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You move forward in the water, and everything changes almost instantly.
The surface calms, the light softens, and a scene is revealed: that of the fish of the lagoon of Reunion Island.
A precise, colorful, surprisingly close universe that unfolds before you from the very first steps.
You feel that something is still eluding you, but the desire to discover more immediately takes hold.
In Saint-Gilles, this feeling is reinforced. The lagoon is clear, protected, and easily accessible.
You look around, and the underwater landscape seems to take its time to reveal itself: shapes, movements, silhouettes that stand out with each advance.
It’s not just a swim.
It is an encounter with a discreet ecosystem, whose richness appears as the eye becomes accustomed.
What if you learned to recognize the species that make up this living tableau?
Latitude 21 , your hotel nestled in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, guides you through this unique underwater journey.
>>> I’ve just discovered your hotel in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, Réunion.
You see him before you know his name.
This blue-grey surgeonfish darts by in a group, skimming the reef , and sets the tone: here, the herbivore is king.
It can be found everywhere in the marine fauna of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains , often just a few meters from the white sand .
A true visual landmark for understanding the dynamics of reef fish on the west coast .
>>> I’m enjoying a relaxing stay after the lagoon
You approach a section of coral , and suddenly… yellow, white, black, bright. The butterflyfish , king of coral species , glides between the branches.
Present in all marine life of the Saint-Paul lagoon , it is one of the easiest to observe while snorkeling in the lagoon of Reunion Island .
If you are a beginner in marine observation , he will immediately put you at ease.
It’s impossible not to notice it. It features patterns that look hand-drawn.
In Saint-Gilles, it is common in the lagoon protection zones, near the coral heads.
Keep your distance: he is protecting his territory confidently.
A must-see of the coral reef fauna of Réunion .
She turns, returns, watches.
The damselfish is a small fish of remarkable efficiency.
Always close to its marine habitat , it constantly animates the coral areas .
For anyone who wants to understand the social life of tropical fish , it is perfect.
You spot an anemone … so wait two seconds.
The clownfish will come out.
He can’t help it.
Highly appreciated by visitors, it symbolizes the marine biodiversity of Reunion Island and is one of the highlights of any freediving experience in Saint-Gilles .
You might hear it before you see it. It’s biting into coral — literally.
Parrotfish are artisans: they participate in the making of the white sand that you walk on the beach.
Their presence says a lot about the health of the coral reef in Réunion .
Yellow, silvery, nervous. The capuchin is one of the most representative fish of the Hermitage lagoon .
Its abundance makes it a reference point for observing fish on the beach .
It moves from a seagrass bed to a block of coral, always in motion.
You will recognize it by its soft, almost oval shape.
The herbivorous rabbitfish is a keystone of protected marine ecosystems in Reunion Island .
By scanning the turquoise waters , you will see it grazing calmly where the light penetrates best.
Imagine a shower of turquoise scales. The school of fish circles around a branching coral.
These multicolored fish are valuable indicators: the more of them there are, the better the condition of the reef.
A true signature of snorkeling in Saint-Gilles: fish .
Long, motionless, improbable. The cornetfish blends into the scenery.
This is the species that awakens the eye of the attentive swimmer, the one that is spotted after a few minutes of calm.
A rare pleasure among the fish species to observe in Reunion Island .
You can feel it, can’t you?
This diversity is as awe-inspiring as it is alarming.
The endemic species of Reunion Island , the variety of tropical fish in the Indian Ocean , the role of the fringing reef … all of this rests on a subtle balance.
A balance that everyone can protect: avoid using fins in coral, respect marine reserve areas , limit contact.
Because the lagoon is a treasure. And Saint-Gilles is one of its most beautiful settings.
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