ANSE FORBANS
A long, reef-sheltered beach on the south-east of Mahé, popular with locals and easy to swim. Calm shallows, shady takamaka trees and a genuine, low-key island feel.
Remote bay beach popular for snorkeling due to its calm waters & a reef teeming with aquatic life.
A local favourite
Anse Forbans is a long, welcoming beach on the south-east coast of Mahe, a firm favourite with local families and a lovely, low-key alternative to the big-name bays. Its name nods to the pirates, the forbans, once said to haunt these waters, but today it is all easygoing island life, with shady takamaka trees along the sand and a relaxed, unhurried mood.
A reef runs offshore, so much of the bay is sheltered and the water stays calm and shallow, which makes it one of the more reliable and family-friendly beaches for swimming on this coast. There is plenty of length for a walk, and a scatter of small guesthouses gives it a genuine, lived-in feel.
Swimming and setting
The reef-protected shallows are gentle and easy on settled days, good for a relaxed swim and, near the rocks, a little snorkelling, though as always on the south-east it pays to check the sea when the trade winds blow. The takamaka trees offer welcome shade, which makes it an easy place to spend a lazy few hours.
It sits close to Anse Royale and the string of quiet south-eastern beaches, so it fits naturally into a slow day exploring this warm, relaxed corner of the island.
Know before you go
| Where | South-east coast of Mahe, near Takamaka |
| Type | Long, reef-sheltered local beach |
| Swimming | Calm and shallow on settled days, good for families |
| Shade | Takamaka trees along the sand |
| Good for | Easy swimming, local life, a relaxed lazy day |
| Best time | Calm days, the drier northwest-wind season |
What visitors say
★ 4.7 · 35 Google reviews★★★★Family friendly beach. Haven’t tried snorkelling but heard it’s good. Not too comfortable to walk on, though, since there are tons of stones.
seytales · via Google
★★★★★Beautiful family friendly beach. You can have a great fish BBQ there at Steven’s.
Radu Motişan · via Google
★★★This beach is next to Hilton double tree. It’s not wow. The day I went too many weeds… Takamaka Beach is close by and much better for swimming and snorkeling
Khalid Kasam · via Google
★★★★★This is the perfect small town to meet locals, experience immaculate beaches and take in this island paradise!
Laurie Conway · via Google
Anse Forbans is a relaxed stop on a tour of the south-east and its beaches, close to Anse Royale and the spice garden. Stay in the south-east to enjoy its calm, shady sands at a local pace.
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 Anse Royale · Anse Parnel · Anse Machabée
Claim a spot under the takamaka trees. Anse Forbans is one of the calmer, shadier, more family-friendly beaches on the south-east, so bring a picnic and settle in for a lazy, easy day by the reef.
