Location and character
Petit Anse Kerlan lies on the north-west tip of Praslin. There are usually only a few visitors on this dreamy beach, which is about 300 metres long. The bay is very enclosed and has a small rock formation just offshore. The view of the beach from the beach bar is superb.
The beach belongs to the grounds of the Constance Lemuria hotel and is its main beach. The resort has three beaches in all: the larger Anse Kerlan, Petit Anse Kerlan and the remote Anse Georgette. You can find more beaches in the Seychelles under Dream beaches.
Getting there and access
Petit Anse Kerlan can only be reached through the Constance Lemuria hotel. It is well worth a visit all the same.
| Path | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Hotel guest | On foot through the grounds, no registration needed |
| Visitors from outside | Advance registration with the hotel required, number of visitors per day is limited |
| By boat | Reportedly possible without a permit, see boat tours below |
By car or bus
The hotel is around five minutes' drive from Praslin airport. Drivers of rental cars report free parking at the hotel entrance. You can also get close to the entrance by bus, though it is best to check routes and times locally (see Travelling by bus and Car hire). From the entrance to the beach, you follow paths through the grounds, which you walk on foot by arrangement with the hotel.
By boat
If you arrive from the water, you can anchor in the bay. You will find operators and tours under Boat tours.
Swimming and snorkelling
The bay is very good for swimming because there are hardly any waves. That is especially true compared with the larger Anse Kerlan next door, where coral and rocks make swimming harder. At high tide the strip of sand becomes narrower, but it rarely disappears altogether.
During the trade wind season seaweed can wash up, and one guest report mentions algae in June. The calmer transitional months and wind conditions are explained under Climate & weather. According to the providers, snorkelling equipment is available from the hotel on request. For general advice on spots, read Diving & snorkelling.
Facilities
The beach bar is run by the hotel. Small kayaks can be hired from the hotel, which also provides a towel service and showers. The resort's restaurants only take outside visitors with a reservation. So plan ahead for drinks and food.
Tips and surroundings
One report describes sea turtles nesting on the neighbouring Anse Kerlan between October and February. Avoid lights on the beach there at night, do not step on tracks or nests, and read the notes under Nature and conservation and Do’s and Don’ts.
Anse Georgette is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Seychelles and lies within the same grounds. Non-guests face similar registration requirements to those here, while guests are reportedly taken there by shuttle across the golf course. The route there from Anse Lazio is a hike. You can read more about the island on the Praslin page.
