Three Best Beaches - Seychelles

With the entire island only 17 miles long and a few miles wide, Mahe reigns supreme in pristine beaches. And how picturesque can you get? A small mountain chain runs down the center of Mahe, and the land flattens out as it reaches the shoreline. Along the north coast there are both beautiful beaches and really nice restaurants and hotels. On the flat ring around Mahe is where the main road runs and connects towns and villages all around. Beau Vallon sits northwest and was the main beach in the Seychelles for many years until tourist started taking a greater interest and it became easier to get to the nearby smaller islands. Today Beau Vallon is still beautiful, but it's not as busy as it once was. So grab your snorkel and head here first.

If you were considering travel insurance, forget the insurance. You will not be disappointed by the beaches at this destination.

Most Americans have never heard of this place. So, first, a bit of history.

Imagine finding these gems of the Indian Ocean for the first time. No humans. Just flora and fauna. While Arab traders were probably the first to visit the uninhabited Seychelles, the first recorded sighting of them took place in 1505, by the Portuguese. As a transit point for trading between Africa and Asia, they were occasionally used by pirates until the French began to take control of the islands starting in 1756, naming them after Jean Moreau de Sechelles, the then French finance minister.

So where in the world are the Seychelles?

The Seychelles constitute an large group of small islands in the Indian Ocean - about 115 in all of which 33 are inhabited. The group of islands around Mahé consist of granite and are the largest and the most populated of the country. The remaining outer group consists of smaller coralline atolls. The capital city, Victoria, is situated on Mahé, which is the largest island and home to about 80% of the total population, as well as the Seychelles' highest point, the Morne Seychellois at 905 m.

The local climate is tropical, tempered by marine influences and fairly humid. The southeast monsoon is a generally cooler season which lasts from late May to September, while the warmer northwest monsoon lasts from March to May. The Seychelles are fortunate to lie outside the tropical cyclone belt.

Seychelles largely escaped the Asian Tsunami of December 2004 spawned by an earthquake. However, the islands did see significant flooding and damage - as well as large loss of marine life and death toll of three persons.

This has to be the most concentrated place on earth for beaches. We start with the island of Mahé. Beau Vallon to the north, is the most frequented beach in the region and perhaps the most popular on the island. And with good reason. Easy access and short distance from Victoria, it's close for everyone.

Even though the beach is spectacular, there have been problems with over-commercialization. Tim Ecott, a regular visitor to the Seychelles for many years, wrote, "At the Berjaya Beau Vallon Beach Resort there were five waitresses in the pizzeria, and we were the only customers. For 20 minutes the staff chatted among themselves, occasionally sauntering between the tables adjusting the knives and forks in a desultory way. Two appeals for service were sullenly ignored, and eventually I had to leave the table and approach the cashier to place my order. In more than 10 years of eating there, I've never known it to be any different. The Beau Vallon was one of the original nationalized hotels, and it seems some things never change."

Hopefully, your visit to Beau Vallon, Mahé, Seychelles, will be different than Tims'.

More Beau Vallon, Mahe pictures.

Beau Vallon - BEACH INDEX:

• Sand - white powder, soft - During the North West monsoon from November to around April, sand is removed from the beach by the powerful waves and currents and during that time the beach is more or less covered completely by the swells during high tides. A direct result of this has been the degradation and cracking of the existing seawall which protects the public road that runs parallel to the beach.
• Facilities - full service
• Shade - large adult trees and palm trees
• Sports - full service
• Notes - large beach, crystal clear water

The number two beach is probably the Most Photographed in the World! Next >>

Labels: beau vallon, Northern Mahe, seychelles beaches, tsunami

Anse Source D'Argent, the second best beach in the Seychelles is also one of the most popular.

The coastline is a series of small crescent pink sand beaches separated by gigantic granite boulders which are famous for their unusual curves worn by time and weather.. The beach is sheltered by a reef, ideal for snorkeling and sun bathing. The calm waters make it perfect for the little ones.

Anse Source D'Argent, voted numerous times the 'best beaches in the world', is also one of the most photographed beaches, featured in numerous travel magazines as well as travel programs.

Anse Source D'Argent is located on La Digue, one of the principal islands. La Digue manages to be tropical, homey, understated and classy all at once, without sprawling resort hotels, grand casinos and bustling sport activity centers.

If you find it hard to tear yourself away, don't say we didn't warn you. However, you can explore the coastline for hours and hours.

In fact, we believe the food here in the Seychelles is the best of any Indian Ocean destination. Though most islanders here eat basic meals of fish and rice, several dishes incorporate fruit, exotic herbs and spices from several regions of the world. The two-mile stretch of golden sand is no slouch either, as it's edged by a walk and anchored by twin mountain peaks at its western end.

La Digue island represents the quintessential Seychelles postcard images - turquoise seas laced with pink-hued beaches and the occasional giant granite boulders adding an artistic contrast to the powder-soft sand and crystal-clear waters. Turtles nest on various islands e.g. Cousin, Aldabra, Silhouette, as do large colonies of birds. Some islanders went back to Mauritius it was mostly the families of the original deportees that migrated north to this island that is paradise. Until recently working with copra and vanilla extraction were the mainstays of the local economy, nowadays it is firmly geared to looking after its visitors.

The Seychelles was once thought to be the location of the Garden of Eden, and Anse Source D'Argent almost leaves no doubt — you just may be tempted to cancel your return home.

Anse Source D'Argent, La Digue - BEACH INDEX:

• Sand - pink! medium to large grain, yet soft
• Facilities - limited in areas
• Shade - adult trees and palms
• Sports - some snorkel rental available
• Notes - probably the most photographed beach in the world. Recommend a beach tour starting at Grand Anse - beautiful, but not safe for swimming - then on to Anse Cocos, (there's a nice path). Take your time and take in this spectacle.

Can it get any more spectacular? This next beach is out of this World! Next >>

Labels: Anse Source D'Argent, La Digue, seychelles beaches

Praslin is the second largest island in the Seychelles and the most popular with tourists. Why?

Soft white sand beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters surround the small island.

The Best Beach in the Seychelles goes to Anse Lazio. Situated on the north west corner of Praslin in Bay Chevalier, it is a perfect crescent of soft, fine grained sand. The beach is relatively deep, from the fringe of Takamaka trees and palms to the waves of the warm Indian Ocean. To the right of the beach you'll see the craggy deserted Pointe Chevalier. Bounded on the other side by the curve of the island, you feel secluded. This is why year after year Anse Lazio is voted "the best beach in the world" by numerous travel publications and newspapers.

The Cote d'Or, also known as Anse Volbert is the island's main tourism center. Tourists come here to enjoy safe swimming and snorkeling. It is also possible to book an excursion to one of the neighboring islands of Aride, Curieuse and Cousine through the hotels. Excursions to Cousin are usually not permitted due to the nature reserve there.

Praslin, with a population of 6,500 people, is Seychelles' second largest island. It lies 45 kilometers to the northeast of Mahé and measures 10 kilometers by 3.7 kilometers. Try to stay over the weekend because the free excursion to the private Island Grand Soeur is an unforgettable experience - go to the beach! These islands are distributed on the coast lands surrounding the Indian ocean and the existing islands within.

To get to Curieuse or the other nearby islands, you have to charter a boat, which is done through your hotel. Although a secluded setting, you can reach all the places that make Praslin Island so unique in less than an hour. Praslin is granitic in origin and mountainous. On any other island in the world the beaches would be crowded with hundreds of people. But here a beautiful beach is only second to one of the many world wonders on La Digue.

It is an absolute must for every guest on Praslin to visit the Vall'de Mai, a unique natural preserve in the Eastern part of the Island. Well-kept paths will lead you through a flora, untouched for millions of years.

Don't miss this. Travelers make a special day trip to Praslin just to see it. The guide books talk it up as if it is the eighth wonder of the world.

Due to its north-west facing location, Anse Lazio is perfectly situated to experience the full force of a Seychelles sunset.

This is it - the top beach in the Seychelles: Anse Lazio on the isle of Praslin.

Anse Lazio, Prasil - BEACH INDEX:

• Sand - medium grain, white, soft
• Facilities - Bonbon Plume café close by
• Shade - adult trees and palms - beware of falling coconuts
• Sports - you must bring your own gear
• Notes - can have large waves - snorkeling good, but reef recovering from damage of 2004 tsunami event (worst area hit in the Seychelles)

Labels: Anse Lazio, Bay Chevalier, Bonbon Plume, Praslin, seychelles beaches

Here are more pictures of the wonderful beach at Beau Vallon on the North Shore of Mahe in the Seychelles Islands. Enjoy!

Labels: beau vallon, Mahe, seychelles beaches