Location and character
Anse Louis lies on the picturesque west coast of Mahé, in the Anse Boileau district. The bay is sheltered and not far from a bus stop, yet it still gets big waves.
Here fine, powdery pale sand and green vegetation meet turquoise sea. The beach is roughly 500 metres long and about 20 metres wide, with granite slopes framing the bay at both ends. On the headland above sits the Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas resort, the only property on this beach.
Because of its beauty, the beach is also popular with wedding agencies. Even so, it is usually quiet. If you come in the morning, you will often have it almost to yourself.
Getting there
By car
From Victoria, take the Bois de Rose Avenue heading south. At the roundabout in Roche Caiman (Victoria South Petrol Station), take the third exit and cross the island via La Misere Road. When you reach Grand Anse, turn left at the petrol station. From there it is just under 15 minutes along the coast road heading south.
Straight after the Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas hotel (formerly Maia Luxury Resort) there is a small gravel car park on the right. It is small and can be full in peak season and at weekends. The hotel itself is on the West Coast Road, and according to the hotel it is around 30 minutes' drive from the airport. In the Seychelles you drive on the left, and the coast road is winding and narrow.
By bus
| Line | Route | Drop-off |
|---|---|---|
| Route 11 | Baie Lazare via La Misère | Anantara Maia (Maia Luxury Hotel) |
| Route 9 | Port Launay via Les Canelles | Anantara Maia (Maia Luxury Hotel) |
Bus stops on Mahé are often unmarked. Tell the driver you want to go to the Maia hotel. Fewer buses run at weekends and on public holidays. Current routes and times are in the SPTC timetable.
Swimming and snorkelling
The sea gets deep quickly and there is no protecting reef. Waves can be high and there are undercurrents. Small children and weak swimmers should go in no deeper than knee height. When the swell is higher, it is best to stay on the shore.
Because of the waves, the bay is only interesting for snorkellers on calm days. Stirred-up sand and seagrass often cloud the visibility then. The waves can make for good conditions for surfers and bodyboarders, but only for the experienced.
Seagrass washes up mainly between June and September. The beach has also been reported as heavily covered in seagrass in May. Which months tend to be calmer is shown in the fact box above.
Facilities
Tips and nearby
Come in the morning, when the beach is at its quietest, the light is good for photos and the car park is usually free. As the beach is popular with wedding photographers, it can be busier at times. Be considerate of the guests of the resort, which borders the bay directly.
If you prefer calmer water, there are more beaches nearby: Anse Boileau Beach, Anse Petite Boileau, Anse à la Mouche, Anse Gaulette and Grand Anse. You will find more beaches, sights and directions for the main island under Mahé.
