Choosing the perfect honeymoon destination is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. For couples seeking a romantic getaway, both Zanzibar and Reunion emerge as top contenders. Each offers a distinct experience for different honeymoon styles. We offer luxury and budget Reunion packages and Zanzibar holiday packages tailored to your preferences, ensuring an unforgettable tropical escape.
But which destination is best for your honeymoon? That depends on your idea of romance. Whether you’re dreaming of an idyllic beach escape in Zanzibar or an adventure-filled honeymoon in Reunion, this guide will help you decide which destination best matches your honeymoon style.
Getting to Zanzibar vs. Reunion
Both Zanzibar and Reunion are located in the Indian Ocean, but their accessibility varies depending on your departure location.
Zanzibar, part of Tanzania, is well-connected through Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ). Many travellers arrive via connecting flights from major hubs like Doha, Dubai, Nairobi, or Johannesburg, making it relatively easy to reach.
There are also direct flights from some European and Middle Eastern cities. If you’re coming from mainland Tanzania, a short domestic flight from Dar es Salaam or a scenic ferry ride can take you to Zanzibar.
In contrast, Reunion, a French overseas department, is primarily accessible via Roland Garros Airport (RUN) in Saint-Denis. Direct flights are available from Paris and other French cities, making it a convenient destination for European travellers.
However, for visitors from outside Europe, reaching Reunion often requires a layover in Mauritius or Paris.
Visa Requirements
Zanzibar follows Tanzania’s visa policies, which means many travellers can obtain a visa on arrival or apply for an eVisa before departure. Citizens from the United States, United Kingdom, most European countries, and parts of Asia can enter with minimal hassle, but it’s always best to check the latest requirements based on nationality.
Reunion, as a French territory, follows Schengen visa regulations. Travelers from the EU, UK, US, Canada, and Australia can enter visa-free for short stays, while visitors from other regions may need to apply for a Schengen visa in advance. Unlike Zanzibar, Reunion’s visa process is straightforward for those already eligible to travel within the Schengen zone.
Best Time to Visit Zanzibar vs. Reunion
The best time to visit each destination depends on the weather and activities you plan to enjoy.
Zanzibar has a classic tropical climate with two dry seasons that are ideal for travel: June to October and December to February.
These months offer warm temperatures, low humidity, and clear skies, perfect for beach lovers and honeymooners looking for a sun-drenched island escape. The wet season, from March to May, brings heavy rains, making it a less desirable period for travel.
Reunion, due to its volcanic terrain and diverse landscapes, has a more varied climate. The dry season from May to November is the best time to visit, especially for hiking and outdoor activities, as temperatures are cooler and humidity is lower.
The wet season, December to April, coincides with cyclone season, which can bring heavy rains and strong winds, particularly in the mountains. However, since Reunion has microclimates, coastal areas can still remain pleasant even during the rainy months.
Which Destination is More Accessible?
For travellers from Africa, the Middle East, or Asia, Zanzibar is generally easier to reach due to its more extensive flight connections. It also has more flexible visa options, making it a convenient choice for honeymooners who want a hassle-free journey.
For European travellers, Reunion may be the more seamless choice, as direct flights from France make it highly accessible, and no additional visas are required for EU passport holders. However, travellers from outside the Schengen area may find it slightly more challenging and costly to reach compared to Zanzibar.
Overall, Zanzibar offers easier entry and flight options for a wider range of travellers, while Reunion, though more exclusive, is a fantastic option for those already in the Schengen zone or seeking a unique honeymoon off the beaten path.
Romance and Atmosphere
The essence of a honeymoon is romance, and both Zanzibar and Reunion offer distinct yet equally enchanting settings for newlyweds. Each destination crafts a different kind of love story, catering to varying visions of the perfect romantic getaway.
Zanzibar is Barefoot Luxury and Exotic Charm
Zanzibar is the quintessential honeymoon paradise for couples seeking an idyllic, sun-soaked escape. The island’s coastline is adorned with white-sand beaches lapped by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, creating a postcard-perfect setting for romance.
Resorts are designed for barefoot luxury, with private villas and infinity pools that offer the ultimate intimate retreat.
Beyond the beaches, Zanzibar carries a mystical charm steeped in history and culture. Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, adds an old-world romance with its labyrinthine alleys and intricate wooden doors.
Couples can stroll through its spice-scented streets, embark on a sunset dhow cruise, or enjoy an intimate candlelit dinner at The Rock, a restaurant perched on the ocean.
What makes Zanzibar even more alluring is its laid-back, unhurried pace. It is a place where time slows down, allowing honeymooners to savour each moment. It is a paradise that whispers romance at every turn.
Reunion is a Dramatic Backdrop for Love and Adventure
Reunion, on the other hand, is for couples who find romance in adventure and discovery. Unlike Zanzibar’s tropical serenity, Reunion offers a landscape that is rugged and utterly unique.
Honeymooners here will wake up to lush rainforests, towering waterfalls, volcanic peaks, and misty valleys, a setting that feels both raw and exhilarating.
What makes Reunion romantic is not just its natural beauty, but also its French influence and sophisticated charm. The island’s intimate boutique hotels and luxury lodges blend Creole warmth with European elegance, offering couples a refined retreat after a day of exploration.
For couples who bond over shared experiences and breathtaking landscapes, Reunion provides unforgettable moments—helicopter rides over volcanic craters, hikes to hidden waterfalls, paragliding over the coastline, and scenic drives through mist-covered mountains.
Which Destination Offers the Most Romantic Setting?
The choice between Zanzibar and Reunion depends on what romance means to each couple. Zanzibar is undoubtedly the better choice for those seeking a serene, tropical escape with luxurious relaxation. It is perfect for couples who dream of tranquil days on soft, sun-drenched shores and enchanting evenings under the stars.
Reunion, on the other hand, offers a wilder, more adventurous take on romance, where love is found in the heart-pounding beauty of nature and the thrill of discovering new landscapes together. It is ideal for couples who prefer a honeymoon filled with exploration and French sophistication.
Beaches and Natural Beauty
The beauty of Zanzibar and Reunion is defined by their strikingly different landscapes. Each destination offers a unique allure, appealing to honeymooners with different visions of the perfect beach escape.
Zanzibar is the Quintessential Tropical Dream
Zanzibar’s beaches are the epitome of postcard perfection. The island’s coastline is lined with soft, white sands and impossibly blue waters, making it one of the most breathtaking honeymoon destinations in the world.
The beaches here are wide, gently sloping, and framed by swaying palm trees, offering a serene atmosphere perfect for relaxation. The clarity of the water is unmatched, making Zanzibar a prime location for snorkelling and diving, and even swimming with dolphins.
One of Zanzibar’s unique natural wonders is its floating sandbanks, which appear and disappear with the tides. These shifting strips of white sand, surrounded by shallow waters, create an otherworldly experience for couples who want to feel like they’ve escaped to a private island.
Popular honeymoon beach spots such as Nungwi, Kendwa, and Matemwe offer luxurious seclusion, while Paje and Jambiani provide a more laid-back, intimate setting. Sunset dhow cruises along the coast only add to Zanzibar’s reputation as a paradise for romance and relaxation.
Reunion is a Wild, Untamed Coastal Beauty
Reunion’s coastline offers an entirely different spectacle. Rather than the traditional white-sand tropical beaches, the island’s shores are shaped by its volcanic origins, resulting in black-sand beaches and rugged cliffs.
The contrast between the dark sands and the deep blue of the ocean creates a striking visual appeal, particularly at beaches like L’Étang-Salé and Grand Anse, where the raw beauty of nature is on full display.
For those who appreciate wilder landscapes, Reunion’s coastline is nothing short of mesmerizing. Towering basalt cliffs drop dramatically into the sea, creating hidden coves and crashing waves that add a sense of adventure and awe to any honeymoon.
While swimming conditions can be rough in some areas due to strong currents, the lagoons around Saint-Gilles-les-Bains provide a calmer environment for couples who want to enjoy the water.
Beyond the beaches, Reunion’s natural beauty extends inland with lush rainforests with cascading waterfalls, and volcanic craters, making it an extraordinary destination for honeymooners who crave exploration alongside their coastal escape.
Which Destination is Better for a Secluded Beach Experience?
For couples seeking a secluded, tranquil beach experience, Zanzibar is the clear winner. Its expansive stretches of white sand and exclusive beachfront resorts offer the kind of intimate, picture-perfect paradise that many honeymooners dream of.
Private villas and hidden beaches provide an unmatched sense of serenity, making Zanzibar the ideal destination for lazing under the sun and soaking in the natural beauty of the Indian Ocean.
Reunion, while breathtaking in its coastal beauty, is less about lounging on beaches and more about exploring rugged shorelines and dramatic landscapes. Its beaches, though stunning, are often wilder and less traditional, catering more to adventurous travellers than to those looking for a classic beach retreat.
While there are secluded coves and serene coastal spots, the raw power of the ocean and the island’s volcanic character make it a different kind of beach destination.
Ultimately, if a honeymoon filled with luxurious beachside relaxation is the goal, Zanzibar is the perfect choice. If, however, a more adventurous and visually dramatic coastal experience is appealing, Reunion’s black-sand beaches and towering cliffs offer a breathtaking alternative.
Culture and Unique Honeymoon Experiences
While Zanzibar is steeped in Swahili-Arab heritage, with bustling markets and centuries-old traditions, Reunion blends French sophistication with Creole warmth.
Zanzibar
Zanzibar’s cultural landscape is a mesmerizing blend of African, Arab, Persian, and Indian influences, shaped over centuries of trade and seafaring connections.
The island’s heart beats strongest in Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where history comes alive in its narrow alleys and ancient mosques. Wandering through its labyrinthine streets, honeymooners can soak in the romance of an old-world town frozen in time, with spice-laden air and echoes of its storied past.
A visit to Zanzibar isn’t complete without experiencing its famous spice farms, where couples can embark on a sensory journey, discovering the rich scents and flavours of cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, and cinnamon. These aromatic spices are deeply woven into Zanzibar’s cultural fabric, making a spice tour a uniquely intimate and immersive honeymoon activity.
Zanzibar’s history and culture also extend to its coastal villages, where honeymooners can meet the island’s friendly locals, experience traditional dhow-building, and witness age-old fishing practices. The island offers a honeymoon that is both culturally rich and deeply romantic, perfect for couples who seek meaning and history in their journey together.
Reunion
Reunion’s culture is an intricate blend of French colonial heritage, African influences, Indian traditions, and Creole vibrancy. Unlike Zanzibar’s more preserved historical setting, Reunion’s culture is a living, evolving fusion, evident in its food, festivals, and music.
The French influence is undeniable, from gourmet patisseries to fine dining, but it’s the island’s Creole spirit that makes it unique.
Music and dance play a vital role in Reunion’s cultural fabric. The rhythmic beats of maloya, a traditional Creole music form born from the island’s history of slavery, create a hypnotic, soulful experience. Many lodges and resorts offer live performances, allowing honeymooners to immerse themselves in the island’s passionate, expressive arts scene.
Final Thoughts
Zanzibar is the ideal destination for those seeking serene beaches and rich history. Its powdery white sands and intimate luxury resorts make it perfect for couples who want a tranquil yet exotic escape.
Reunion, on the other hand, is a paradise for adventurous honeymooners who seek dramatic landscapes, French-Creole sophistication, and exhilarating outdoor activities. With its volcanic peaks and lush rainforests, it’s a destination where romance meets exploration.
The choice comes down to whether you seek serene, sun-kissed romance or a thrilling, nature-filled adventure. Either way, your honeymoon will be an unforgettable journey of love and discovery.
