Mahé
 Of
the horde of glorious beaches on the main island of Mahé,
Beau Vallon, on the northwest coast, is very much the most
popular. Backed by hotels, it also hosts plenty of watersports
operators (paragliding is especially popular) but its chief
attraction is that there are no strong currents, rocks or
corals, so it's ideal for families.
As on all of the Seychelles beaches, topless sunbathing is
accepted but full nudity - despite the archipelago's claim
to have been the site of the biblical Eden - is definitely
not.
Anse Intendance, on the south coast, has been lauded as the
most beautiful beach in the Indian Ocean, and a single glance
at its half mile of powdery white sand strongly reinforces
this claim. There is no reef, so the waves make it suitable
for surfing. Intendance is also a turtle nesting site.
Port Launay
Port Launay, a wide stretch of sand with plenty of shade,
is also a Marine National Park - so the beautiful shells and
corals which wash up on its shores are to be admired but not
taken home! If Port Launay is too crowded, there are other,
smaller beaches between here and Baie Ternay which are often
deserted.
Police Bay and Petit Police
Police Bay and Petit Police, to the south of Intendance at
the very bottom of the island, are both magnificent to look
at and for sunbathing, but strong currents put swimming off
limits.
Anse Royale
Anse Royale, on the southeastern coast, is at its best between
October and May - at other times of year strong winds churn
up the water. Royale is scattered with huge granite boulders,
dividing it into a series of little private coves, and pleasantly
shaded by takamaka and palm trees.
Anse Soleil
Some way off the beaten track, Anse Soleil lies on the southeastern
coast, with plenty of fish to entertain snorkellers. A solitary
small café dispenses snacks and cold drinks. Nearby,
Anse à La Mouche is lovely by day, but is especially
celebrated for its night-time bio-luminescence - micro-organisms
give off light as fish or swimmers move through the water
- making a snorkelling session after dark quite magical.
Praslin's main beach, Côte d'Or, also known as Volbert,
sits on the northeastern coast. It's the island's main resort
area, with dazzling white sand and superlative snorkelling
offshore around the islets of Chauve Souris and St Pierre.
Getting to Anse Lazio, at the north of Praslin, involves
a long, winding drive, but is more than worth it. Perhaps
the most picturesque beach in the Seychelles, Lazio is beautifully
framed with statuesque granite rocks and lapped by crystal
clear waters.
La Digue
 If
some of the other beach-goers at Anse Source d'Argent seem
especially good looking and well dressed (or undressed) it's
because this beach is a favourite spot for modelling and film
shoots. But there's plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the
deliciously clear waters (shallow and sheltered by a reef)
and the enormous granite boulders that have been sculpted
by the elements for millennia.
Visitors coming here via the adjacent Union Plantation are
charged a US$3 entry fee.
Swimmers are advised to steer clear of the strong undertow
on Grand Anse, though surfers seem to enjoy pitting their
skills against the waves here. The current is also strong
at neighbouring Petit Anse, which despite its name is reasonably
grandiose. Swimmers should head to northernmost tip of La
Digue, where Anse Patates, near the village of Patatran, is
blessed with soft white sand and calm seas.
The best beach on Desroches is Bombe Bay. Accessible only
on foot or by bike, it has a vast expanse of white sand that's
ideal for exploring and sunbathing throughout the year.
On Silhouette, Anse La Passe is bordered by a hotel, while
Anse Lascars, on the eastern side of the island, can be reached
only on foot or by boat. It takes its name from ancient tombs
believed to be the final resting place of two dozen Arab sailors
whose dhow was wrecked here.
And on Frégate, the lush vegetation contrasting with
the translucent ocean is the star quality that brings beach
lovers to Anse Victorin.
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