piton entonnoir

Piton Entonnoir sits above Saint-Joseph on Réunion Island, at Bézaves village between two peaks (the takeoff is on the right peak coming from Saint-Pierre). It's a well-maintained club site with a covered launch by a water tank. In good conditions, flights of an hour or more are common (even for tandems), landing on the Agricultural Secondary School rugby pitch, with transitions possible towards Petite-Île and the heights above. Best season is September to December, from 10 am once the sugar-cane fields have been cut. In other seasons, wait until noon unless there's soarable wind.

Launch & conditions

Bézaves village, above Saint-Joseph. Covered, maintained launch by a water tank between two peaks — from Saint-Pierre, the takeoff is on the right peak. Takeoff orientation: SE to S. Best window: 10 am (from September to December when sugar-cane fields are cut), noon in other seasons unless the wind is soarable.

Getting there & local rules

From Saint-Pierre, take the RD3. Just before the bridge over the Rivière des Ramparts, follow the road signs to Bézaves. Landing: Agricultural Secondary School rugby pitch (used for tandem and long solo flights).

Local rules & hazards

Best in prevailing N to NE meteo wind (protected zone under the wind), light SE to S wind, or barometric swamp. Best season September–December once cane fields are cut.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to piton entonnoir, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open piton entonnoir with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.