Location and character
Anse Barbarons, the beach right in front of the Avani Resort on Mahé's west coast, is family-friendly and excellent for swimming at high tide. That makes it very popular with hotel guests and other visitors looking for a great day on the sand. Like all beaches in the Seychelles, it is open to the public, including visitors who are not staying at the hotel. As on many of the island's beaches, you should check the waves and the current before going in.
The bay is gently curved and about 900 metres long, and the sandy beach can be narrow depending on the tide. The hotel is now called Avani+ Barbarons Seychelles Resort and reopened in 2025 after a refurbishment. It is one of the older hotels in the Seychelles, so many of the people on the beach are hotel guests. Further south, the long beach of Grand Anse continues the coastline.
Getting there
| Starting Point | Approximate Driving Time |
|---|---|
| Mahé Airport | 25 to 30 minutes |
| Victoria | 15 to 20 minutes |
By bus
The beach lies on the coast road, and the buses of the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) serve the Grand Anse area. The stop named as closest to the hotel is "Grand Anse Turning Point", around 700 metres away. It is best to ask your hotel or the driver which route to take and to check the current timetable at sptc.sc. Regular bus services run from about 5.30 am to 8.30 pm, and become sparser in the evening.
By car and on foot
Getting here in a hire car is straightforward, as the bay lies right on the west coast road. There is said to be a small, free car park at the access point with limited spaces, while the hotel car park is reserved for guests. Park only where it is expressly allowed and do not block any driveways. If you are staying nearby, you can walk to the beach. From Grand Anse it is a stroll along the coast road.
Swimming and snorkelling
The water depth here depends heavily on the tides. At low tide the water is usually too shallow for swimming, but there is a lot of sandy beach. At high tide the conditions for swimming and snorkelling are at their best. Check the tide table beforehand and plan your beach day around it.
There is a reef off the bay, the waves are higher than in sheltered bays, and seaweed can wash up. The fact box above shows which months are especially calm. The hotel offers water sports on the beach, so ask there about conditions and equipment.
Facilities
| Area | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Shade | Palm Trees Along the Beach |
| Food and Drink | Restaurants and bars at the resort, guests from outside are best advised to ask in advance for a table |
| Sun Loungers | usually belong to the hotel, please check on site |
| Toilets | we are not aware of a public toilet on the beach, please ask at the resort |
| Parking | small car park at the access point, spaces are limited |
Tips and surroundings
- Bring water and sun protection, as there is no public kiosk on the beach.
- Come at high tide and stay until sunset.
- Do not leave valuables unattended on the beach.
Other west coast beaches lie nearby, for example Grand Anse, Anse Takamaka, Anse Louis and Anse Boileau. If you enjoy walking, the Morne Seychellois National Park has trails leading up into the highlands. The Rock Pool is another good destination for an outing. For an overview of the island, see Mahé.
