Beau Vallon
Mahe’s main beach and its easy-going heart. A long, gentle sweep of sand on the north-west coast where calm water, watersports, sunset bars and a Wednesday market all sit within a short stroll.
Long, popular beach offering swimming, diving & snorkeling, plus hotels & restaurants.
The island’s most sociable beach
If Seychelles has a town beach, this is it. Beau Vallon is a long, wide arc of pale sand on the sheltered north-west coast of Mahe, a short drive over the hill from Victoria. It is the busiest beach on the island and the most convenient, backed by hotels, dive centres, casual restaurants and a scatter of local life rather than left wild and empty. For a first day, or for travellers who want a swim with a coffee and a sunlounger nearby, it is hard to beat.
The bay faces roughly west and north, which keeps it calm for much of the year and makes it one of the safer places on Mahe for an unfussy swim. The water shelves gently, the sand is clean and soft, and there is enough room that even a busy afternoon never feels crowded.
Watersports, diving and the market
Because the bay is protected and the operators are all here, Beau Vallon is the natural base for getting on and under the water. Dive schools run trips out to the reefs and to nearby sites, and you can arrange snorkelling, paddleboarding, kayaks and boat excursions along the beach. It is also the launch point for many of the day trips to the marine parks and outer islands.
On most Wednesday evenings a lively bazar sets up along the beach road, with grilled fish, Creole street food, fruit and crafts, and it draws locals and visitors alike. Coming down for the market and staying for the sunset is one of the simplest good evenings on the island.
Sunsets and staying nearby
The west-facing aspect gives Beau Vallon some of the most reliable sunsets on Mahe, and the beachfront bars fill quietly as the light goes gold over the water and Silhouette island sits on the horizon. Around the bay you will find everything from large resorts to small guesthouses, so it is an easy place to base yourself with the whole north of the island within reach.
Know before you go
| Where | North-west coast of Mahe, a short drive from Victoria |
| Type | Long public beach with hotels, restaurants and watersports |
| Swimming | Generally calm and well sheltered, one of Mahe’s easier swims |
| Activities | Diving, snorkelling, paddleboarding, kayaks, boat trips |
| Market | Lively beach bazar most Wednesday evenings |
| Facilities | Restaurants, bars, dive centres, shops along the bay |
| Best time | Late afternoon for calm water and the sunset |
What visitors say
★ 4.5 · 1,104 Google reviews★★★★★Beautiful clear water and lovely sandy beach. We went here by chance as it was on my list of beaches and we were in time for sunset 🥰 we strolled along the beach which was very busy but ample space for everyone to do the…
Farhana Manekia · via Google
★★★Do not go to the area near coral strand hotel, it’s very very loud, a cheap commercial vibe. However, if you walk around beau vallon beach towards the north it can be very calm and beautiful especially around sunset.
shahad bee · via Google
★★★★★It’s one of the biggest and nicest beaches on the island, definitely the main beach. It’s touristy, but not crowded, and the attached little boulevard walk and the ‘bazaar’ make it a great spot for souvenir shopping. The…
Bram Wouters · via Google
★★★★It’s one of the most famous beaches on Mahé island, making it a must-visit if you are in the area. My wife, kids and I liked this beach and enjoyed it swimming and sunbathing. Especially on a clear sunny day when the wat…
Alexander Merzlak · via Google
Beau Vallon is the natural base for the north of Mahe, close to Victoria and the dive boats. Pair a relaxed beach day with a private island tour, and stay right on the bay to catch the market and the sunset.
Traveller favouriteFull-day private Mahé island tourfrom €129 per groupBook this tourTours via Viator, stays via Booking.com. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Sunset Beach · Anse Major · Victoria Market
Come down late in the afternoon. The water is calmest then, the Wednesday bazar sets up along the road, and the west-facing bay gives you one of the most dependable sunsets on the island.
