Earthly paradises

Mar. 03 2013

by Laurence Ogiela / TÊTU

The Indian Ocean is one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Reunion, Mauritius and Seychelles are dream destinations to spend the winter in the warmth. The good news is that the time difference is only 3 hours, French is spoken and the islands are open to LGBT tourism.

Reunion Island, the most gay-friendly

Who is it for?
a tropical paradise born from a volcano, Reunion Island has grandiose and contrasting landscapes. Vertiginous circuses, green plains, dreamy lagoons: if you like strong sensations, you will find your happiness here, because it is a paradise for sportsmen. In the air, on land or on the water, you will be spoilt for choice: paragliding or helicopter flights over the island, hiking in the cirques of Mafate, Salazie and Cilaos, or on the frozen lava of the Piton de la Fournaise volcano (still active), or diving and surfing in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

On the beach side
The west coast of the island is home to 27 km of beaches with water temperatures ranging from 20 to 26°C all year round. Although the island has recently suffered several shark attacks, the sharks have not discouraged local surfers from jumping into the water. You can admire these beautiful kids on their boards on the black sand beach of Saint-Leu. The wild south coast is home to the beach of Grande Anse, not very suitable for swimming because of the currents, but perfect for a picnic in the company of the Reunionese who come there with their families. And the beaches of l'Hermitage and Boucan-Canot are ideal to perfect your tan.

Barbecue on the beach of Grande Anse, ideal to make friends with the Reunionese © Photo12

On the gay side
Even if there are not many gay meeting places in Reunion Island, they do exist. The Souris Chaude beach is a well known place for gay people and naturists of all kinds, despite the municipal ban. Otherwise, most of the gay life is concentrated in Saint-Denis, the capital of the island. The local community meets at Zanzibar, a gay-friendly bar and restaurant, before going to dance at Boy's, the city's gay club. Many gays also like to go out in St. Pierre, in the south of the island, at Shamrock, New Port and Blue Cat. On the west coast, the Loft in Saint-Gilles is a bar-dance-karaoke frequented by the LGBT community on weekends.

Mauritius, the most travelled of Pacs

Who is it for?
A small paradise on the Indian Ocean, the island is nicknamed "the rainbow nation" because of its multi-ethnic population, with European, African, Asian and Indian origins, extremely warm and welcoming. Moreover, the flag reminds a lot of the rainbow flag, even if it lacks some colors. But Mauritius is above all the essential tourist destination for fashions victims, people of all kinds and straight or gay "honeymooners" on a pacs trip.

On the beach side
Mauritius is famous for the beauty of its beaches. and rightly so. in the west, the one of Flic-en-Flac is more than a kilometer and a half long and one swims there all year long. To the northwest, Trou-aux-Biches is one of the must-see beaches. On the east coast, you will find the most beautiful luxury hotels of the island, such as the Touessrok, the Saint-Géran, the Résidence or the Prince Maurice: they have chosen their locations on long white sand beaches bordering sublime lagoons.

The beach of the Sofitel So Mauritius in Belombre, Mauritius © DR

Gay side
Although it is difficult, if not impossible, to find gay and gay-friendly places, Mauritius is opening up more and more to LGBT tourism thanks to the luxury hotels where same-sex couples are welcome. Gay couples do not pose a problem for the Mauritian staff, who are tolerant by nature or trained to do so. The destination is increasingly attracting South African, Australian and European gays, and some even predict that it will soon be officially open to gay tourism. But before becoming the Ibiza of the Indian Ocean, local gays should not be afraid to be identified as such...

The Seychelles, the most spectacular

For whom?
When you land in the Seychelles, a precious string of islands in the Indian Ocean, you immediately feel like you're in paradise. It is the ideal destination to escape the world, to recharge your batteries and to find yourself. And, the must for cooing away in this paradise of lovers and robinsons, are the luxury hotels designed around private villas. Year-round sunshine, a warm welcome, white sandy beaches, palm trees and bouncing coconut butts: the Seychelles is "the" dream destination for lovers. All you have to do is convince your island sweetheart!

On the beach
Simply the most spectacular in the Indian Ocean. The archipelago has 115 islands, many of them uninhabited, and as many breathtaking beaches. on Mahé, we love Beau Vallon; on La Digue, Anse Source d'Argent with its fine sand and granite rocks is probably one of the most beautiful and famous beaches in the world; on Praslin, Anse Kerlan would delight the most jaded of travelers.

Anse Lazio, in Praslin, Seychelles © John D. Goodman / Zuma / Rea

The gay side
There is little or no gay life in Seychelles. The locals are open, but it is a couples' destination above all. We come here as lovers for a honeymoon or a deed of marriage, a wedding anniversary or a deed of marriage, a confirmation... of marriage or deed of marriage. In short, we come here to love each other under a star or on a pillow!