All 115 Seychelles islands offer unbelievable beaches against a magnificent backdrop of jungle-clad mountains. Despite being home to some of the world’s top hotels, the islands still feel authentic and, fortunately, have yet to lose their local charm. There have been no direct flights from the UK for years, but British Airways recently launched a nonstop flight that shortens journey times from about 16 hours to 10, so there is no better time to visit! For a breakdown of all you need to know ahead of your trip, we’ve written a complete travel guide, which you can find here, and below is a list of our favourite beaches you must visit.
ANSE MAJOR, MAHE
Mahé is the largest and liveliest of the islands, with ninety percent of Seychelles’ population living here. Although most people head to the other islands for paradisical beaches, Anse Major is a pristine, white sand beach with crystal clear, deep, turquoise water on the northwestern end of Mahe Island that is worth visiting.
ANSE SOURCE D’ARGENT, LA DIGUE
La Digue is my favorite and the smallest, most laid-back of the three main islands. The island is just 5 km long and 3 km wide. You won’t find a Seychelles beach guide that doesn’t mention Anse Source D’Argent, voted the most beautiful beach in the world. To visit Anse Source D’Argent, you must pay a small entrance fee at the L’Union Estate. This fee also gives you access to L’Union Park, where you can visit the museum, old coconut mills, and giant tortoises. I suggest going as early as you can. We went as soon as the park opened and had the entire beach to ourselves for over an hour; it was incredible.
BEAU VALLON BEACH, MAHE
Mahé is usually the first stop for most visitors, so add this beach to your list to start your trip right away. This beautiful beach is well-protected by coral reefs, resulting in calm waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. There are also lots of restaurants and beach-side bars with live music.
ANSE LAZIO, PRASLIN
This island is considered one of the most beautiful destinations on the planet, with many gorgeous beaches and jungles to explore. A flight from Mahé to Praslin will cost more than the ferry; however, it will only take about 15 minutes vs. 50 minutes (I went for the flight, and the views did not disappoint). Anse Lazio is often called Praslin’s most beautiful beach, with rows of coconut-filled palms lining the pristine white sand.
ANSE ROYALE, MAHE
This is an excellent option if you’re looking for a beach to go snorkeling. Anse Royale is a popular beach in a small village near the famous Takamaka Rum Distillery.
ANSE COCOS, LA DIGUE
You’ll need to take a short nature trail hike from Grand Anse to reach Anse Cocos, but the short walk is worth it! A sheltered lagoon amongst giant granite boulders with crystal clear water makes this one of the best beaches for swimming in the Seychelles!
ANSE ST JOSE, CURIEUSE ISLAND
This is one of the best beaches near Praslin for snorkeling, and you can often spot cruising turtles and even some friendly little reef sharks. Anse St Jose is easily accessible from Praslin by booking a snorkeling day trip. This island is a sanctuary for the giant Aldabra Tortoise, and you’ll see them walking freely.
