Location and character
On the north of Mahé, Anse Machabée is a small beach that is often overlooked, even though it offers an exceptional view, lovely sand and good swimming and snorkelling. From the bay you look across to Silhouette Island. Beach guides give its size as roughly 135 × 20 m, and at high tide the strip of sand gets narrower.
A cold stream runs out right on the beach. If you visit in the morning, you will often have the bay to yourself.
About 200 m further along the main road towards Beau Vallon is the Machabee Rockpool, a natural seawater pool sheltered by granite rocks. At low tide there is also a tiny, unnamed beach there.
Getting there
By car
From Victoria, head north onto 5th June Avenue. After the English River clinic, go straight over the roundabout onto the North Coast Road and follow it for 15 minutes. After Carana beach and the Carana Beach Hotel, the road sits a little further inland and rises and dips. The beach is just after a right-hand bend, opposite the supermarket. Beside the wall of the bus shelter, a stone staircase leads down to the beach.
You can park at the roadside shortly after the supermarket (a small lay-by). There are only a few spaces and the road is winding, so park in a way that blocks neither the bus stop nor the carriageway, and do not leave valuables in the car.
The Machabee Rockpool is a little further along the road towards Beau Vallon. There is a grey stone wall on the right-hand side of the road. You can park at the roadside here too.
By bus
The bus stop is right by the beach, and the stone staircase starts next to the bus shelter. Two routes of the state bus company SPTC run here:
| Line | Route |
|---|---|
| Route 20 | Glacis via Anse Etoile |
| Route 22 | Glacis via Beau Vallon. This bus loops from Victoria around the northern tip and back to Victoria. |
The direction of Route 22 alternates: according to the timetable, some buses go first via Anse Etoile, others first via Beau Vallon. On weekdays the first bus leaves Victoria shortly after 5 am, and during the day there are several departures per hour. At weekends the service is less frequent. Check the current timetable at sptc.sc before your return journey.
As a visitor you need a card for the bus. The visitor card is valid for unlimited journeys on the regular routes between 5.30 am and 7 pm:
| Visitor card | Price (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|
| 1 day | SCR 100 (€5) |
| 4 days | SCR 198 (€12) |
| 8 days | SCR 363 (€22) |
Swimming and snorkelling
The water off the bay is suitable for swimming and snorkelling. According to beach guides, the seabed is made up of sand and stones, so water shoes are a good idea. The waves vary from day to day: some descriptions speak of small waves, others of a strong swell. Take a look at the water before you go in.
Where the stream meets the sea, the water is noticeably cooler than in the sea itself. If you prefer calmer, sheltered water, you can try the Machabee Rockpool, as granite rocks shield it. The fact box above shows which months are calm on this stretch of beach.
Facilities and tips
There are no known sunloungers, beach bars or public toilets on the beach. Drinks and snacks are available at the supermarket opposite, and larger restaurants can be found in Beau Vallon.
Nearby
The north coast of Mahé has several beaches that combine well. Right before it lies Carana Beach. In the other direction comes Beau Vallon Beach, the best-known beach on the island, with restaurants and dive centres. About 3 km to the south-west is Sunset Beach. Anse Major can be reached on foot or by boat. Other bays in the area are Anse Glacis and North East Point.
