Anse Royale
A long, reef-sheltered beach on the south-east of Mahé, and the cradle of the islands’ history. Calm swimming, a little island offshore and the site of the first spice garden make it beach and heritage in one.
Small beach with rocks & palm trees, popular for its white sands, snorkeling & nearby cafes.
Where the colony began
Anse Royale is a long, handsome beach on the warm south-east coast of Mahe, and it carries more history than any other stretch of island sand. It was here, in the 1770s, that the French first tried to establish the spice plantations that gave the Jardin du Roi its name, and the district has been settled and worked ever since. Today it is a relaxed local beach with a real community behind it, backed by the spice garden on the hill and the island’s university nearby.
The beach itself is broad and long, fringed with takamaka trees and palms, and there is plenty of room to walk. The little green islet of Ile Souris sits just offshore, completing one of the prettier bays on this coast.
Calm swimming and easy days
A reef runs along much of the bay, so parts of Anse Royale are well sheltered, with calm, shallow water that is good for swimming and, near the reef and the islet, for easy snorkelling on settled days. As always, judge the water where the reef opens, but for much of the year this is one of the gentler and more family-friendly beaches of the south-east.
With the spice garden, the flower garden and a string of other beaches close by, Anse Royale makes a lovely and convenient base for exploring the whole warm south-east corner of the island.
Know before you go
| Where | South-east coast of Mahe |
| Type | Long reef-sheltered beach with real local life and deep history |
| History | Site of the first French spice garden in the Seychelles, 1770s |
| Swimming | Calm and sheltered where the reef protects the bay |
| Snorkelling | Easy near the reef and Ile Souris on settled days |
| Nearby | Le Jardin du Roi spice garden, Kot Man-Ya flower garden |
| Best time | Any calm day, mornings for the gentlest water |
What visitors say
★ 4.6 · 644 Google reviews★★★★★Definitely one of the best beaches on the island. Not very touristy and not many people around, so it feels a bit more secluded. Easy parking nearby is a big plus. Very relaxing place and great spot for a swim.
Bram Wouters · via Google
★★★★★Anse Royal is a family-friendly beach on Mahé that is especially suitable for children. The water is very calm and exceptionally clear, making it perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Thanks to the offshore reef, there ar…
Mag. Massimiliano Magnini · via Google
★★★★★Nice beach where anyone can swim. Water is clear blue. Actually there are different shades maybe due to coral and boulders. Waves are minimum and the tides are low. Nice for paddling and kayaking. There is plenty of shad…
Tas A · via Google
★★★★It is a good beach. It is enough water to swim in the low tide. It is not much shade from the trees. Flood tides bring more seagrass. There is some plastic, empty tins and bottles from the visitors. It is disappointing. …
Michele di Borgo · via Google
Anse Royale is the heart of the south-east, close to the spice garden, the flower garden and Fairyland’s snorkelling. A guided south tour ties them together, and staying here puts this warm corner on your doorstep.
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 Le Jardin du Roi · Fairyland Beach · Kot Man-Ya flower garden
Head for the sheltered southern end by the reef and the little island for the calmest water and the best snorkelling, then climb the hill to the spice garden to see where the whole Seychelles story began.
