Location and character
Fairyland, as the name suggests, is a fairy-tale kind of place, and hardly any name could describe this little stretch of beach better. The green vegetation, the elegantly shaped granite boulders and the turquoise sea make a photograph like no other. The water is shallow and perfect for paddling. Opposite lies the small rocky islet of Ile Souris. At high tide the beach almost disappears completely.
You will find this picturesque beach at the foot of a hill when driving from Pointe au Sel towards Fairyland. It is popular with swimmers and sunbathers alike, and has the added attraction of granite boulders standing in the sand.
On Sundays there is a cake stall at the roadside, selling treats made with pineapple, cinnamon, papaya and more.
Fairyland lies on the south-east coast and is regarded as the northern end of the bay of Anse Royale, though it is not connected to the long main beach. Do not expect a sunset over the sea on this coast. Because of the small area and the rocks, the beach is better suited to a short stop or a morning than to a full beach day with food and drink.
Getting there
By car
Directions: From Victoria, follow Bois de Rose Avenue and the Providence Highway south, past the airport, then take the East Coast Road. The journey takes about 30 minutes. After the Kumar Kumar supermarket the road climbs over a small hill, and Fairyland Beach is right on the other side.
You can park at the roadside directly in front of the beach. Leave the car so that the carriageway stays clear, as buses use the East Coast Road.
By bus
The beach can be reached by the public bus of the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC). From Victoria, take a bus towards Anse Royale and get off there on the East Coast Road. According to travellers' reports, the journey from Victoria takes around 45 minutes. Buses run from about 5.30 am to 8.30 pm, though services thin out in the evening. Timetables and current routes can be found on the SPTC website. According to recent reports, payment is mostly cashless, with a bus card or an app. Check this before you travel, and the fares too, as the information varies.
On foot from Anse Royale
From the centre of Anse Royale it is about 700 metres to the north. Along the shore you have to detour around a rocky section, so the road is the easier route.
Swimming and snorkelling
A coral reef protects the bay from the open sea, so the water usually stays calm and shallow. From May to October the south-east trade wind blows and hits the east coasts harder. During this time more waves and washed-up seagrass are possible, though this cannot be predicted reliably. In my experience it is calmer in the transitional months around April/May and October/November.
For snorkelling, enter the water at the end of the beach by the rocks. Guidebooks and snorkelling reports rate the spot differently: the rocks and the area around Ile Souris are said to have more fish than the open beach of Anse Royale, while the sea floor in front of the beach itself is described as rather barren. So expect a pleasant paddle in the water rather than a top reef. Ile Souris lies a little further out and can be reached by swimming in calm conditions.
Facilities
There is very little at the beach itself: no sun loungers, no parasol hire and no permanent restaurant, apart from the Sunday cake stall. Shade comes from the vegetation on the slope and a few individual trees, but bring sun protection all the same. Reports about toilets at the beach contradict each other, so plan to use the facilities in Anse Royale. It is best to bring water and food from the village. Beach shoes help when getting in between the rocks.
Tips and surroundings
The village of Anse Royale is just a stone's throw away. It is the second largest village on the island and has a few small shops, a petrol station, a bank, souvenir shops and more.
The beach is at its best at low to mid tide, ideally in the morning when fewer visitors come. The rocks make a good photo subject, especially with Ile Souris in the background. For more sand and more space, try the long beach at Anse Royale, and Anse Forbans is also close by. You will find more bathing bays on the island on the page about Mahé.
