Where, if not in the Seychelles, are all the conditions for a paradise holiday? This archipelago in the Indian Ocean consists of 115 islands, each of which is unique in its own way: one is home to giant turtles, another is known for its cinematic landscapes, and the third is famous for its mysterious underwater world. But all the islands have something in common: stunning tropical beaches with clear shimmering water and sand that resembles powdered sugar. Seychelles beaches are a place of unspoilt nature, high-class impeccable service and truly heavenly pleasure.
Here you will find a selection of the best beaches in the Seychelles, located on the three main islands-Praslin, La Digue and Mahe-with detailed descriptions and photos.
Mahe Island
Mahe, with an area of more than 157 km2, is the largest island in the Seychelles archipelago. Mahe is famous for its mountain peaks, but primarily for its white sandy beaches. The list of the best beaches of the Seychelles located on Mahe is quite extensive.
Intedance (Anse Intendance)
Intendance is a spectacular wild beach in the south of Mahe. Although the Quarterhouse is actually open to the general public, it belongs to the only resort complex on this coastline – the 5* Banyan Tree Hotel.
The beach strip, which stretches for about 700 m, reaches a width of 20-25 m. The entrance to the water is gentle, but the depth increases quickly. The surface is sandy, but there are rocks at the bottom. Most of the year the water there is clean, only in June and September there is a lot of algae. Intedance is almost always very high waves, because the backwater is not protected from the ocean by a coral reef.
Intendance is considered one of the best beaches in Mahe, but it is not crowded.
Just a hundred meters from the sand is a bus stop, there are Parking spaces nearby.
Anse Royale
Royale Beach is located in a large bay in the south-eastern part of Mahe, near the city of the same name. This neighborhood has its advantages and disadvantages:
- close to many shops and restaurants, banks, hospitals, gas station;
- there are many tourists and local fishermen.
This is the longest beach on Mahe – with a width of 15 m, it stretches for 1.5 km. Huge boulders divide this entire coastal strip into many sections. In the morning there are strong tides, and only after 12: 00 you can lie down on the sand. The beach is shallow, the entrance to the water is smooth, the bottom is sandy and rocky.
It is quite windy on Anse Royal, but the water is relatively calm and the waves are light. This is due to the fact that a coral reef stretches along the coast – it protects the beach from the open ocean. And since the depth for swimming there is also ideal (2-3 m), Anse Royale is recognized as the best place for snorkeling in Mahe.
In June and September, this beach is one of the best in the Seychelles for windsurfing.
There are several bus routes along the beach strip, including those connecting to the airport.
Anse Takamaka
Located on the southwestern shore of Mahe, Takamaka Beach is so named because of the takamaka trees that come close to the shore.
A narrow strip of sand about 500 m long is bounded on both sides by picturesque piles of huge boulders.
The waves on Takamaka are small, and sometimes the ocean is so calm that you can swim. The entrance to the water is smooth, the bottom is sandy, but there are stones. Takamaka is considered one of the best snorkeling spots in Mahe and the Seychelles. But all equipment must be taken with you, as there are no rental points on site.
The beach is wild, there are no hotels or shops nearby. From the infrastructure, there is only a crane to wash the sand off your feet – this is a real luxury for beaches in the Seychelles and Mahe.
This area is constantly monitored by the police, as sea turtles nest there.
Good access, there are two Parking lots. It is also convenient to get there by public transport.
Beau Vallon
For those looking for fun rather than privacy, the best choice is Bouvalon Beach in the Seychelles. It is the most visited one on Mahe and is very lively, as not only tourists but also locals often gather there for picnics.
Beau Vallon is the longest beach in Mahe, with a width of 30 m, its length reaches almost 1800 m. There are no boulders and abundant vegetation, as on other beaches of the Seychelles. The trees that grow there provide little shade, so it’s best to rest in the morning or late afternoon.
The entrance to the water is smooth, the depth is quite convenient for swimming. The bottom is sandy, free of rocks, shells and coral fragments. There are no undercurrents, but do not underestimate the ocean waves – they can be quite high and strong at high tide.
Beau Vallon Beach is one of the best places in the Seychelles for various water sports.
There is a large selection of restaurants and hotels, shops with products and souvenirs, as well as places where you can exchange money.
But! As tourists write in their reviews, this beach has a significant drawback. These are ants that climb on thin bedding (but not on towels) and bite very hard. Their bites do not appear immediately, and the itching bothers for a very long time.
Sunset Beach
This is a very small beach on the west coast of Mahe – only 120 m long and 15 mm wide. Along the edges of the beach strip is framed by rocks that go steeply into the depths – it is good to swim there with a mask and snorkel.
The entrance to the water is gentle, the depth increases very slowly. Small waves rise at high tide. There are places with natural shade.
Sunset is particularly popular with guests of the nearest Sunset Beach Hotel, so it is often fully occupied by people.
Baie Lazare Public Beach
The picturesque curved bay in the south-west of Mahe is Baie Lazare. Once upon a time, this bay was a haven for pirates, once the locals even found a pirate treasure there. Now this place is the quietest and most peaceful beach in Mahe.
The coast there is narrow and long-1000 m and 20 m, respectively. The beach is shallow and the descent into the water is gradual. There are places with thickets of seaweed, right by the shore there are a lot of rocks and corals. Due to the fact that a coral reef stretches along the coast, there are almost no large waves.
There are several hotels nearby, as well as a bar and restaurant. Sun beds and umbrellas are provided for guests of the resorts.
When is the best time to relax in the Seychelles: weather by month
Praslin Island
Praslin is the second largest island in the Seychelles (after Mahe), with an area of almost 39 km2. It is famous for its stunning shores, secluded hotels and resorts. One of its distinctive features is the ancient coral reefs off the coast.
Anse Lazio
Many times Lazion has been ranked among the top ten beaches in the Seychelles for swimming, snorkeling, diving, sunbathing, and photographing. The water there is clean and warm, but quickly deepens (although at high tide it comes close to the shore). For swimming, there is a special area fenced with a net. Conditions for tourists ‘ recreation are safe, rescuers are working, but still do not forget about the strong undercurrent. And the waves sometimes rise too high, because this Praslin beach is not protected by a coral reef.
The length of the sandy beach strip, surrounded by huge boulders, is 400 m.
Anse Lazio is located on the northwest side of the island, in the cozy harbor of Chevalier Bay. This beach is easily accessible by car and bus (although parking is small), so it is equally popular among tourists and locals.
There is no toilet or shower in Lazio, and there is no place to change clothes either. You can use the toilet in the restaurant, ordering food or drinks, but if the quality is low, the prices there are high. Going to this beach of the Seychelles, it is better to take food and water with you right away.
Anse Georgette
Georgette is located on the north-west side of Praslin Island, on the territory of the 5* Constance Lemuria Hotel. Those who are not its guests will need permission from the hotel management to visit the beach. Georgette can also be reached by boat across the ocean.
It is a tiny beach framed by a forest and granite boulders – it is 12 m wide and 260 m long. The bottom is gradually sinking, but the depth increases very quickly. There are no rocks and corals in the bay, the water is without algae.
This Seychelles beach is suitable for swimming, scuba diving and snorkeling. But you need to be careful, because due to the fact that there is no protection from the coral reef, large waves often rise.
There are almost no modern amenities on the beach. You need to take water and food with you.
Cote D’Or Beach or Anse Volbert
This beach, located in the town of Anse-Volbert, is considered the best and most popular on the island.
Cote d’Or is so long (2.6 km) that it passes by numerous resorts and hotels of varying degrees of comfort. This provides the beach with a constant flow of visitors. There are restaurants, cafes, shops, and a dive center, but there are no showers, toilets, or even trash cans.
The beach is considered non-portable and is more suitable for walking along the sandy beach. But there are still a few places where you can swim. Cat-d’The op is shallow, the entrance to the water is very gentle. The water is clear, but sometimes there are algae.
On Anse Volber you can go snorkeling, surfing, windsurfing, sailing, fishing. For tourists, excursions are available that are offered by local residents – their boats literally flooded the entire coast.
Anse Kerlan Beach
Kerlan is one of the best and most comfortable beaches on the island. The beach strip is covered with soft sand, surrounded by rocks and lush vegetation that provides natural shade.
In length, Kerlan reaches 500 m. The entrance to the water is gentle, the bottom is sandy.
From April to November, swimming on Anse Kerlan is uncomfortable due to the large amount of algae. And from May to October, high waves and strong undercurrents rage on the beach – during these months people come there for surfing and windsurfing.
Kerlan is located near the airport and belongs to the territory of the Constance Lémuria Hotel. Tourists who come for a one-day visit must coordinate the date of arrival with the hotel management, otherwise they will not be allowed there.
On the beach there is a bar, there are always free sun beds.
La Digue Island
The island of La Digue, although very small-its area barely exceeds 10 km2 – but incredibly popular among tourists who come to the Seychelles. The explanation is simple: luxurious sandy beaches with sculptural boulders, located literally all along the coast.
Anse Source D’Argent
The most photographed beach in the world is located in the Seychelles, and is called Anse Source d’Argent. It is located in the far part of the National Park L’Union Estate.
Not far from the local coast stretches a coral reef, which serves as a reliable protection from large waves. The ocean water is clean, although algae is sometimes present. The beach surface is soft fine sand, the entrance to the water is smooth and long enough. All these characteristics make Anse Source D’Argent one of the best and safest beaches in the Seychelles for families with children. This beach is also recognized as a fairly good place for snorkeling.
All necessary infrastructure on the beach is available. There is also a restaurant and cafe on site, as well as shops with groceries and souvenirs.
Anse Source d’Argent is always crowded, as it is very popular with vacationers.
To visit the Source D’Argent, you need to buy a ticket to the L’Union Estate Park-it costs 115 rupees (approximately $8). You can stay on the beach until 17: 00, as it is until this hour that the National Park receives visitors.
Anse Cocos
In the south-eastern part of La Digue is another of the most beautiful beaches in the Seychelles-Anse Cocos. This crescent-shaped beach is surrounded on both sides by cliffs, and behind the coastline is a bright green jungle. The beach has a sandy surface, but there are many black boulders along the coast.
The descent into the water is steep and rocky, the bottom is strewn with stones. There are almost always high waves near the shore, but strong undercurrents are even more dangerous. The natural pools at the end of the beach, protected by boulders, are ideal for swimming.
The infrastructure on Anse Cocos is completely undeveloped. Everything you need for recreation, as well as food and water, you need to take with you.
It is very difficult to get to Anse Cocos without a guide: the path to it is not marked, in total you need to walk for 40 minutes through the jungle, swamp and rocks. But the advantage of such an isolated beach is that it is not crowded.
Grand Anse
According to CNN 2013, Grand Anse is the best beach not only in the Seychelles, but also in the whole planet.
This is the most spacious sandy beach on La Digue: it is quite wide, and reaches a length of 3 km.
Due to the fact that the beach is surrounded by high granite rocks, the waves there are not too big. But the main danger for swimmers is represented by strong underwater currents. That is why there is a sign at the entrance to the beach with the inscription “Swimming is prohibited”. In general, it makes sense to go to Grand Anse just to enjoy the magnificent views and breathe in the crystal clear air. Moreover, it is advisable to come to this beach as early as possible in order to take the best place in the shade under palm trees or overhanging rocks.
On Grand Anse there is a bar and a drinks kiosk, and you can use the sun beds.
The distance from the ferry to this beach is 3 km, on foot you need to get 1 hour. But you can rent a bike and ride it immediately upon arrival – in this case, the road will take 20 minutes. True, you will have to go a long, long uphill, and then – a long descent.
Petite Anse
On the east coast of La Digue there is another beautiful and nice beach-Petit or Petit Anse. It is a wide strip of sand bounded at the edges by huge boulders. Among these boulders you can hide from the sun, there is no other natural shade there.
But there is a small cafe, and if you buy drinks in it, you can hide in the huts standing around the perimeter of the beach. Apart from this cafe, there is nothing else on Petit Beach, so you need to take water, food, a towel and everything else that you may need to relax.
Due to strong undercurrents and large waves, Petit is not suitable for swimming, and there is even a sign at the entrance forbidding swimming. This secluded wilderness area is virtually deserted.
Anse Severe
This beach is located in the northern part of the island, in the city limits, near the marina.
Anse-Sever is crowded and noisy, where tourists who live in nearby guesthouses and small hotels have a rest. But there is enough space for everyone: the beach is long and 70 m wide, although the tide takes a little land.
At low tide on Severe it is very shallow, but after 12:00 the water rises a little, and it is comfortable to swim. The waves usually get stronger in the late afternoon.
This beach is recognized as one of the best in the Seychelles for snorkeling.
On one of the outskirts of Anse Severe there is a small bar, there are two guest houses, a shop with cheap souvenirs. A giant turtle lives next to the bar, and you can take photos with it, and for free.
As you can see, the Seychelles beaches are so diverse, and in such large numbers, that the place of rest can be changed almost every day.
