GRAND ANSE MAHÉ
A wide, wild beach on the west coast of Mahé, big on drama and space but open to the swell. Beautiful to walk and watch, and a beach that asks for respect in the water.
Wide, wild and west-facing
Grand Anse on Mahé is one of the island’s grandest sweeps of sand, a long open bay on the exposed west coast backed by hills and takamaka trees. Its scale is the draw, room to walk for ages with the Indian Ocean rolling in, and far fewer people than the sheltered northern beaches.
That openness comes with a caveat. Facing the open ocean, Grand Anse catches real surf and strong currents, especially in the southeast trade season, so it is often a beach to admire and stroll rather than to swim. Watching the sets roll in is a pleasure in itself.
A beach to walk more than swim
On calm days people do go in, but the rip currents here are among the most serious on Mahé and there are no lifeguards, so caution matters and children need close watching. The safe pleasure is the walk, the wide sand, the sound of the surf and the sense of a coast left largely to itself.
There is little in the way of facilities, so bring what you need. It is an easy drive over the hills from Victoria, and pairs naturally with the other west-coast beaches for a day of big scenery.
Know before you go
| Where | West coast of Mahé, over the hills from Victoria |
| Swimming | Often unsafe, strong rip currents and surf, no lifeguards |
| Good for | Long walks, big scenery, watching the surf, quiet |
| Facilities | Very few, bring water and shade |
| Season | Roughest in the southeast trades, calmer around the wind change |
| Bring | Water, hat, sunscreen, and caution in the water |
| Best time | Morning, and settled weather if you hope to swim |
What visitors say
★ 4.5 · 203 Google reviews★★★★★Grand Anse Beach is one of the most beautiful and untouched beaches in Seychelles. The long stretch of white sand, dramatic waves, and clear blue water make it perfect for photography and relaxation. It’s less crowded, s…
Archana Biswal · via Google
★★★★★Great, big beach with soft sand, perfect for a long walk. When we visited, there was a lot of wave action, so swimming wasn’t possible, but it’s definitely worth a visit.
Bram Wouters · via Google
★★Grand Anse is a beautiful beach without crowds. The beach is easy to reach by bus 9 or 13. However, there are sandflies! Be careful if you tend to allergic reactions. I had 10 bites in 5 minutes and needed antihistamine …
Sarojini Sox · via Google
★★★★★Amazingly underrated! There were no people on the beach even though it was a Sunday. Took some incredible photos of Île Aux Vaches from there! The only downside is the unstable high waves, couldn’t swim but the view was …
Theyabb · via Google
Grand Anse sits on the wilder west coast, an easy drive that pairs with the other big beaches nearby. Stay on Mahé with a hire car to reach these quieter shores at your own pace.
Tours via Viator, stays via Booking.com. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Anse Intendance · Anse Takamaka · Port Launay Marine Park
Treat this as a beach for walking, not swimming, unless the sea is clearly calm. The rips on this open coast are no joke and there are no lifeguards, so enjoy the scale and the surf from the sand.
