Anse Kerlan Beach
Wild turtle shore where Praslin's northwest coast stays raw
About
Anse Kerlan stretches roughly 800 metres of white sand along Praslin's northwest coast, backed by exposed granite slabs and the distant green of the Lemuria golf course. The water runs turquoise, but this is open-ocean exposure — northwest-facing and unprotected — and the sea here is not the calm lagoon the colour suggests. Hawksbill turtles haul themselves onto this beach to nest, making it one of Praslin's most ecologically significant shores. Visitor infrastructure is minimal by design: no beach bars, no sun-lounger rentals, just the sand, the granite, and the Indian Ocean. It's wild in the best and most literal sense.
How to get there
From Grand Anse, Anse Kerlan is about a 20-minute drive along the northwest coast road, with informal roadside parking available at no charge — spaces are limited, so arrive early. A ferry connection also serves the area. An entry fee applies unless you're a guest at a hotel that owns beach access rights. There are no facilities on the beach itself, so come fully prepared.
Who it's for
For couples
Quiet, wild, and largely visitor-free, Anse Kerlan suits couples who want solitude and scenery without a beach-club atmosphere — the granite slabs make natural perches for watching the horizon together.
For families
Not recommended for families with young children — swimming is dangerous due to strong currents and waves, there are no facilities, and soft sand makes access difficult for pushchairs or wheelchairs. Older children with a genuine interest in wildlife and conservation may appreciate the turtle nesting context, but water entry is off the table.
Our take
Feet in the sand, eyes on the screen
Let's be direct: you cannot swim here, and that changes everything about how you approach Anse Kerlan. The turquoise water looks inviting, but strong currents make entry dangerous — full stop. What this beach offers instead is something rarer: a functioning hawksbill turtle nesting site on a northwest-facing wild shore that sees very few visitors. The granite slabs, the open horizon, the absence of infrastructure — it all adds up to a beach that asks you to observe rather than consume. Come in the dry season between May and October, respect the roped nesting zones absolutely, and treat the place as the wildlife habitat it is. Worth the detour for the right traveller.
What to do
The beach itself rewards slow exploration — walk the granite slabs, watch for hawksbill turtles at a respectful distance, and take in the northwest horizon. About 1 kilometre away, Anse Georgette is a pristine, isolated beach accessible through Lemuria Resort grounds and well worth the short detour. Further afield, Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve — a UNESCO World Heritage Site protecting the endemic coco de mer palm forest — sits around 7 kilometres away, and Curieuse Island Marine National Park, home to giant Aldabra tortoises, is reachable by boat from Anse Volbert at roughly 9 kilometres.
The exposed granite slabs framing the white sand with turquoise water behind them are the beach's signature shot — get low and use the rock texture as a foreground.
The view looking southeast along the 800-metre arc of sand with the Lemuria golf course rising green in the background offers a genuinely unusual coastal composition. Sunrise from the waterline, before any visitors arrive, gives you the cleanest light on the sand.
Where to eat
Capricorn Islander's is the closest option at just 0.4 kilometres, followed by Chateau Sans Souci at 0.6 kilometres — both convenient for a meal before or after your visit. For seafood, Lobster Bay Restaurant specialises in fish and regional cuisine and sits about 2.7 kilometres away, the same distance as Le Chevalier.
Where to stay
The Islander hotel is the nearest base at 0.4 kilometres, with Castello Beach Hotel, Hotel Sans Souci, and Castello Seychelles all clustered around 0.5 kilometres from the beach. Constance Lemuria, at 1.1 kilometres, is the area's most prominent resort and its guests may benefit from waived beach entry.
Photography
Shoot in the early morning when the turquoise water catches low-angle light against the white sand and the granite slabs glow warm — the Lemuria golf course backdrop adds an unexpected layer of contrast. The northwest-facing orientation means late-afternoon and sunset light falls directly onto the beach, making the final hour before dusk the most dramatic window.
Good to know
Do not enter the water — strong currents and waves make swimming dangerous, and this is especially true for children. Respect all roped-off turtle nesting zones without exception; do not step inside them or disturb the sand. No lights on the beach after dark during nesting season, and camping is strictly prohibited. Dogs are not permitted in turtle nesting zones, so leave them at home.
Map
Nearby places
Capricorn Islander's
Chateau Sans Souci
Legend
Le Chevalier
Lobster Bay Restaurant
The Islander hotel
Castello Beach Hotel
Hotel Sans Souci
Castello - Seyhelles
Constance Lemuria
Anse Georgette
Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve
Curieuse Island Marine National Park
Things to see around Grand Anse
Anse Georgette
Pristine isolated beach accessible through Lemuria Resort grounds
Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve
UNESCO World Heritage Site protecting the endemic coco de mer palm forest
Curieuse Island Marine National Park
Marine park with giant Aldabra tortoises, accessible by boat from Anse Volbert
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
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