Location and character
In the days of piracy, buccaneers may well have visited this lovely beach on the southeast coast of Mahé. Today Anse Forbans is very popular with guests staying at the nearby hotels. For swimming, most of the beach is considered safe, except for the southern stretch leading towards Anse Marie Louise (past the Chalets Anse Forbans).
The name suits the legend: "forban" is the French word for pirate. Together with the neighbouring bay, the beach is sometimes called "Pirate Bay". It lies in the Takamaka district and is around a kilometre long and roughly 15 metres wide. Casuarina and takamaka trees line the sand, and a few granite boulders at the water's edge give the bay a secluded feel. An offshore reef holds back the waves, with a shallow lagoon behind it.
There are two places to stay on the beach: the four-star DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles Allamanda Resort & Spa with 30 rooms, and the self-catering Chalets d'Anse Forbans. Away from these properties it is usually quiet.
Getting there
By bus
From Victoria, route 5 runs towards Baie Lazare via Takamaka. There is an "Anse Forbans" stop close to the beach. Allow about 45 minutes from Victoria. Timetables and frequencies change, so ask at the bus terminal in Victoria or at your hotel for current departures, especially for the return journey in the late afternoon. If you have a lot of luggage, a taxi from the airport is the better choice.
By car and parking
From Victoria, head south along Bois de Rose Road and the Providence Highway past the airport. After that, simply keep following the coast road (East Coast Road). The Chalets Anse Forbans are at the southern end of the road. The drive takes about 45 minutes.
There is no dedicated beach car park. The usual practice is to leave your car at the roadside.
On foot
If you are staying at the chalets or the hotel, you will be at the water within a few minutes. Just after the chalets, an unpaved road branches off to Anse Marie Louise. The neighbouring bay is only about 0.5 km away and is easy to reach on foot.
Swimming and snorkelling
The water is shallow and does not drop away steeply, so children and less confident swimmers manage well here. At low tide you have to wade a long way out before you can swim. At high tide part of the beach disappears under water, but the waves stay small.
According to guidebooks, seaweed is most likely from June to September. This is when the southeast trade wind blows and the coast is more exposed. For the calmest conditions, see the fact box above. You can snorkel at the reef from the shore. If you mainly want to see fish and coral, other beaches on the island offer better spots, for example nearby Anse Marie Louise.
Facilities
The public section of the beach is undeveloped. Reports about toilets and food and drink on the beach contradict each other, so plan without them. The trees at the edge of the beach provide shade. Sunloungers and parasols are available on the hotel beach for hotel guests.
For something to eat or drink, there is a hotel restaurant within walking distance. It is best to check beforehand whether non-guests can eat there. You will find more places to eat in Anse Royale and at Anse Takamaka, a short drive away.
Tips and surroundings
If you have a car, Anse Forbans combines well with the beaches of the south coast.
| Destination | Distance from Anse Forbans |
|---|---|
| Anse Marie Louise | approx. 0.5 km, on foot |
| Anse Intendance | approx. 3 km, 4 minutes by car |
| Anse Royale | approx. 6 km, 6 minutes by car |
| Anse Takamaka | over the hill near Quatre Bornes, about 20 minutes by car |
