Anse Petit Police BeachSeychelles Beach Guide
Wild pale-gold shore where granite meets raw surf
About
Anse Petit Police is a roughly 353-metre sweep of pale gold sand on Mahé's south coast, framed by the rounded granite boulders that define Seychelles geology at its most dramatic. The water runs a vivid turquoise, but don't let that colour fool you — strong surf and deep, choppy conditions make this one of the island's most unforgiving shorelines. There are no tourist facilities whatsoever: no sunbeds, no snack bars, no lifeguard. What you get instead is a genuinely wild beach, empty on most days, where the only sounds are breaking waves and wind through the palms. It's a place to look at, not to swim in.
How to get there
Drive to the Police Bay car park on Mahé's south coast — free roadside parking is available along nearby roads, shared with Police Bay visitors. From there, a five-minute walk brings you to Anse Petit Police, though be prepared for a short rock scramble; there is no wheelchair access and no paved path. The beach is walk-in only — you cannot drive to the sand itself.
Who it's for
For couples
Couples who want solitude over sunbeds will find Anse Petit Police genuinely empty on most visits — it's a place to walk, sit among the granite boulders, and watch the turquoise water without distraction. Just come prepared: the romance is in the wildness, not the comfort.
For families
Anse Petit Police is not suitable for families with young children — swimming is dangerous, there are no facilities, and the rock scramble from Police Bay rules out easy access with small kids or pushchairs. Families are better served by calmer beaches elsewhere on Mahé.
Our take
Let's be direct: Anse Petit Police is a beach you visit to witness, not to swim at. The water is dangerous — deep, choppy, strong currents, no lifeguard — and that verdict does not soften in the shoulder months. Come between May and September and the south-east trade wind swell makes conditions even more severe. What the beach does offer is genuine wildness: pale gold sand under roughly 353 metres of open sky, turquoise water you can admire from a safe distance, and rounded granite boulders that photographers will find endlessly compelling. The five-minute walk from the Police Bay car park keeps visitor numbers low, and on most days you'll have the place to yourself. If you want a dramatic, empty, photogenic south-coast landscape on Mahé — and you're happy to keep your feet dry — this is worth the detour. If you came to swim, go elsewhere.
What to do
The dramatic surf beach at Police Bay is just 0.2 km away and is popular with locals and photographers — pair the two in a single visit. History buffs can seek out the former penitentiary only 0.4 km from the beach, a quietly sobering landmark on this wild stretch of coast. A short distance further, Basen Diri at 1.3 km offers another angle on the south coast's rugged character. For a longer excursion, Anse Intendance — Mahé's most dramatic surf beach with granite boulder headlands — lies about 4 km away.
The rounded granite boulders at either end of the pale gold sand are the signature frame — shoot wide to capture both the turquoise water and the raw rock in a single composition.
The shoreline looking back toward the boulders at golden hour, with surf breaking in the middle distance, gives a second strong shot that conveys the beach's wild character without requiring anyone to enter the water.
Where to eat
The nearest dining options require a short drive: Les Palmes is the closest at 2.9 km, followed by Chez Batista at 3.7 km, which serves regional Creole cooking. Surfers Beach Restaurant at 3.9 km covers both Creole and international dishes if you want something more varied after your visit. Pack a picnic if you prefer to eat on site — there is nothing at the beach itself.
Where to stay
Lazare Picault Hotel at 5.4 km is the closest base for exploring this part of Mahé's south coast. Valmer Resort at 6.3 km and Le Relax Hotel at 7.4 km offer further options within reasonable reach. Anse Soleil Resort, 7.5 km away, rounds out the choices for those wanting to stay in the area.
Photography
The rounded granite boulders framing the pale gold sand are the defining shot — arrive in the early morning when the light is low and the beach is at its emptiest. The turquoise water contrasting against the dark granite makes for a compelling composition even without a soul in the frame; the wild surf adds natural drama that no filter can replicate.
Good to know
Do not enter the water. The safety assessment here is unambiguous: deep, choppy water and strong currents make swimming too dangerous to consider, and there is no lifeguard on site. During May through September, south-east trade wind swell intensifies conditions further — avoid those months entirely if you had any thought of getting wet. Snorkelling is only occasionally viable during the calmest moments of the dry season, and even then it demands serious caution. Bring everything you need — food, water, sun protection — because there is nothing on the beach itself.
Map
Nearby places
Les Palmes
Chez Batista
Surfers Beach Restaurant
La Gaulette
Les Dauphins Heureux
Lazare Picault Hotel
Valmer Resort
Le Relax hotel
Alha villa
Anse Soleil Resort
Things to see around Takamaka
Police Bay
Dramatic surf beach popular with locals and photographers
Anse Intendance
Mahé's most dramatic surf beach with granite boulder headlands
Jardin du Roi Spice Garden
Historic spice garden near Anse Royale with guided tours
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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