ANSE À LA MOUCHE
A wide, shallow, sheltered bay on the south-west of Mahé. Calm water for gentle swimming, a long curve of sand, sunset colour and a scatter of good places to eat make it a relaxed local favourite.
Popular for swimming, fishing & snorkeling, this secluded bay & beach offers calm, shallow waters.
The calm bay
Anse a la Mouche is one of the gentlest beaches on Mahe. A broad, deep bay on the south-west coast, it is protected enough that the water stays shallow and calm a long way out, which makes it a safe, easy swim when the wilder open beaches nearby are too rough. That combination of shelter and space has long made it a favourite with local families and returning visitors who want the sea without the drama.
The beach curves in a long, quiet arc backed by trees and the odd house and restaurant. It is not a manicured resort strip but a real, lived-in bay, and its unhurried, everyday feel is exactly the appeal.
Swimming, sunsets and art
Because the bay faces roughly west and is so sheltered, it is a fine place for a slow swim, for paddling with children, and at times for beginners trying windsurfing or kayaking in the calm shallows. As the day ends the whole bay catches the sunset, and it is one of the more reliable places on the south-west coast to watch the light go down over the water.
The area around Anse a la Mouche has long drawn artists, most famously the painter Michael Adams, whose studio sits nearby, and there are a few well-regarded places to eat within reach. It makes an easy base for a lazy half-day on this side of the island.
Know before you go
| Where | South-west coast of Mahe |
| Type | Wide, shallow, sheltered bay, calm for much of the year |
| Swimming | One of the safer, gentler swims on Mahe, good for families |
| Activities | Easy swimming, paddling, windsurfing and kayaking in the shallows |
| Food | A scatter of restaurants and cafes around the bay |
| Best time | Late afternoon for calm water and the sunset |
| Nearby | Artists’ studios and the south-west beaches |
What visitors say
★ 4.4 · 106 Google reviews★★★★★Anse à la Mouche is a serene bay located on the southwestern coast of Mahé, Seychelles. Known for its calm, shallow waters and soft sandy shoreline, it’s a perfect spot for swimming, kayaking, and relaxing with family. S…
Theekshana Thennakoon · via Google
★★★★★Anse à la Mouche is one of those quiet treasures on Mahé that instantly makes you slow down and breathe a little deeper. The water is calm and perfect for a relaxing swimming while taking in the view. The beach stretches…
Milène E B Tagou · via Google
★★★★★Nice beach to view the sunset. Not many parking places around. There were small jellyfish in the water when we went again.
MK · via Google
★★★★★Waaay better than Baie Lazare which has strong waves and current even when winds are supposed to be the opposite direction. La Mouche stays calm and shallow, so great for putting on some swimming muscles. Decent parking …
Andrea Prunić · via Google
The calm bay sits on the scenic south-west coast among a string of beaches and artists’ studios. A guided tour of the south links them up, and staying on Mahe keeps this gentle stretch close.
Traveller favouriteWild South full-day guided tourfrom €128 per groupBook this tourTours via Viator, stays via Booking.com. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby L’Anse aux Poules Bleues · Anse Gaulette · Anse Soleil
Come for a calm swim and stay for the sunset. When the open southern beaches are too rough, this sheltered bay is one of the safest places on Mahe to get in the water, and the evening light over it is lovely.
