Location and character
This smaller bay with a white sandy beach lies at the edge of the Côte d’Or, between Côte d’Or Lodge and the L’Archipel hotel. It is good for swimming, and there are water sports facilities nearby. Praslin is the second largest island in the Seychelles after Mahé.
The bay curves gently and is shallow, with a juice stand right on the sand. You will also see it spelt Anse Gouvernement. Because the bay faces east, you get the morning light here, but there are no sunsets over the sea on this stretch of coast. The beach is noticeably quieter than the main beach at Anse Volbert / Côte d’Or, mainly because it belongs largely to the L’Archipel hotel.
Getting there
By bus
Buses run by the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) travel from the Baie Sainte Anne ferry jetty towards Anse Volbert and the Côte d’Or. There is a stop near Côte d’Or Lodge, and from there you walk along the end of the bay. Fares are paid cashless with a travel card, available from SPTC sales points and selected shops, among other places. You will find current routes and times on the SPTC website and on our page Travelling by bus in the Seychelles. Fewer buses run at weekends and on public holidays.
By car or taxi
The coast road runs right past the bay. From Praslin airport it takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes by car or taxi, and slightly less from the Baie Sainte Anne jetty. The driver will know the L’Archipel hotel, which is the best destination to give. Whether and where you may park at the beach has not been definitively clarified. Do not park on the hotel grounds without asking at reception. The ferry from Mahé and La Digue is described on the page Cat Cocos ferry.
By boat
If you arrive by boat, you do not have to cross any private land. For access from the land side, tour operators advise asking the hotels on the beach for permission beforehand.
Swimming and snorkelling
The water is shallow and the waves are usually small. That makes the bay a good spot for families and for anyone who prefers a calm swim. The rocky areas at the edges of the bay are the best places for snorkelling. Expect stones on the bottom there and wear water shoes. At low tide it becomes very shallow.
Seaweed can drift in during March. The fact box above shows how calm the sea is in each month. If you want to dive or snorkel properly, you will find advice under Diving & snorkelling.
Facilities
| Was | Wie es aussieht |
|---|---|
| Schatten | Palmen und Bäume am Strandrand, am Hotel auch Sonnenschirme für Gäste |
| Essen und Trinken | Saftbar am Strand, Restaurants und Bar des Hotels L’Archipel; weitere Lokale an der Côte d’Or |
| Liegen und Sportgeräte | vor allem für Hotelgäste; Wassersport auch über Anbieter in der Nähe |
| Toiletten | Am Strand selbst nicht bestätigt; Besucher fragen am besten im Hotel oder in den Lokalen der Côte d’Or |
| Rettungsdienst | keiner am Strand |
Tips and what is nearby
- Come in the morning. The bay is then in the morning light, and it is at its quietest.
- Bring drinking water and sun protection. There are only a few places to buy anything on the way to the bay.
- After a day on the beach, it is worth strolling to Anse Volbert / Côte d’Or, the main beach in the area, with more places to eat and more water sports.
- The Praslin Museum is not far away on the Côte d’Or.
- For completely different kinds of beach, try Anse Lazio, Anse Boudin and Anse Georgette in the north-west, each with its own way of getting there. For an overview, see the page on Praslin island.
- The island of Curieuse can be reached from here on a boat trip.
