Anse Nord d'Est Beach
Golden sands, local life, zero tourist fuss
About
Anse Nord d'Est stretches roughly 700 metres along the northeast tip of Mahé, on Île de la Persévérance just outside Victoria. Golden sand meets turquoise water, and at low tide a wide tidal flat opens up the bay into something almost otherworldly — shallow, glassy, and utterly quiet. A line of casuarina trees backs the beach, filtering the light and rustling in the sea breeze, while a Creole residential neighbourhood frames the whole scene. No beach bars, no sun-lounger rentals, no tourist presence — just local families, especially on Sundays, living their weekend exactly as they please.
How to get there
From Victoria, it's roughly a 25-minute drive to reach the beach, and the route is straightforward on daily roads. Ferries also connect to this part of Mahé, making it reachable without a car. Informal roadside parking is available in the residential area — it's free, but space is limited and the neighbourhood is lived-in, so park considerately. There's no entry fee.
Who it's for
For couples
A quiet walk along 700 metres of golden sand with almost no one else around makes this a genuinely low-key escape for couples who'd rather watch local Sunday life than perform for a tourist strip.
For families
The Sunday family beach culture here is the real draw — local families use this beach exactly as it was meant to be used, and the flat sandy access from the road makes it easy to arrive with kids and gear in tow.
Our take
Feet in the sand, eyes on the screen
Anse Nord d'Est is one of those places that doesn't try to impress you, and that's exactly why it works. No facilities, no tourist infrastructure, no performance — just a long stretch of golden sand, turquoise water, and the quiet rhythm of a Creole neighbourhood going about its Sunday. The tidal flat at low tide is genuinely striking, and the casuarina tree line gives the whole beach a texture you won't find at the resort beaches further south. Avoid December through February: the northeast monsoon hits this bay directly, and the water turns rough and murky. Come between May and October, respect the neighbourhood, and bring your own everything. Worth the detour for anyone who finds the polished end of Seychelles tourism a little exhausting.
What to do
The Rock Pool, about 2km away, is worth an afternoon. For a broader look at the islands, Teddy's Glass Bottom Boat operates around 5km from the beach and offers a window into the Sainte Anne Marine National Park, a protected marine reserve roughly 10km offshore with excellent snorkelling. If you want to stretch your legs inland, Morne Seychellois National Park — the largest on Mahé, covering the central mountain range — is about 12km away and rewards the drive.
The casuarina tree line at the back of the beach frames a shot that looks nothing like a typical Seychelles postcard — raw, local, and genuinely different.
The low-tide tidal flat offers a wide reflective foreground with the turquoise water and residential backdrop behind it. Shoot early, before the light flattens out.
Where to eat
ROCKPOOL Paste, Bar & Grill sits about 3km from the beach and is the closest dining option. Lucky House is just 100 metres further at 3.1km. For something more substantial, Baobab Pizzeria and Angels Corner are both around 5km away — pack a picnic if you're planning a full day, because there's nothing to eat on the beach itself.
Where to stay
Carana Beach Hotel is the closest base, just 1km from the beach, and puts you within easy reach of the northeast coast. Manresa Hotel & Restaurant at 2.4km and Bliss Hotel at 3km offer further options if Carana is full. Glacis Heights Villa at 2.9km suits anyone wanting a self-catering setup with more space.
Photography
Early morning is the best time to shoot — the low sun catches the golden sand and the turquoise water before any haze builds, and the casuarina tree line casts long, clean shadows across the beach. At low tide, the wide tidal flat creates a mirror-like foreground that makes the Creole residential backdrop unusually photogenic for a beach shot.
Good to know
This is a residential neighbourhood first and a beach second — keep noise down, leave no litter, and treat the space with the same respect you'd want outside your own home. There are zero facilities on the beach, so bring everything: water, snacks, sunscreen, and shade. Between December and February, northeast monsoon swells roll directly into this northeast-facing bay, making the water murky and swimming rough — plan your visit outside those months. At low tide the water retreats significantly, requiring a long wade to reach swimming depth, so check tide times before you go.
Map
Nearby places
ROCKPOOL Paste, Bar & Grill
Lucky House
longyuan
Baobab Pizzeria
Angels Corner
Carana Beach Hotel
Carana
Manresa Hotel & Restaurant
Glacis Heights Villa
Bliss Hotel
Victoria Clock Tower
Sainte Anne Marine National Park
Morne Seychellois National Park
Things to see around Nord d'Est
Victoria Clock Tower
Iconic miniature replica of London's Vauxhall Clock Tower in the Seychelles capital
Sainte Anne Marine National Park
Protected marine park off Victoria with snorkelling and glass-bottom boat tours
Morne Seychellois National Park
Largest national park in Seychelles covering the central mountain range of Mahé
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.
Nearest beaches
Reviews of this beach
- No reviews yet, what a shame — leave yours and share your experience.
Photo credits
Sources and licenses for the photos shown above.
- Photo 1 — Morten Idriss Nygaar… · source · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Photo 2 — soseychelles · source · CC BY 2.0
- Photo 3 — soseychelles · source · CC BY 2.0
- Photo 4 — soseychelles · source · CC BY 2.0
- Photo 5 — Mozzihh · source · CC BY-SA 4.0