Location and character
You will find Anse Bougainville in the south-east of Mahé, close to Anse Baleine and Anse Royale. This sheltered beach with its calm water benefits from the coral reef offshore, which makes it a safe place for swimming and snorkelling. Shops and restaurants are also conveniently close.
The bay is small and lies right beside the coast road. It is easy to miss from the road, so you are often almost alone here, especially in the morning and on weekdays. Its neighbour Anse Royale is better known, and many visitors drive straight past. If you like it quiet, this is the right spot. It is about 12 km from the airport.
Getting there
By bus
The easiest way is the public bus run by the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC), as there is a stop near the beach. The buses are cashless: you pay with a card, not to the driver. Visitors can get the Visitor Travel Card, which gives unlimited journeys. Each person needs their own card.
| Visitor Travel Card (as of November 2026) | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | SCR 100 (approx. €5) | Regular routes, 05:30 to 19:00 |
| 4 days | SCR 198 (approx. €12) | Regular routes, 05:30 to 19:00 |
| 8 days | SCR 363 (approx. €22) | Regular routes, 05:30 to 19:00 |
You can buy the card before your trip through the electronic entry system (SEBS) and collect it at the airport. Alternatively, it is available from SPTC sales points. The SPTC timetable and app show which route runs in your direction and when. Tell the driver that you want to go to Anse Bougainville.
By car
Arriving by hire car is a little trickier, as there are only a few parking spaces close to the beach. Allow some time to find one, and park so that you do not block the road or any driveways. If you are staying nearby, you can reach the bay on foot.
Swimming and snorkelling
The reef off the bay keeps out the swell of the open sea. The water is shallow and calm, so children and nervous swimmers cope well here. There are no lifeguards, so children must always be supervised.
For snorkelling, calm weather is what counts. The water is not among the clearest on Mahé, so do not expect the visibility of the well-known snorkelling beaches. During the south-east trade wind season, roughly May to September, the south-east coast gets more wind. The reef dampens the waves here, but the neighbouring beaches of Anse Takamaka and Anse Intendance can have heavy surf at that time. Only go beyond the reef when the sea is calm, and do not stand on the coral.
Facilities and tips
Get water and provisions in Anse Royale before you go to the beach. There are supermarkets, snack bars and restaurants there, for example Les Dauphins Heureux with seafood and Creole cooking. Ask locally about opening hours.
The coast faces south-east, so the sun does not set over the sea here. For an evening atmosphere, head to the west coast instead, for example to Grand Anse.
Nearby
Several beaches can be combined into a tour along the south-east coast:
- Anse Parnel and Anse Baleine lie right next door.
- Anse Royale is the better-known, livelier neighbour with shops and restaurants.
- Anse Forbans lies a little further south and is shady.
- Anse Takamaka and Anse Intendance are wilder and often rough when the trade wind blows.
