At a glance
- Best for
- Swimming, water sports, families and a lively base
- Time needed
- Three to five nights as a Mahé base
- Getting there
- Fifteen minutes by bus or taxi from Victoria
- Best sea
- October to April, when the north west is calm
- Night out
- The Bazar Labrin market on Wednesday evenings
- Good to know
- Lifeguards cover the central part of the beach in daytime
Why stay at Beau Vallon
Many of Mahé's most beautiful beaches are remote and quiet, which is lovely for a day but less practical for a week. Beau Vallon gives you a swimmable beach, choices for every budget and things to do within walking distance, while still being only fifteen minutes from Victoria. It suits families, couples who want some life in the evening and anyone travelling without a car.
The beach
The sand is soft, the slope is gentle and the bay is protected, so the water is usually calm enough for children between October and April. From May to September the south east trade winds can make it choppier, but it is still among the more sheltered beaches on Mahé in that season. Lifeguards watch the central section during the day. Fishermen pull up their boats at the northern end in the late afternoon, and the beach is a social place for local families at weekends.
Things to do
**Diving and snorkelling** are the main draw. Dive centres on the beach run trips to granite reefs such as **Brissare Rocks**, **Aldebaran** and the wreck of the **Ennerdale** further out, and to the islands of the **Baie Ternay Marine National Park** at the northern tip of Mahé. Whale sharks pass through the north west in some years from around August to October.
On land, the coastal walk from **Danzil** at the end of the road to **Anse Major** is one of the best short hikes in the country: about an hour each way along granite slabs and pitcher-plant scrub to a small, wild cove. Go in the morning and take water.
Back on the beach you can hire kayaks and paddleboards, take a glass-bottom boat, or go out on a sunset cruise.
Bazar Labrin
Every Wednesday evening the **Bazar Labrin** night market sets up along the beach road. Stalls sell grilled fish, octopus curry, kebabs, samosas, fresh juice and homemade cakes, with music and crafts. It is the best introduction to Seychellois food on Mahé and popular with locals as well as visitors. Bring rupees in small notes.
Eating out
Beyond the market, Beau Vallon has beach bars for sunset drinks, a few creole and seafood restaurants, pizza places and small takeaways along the road. Supermarkets and small shops make self-catering easy, which saves a lot of money in Seychelles.
Where to stay
The bay has a handful of larger beach hotels and many self-catering apartments and guesthouses on the road behind the beach and in the hills of Bel Ombre and Mare Anglaise. Self-catering is the most common choice for budget and mid-range travellers. Book well ahead for Christmas, Easter and European school holidays.
Getting there and around
Buses run from Victoria to Beau Vallon and on to Bel Ombre and Danzil through the day, and taxis are easy to find. The airport is about forty minutes away by road. Most visitors use Beau Vallon as a base for day trips around Mahé, to the south coast beaches, to Morne Seychellois for hikes and into Victoria for the market.
Tips for a smooth visit
Swim where the lifeguards are, and check the flags and sea conditions in the trade wind season. Do not leave bags unattended on the sand. Reef shoes are useful at the rocky ends. Sunset is around half past six all year, so plan evening walks with that in mind.
Questions about Beau Vallon
Is Beau Vallon good for swimming?
Yes, it is one of the best swimming beaches on Mahé, especially from October to April. Swim near the lifeguards and take care in rougher months.
When is the Beau Vallon night market?
Bazar Labrin runs on Wednesday evenings on the beach road. Confirm locally, as days can change around holidays.
Is Beau Vallon too busy?
By Seychelles standards it is lively, but it is never crowded like a mainland resort. Walk to either end of the bay for quieter sand.
Can I walk to Anse Major from Beau Vallon?
Take the bus or a taxi to Danzil, where the trail starts. The walk takes about an hour each way and has little shade.
Facts checked . Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so always confirm the latest with the official source.
