Best Beaches in the Seychelles

The picture-perfect shoreline of Anse Source d’Argent is one of the most photographed on the planet. And for good reason - sea-smoothed granite rocks, blindingly white sand, clear waters teeming with fish and large swaying palms for extra cooling shade. It's easily reached by a short walk or bike ride through the plantations of L'Union Estate, which has an entrance fee, but believe us when we say it will be a million percent worth it. Admire the striking orange sunset with the family or a loved one, best seen if you arrive early to beat the crowds.

Preserved in its raw and natural beauty, Anse Georgette is a rare and completely undeveloped beach in the Seychelles Islands. A short sweep of unraked sand, lapped by powerful blue waves – with no sun loungers, cafes or tourist traps found here makes it a perfect addition to our list. Enjoy pre-arranged gourmet picnics from the nearby Constance Lemuria Hotel, or bring your own spread to watch the sunset glisten on the rippling water. Be warned that with no coral, currents can be strong when swimming.

Better suited to surfing and watersports lovers, this stunningly scenic kilometre-long stretch of shoreline on the southwest tip of Mahé has no reefs, but its high rolling waves are ideal for adrenaline junkies. Other than exhilarating (or calming for beginners) sports, spot the nesting turtles - with the nearby Banyon Tree Resort carrying out daily monitoring keeping them safe – so keep an eye out for their tell-tale footprints in the white sand.

The beautiful half-mile long crescent of sugary-white sand on the northern Praslin tip bags the title of “best sunset viewpoint” on the island. It is also the most popular beach on the island too, thanks to the lush canopy of green palms and takamaka trees offering some great shade, plus clean sand and superb snorkelling. Best arrive before 9am to claim a great spot, and be aware of a strong current underflow that can occur from June to September.

For those dreaming of a deserted paradise, look no further than La Digue’s Anse Cocos. A 30-minute swift walk from the charming Petite Anse is all that’s needed to reach this quiet slice of heaven. With azure blue waters making warm natural pools for some shallow splashing and paddling with the fishes below you, and makes for a great spot for exploring the old settlement and even a coconut drying plantation that once resided here.

A stunning location that was once a local’s secret spot, the southernmost beach of La Digue is a mesmerising and unmissable experience. A steep hike of a few hours through verdant forest opens to a new perfect crescent of sizable granite boulders blocking off the Indian Ocean, creating a natural saltwater bath. Find incandescent turquoise water, melting seamlessly into powder-white sand. We recommend hiring a guide to help find this magical location, going alone would be a difficult task.

Often among traveller’s top five choices of beach in the Seychelles, this twisty-turny shoreline on the southeast coast of La Digue is nestled next to the Four Seasons Resort. Be sure to check out their newly installed swing, perfect for that new Instagram pic that'll be sure to make everyone at home green with envy. Non-guests can park at the gates and walk down – but a friendly member of hotel staff will usually assist you up and down the steep hill in a resort buggy.

Beau Vallon is a staggeringly beautiful beach that caters for everyone's needs. With safe and shallow waters perfect for the little ones to explore, plenty of snorkelling locations and excellent wind and kite surfing when conditions allow. Close-by local cafes offer friendly hospitality and the weekly Wednesday food market lends a great buzz to the area – also playing host to a colourful Seychelles Ocean Festival.

Formerly a leper colony until the early 1960s, this function protected the island from human impact and made it a haven for turtles and giant tortoises. A decade later, the island was declared a national marine park - with 'tie-dye' waters, offering swimmers the chance to swim in all shades of blue. Be sure to visit the local museum and the ruins of the old residences, perfect for exploring.

A petit corner of paradise in the heart of the Constance Lemuria Resort. As all the beaches are public, you only need to inform the hotel in advance to make sure that everything runs smoothly. Couples can make themselves comfortable on the luxurious circular swing beds floating above the sparkling water, or enjoy chilled wine and fresh sushi at the beach café. Families will want to check out the water sports kiosk, which offers diving and snorkelling equipment and even glass-bottomed kayaks, perfect for observing marine life in technicolour. But if you prefer to curl up on a plush deckchair under the palm trees, this is the beach for you.