Location and character
Glacis Beach is not really a single beach but two sections separated by rock formations. The deep water here is safe for swimmers and snorkellers, and the beach also has lovely views of Beau Vallon and the island of Silhouette.
The bay belongs to the district of Glacis on Mahé's north-west coast and lies below the Bliss Hotel. It is a small, quiet stretch of coast with granite boulders, not a long swimming beach like Beau Vallon. The larger of the two sections is the one where you park. In the morning you will often see fishermen here selling their catch close to the shore.
Getting there
By car
A hire car is the easiest way to reach the beach. There is parking at the larger section. From Beau Vallon the drive takes about a quarter of an hour, along the road that follows the north coast.
By bus
There is no bus stop right at the beach. However, SPTC bus routes run through Glacis: route 20 goes from Victoria bus station via Anse Etoile, and route 22 goes via Beau Vallon. Ask the driver where to get off for the beach, and allow for the rest of the way on foot. Current timetables are published by the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation. The last bus runs in the evening, so check your return journey in advance.
On foot
If you are staying in Glacis, you can usually reach the beach on foot. The road is hilly, so wear sturdy shoes and take water with you.
Swimming and snorkelling
The water is deep enough for swimming, and the rocks at the edges of the two sections are good for snorkelling. The waves are usually small. At high tide the sand is largely covered, leaving only a narrow strip. It is therefore better to visit at mid to low tide, and to keep towels and bags well away from the water.
On the north-west coast the sea is generally calmer during the trade wind season from May to October. Between December and February, when the north-west monsoon blows, you can expect more swell and rain. Before snorkelling, check what the wind and waves are doing that day, and do not swim far out on your own. There is no reliable information on seagrass or currents at this beach.
Facilities
Parking, toilets, shade and a restaurant are listed for the beach. The food and sanitary facilities mostly belong to the hotel. Whether sunloungers or toilets are open to day visitors is not certain. If in doubt, ask at reception. There is no known kiosk or supermarket right at the beach, so bring drinks and snacks with you.
Tips and what is nearby
Being on the north-west coast, this stretch of shore offers good chances of a sunset over the sea in the evening, though the view depends on where exactly you stand and on cloud cover.
Other beaches nearby:
- Beau Vallon Beach, the long main beach of the north coast, with restaurants, shops and water sports
- Anse Marie-Laure, a small, quieter beach not far from Beau Vallon
- Anse Major, a secluded bay reached by a hiking trail along the coast
- Anse L’Ilot, hard to find and almost completely covered at high tide
- North East Point
For an overview of the island, see the page on Mahé.
