10 Prettiest Beaches on Mahe, Seychelles (+ Map!)

Are you looking for the best beaches on Mahe island in the Seychelles? This guide discloses my favorites (and some popular picks). Keep reading!

These Mahe beaches are scattered throughout the beautiful island, and I think it is worth planning time to stop at every single one of them!

Did I miss any of the best Mahe beaches in this guide? Let me know your favorites in the comments. Thanks!

Best Beaches On Mahe

1. Beau Vallon Beach

Beau Vallon Beach is the most popular beach on Mahe and it’s not hard to see why! Boasting swaying palm trees, long sandy shores, and epic sunsets, this beach has a lot to offer, especially for families. 

Thanks to the area’s calm waves and shallow waters, Beau Vallon Beach is a popular swimming location (although the waves can be stronger from June to November).

Just be aware that this beach can get busy, although there tends to be plenty of space.

You’ll also find many amenities along Beau Vallon’s shores, including fantastic beach bars and restaurants, such as The Boat House Restaurant.

Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa is the perfect hotel if you’re after a luxurious getaway on Mahe. It’s located right along the beach and boasts three swimming pools, multiple dining options, and a spa and wellness center.

I stayed near Beau Vallon at the Oceanic View Apartments (around a 15-minute walk up the hill) and loved it and recommend to those looking for a cheaper option that is not luxurious.

2. Anse Royale

As the name suggests, this beach is located just outside the town of Anse Royale. It’s one of the most popular beaches on Mahe and stretches for around 1,500 meters (nearly a mile). 

Thanks to Anse Royale’s offshore coral reefs, the water here is relatively calm and shallow, making it the perfect swimming destination. There are also fantastic snorkeling opportunities, as the water is often crystal-clear. 

If you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous, windsurfing is popular along this beach, especially during the summer (June to September) thanks to the trade winds.

In terms of accommodation, Anse Royale offers various hotels, but there are some fantastic options if you’re after more space.

Both Le Nautique Beachfront Apartments and Royale Suites by Arc Royal Luxury Apts offer fantastic self-contained units, typically sleeping between 2-4 people.

3. Baie Lazare Public Beach

Baie Lazare Public Beach is located in the southwest of Mahe, around a 15-minute drive from Anse Royale.

It’s named after Lazare Picault, a French explorer who claimed the island for France in 1742. Interestingly, locals also found buried pirate treasure here!

Boasting pristine white sands, turquoise waters, and huge granite boulders, Baie Lazare Beach is undeniably beautiful. It’s also easily accessible, thanks to the nearby bus stop and parking.

Thanks to its relatively shallow waters and small waves, Baie Lazare Public Beach is a popular swimming spot. There are great snorkeling opportunities here too, but water shoes may be a good idea!

In terms of amenities, there are a few restaurants nearby or you can head to the local supermarket, and grab a few refreshments to enjoy on the beach.

4. Anse Major

Next up is Anse Major, another of the best beaches on Mahe. It’s one of the island’s quieter beaches because you’ll need to hike the Anse Major Trail to get here. 

The 2.5-km (1.5-mi) round-trip trail starts from Danzil and will take you through Morne Seychellois National Park before leading down to the coast. The hike takes around an hour (one-way) and you’ll need to pack plenty of water (I didn’t listen to my own advice).

For those who tackle the Anse Major Trail, you’re in for a real treat. First of all, if you’re lucky, you might have the beach to yourself!

Although very remote, Anse Major offers a small beach bar where you can grab refreshments and lunch. Just make sure you bring cash along!

5. Police Bay

Police Bay is located on the south coast of Mahe and is incredibly isolated. Despite its location, the beach is still accessible by road from the village of Quatre Bornes and is around a 20-minute drive from Anse Royale. 

Police Bay is one of the island’s wildest beaches and isn’t suitable for swimmers due to its strong currents and choppy waves. However, these conditions are perfect for keen surfers. Scuba diving offshore is also popular.

A highlight of visiting Police Bay is that you can get this beach all to yourself, especially if you head here in the morning. There’s not much to do apart from sunbathing and taking photographs, but that’s all part of its charm.

Just be aware there’s a 5-10 minute walk from where you’ll park, which is located at Petite Police Beach. 

6. Petite Police Beach

Just a short walk from Police Bay, you’ll find Petite Police Beach, its sister beach (which is much smaller). Like many beaches on the island, this place is beautiful, with huge boulders, turquoise waters, and epic coastal views.

However, Petite Police Beach is often empty, making it a great option for those who want to escape the crowds of Beau Vallon.

This makes it an excellent destination for keen photographers, especially as the scenery is so unique. There may not be much to do here, but the views and tranquil atmosphere make it worth the visit.

Due to the high waves and deep water levels, Petite Police Beach isn’t suitable for swimming (unless you manage to come here on a calm day). You’ll also need to wear shoes due to the sharp coral underfoot (so it’s not the best spot for families!). 

7. Anse Takamaka

When it comes to the best beaches on Mahe, Anse Takamaka is one of my top picks. It’s one of the island’s most stunning beaches and offers a traditional ‘tropical getaway’, with its swaying palm trees, fire sunsets, and turquoise waters.

One of the main reasons to visit Anse Takamaka is its excellent snorkeling opportunities, thanks to the area’s shallow and crystal-clear waters.

An abundance of marine life calls this area home, including turtles, octopuses, stingrays, and various tropical fish species. 

Just make sure you pack your own snorkeling gear, as there are no rentals located along Anse Takamaka. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for sea urchins! 

After exploring beneath the waves, you can head to Takamaka Beach Restaurant. This place offers striking sea views, a variety of dishes, and an extensive drinks menu.

8. Anse Intendance

Anse Intendance is another popular spot and is located in the south of Mahe. This wild beach is perhaps one of the island’s most beautiful, with its white sandy shores and turquoise waters, which make it look like something off a postcard!

Unfortunately, it’s not the best place to swim due to the strong undercurrents and waves. The water gets deep quickly here as well, due to the lack of coral reefs. 

Nevertheless, Anse Intendance has a lot to offer. Thanks to the wave conditions, it’s a favorite spot for surfers, and it’s a great place for sunbathers too.

The palm trees here offer some well-needed shade but just watch out for falling coconuts. 

If you’re after a break from the sun, head to Summer Bar. Boasting a shady setting, cool atmosphere, and lively reggae music, it’s the perfect place to grab a cocktail or some delicious food, including grilled fish.

9. Petite Anse

Petite Anse is a charming beach located in the southeast, around a 30-minute drive from Grand Anse Village. 

Like many of the beaches on Mahe, it’s advised not to swim here due to the strong currents. Some people do choose to snorkel as the water is so clear, but you’ll need to stay in the shallows and check the conditions beforehand. 

Thanks to the beach’s calm atmosphere, it’s a great place to relax, especially as the area doesn’t get crowded. However, you’ll need to access Petite Anse through a resort, even though it’s open to the public.

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles is a stunning beachfront hotel, and this is the resort you’ll need to enter through. It offers superb private pool villas as well as endless facilities, including a spa, fitness center, on-site dining options, and an outdoor pool.

10. Sunset Beach

There are some fantastic beaches on Mahe, and Sunset Beach is one of them! Located on the west coast of the island, this beach is less than a 20-minute drive from Victoria, although there’s no parking close by. Luckily, you can get here by bus too.

Sunset Beach is very popular and can get busy due to its relatively small size, especially as guests from the nearby Sunset Beach Hotel frequent here.

However, this shouldn’t put you off visiting, especially if you head here early.

Thanks to its sheltered location and calm waters, this beach is an excellent swimming spot. You’ll also want to bring along some snorkeling gear, as the waters are clear and you can spot a variety of marine life here, including turtles. 

Because of Sunset Beach’s shallow waters, shaded areas, and nearby amenities, it’s the perfect option for families looking for a beach to relax at on Mahe.

Best Mahe Beaches: On a Map!

Did I miss any of the best beaches on Mahe? Let me know your favorite Mahe beaches in the comments!

More Seychelles Travel Guides

• Things to do in the Seychelles
• Things to do on La Digue
• Best beaches on La Digue
• Things to do on Mahe
• Seychelles travel tips
• Best Praslin beaches

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Megan Starr

Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now lives in Finnish Lapland after previous stints in Norway, Germany, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor’s Travel ‘Essential Norway’ (2020) and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.