The Indian Ocean is very popular for its famous travel destinations which include Maldives, Mauritius, and the Seychelles islands. Unsurprisingly, everybody knows about these places as their beauty has allowed them to rank among the best destinations in the world. Unfortunately, the huge buzz created around these three islands has caused another 
Indian Ocean island, Reunion, to be ignored by most travelers. This is rather strange as Reunion also has a large number of attractions that definitely make it worth visiting. In fact, Reunion alone has more attractions than both Seychelles and Maldives combined. However, because it lacks the fantastic beaches found in the other islands, most tourists do not deem worthwhile to learn more about it.
Thankfully, more travelers are now becoming aware of Reunion and its popularity has steadily increased over the recent years. This is in large part due to the fact that more people are now aware of its existence. With its many attractions, Reunion island is an ideal destination for those who like visiting spectacular places and who enjoy taking pictures of formidable views. The Grande Anse is one of those places where such unique pictures can be taken at will. The Grande Anse is the largest bay in the island of Reunion and is located on the south west coast of the island, near frequently visited towns like Petite Ile and Grand Bois. With its pure white beach protected by coral reefs, Grande Anse is one of the most popular parts of Reunion and is always packed with visitors.
Petite Ile is another place you want to make sure you do not miss, as it basically lies at the middle of all the best attractions in the world. In addition to Grande Anse which is located a short ride from Petite Ile, this famous town is also quite near the Sud Sauvage, another incredible attraction boasted by the island of Reunion. The Sud Sauvage is a huge area than spans over a few towns. It is mainly known for its amazing forest where Reunion’s diverse flora can be discovered. Nature enthusiasts often cannot stop talking about the Sud Sauvage once they have visited it.
Another must-see attraction of Reunion is its volcano, the Piton de la Fournaise. The Piton de la Fournaise, which translates to the Peak of the Furnace, is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Since it is an active volcano, it is easy to understand the fascination surrounding it. In fact, although the Piton de la Fournaise recently erupted in December 2010, it is still the most visited attraction in the whole of Reunion. The fact that it is so easily accessible moreover encourages more people to visit it. With a natural pathway that makes it very simple for people to get close to it and to take the most fabulous pictures, the Piton de la Fournaise is always packed with visitors who want to see what an active volcano looks like. And for those who may not find the act of simply walking up to the famous Reunion island volcano thrilling enough, you can easily hire a helicopter to give you a tour of the volcano.
A last attraction you must absolutely take a look at is Saint Denis, the capital of Reunion. As the capital of Reunion, Saint Denis is always packed with both locals going around with their busy schedules and tourists going around with their maps and guides. Saint Denis is home to several noteworthy sites, which include religious and cultural attractions, along with museums such as the National History Museum for the history enthusiasts. With such a wide choice of attractions in a single spot, it would indeed be a poor decision to omit Saint Denis altogether.
Ashvin Sawmynaden is a travel author who regularly blogs on various topics related to the Indian Ocean islands.