Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.
Today (April 22, 2019): Top 10 best beaches in the Seychelles.
Mother Nature was extremely generous when she created the archipelago of the Seychelles, comprised of 115 scenic islands scattered in the Indian Ocean east of Kenia. The beauty of the Seychellois beaches is beyond words and unmatched anywhere else in the world: exquisite ribbons of powdery-soft white sand are lapped by turquoise waters and backed by palm tree covered hills and big rocky boulders. In recent years, some uberluxurious resorts opened their doors in this slide of paradise, so you don’t have to compromise on comfort during your barefoot beach holiday. Here’s my selection of the 10 most spectacular beaches in the Seychelles.
What’s your favorite beach in the Seychelles? Leave a comment or take my poll below.
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10. BEAU VALLON (MAHE ISLAND)
Beau Vallon is not only the Seychelles’ longest beach, but also its most popular one with both visitors and locals alike, thanks to the bevy of restaurant, bars and beach shacks on offer. Far from secluded, this sweeping bay of white sand and clear waters on the north-western coast of Mahé Island offers a very safe swimming area. With hotels stretched out along its sand, together with water sport and diving centers, this is the beach for those wishing to do something a little more energetic than soaking up the sun. Beau Vallon is also popular among families with children, as there are no strong currents, no rocks or corals underfoot and a lifeguard service is supplied. During the south-eastern trade winds, the sea is extremely calm and the beach is at its absolute best.
9. ANSE LOUIS (MAHE ISLAND)
Situated on the scenic west coast of Mahé in the region of Anse Boileau, Anse Louis is a magnificent, secluded bay shielded from the elements with great wave formations. The beach is conveniently located right off the main coastal road, and is therefore easy to get to, either with your own car, a taxi, or local bus services (although it never gets crowded). One end of the beach is flanked by an enormous, jungle covered cliff made of dark brown granite, while the other end is home to the ultraluxe Maia Resort & Spa (whose Balinese-style villas are scattered in the tropical vegetation). Like most beaches on Mahe’s west coast, Anse Louis does sometimes get seaweed deposited from June to September, but this shouldn’t worry you as there always seaweed-free beaches on the other coasts if you happen to visit at this time of year.
8. GRANDE ANSE (LA DIGUE ISLAND)
Grande Anse is a gorgeous beach on La Digue Island’s southeast coast, reached by a 15 – 20 minute bike ride uphill from the island’s main jetty. Surrounded by large granite rocks and featuring white sands, the beach offers exceptional beauty. The beach is also home to a restaurant and washrooms, so visitors can easily spend a whole afternoon there if they like. Two caveats here: although the sea may look inviting there is an extremely strong undertow (especially from April to November), so do not be tempted; and apart from a massive casuarina tree, there’s not much shade. Grand Anse is not as busy as Anse Source d’Argent, but no less beautiful, making it a more peaceful, serene experience for the Seychelles holidaymaker.
7. PETITE ANSE (MAHE ISLAND)
Petite Anse is a pristine curve of powder soft and blinding white sand, flanked by two giant granite cliffs, on Mahe Island’s west coast. The beach, which also offers perfect conditions for swimming due to its gentle incline, faces northwards, offering mesmerizing views of Mahe Island’s verdant peaks. The ultraluxe Four Seasons Resort completely surrounds the beach and operates a private beach club with water sports center here, but as with all beaches on the Seychelles, Petite Anse remains public and open to all. However, to access the beach you’ll need to register at the gates of the Four Seasons property, followed by a 15 minute walk down the hill. Of course, you can avoid this hassle by splurging on a stay at the phenomenal resort, which includes buggy rides to and from the beach.
6. ANSE GEORGETTE (PRASLIN ISLAND)
A strong rival to Anse Lazio for Praslin’s “most beautiful beach” title, the magnificent stretch of beach called Anse Georgette is situated on the grounds of the luxurious Lemuria Resort, although it is open to all. Getting to the beach is easy for guests of the Lemuria Resort as the hotel offers golf-cart transfers to Anse Georgette on a frequent basis. For non-guests however, you should inform the hotel of your visit before making the 30-minute walk down to the beach yourself. (Please note: the hotel sometimes limits the number of visitors, so call ahead and check to avoid disappointment). Alternatively, it is also possible to reach Anse Georgette by boat, with some sailing tours stopping in this beautiful bay to enjoy the scenery. If you make it to Anse Georgette, you will be rewarded with great snorkeling and powder soft sand, flanked by lush tropical foliage and curvy chunks of granite boulders.
5. ANSE COCOS (LA DIGUE ISLAND)
Those who want to get away from it all may want to head to the hidden gem of Anse Cocos on the eastern coast of La Digue Island. This lovely beach is only accessible by a 30 minute hike, either by taking a path from Grand Anse or in the other direction from Anse Fourmis (which are both around a 15 – 30 minute bike ride from the main town on the island). Anse Cocos’ landscape feels similar to Anse Source D’Argent – with white sands, granite boulders and clear waters – only without the crowds, so it’s a truly epic beach that is worth the effort getting there. Because of its more sheltered aspect, this beach, unlike its neighboring bays of Grand and Petit Anse, is safe for swimmers, but there are still some strong currents, so care does need to be taken.
4. ANSE INTENDANCE (MAHE ISLAND)
The jaw-droppingly beautiful Anse Intendance beach in the far south of Mahe island offers half a mile of the whitest sand you’ll ever encounter, with a lush backdrop of by palm trees, huge boulders and dense jungle-covered hills. There is no reef so the waves here are much larger than at most of the other beaches on the Seychelles, making it more suitable for surfing rather than swimming at most times. During the south-east trade winds the waves can reach fearsome heights, but in the north-west trade wind season the sea is calmer. This beautiful beach is also a popular spot for sunbathing. The 5-star Banyan Tree hotel is tucked away in the jungle on the beach’s far end, adding a touch of glamour.
3. ANSE LAZIO (PRASLIN ISLAND)
Anse Lazio is the most famous beach on Praslin, and rightly so. The phenomenal beach is often listed among the world’s top ten beaches, but to be honest, you could say that about most of the beaches in the Seychelles. Beautifully framed by granite rocks on both ends, this dream beach features a broad and large stretch of soft white sands leading to calm, turquoise and ridiculously clear waters with a gentle gradient, absolutely perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The Bon Bon Plume and Le Chevalier restaurants are nearby and can provide lunch and refreshments. Its popularity mean that Anse Lazio is quite busy although it will still feel delightfully tranquil when compared to other popular beaches around the world.
2. ANSE SOURCE D’ARGENT (LA DIGUE ISLAND)
Anse Source d’Argent is reputed to be the most photographed beach in the world. With its soft white sand, clear turquoise water and huge granite boulders sculptured by the elements and time itself, it is not difficult to see why photographers and film makers still love to come here. The sea is sheltered by the reef, and is very calm and shallow. This paradise, however, comes with a cost as the beach can only be accessed through privately-owned plantation L’Union Estate, which charges a small entrance fee. Also, this magical beach is a hugely popular attraction so expect large crowds and a wait at busy times. My tip? Head to Anse Source d’Argent in time to watch the sun set – it’s absolutely breathtaking.
1. BEACHES OF NORTH ISLAND
Unfortunately, the Seychelles’ most sensational beaches will only be witnessed by a lucky few as they are located on North Island, the world’s most exclusive hideaway. The insanely beautiful private island resort has only 11 opulent hand-crafted villas, all of them with private plunge pool, overlooking the pristine, powder-white sands and turquoise waters of the Ile Du Nord eco-reserve. The main beach, Anse d’Est Beach, is a ribbon of gleaming sand that runs almost the entire length of the sunrise side of the island, with all villas and hotel facilities nestled discreetly in the tree-line. The western side of the island features two, even more magnificent beaches: Sunset Beach to the north (where a rustic bar is the perfect setting for drinking a sundowner while the beach is washed in pastel colors in the wake of the descending sun) and Honeymoon Beach to the south. The latter has to be one of the planet’s most romantic beaches, thanks to its private location in a curve of the rocks.
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Love your article sweetie! Seychelles have been our list for very long time 🙈 After reading this, we want to visit even more beaches 🤩 Which one was our favourite?