By ‘Niyi David
Going to Seychelles should be on everyone’s bucket list, especially if you love beach bumming. Over and over again, Seychelles beautiful white sand beaches have been ranked among the very best in the world, and those dreamy spread of inviting shorelines make for some of the best beach-bumming experience anywhere in the world.
With a tropical climate that rarely rises above 32°C or drops below 24°C, Seychelles is often a warm and sunny place. It gets an estimated seven hours of constant sunshine daily, due to its location within the Southern Hemisphere.
If you love the feel of the white sands tickling your feet as you plod along, the sea cool breeze gently running through your hair and the tingling caress on your wet skin after a splash in the warm turquoise waters of the ocean, as you lay down to soak up the sun; then go pack your swimming gear, beach ball, snorkel, towels, sunblock, lunchbox, etc. and let’s go explore these 12 beaches…
How Do I Get Here?
Hooray! Seychelles is visa-free. Just get your valid passport and enough money to spend – and make sure you’re not carrying any contrabands like, narcotics, firearms, etc. Touchdown is at Aéroport de la Pointe Larue, (Seychelles International Airport) near Victoria on Mahé, the biggest island.
Anse Source D’Argent: Reputed to be the most photographed beach in the whole world, Anse Source D’Argent has soft white sand, clear turquoise waters and huge granite boulders shaped in time by the elements. Sheltered by the reef, the sea is very calm and shallow, and is safe even for children because of its sand underfoot. Located on La Digue, it’s a great spot for snorkeling and sunbathing.
Anse Lazio: Located on the northwestern end of Praslin in the Bay Chevalier, Anse Lazio is the perfect tropical paradise beach which has consistently been listed among the top 10 beaches in the world. The rocky Pointe Chevalier borders the beach on the right, and on the other side the curve of the island shields it, giving it a sense of seclusion and privacy. Great spot for swimming, snorkeling and perfect for enjoying a Seychelles sunset.
Anse Royale: Scattered with huge granite boulders which divides it into a series of little private coves, nicely shaded by takamaka and palm trees, Anse Royale stretches from an area known as Fairyland down to the Anglican Church. Located on the southeastern coast of Mahé, a mere 10-minute drive from the airport, it is great for snorkeling especially around the rocks at Fairyland up to the small islet off the coast.
Anse Cocos: Offering golden sand, shallow natural pool water, and shade thanks to the palm trees, Anse Cocos can be found in the east of La Digue, just along the coast from Petite Anse, and it’s perfectly possible to spend a whole afternoon here, relaxing on the beach and paddling in the water. Swimming should be reserved for confident swimmers only, but if you stick to the protected natural pools of water, you should have no problems.
Anse Marron: The southernmost beach on La Digue, Anse Marron can be difficult to find, and almost all tourists come here with the help of a tour guide. As there is no coral reef off the southern coast, the water gets deep quickly, although this is negated by the presence of a shallow saltwater pool that is perfect for paddling. This small pool is protected by the large granite formations that can be found here, which also give the beach a beautiful, scenic appearance.
Grand Anse (Mahé): As the name suggests, Grand Anse is an imposing sandy bay located on the southwestern coast of Mahé. Grand Anse has strong currents and it’s not suitable for swimming, although some brave surfers dare it, but the long sandy stretch makes for a good relaxing stroll.
Beau Vallon: Situated on the northwest coast of Mahé, Beau Vallon is the most popular beach among locals and visitors. Ideal for families because there are no rocks, no corals and no strong currents, there is a large presence of hotels and watersports operators in the area.
Anse Soleil: A beautiful, bright bay with gorgeous golden sand and turquoise-blue water, Anse Soleil is relatively popular amongst tourists, and there are usually at least a few people here enjoying the sand and the scenery. This is due to its close proximity to some accommodations.
Anse Georgette: Often described as one of the two most beautiful beaches on Praslin, the other being Anse Lazio, the picturesque Anse Georgette is an incredible mix of gorgeous turquoise ocean water, pristine white sand, and leaning palm trees making for a truly jaw-dropping beach.
Anse à la Mouche: It is a 25-minute drive from the airport to Anse à la Mouche on the south-western coast of Mahé. A large sparkling, calm bay with shallow waters, the beach is safe for swimming, and suitable for children, because even at high tide the water remains shallow and there are no strong currents.
Anse Intendance: One of the most famous beaches in Mahé, Anse Intendance offers a wild and remote yet beautiful half a mile stretch of powder white sand and huge breakers. Approximately 15km from the airport, the beach is located on the southern coast. With no reef, its waves are larger than most of the other beaches on the island, making it suitable for surfing, but less so for swimming.
Anse Boileau: Located on the southwestern coast at approximately 9km from the airport, Anse Boileau beach is a narrow band of sand fringing shallow waters. Close to the main coastal road, the beach is wide and picturesque in the setting sun, even though it does not boasts of white sands. It is great for snorkeling and swimming, and you can buy fresh fish from the fishermen in the mornings.
There are several other beaches all over Seychelles, where you can enjoy a real good time, lazing on the sand, basking in the sun, or splashing in the sea. For the record, Seychelles is an archipelago of over one hundred islands, and more than three-quarters are uninhabited. That means if you have the cash to splash, you can rent an entire island all to yourself. Think about it.
*Cover Image courtesy of Michel Denousse – Tourism Seychelles
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This article was first published as “Beach Bumming in Paradise: 12 Idyllic Beaches in Seychelles” by Afro Tourism.