Location and character
This beach is worth a visit if you are interested in history and like to imagine how Lazare Picault may have been the first European seafarer to set foot on Mahé, exploring it in 1742; in 1756 Morphey then took possession of the islands for France. This palm-fringed bay on the south-west coast of Mahé has a narrow strip of sand close to the road and is one of the quieter corners of the island.
The beach belongs to the bay of Baie Lazare and faces south. Granite rocks mark the ends of the bay, and at one end stands the distinctive Copra rock. The coast road runs right behind the sand. That is handy if you only want a short stop, and less suitable if you are after complete seclusion. It is a simple place for a swim, a stroll and some photos, with no beach activity going on.
Getting here
| Route | Duration | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Car from the airport | just over 30 minutes (20 km) | Drive on the left, via Anse Royale |
| Car from Victoria | about 45 minutes | Coast road in the south-west |
| Bus from Victoria | around 75 to 80 minutes | SPTC route via Takamaka to Baie Lazare |
By car
Anse Gaulette is about 45 minutes by car from Victoria and a good half hour (20 km) from the airport. At the international airport turn left and follow the main road south via Anse Royale, past the petrol station there. Just beyond it, turn right into Les Canelles Road and at the end turn left onto the west coast road. Drive past the village of Takamaka until you reach Anse Gaulette, which begins in front of the Lazare Picault hotel.
Parking is along the roadside near the beach. Keep driveways clear and take valuables with you rather than leaving them in the car.
By bus
Buses run by the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) go from Victoria via Takamaka to Baie Lazare. The timetable from June 2026 lists departures from Victoria between 5:50 am and 7:10 pm, roughly every half hour to hour during the day. The route ends at the depot in Baie Lazare. Tell the driver you want to get off at Anse Gaulette; there is said to be a stop near the Lazare Picault hotel. At weekends and on public holidays, check the current SPTC timetable, as fewer buses run then.
Swimming, snorkelling and surfing
The water off the beach is clear and usually calm, as the bay is sheltered. How deep it is depends very much on the tides. High tide is the most pleasant time for a swim. At low tide the area in front of the beach turns shallow, and the rocks and the reef come close to the surface. The fact box above shows which months are especially calm.
Snorkelling is possible around the granite rocks at either end of the bay, but opinions differ. Some visitors praise it, while others consider swimming and snorkelling here dangerous. Only go in when the sea is calm and the tide is high, keep away from the rocks and do not swim far out on your own. There are no lifeguards.
Surfers know the spot as a reef break. It works best at high tide with a south-westerly swell, breaks mostly to the left and is rarely crowded. At low tide it becomes very shallow.
Facilities
The palms along the edge of the beach provide shade. There are no known sunbeds, parasols, showers or public toilets on the beach, so do not count on them. For food and drink, try the Restaurant La Gaulette on the west coast road. It belongs to the Hotel Lazare Picault and sits directly below it. The menu offers fish dishes and light snacks, and there is a beach bar. As a guest you can usually use the toilet there too. There is no cash machine or larger shop near the beach, so buy water and provisions beforehand.
Tips and what is nearby
- Come at high tide and in the morning, when it is quietest.
- The beaches in the area combine well into a south-west round trip. Anse Soleil and Petite Anse are about four kilometres away.
- It is only a few minutes by car to Anse Takamaka, and the sandy beach of Baie Lazare follows directly on from it.
- Other bays in the area include Anse Gouvernement, L’Anse aux Poules Bleues and Anse Intendance, the best-known beach on the south coast, with stronger surf.
- For an overview of the island, see the page on Mahé.
