Helicopter flight from St Pierre over Réunion’s 3 cirques

The best reason to book this flight is simple: in 36 minutes, you see Cilaos, Mafate, and Salazie from a viewpoint no road can match. The route also reaches Trou de Fer, the Voile de la Mariée waterfall, and the high country around Plaine des Cafres.

I especially like the warm welcome at the hangar and the chance to sit with the pilot over coffee or tea before takeoff. I also like the live commentary, with pilot Joël singled out for his calm professionalism. The main catch is weather: your requested time is not final, and flights operate only between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. The company confirms the actual departure the day before.

Key points to know before booking

• 36 minutes over three great cirques: See Cilaos, Mafate, and Salazie in one compact flight.
• Mafate from the air: View a remote area reachable only on foot or by helicopter.
• Trou de Fer and major waterfalls: Look into the 300-meter chasm and see the 500-meter Voile de la Mariée.
• Early morning operation: All departures take place between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m., with weather deciding the final time.
• Shared helicopter, personal briefing: You fly with other participants and meet the pilot for coffee or tea before boarding.
• Practical limits matter: Arrive 30 minutes early, bring identification and sunglasses, and leave bags, tripods, tablets, and selfie sticks behind.

Why an aerial tour makes sense on Réunion

Réunion’s three cirques are huge volcanic amphitheaters cut into the island’s interior. Roads reach parts of Cilaos and Salazie, but Mafate has no road access at all. A helicopter lets you compare all three in one outing without spending days on steep trails or winding mountain roads.

That does not make the flight a replacement for hiking. On foot, you feel the scale slowly and reach villages and viewpoints at ground level. From the helicopter, you gain the big picture: ridgelines, ravines, waterfalls, and the way the cirques fold into one another.

At $329 per person, this is a serious splurge. The value depends on your time and priorities. If you have only a short stay on Réunion, the flight packs a great deal of scenery into less than an hour. If you already plan several hikes and have a tight budget, the cost may be harder to justify.

Starting at Saint-Pierre’s Pierrefonds airport

You meet Mafate Hélicoptères in the Saint-Pierre airport zone, at the Pierrefonds airport hangar. You need to arrange your own way there, since hotel transfers are not included.

Plan to arrive 30 minutes before the activity. That extra time is useful because this is not a walk-up airport ride. You need to check in, receive the practical briefing, and prepare for a shared flight.

The preflight welcome is one of the nicer touches. Coffee or tea with the pilot gives you a chance to settle your nerves and ask questions before boarding. The atmosphere is intended to be friendly and reassuring, and the warm reception has been one of the strongest parts of the experience.

The pilot provides commentary in English or French. The exact pilot may vary, though Joël has been praised for his professional handling and clear service. Since the commentary is part of the appeal, tell the operator your preferred language when booking.

Cilaos, ravines, and Piton des Neiges

The first major section takes you over Cirque de Cilaos. From above, the cirque appears as a bowl of steep walls, sharp peaks, and deep cuts in the rock.

The flight enters the heart of the surrounding ramparts, giving you views that are difficult to gather from a road or a single lookout. You see the ravines and canyons as a connected system rather than isolated points on a map.

The visual anchor here is Piton des Neiges, at 3,071 meters. It is the highest peak in the Indian Ocean, and its height helps explain why Réunion’s interior feels so mountainous. Weather can affect how much of the summit you see, so keep your expectations flexible even on a clear-looking morning.

Cilaos is also the part of the route that may appeal most to hikers who want a quick sense of the island’s scale. You will not land or walk through the cirque, but the aircraft gives you a fast survey of the walls and high ridges.

Mafate, the roadless heart of the island

The flight then reaches Cirque de Mafate, the most remote of the three. Mafate can be reached only on foot or by helicopter, so this section gives you access to an area that many visitors cannot see during a short holiday.

From the air, look for steep ridges, narrow valleys, and patches of green vegetation tucked into the folds of the rock. The isolation is the key feature. There are no regular roads carrying you from one viewpoint to the next, which makes the helicopter route especially useful here.

The flight also passes over the Piton Maïdo area. This provides another angle on Mafate and helps you understand the relationship between the high rim and the lower valleys.

The trade-off is that the view moves quickly. You get a striking overview, not a slow examination of every settlement or trail. If Mafate is your main interest, a dedicated ground excursion would give you more time in the area, but it would require a hike and much more planning.

Salazie, Trou de Fer, and falling water

The route continues to Cirque de Salazie, known for its green slopes and waterfalls. From the helicopter, the cirque’s vegetation contrasts with the harsher rock walls seen around Cilaos and Mafate.

The most dramatic feature is Trou de Fer, a chasm about 300 meters deep. Waterfalls drop into the opening, and the helicopter provides the angle needed to see into the formation. This is one of the strongest reasons to choose an aerial trip, since the scale and shape are difficult to grasp from ordinary viewpoints.

The flight also reaches the Voile de la Mariée waterfall, described as 500 meters high. It lies within the Cirque de Salazie and can appear as a long white ribbon against the surrounding rock and forest.

Waterfalls are highly dependent on recent rain and current weather. The route remains worthwhile for its cliffs and valleys, but the amount of visible water can change. Do not treat every photograph you have seen as a guarantee of the exact conditions on your morning.

The return over Plaine des Cafres

After the three cirques, the helicopter returns by way of Plaine des Cafres. This high plateau offers a different view from the enclosed cirques, with broader open country and a look toward the Bras de la Plaine river.

That final section gives the flight a useful visual rhythm. You begin among dramatic mountain walls, move through remote valleys and waterfalls, then return over higher, more open ground before landing at Saint-Pierre.

The whole flight lasts 36 minutes. That is long enough to cover the planned route, but short enough that the time passes quickly. If photography matters to you, keep your camera ready from the start rather than waiting for one final viewpoint.

What the helicopter setup means for you

The aircraft is shared with other participants. That keeps the experience social and helps the operator reach the minimum of five participants needed for a flight, but you do not have a private helicopter.

The company may arrange additional passengers if your booking does not fill the required number. If you want a private departure, ask about that directly before paying, since the standard experience is shared.

Modern helicopters are used, with comfort and safety presented as priorities. Still, a helicopter cabin is a compact space. The activity is not suitable for people with claustrophobia or epilepsy, and the operator also lists it as unsuitable for anyone with altitude sickness.

Weight rules are important. The activity is not suitable for people over 120 kilograms, or 264 pounds. If you weigh more than 110 kilograms, the instructor may suggest another date so the passenger load can be balanced with lighter passengers.

Do not bring a bag, tablet, iPad, tripod, or selfie stick. Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are forbidden. You can bring a camera and sunglasses, but follow the crew’s instructions about what may be carried into the cabin.

Weather, timing, and health rules

Your selected time is only a request. The operator confirms the final takeoff time the day before, based on the weather. Every flight leaves between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m., so keep your morning open rather than booking another tight appointment nearby.

Morning operation is practical for weather and light, but it can make the schedule less convenient if you prefer slow starts. It also means you should check the final confirmation carefully instead of assuming the booking time is fixed.

Motion sickness is worth considering. The aircraft turns over mountain terrain, and the scenery may be thrilling but physically demanding for some people. If you know you are prone to sickness, the operator advises taking motion sickness tablets before takeoff.

Avoid heavy alcohol consumption the day before. You also cannot fly within 18 to 24 hours after scuba diving. If you are at least 28 weeks pregnant, you need a medical certificate confirming that a helicopter flight is safe for you.

These rules are not small print to ignore. They can affect your booking, your comfort, and your ability to fly on the planned day.

How to get better photos from the air

Bring a camera, but treat photography as a bonus rather than the sole purpose of the trip. Reflections, window angles, aircraft movement, and fast-changing views can make perfect shots difficult.

A camera with a secure hand strap is more useful than a tripod or selfie stick, both of which are prohibited. Sunglasses are also listed as essential, especially during the bright morning hours.

Try to look first and photograph second. The most valuable part of this flight is seeing how the cirques connect, something that a series of isolated images may not capture.

Who will get the most from this flight

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a quick, high-impact view of Réunion’s interior, especially if you cannot devote several days to mountain hikes. It also suits families who want a memorable shared activity, provided everyone meets the health and comfort requirements.

It is a strong choice for photographers, geography fans, and anyone curious about Mafate but unable to hike into it. The pilot’s commentary adds context to the views, so you are not left guessing which peak, ravine, or waterfall you are seeing.

I would think twice if you dislike enclosed cabins, motion, early starts, or weather-dependent schedules. The price is also high enough that you should compare it with your other Réunion plans rather than treating it as an automatic add-on.

The company has earned praise for a warm hangar welcome and for pilot Joël’s professional manner. At the same time, one customer reported a last-minute cancellation because the helicopter was needed elsewhere, followed by difficulty finding space on the next day and a delayed refund. That does not tell you how your own flight will unfold, but it is a fair reminder to leave some flexibility in your itinerary and confirm refund arrangements promptly if the operator cancels.

Should you book the three-cirque flight?

Book it if you want to see the full sweep of Réunion’s mountain interior in one morning, and if $329 fits your budget. The route covers the island’s three signature cirques, reaches roadless Mafate, and includes the rare aerial view into Trou de Fer.

Skip it if you have serious motion or enclosed-space concerns, cannot accept a weather-based departure time, or would rather spend the money on several days of hiking. For many visitors, though, this is one of the few ways to connect Cilaos, Mafate, Salazie, the waterfalls, and the high plateau in a single short outing.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter flight depart?

It departs from the Mafate Hélicoptères hangar in the Saint-Pierre airport zone, at Pierrefonds airport, 97410.

How long is the helicopter flight?

The flight lasts 36 minutes.

Which cirques does the route visit?

The route flies over Cirque de Cilaos, Cirque de Mafate, and Cirque de Salazie.

Does the flight pass over Trou de Fer?

Yes. Trou de Fer is included in the Salazie portion of the route, along with its waterfalls.

Will I see the Voile de la Mariée waterfall?

The route flies over the Voile de la Mariée waterfall, described as 500 meters high.

What time does the flight depart?

All flights take off between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. The time you request is not final, and the operator confirms the actual takeoff time the day before according to the weather.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. You must arrange your own transportation to the Pierrefonds airport hangar in Saint-Pierre.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before the activity starts.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or identity card, sunglasses, and a camera. Bags, tablets, iPads, tripods, and selfie sticks are not allowed.

Can I fly after scuba diving?

No. You cannot fly between 18 and 24 hours after a dive.