Gendarmerie beach
It's located in the south of the island of Reunion and is the main beach of the resort town of Saint-Pierre. Its northern, wilder part is popular with surfers, and in the south the beach is framed by bizarre basalt rocks, where huge bird colonies gather. The central part is a quite long coastline between the “Big Ball” supermarket and the local gendarmerie building; it is covered with white sand and equipped with everything necessary for comfortable stay.
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Beach description
The sea is amazingly clear and relatively calm, with large waves are brought only during seasonal trade winds. A massive coral reef stretches along the coast, protecting the beach from sharks and attracting many lovers of snorkeling and diving.
On the beach, you can have fun on water attractions, surf, rent a boat or kayak. On its northern outskirts, the shore is approached by pines, in the shade of which you can eat in small diners, set up a tent and park your car. Closer to the center, the number of restaurants and cafes is increasing and, accordingly, the beach is becoming more lively and crowded. During the day, this place is preferred by families with young children, and towards evening, young people gather to admire the sunsets and “rock” until morning at the beach bars.
When is the best time to go?
Since there are mountains on the island, the climate on it is cooler and drier than on the neighboring islands. Since Reunion is located in the southern hemisphere, the calendar winter coincides with the climatic summer, so the best time to visit the island is from September to November and from April to May.