's desires. For nature lovers, a travel site dedicated to Reunion cites the Botanical Gardens of Mascarin as well as the Reunion Aquarium, which is home to different types of underwater creatures. Meanwhile, for those interested to know more about the culture, Rue de Paris, Avenue de la Victoire and Case Creoles are just some ideal destinations.
As mentioned, Reunion Island is also a popular surfing spot. However, a few months back, it was reported that the island's waters are not safe for surfers due to various shark incidents that took place in the area. In April, Surfer reported that a 13-year-old boy named Elio Canestri was attacked in the island by a shark and was killed in front of his friends during a surfing break. The boy was apparently seized by the shark as he was paddling to the shore.
Because of numerous shark attacks reported in the area, the site claims that a "controversial ban" on surfing and swimming on the island was enforced a little over two years ago along with several safety measures to prevent such incidents. The said tragic events reportedly have taken their toll in Reunion Island's economy, which heavily relies in tourism.
