The Seychelles is blessed with an abundance of stunning beaches. With picture perfect beaches scattered across the archipelago, these are the ones that should be at the top of your list.
It’s not exactly a secret that The Seychelles is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. This far-flung archipelago of 115 islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean is renowned for its stunning beaches.
I’ve spent a combined period of over a month in the Seychelles during the course of two trips and can personally attest to the fact that they are jaw-droppingly gorgeous.
What may come as a surprise though, is the sheer variety of said beaches. Much like the islands themselves, the Seychellois beaches span a range of sizes and topography that blew me away. There’s a good reason behind that variety too.
You see, the Seychelles is largely split into two kinds of islands: coralline and granitic – and this in turn dictates the islands’ coastlines too.
Much as their name suggests, the granitic islands (including Mahé, Praslin and La Digue) are made of granite, leading to bold and dramatic rock formations that spill into the sea, framing perfect fine white sand.
By contrast, the coralline islands are low-lying, with long stretches of beach with sand made from coral that’s been broken down into powdery soft sand.
Geology lesson aside, you wanna hit up these stunning beaches right? Deciding which Seychelles to visit might just be the most challenging part of your trip. That’s where this guide comes in – the most stunning beaches across the archipelago, along with insider info on how to get to them. Let’s go!
Anse Source D’Argent, La Digue
Southwest La Digue
If ever you’ve come across pictures of The Seychelles before, chances are you’ve seen Anse Source D’Argent.
Nestled on La Digue, the fourth-largest island in the archipelago, it’s defined by shimmering aqua waters, powdery white sands and huge granite boulders in hues of pink and grey. Add in a few swaying coconut palms and takamaka trees and you have a place that’s so beautiful it’s almost surreal.
In fact, Anse Source D’Argent is not only one of the most iconic beaches in The Seychelles, it’s actually one of the most photographed beaches in the world, with starring roles in films such as Cast Away and Crusoe.
The waters at Anse Source D’Argent are shallow and warm thanks to the fact they’re protected by a reef. They’re generally calm and safe for swimming and it’s a great snorkelling spot thanks to an abundance of marine life.
Getting There
If you’re not staying on La Digue, you’ll need to hop on a bicycle from the ferry terminal and ride through L’Union Estate (they charge a small entry fee of SCR100) to get to the beach.
Anse Lazio, Praslin
Northwest Praslin
Anse Lazio, perched on the northwest tip of Praslin, is, to be quite blunt, nature’s masterpiece. Love beaches? Love stunning scenery? You’re going to love this.
Framed by granite boulders on either end of the beach, it conjures up images of a castaway paradise, which is kind of what it is.
Anse Lazio is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, which, depending on the day, range from a pale turquoise to a deep emerald – standing in stark contrast to the white sand beach and verdant palms that line the shore.
I’ll be honest with you, Anse Lazio can get a bit crowded during busier periods. To ensure you get the best spot on the shore, arrive at Anse Lazio before 9 am as this is when most tourists start showing up.
Getting there is easy too- there are good road connections and a small parking area close by.
Top Tip
Anse Lazio is an ideal place for swimming and snorkelling, with a gentle slope that leads into deeper waters, great visibility and marine life. However, if you aren’t a strong swimmer, take extra caution from June to September, when the undertow is slightly stronger than other times.
Grande Soeur East, Grande Soeur
Grande Soeur East
I’d heard about the other beaches I’ve covered in this guide before my most recent Seychelles trip, but Grande Soeur East is something of a hidden gem (and the perfect place to escape the crowds).
First and foremost, Grande Soeur is a private island that can only be accessed by either staying at Le Chateau de Feuilles, the hotel that owns the island, or via a special catamaran or boat trip from Praslin or La Digue.
Framed by large granite rocks, it’s the quintessential image of isolation and untouched natural beauty, and very much worth the effort it takes to get there.
As this side of the island is exposed to the open ocean, it offers a livelier seascape compared to the sheltered coves of many of the region’s beaches. That said, it’s better suited to more confident swimmers as the currents and waves are stronger here.
Don’t worry though, if you’re keener on a more low-key swim, Grande Soeur West (featured later in this guide) is much calmer, with the added bonus of having some of the best snorkelling in the Seychelles.
Getting There
Unless you’re staying in Le Chateau de Feuilles, you will need to book onto a boat tour from Praslin or La Digue. Tours generally include spending the day on the island with a barbecue lunch.
Anse Cocos, La Digue
Eastern La Digue
Anse Source D’Argent might grab all the headlines when it comes to gorgeous beaches on La Digue, but if you’re after a serene beach and don’t mind a bit of a hike, Anse Cocos is a little slice of paradise.
While the granite boulders and white sand may look familiar from other beaches, the beach’s isolation makes Anse Cocos feel like a world of its own.
To get there, you will need to hike from the neighbouring beaches of Grand Anse or Petit Anse on a relatively easy trail that meanders through the island’s tropical interior.
Take a dip in one of the natural pools formed by the rocks but beware when you’re swimming in the open sea here as the currents can be strong.
Baie Lazare, Mahé
Southwestern Mahé
I don’t want to be dramatic, but Baie Lazare beach is one of the world’s most pristine shores. There, I said it.
You don’t normally think of Mahé, the largest island in the Seychelles, as having gorgeous beaches, but Baie Lazare is there to prove everyone wrong. Go for a gorgeous tapestry of natural elements – weaving powdery white sands bordered by granite hills and cerulean waters, it’s a serene alcove that should be on every beach-lover’s hit list.
This beach is named after Lazare Picault, a French explorer, who helped put the Seychelles on the map. These days Baie Lazare does that all on its own.
It’s also a great swimming spot due to calm and relatively shallow waters that are protected by offshore reefs. I can also personally attest to the fact that the snorkelling is wonderful – I saw endless shoals of fish and even a small lemon shark during my time in the water.
Getting There
Baie Lazare is around a 45-minute drive from the capital city of The Seychelles, Victoria.
Cote D’Or Beach (Anse Volbert), Praslin
Northern Praslin
Also known as Anse Volbert, Praslin’s Cote D’Or Beach is one of the island’s most popular – an expansive open beach stretching out for 2.5 miles
No, it’s not got the secluded charm of beaches like Anse Cocos, but Anse Volbert’s scenic charm is paired with easy accessibility and a wealth of amenities for snorkelling, activities, food and drinks.
The lengthy white-sand beach is most notable for its famous horizontal palm tree – one of the most ‘grammable’ spots in the Seychelles. Of course, Cote D’Or Beach is also one of the best places to dip in the cool turquoise ocean.
Grande Anse Beach, La Digue
Eastern La Digue
The big sister to Petite Anse Beach (featured below), Grand Anse is one of the Seychelles’ most striking beaches. It takes the well-trodden combination of white sands, fringed by granite boulders and greenery and turns it up to 110%.
This beach spans a magnificent two miles along La Digue’s east coast. Whether you’re in the mood to soak up the sun or try your luck at water sports, it’s a fabulous spot to flop and drop on.
That vast shoreline means that while it does draw in a crowd on most days, it rarely gets crowded – expect to have plenty of space even at the busiest times.
Swimming wise, it can get quite rough with strong currents and larger waves – so caution is advised for casual swimmers and those with children, particularly during the southeast monsoon.
Petite Anse Beach, La Digue
Eastern La Digue
If you haven’t already noticed, La Digue island is home to many of Seychelles’ (and the world’s) best beaches. And Petite Anse, the little sister of Grand Anse beach, is one of them.
Enclosed by steep granite cliffs and lush vegetation, it’s a beach that’s hidden in an amphitheatre of natural beauty – complete with floury white sand that provides the perfect quiet refuge for those that seek it out.
The ocean can get a little bit choppy at Petite Anse during high tide, so swimming around the rocks is not advised. Swimming is quite challenging overall thanks to strong undercurrents and waves, particularly during the southeast monsoon season.
Getting There
Petite Anse is reached by a somewhat steep trail from Grande Anse.
Grande Soeur West, Grande Soeur
Western Grande Soeur
If Grand Souer East is the place to go to soak up the sun in picturesque surroundings, Grande Soeur West is a little different – as it’s one of the best snorkelling spots in the Seychelles.
The beach is pretty enough, but delve under the water and get up close to shoals of beautifully coloured fish. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a few small (harmless) sharks and sea turtles.
When you’ve had enough time in the waves, you can pick a spot on the sand or perch on one of the large granite rocks.
Getting There
Unless you’re staying in Le Chateau de Feuilles, you will need to book onto a boat tour from Praslin or La Digue. Tours generally include spending the day on the island with a barbecue lunch.
Beau Vallon, Mahé
Northwestern Mahé
Another Mahé gem, Beau Vallon is the best place to immerse yourself in true Seychellois culture. Where lots of beaches in the archipelago are defined by their castaway vibes, Beau Vallon is distinctly Seychellois.
It’s one of the archipelago’s most vibrant beaches – a long crescent-shaped stretch of shimmering sands that comes to life at the weekends when locals flock to the beach for barbecues and beachside drinks.
The wide bay is great for swimming – the beach’s gentle slopes and protective coral reefs keep the waves in check. In fact, it’s one of the safest swimming beaches on the island.
Because it’s so popular, there are many opportunities to rent water sports equipment and charter boats too.
Top Tip
Beau Vallon is one of Mahé’s most popular beaches, but it is large and clean with plenty of activities (and space) so don’t skip it.
Anse Royale, Mahé
Southeastern Mahé
Tucked away on the southeastern coast of Mahé, Anse Royale is one of the island’s longest beaches – complete with a shallow and sheltered bay.
Another local favourite, it holds its own with the big-name beaches on other islands, pairing idyllic white sands with great snorkelling on the vibrant coral reef that sits a short distance from the shore. There are also many places along the beach to hire equipment for windsurfing and kitesurfing too.
Access-wise, getting to Anse Royale is easy. It’s located on Mahé’s main coastal road and easily accessible by public transport or car.
Anse St José, Curieuse
Southern Curieuse
Anse Saint Jose on Curieuse island is another one of The Seychelles’s “picture-perfect” beaches. Framed by lush greenery and leaning palm trees, the fine white sand and clear water of Anse Saint Jose is the definition of tropical beauty – with the added benefit of being relatively untouched.
Just off the coast of Praslin, Curieuse is a small granitic island that offers the ideal environment for relaxing on the warm white sand. Anse St. Jose is almost always free of occupants, which means you’ll likely have the whole beach to yourself.
Curieuse is a national park and doesn’t have any permanent inhabitants – to get there you’ll have to book onto a boat tour from Praslin.
Top Tip
While you’re on Curieuse island, make sure to visit the Tortoise Sanctuary to see the Aldabra Giant Tortoises.
Moyenne Island Beach, Moyenne
Moyenne
Plage Moyenne, located on Moyenne island in the Sainte Anne Marine National Park is a little-known beach with an intriguing history that includes whispers of pirates and buried treasure.
Brendon Grimshaw, a British man who fell in love with the island, bought and transformed the island into a nature reserve – meaning it’s been untouched by commercial development and is a wildlife haven, including a large number of giant Aldabra tortoises.
As you’d expect, the snorkelling is top-tier, with the surrounding marine park’s coral reefs creating the ideal conditions for snorkelling and gentle swimming.
You can access Moyenne by booking an excursion from Mahé. Once there, explore the relatively short but interesting walking trail then settle in on the beach and soak in the tranquil beauty.
Seychelles Beaches: Map
Read More Seychelles Guides
- Best Things to do in The Seychelles
- Mahé, The Seychelles: Travel Guide
- Four Seasons Desroches Seychelles: Full Review
- The Ultimate Seychelles Travel Guide
- Why You Should be Excited About Snorkelling in Seychelles
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