Cirque de Cilaos is the southern amphitheatre of Reunion’s three cirques — terraced slopes, a town tucked in the bowl and high rims that frame views toward Piton des Neiges. From the road switchbacks you see one wall at a time. From a shared helicopter the cirque reads as a full amphitheatre when the cloud breaks. On the Reunion hub it is a named may-see sight on the three-cirques flight and on longer volcano-and-cirque and full-island routes.
The Reunion Three Cirques 36-Minute Helicopter Tour puts Cilaos on its path with Cirque de Mafate and Cirque de Salazie: about 36 minutes in the air, from €270 per person. After the airport meet-and-greet and a small coffee or tea with the pilot, the shared flight covers the three cirques with pilot commentary in French and English. You may see Piton des Neiges from the Cilaos sector when visibility allows. Named sights are route- and weather-dependent — you may see them rather than a guaranteed overflight. A live eruption is never promised.
The Reunion Volcanoes and Cirques 45-Minute Helicopter Tour (about 45 minutes, from €325) keeps Cilaos in a volcanoes-and-cirques essentials route that may also show Piton Maïdo, Bridal Veil Falls, Trou de Fer and Béouve Forest as listed. The Reunion Full Island 55-Minute Helicopter Tour (about 55 minutes, from €365) is the full-island circuit. The short Reunion Piton de la Fournaise 25-Minute Helicopter Tour (about 25 minutes, from €215) focuses on Piton de la Fournaise rather than the cirque trio.
Treat Cilaos as a sight from above, not a town landing. Cloud in the cirques is common; morning slots are often preferred for clearer rims. Routes may adjust with weather. No hotel pickup — make your own way to Pierrefonds / Saint-Pierre Airport.
Meet at the hangar / meet-and-greet at Saint-Pierre Pierrefonds Airport (142 Chemin de L Aerodrome, Saint-Pierre 97410). Flights depart and return here. Hotel or accommodation transfer is not included — make your own way to the airport area. The exact start time is confirmed after booking. Arrive 30 minutes before your booked start time with photo ID. Shared scenic helicopter. Seats are limited. Some shorter tours state a minimum of 5 participants — the provider finds other passengers to complete the flight. Bring a passport or ID card (a copy is accepted on the full-island packing list). A minimum age is not stated on the booking pages for these flights. Not suitable for guests over 120 kg (264 lbs).
Free cancellation up to 2 days before for a full refund. Flights depend on weather and cloud. Cirques and the volcano are often cloudier later in the day — morning slots are popular. If conditions are not suitable, follow the free-cancellation or rebooking policy on your booking. Includes the shared scenic helicopter flight of the marketed duration, meet and greet at Saint-Pierre Airport, a small coffee or tea with the pilot before take-off, boarding, and pilot commentary in French and English as listed when you book. For Cirque de Cilaos on a shared three-cirques helicopter, book the 36-minute three cirques tour on the Reunion hub. For a longer volcanoes-and-cirques pass, see the 45-minute tour. Live prices are shown when you book.
Se Cirque de Cilaos från luften: Reunion · Reunion Three Cirques 36-Minute Helicopter Tour.