Location and character
Anse Volbert, Praslin's main beach, also called Côte d’Or ("Gold Coast"), is lined with many hotels and guesthouses, yet thanks to its length it rarely feels crowded. It is a stretch of dazzling white sand, and the crystal-clear water is excellent for swimming and water sports.
Out in front you can see the small hotel island of Chauve-Souris, and behind it St. Pierre, a snorkelling spot, and Curieuse, the tortoise island.
Anse Volbert is the starting point for many boat trips.
The Côte d’Or is the tourist centre of Praslin. Here you will find plenty of accommodation, souvenir shops, supermarkets, restaurants, a bank and cash machines.
The beach faces north-east and gets the sun early in the day. There is no sunset over the sea here. The sand slopes gently into the water and the bay is sheltered. It is busiest in front of the hotels, but if you walk a little further you will soon have space to yourself. Access is free at any time.
Getting there
| Destination | Distance / Duration (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Baie Ste. Anne jetty | 4 km, about 15 minutes by car or taxi |
| Anse Lazio | about 15 minutes by car |
| Curieuse (boat trip) | about 10 to 20 minutes by boat from Anse Volbert |
By ferry from Mahé
The Cat Cocos runs from Victoria to Baie Ste. Anne, and the crossing takes just over an hour. An economy ticket costs about 55 euros each way (as of November 2026), plus a port fee of 2 euros for adults when departing from Mahé. Schedules change, so for current details see Cat Cocos ferry. More on getting around the islands can be found under Seychelles from A to B.
By bus
Bus: take the one towards Anse Boudin or Zimbabwe and get off at the Côte d’Or.
The buses of the state operator SPTC run on weekdays from about 6 am to 7 pm, every 30 to 45 minutes, and much less often at weekends and on public holidays. A single journey costs 8 rupees (as of November 2026). According to current information, you pay with the SPTC card or via an app, so do not count on being able to pay in cash. Ask before you travel. The buses are small and usually do not take suitcases, so from the jetty you are better off taking a taxi. More on this under Travelling by bus in the Seychelles.
By car
A hire car is worth it less for Anse Volbert itself than for the beaches away from the bus route, such as Anse Lazio. You can park along the road by the Côte d’Or, though spaces right in front of the hotels are often scarce.
Directions
The Côte d’Or / Anse Volbert beach is about 4 km from the ferry jetty at Baie Ste. Anne. Turn right there onto the main road, follow it, and turn left after the ABSA Bank (on your left). Keep going until you have passed the Hotel Acajou. This is where the Côte d’Or begins. At the fork by the MCB, take the right-hand road. The Côte d’Or stretches as far as the Hotel Paradise Sun.
Swimming and snorkelling
For swimming, Anse Volbert is one of the most comfortable beaches on the island: shallow, warm and usually without any real surf. It suits children well.
The beach itself is less suited to snorkelling. There are a few scattered pieces of coral in the water, and you occasionally see rays. If you want to see more, take a boat to St. Pierre. For general information on spots and equipment, see Diving & Snorkelling.
From December to February the north-west monsoon can wash seaweed onto the Côte d’Or. The edges of the bay are then trickier, although some sections stay clean. During the south-east trade wind months, roughly May to September, the beach is largely free of it, according to many reports. At high tide the beach becomes very narrow in places. Check the tides if you plan to lie out for a long time. More on the seasons can be found under Best time to travel and Climate & Weather.
Facilities, trips and surroundings
Right behind the beach there are restaurants, supermarkets, cash machines and souvenir shops, so there is no need to bring provisions. Shade comes only from a few palms and bushes, so a parasol or a hat is a good idea. Sun loungers are mainly for hotel guests.
Boats to Curieuse, St. Pierre and other islands leave from here. Ask the operator whether parking fees and food are included in the price.
Nearby are Anse Lazio, Anse Possession, Anse Boudin and Anse Georgette. The Vallée de Mai is easy to reach by car or bus.
