Location and character
This is a beach that hardly anyone knows. Anse Petite Boileau lies in the south of Mahé and is virtually untouched. The sand is fine, pale and powdery, lined with palms, with turquoise sea in front. There is little shade, but you will usually have the beach to yourself. In the background you can make out Police Bay beyond the rocks.
The beach sits on the south coast, right on the open Indian Ocean, so it is much rougher than the beaches on the island's west side. If you like waves, rocks and solitude, you will be happy here. If you are looking for somewhere to swim, you will find better options elsewhere on the island.
Getting there
By car to the car park
The drive from Victoria to Police Bay takes about 60 minutes. Follow Bois de Rose Avenue onto the Providence Highway, pass the airport, continue along the coast road, the ‘East Coast Road’, heading south, and then onto the ‘South Coast Road’. At Anse Forbans the road bends away from the beach and inland, climbing gently. At the junction by the ‘Quatre Bornes’ police station, turn left onto Intendance Road. Follow it all the way to Petite Police Bay. There is a small car park here, with a ruin on the left, and the tarmac road becomes much narrower and more overgrown.
By bus
The bus only gets you close. The routes run by the state bus company SPTC go as far as Quatre Bornes, and from there you have to cover the last few kilometres to Petite Police Bay by taxi or on foot. Whether a route continues further south, and how often, changes with the timetables, and there is a reduced service at weekends. Check the current timetable in advance at sptc.sc. With a hire car you are more flexible here.
On foot over the hill
To get here you have to walk for about 40 minutes over the hill. From the car park, follow the small tarmac road on foot, passing a metal gate to one side after a short while. After that it is quite steep uphill and then down again. Anse Petite Boileau lies at the end of the road.
The slightly overgrown tarmac road was built for a hotel project. The project was never completed, however, because there were incidents on the building site, and workers say the area is haunted. Shortly before the beach you can still see the remains of an old house and an oven that was probably used to make coconut oil.
The ruins of the old prison also lie along the way. The surface is mossy in places and slippery when wet. An alternative route leads from Police Bay over the coastal rocks to the beach. It is shorter, but only advisable in calm seas and with care. A direct path at the southern end of the beach has only sparse red markings and is hard to find.
| Route | Duration / Distance |
|---|---|
| Victoria to Petite Police Bay (car) | about 60 minutes |
| Car park to beach (on foot) | about 40 minutes each way |
| Return trip | around 4 km, 1.5 to 2 hours with breaks, steep ascent and descent |
Swimming and snorkelling
Because of the waves and currents, you are better off not swimming here. The seabed is sharp and rocky, and the water gets deep after just a few metres. There is no protective reef offshore, so the surf rolls in unbroken from the open sea.
The south-east trade wind season from May to September is particularly tricky, when heavy seas build up along the whole south coast. From November to March the sea is usually calmer, but even then the current can change quickly. According to other visitors, snorkelling is usually not possible because the waves are too strong. For watching the waves, strolling and picnicking, on the other hand, the beach is excellent.
Facilities and tips
The walk is most pleasant in the morning, before the sun is high, as the steep section passes through stretches with little shade. After heavy rain, put the trip off, because the old tarmac is very slick then. Take your rubbish back with you and tell your accommodation where you are going.
Nearby
Right next to the car park you will find Police Bay and Petit Police as well as the little bay of Anse Bazarca. All three combine well with a visit to Anse Petite Boileau. Further along the south coast come Anse Intendance, Anse Takamaka and Anse Forbans. For calmer swimming conditions, head to the west coast, for example to Anse Boileau, a shallow fishing beach not to be confused with Anse Petite Boileau. For an overview of the island, see the page on Mahé.
