Location and character
Anse Port Glaud is on the west side of Mahé. The main beach lies right next to the road and is protected by a low wall. A little way out to sea there is a reef where the waves break, and at weekends you sometimes see locals out there with surfboards. Up to the reef the water is shallow and stony. Opposite lies the island of “Thérèse”.
A few metres further south is the “Port Glaud Lagoon”, whose contrasting colours make a great photo subject. In the background you can see the ruins of the former “Mahé Beach Hotel”. It was last run as the Berjaya Mahé Beach Resort and, according to reports, has been closed since 2008.
Port Glaud beach lies on the west coast of Mahé and borders the Port Launay national park. It is just as attractive as the southern beach at Port Launay, with views over calm, shallow water, the landscape and some of Mahé's neighbouring islands.
Port Glaud is a place for locals, not a resort beach, and it is usually quiet. Because the beach faces northwest, you can watch the sun set over the sea in the evening.
Getting there
By car
From Victoria the road crosses the mountains to the island's west coast. In the Seychelles traffic drives on the left, and both mountain roads are winding, so expect oncoming traffic.
Sans Soucis Road: It has many, many bends. At the Rochon Dam Viewpoint (next to the Greek consulate) you can enjoy the view over Victoria, and on the way you can stop at Mission Lodge for views over the west coast. I recommend this road to nature lovers. The Sans Soucis Road ends right in the village of Port Glaud, where the beach of the same name is found.
La Misere Road: This one also has a viewpoint, with views over Eden Island and the St. Anne Marine Park. The La Misere Road is more densely populated than the Sans Soucis Road, but the hill you have to cross is a little lower and has fewer sharp bends. Once on the west side, follow the West Coast Road to the right, heading north, past the beach at Grand Anse and over a small hill. After that you are in Port Glaud.
Parking: You can park at the roadside. Keep driveways and the carriageway clear.
By bus
The SPTC bus company runs from Victoria towards Port Launay and Port Glaud. The journey times in the table are guide values taken from the June and July 2026 timetables.
| Route | Stretch | Travel time from Victoria |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | "Port Launay via La Misere" | about 60 to 70 minutes |
| 14 | "Port Launay via Sans Soucis" | about 40 to 45 minutes |
| 14A | Port Glaud (stop "Port Glaud Michel") to Victoria | check the timetable |
Swimming and snorkelling
The water in front of the beach is calm and shallow because the reef breaks the waves. The bottom is sand and stones, so water shoes are a good idea. Swimmers should keep well away from where the waves break on the reef, as that is where the locals surf at weekends.
At low tide the water becomes very shallow and swimming is only possible to a limited extent. The beach is nicer at higher water levels. It is sheltered and also suits children who are not yet strong swimmers.
You can snorkel right off the beach, but do not expect too much. The better coral areas are in the neighbouring Port Launay Marine National Park. The park protects fringing reefs and is the only marine park on Mahé that can be reached from both land and sea. Do not touch the corals and do not take anything away, not even shells.
Facilities
Tips and things to see nearby
The beach is at its best in the late afternoon, when traffic eases and the sun hangs lower over the sea. The visit combines well with a drive along the Sans Soucis Road: Mission Lodge and the tea factory lie on the way, and trails start in the Morne Seychellois National Park, for example to Morne Blanc. Afterwards you can cool off in the sea at Port Glaud.
There are more beaches nearby. The Port Launay beach is better for snorkelling because of its reefs, and Baie Ternay follows next to it. Heading south you come to Grand Anse and Anse Boileau. The Sauzier Waterfall is also in the area.
