Location and character
Near Grand Police Bay, a small path leads from the main road to this secluded, little-visited beach in about five minutes. It is fairly wild and not ideal for swimming, but it works well for sunbathing or relaxing in the shade of the coconut palms. Like every beach in the Seychelles, it is open to the public.
Anse Corail lies on the exposed south coast, where there is none of the protection from offshore reefs that many other Mahé beaches enjoy. The neighbouring bays are the small Anse Cachée, about 340 metres to the northwest, and Anse Bazarca, around 650 metres to the southeast (as the crow flies, according to OpenStreetMap).
Getting there
By car
The beach lies on the road to Grand Police Bay, which you reach from the village of Quatre Bornes. From Anse Royale it is about a 20-minute drive. Parts of the road towards Police Bay are considered poorly maintained, so some visitors leave the car earlier and walk the last stretch. Park so that residents and oncoming traffic can still get past.
By bus
The state bus company SPTC runs as far as Quatre Bornes on Mahé. From there you face a longer walk or a taxi ride. Whether and where a bus stops closer to Grand Police Bay is something to check beforehand in the current SPTC timetable. The buses are cashless and only accept a bus card. Allow plenty of time for the return journey, as there are no buses in the evening.
On foot from the path to the beach
The turn-off from the main road is a narrow path with no facilities. An offline map helps with orientation, and the map further down shows the location. Sturdy footwear is sensible, and the path can be slippery in the rain.
Swimming and sunbathing
Karl does not consider the beach ideal for swimming. That fits the south coast: the bay is open to the ocean, and in neighbouring Police Bay the waves and currents are strong. Guidebooks advise against swimming there. For Anse Corail itself there is no reliable information on calmer months, so the rule is: check the movement of the water first, then decide. Snorkelling is not recommended here.
Facilities
Take your rubbish with you. On secluded beaches without bins, everything else is left lying around.
Tips and surroundings
It is quietest in the morning. A visit combines well with a walk along Police Bay. Allow one to two hours for the beach itself. Pack sun protection and insect repellent, as the shade of the palms does not cover every part of the beach.
| Beach | Location | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Anse Cachée | approx. 340 m northwest | small neighboring bay |
| Anse Bazarca | approx. 650 m southeast | Neighboring beach |
| Police Bay and Petit Police | nearby | open bay, unsuitable for swimming |
Other beaches on the south coast include Anse Intendance, Anse Takamaka and Anse Forbans. For an overview of the island, see the page on Mahé.
