Location and character
This Seychelles beach may have got its name because the sand is as fine as flour (farine is French for flour). Sadly, this pretty little bay in the south-east of Praslin has no road access, so you have to come by boat or on foot along a path. Praslin is the second-largest island in the Seychelles after Mahé. From the beach you can see the island of Île Ronde opposite.
The beach is around 800 metres long and is usually empty. At one end, granite boulders jut out into the water, which makes a good photo spot. The sand is not floury everywhere: in places the beach is made up of coarser coral sand with shells and pieces of coral. Behind the beach stand the ruins of the former New Emerald Cove hotel, which according to visitors has been closed and left to decay since around 2018. It sits to one side of the beach, so you can still enjoy the bay.
Getting there
There is no car park or bus stop right at the beach. The starting point is Anse La Blague beach on the south-east side of Praslin, where the road ends. You can leave your car there, but there is nowhere to park beyond that point. For general information on public buses, see Travelling by bus in the Seychelles.
| Route | Duration | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Boat from Anse La Blague | approx. 10 minutes | Local fishermen or the small guesthouse on the beach, agree on the price in advance |
| On foot from Anse La Blague | 20 to 50 minutes, depending on source and pace | Steep, partly overgrown, through forest, swamp and mangroves |
| Boat trip (e.g. to Curieuse) | Stop usually 30 minutes | Not every tour stops here, ask the operator beforehand |
By boat
Small boats are moored on the beach at Anse La Blague, and their owners take visitors across to Anse La Farine. There are no fixed timetables or fares. Agree the price and the return time before you get in, and keep the tides in mind (see below).
On foot
The path starts at the end of the road at Anse La Blague, where it branches off steeply to the right. Visitors report that in places it is barely visible and that it is easy to lose your way. Wasps along the route are also mentioned. Wear sturdy shoes, and do not attempt it in the rain if you do not know the way.
Swimming and snorkelling
A fringing reef protects the bay, and the water is shallow and mostly calm. Anse La Farine is considered one of the best snorkelling spots on Praslin, with corals and clear water right in front of the beach. Expect seagrass in the shallows and pieces of coral on the bottom, so water shoes are a good idea. You can find more on equipment and spots under Diving & Snorkelling.
The tides are what matter here. At high tide much of the beach disappears, while at low tide it becomes wide. Plan your visit for low water, and if you are on foot, do not let the rising tide catch you out. At high tide the water also turns choppy. The south-east trade wind blows roughly from May to October and reaches the bay from the side. It is usually calmer in the months with less wind, and you can read more under Climate & Weather. There are no lifeguards.
Facilities
Since the hotel closed, there is no infrastructure left at the beach. Older sources mention a restaurant, sun loungers and water sports hire, but these were only for hotel guests. Bring drinks, food, snorkelling gear and bin bags, and take everything back with you. Shade is provided only by a few trees at the edge of the beach. At best you may be able to get food at the guesthouse in Anse La Blague, so ask beforehand.
Tips and what is nearby
- Arrive in the morning on a falling or low tide, which leaves enough time for snorkelling and the way back.
- Combine your visit with Anse La Blague, the nearest beach, which is also quiet and sheltered.
- The ferry quay at Baie Sainte Anne, where the Cat Cocos ferry docks, is only a few kilometres away, and Anse Volbert / Côte d’Or is about 5 kilometres away.
- According to reports, you can also see La Digue behind Île Ronde from the bay.
- Other remote beaches on Praslin: Anse Georgette, Anse Lazio and Anse Matelot.
