What to expect
Good to know about the Rock Pool / Roche Saudiere / Ros Sodyer
Not everyone who travels to the Seychelles has had the chance to visit the Rock Pool. It is not easy to find, but we will take you there. The Rock Pool is unique, and the walk to it is easy going.
For this walk it is best to take a tour guide. You can find one here.
In Creole the place is called Ros Sodyer. It is a round basin in the granite, right on the edge of the coastal rocks and sheltered at the back by a rock wall. The sea fills it, and the waves break into it from the side. The pool is deep, and there are no signs and no facilities, which is exactly what gives it its appeal.
Getting there and the route
To the starting point
The path begins at the southern end of Anse Takamaka. The easiest way to get there is by hire car or taxi, and with a guide hotel pick-up is usually offered. For buses to Anse Takamaka, it is best to ask the Public Transport Corporation beforehand, as routes and times change. There is no road access directly to the pool.
On the path to the pool
At the start it feels as if you are walking across private land. Keep to the left, go through the gate and follow the path into the woods. The terrain is gently undulating, and in a few places short steel ladders lead over rock steps. After the woods, the route crosses granite to the coast. You only see the pool shortly before you arrive.
The path is not marked all the way, and only the odd sign points to the Rock Pool. If you go without a guide, you can get lost. That is exactly why we recommend a guide.
A note on Anse Intendance
Anse Intendance is only a short distance away. A new resort opened there at the end of 2024, and some of its buildings are close to the Rock Pool. Whether this changes any paths or access points is best checked on site or with your guide. We cannot confirm an official footpath from Intendance to the pool.
Timing, entry and facilities
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Route | about 1.1 km one way, 20–30 minutes |
| Total duration | on your own 1.5 to 2 hours including a swim break, guided tour 3–4 hours including transfer |
| Difficulty | easy to moderate, roots, wet rocks, steel ladders |
| Opening hours | none, freely accessible coast, visit in daylight |
| Admission | according to our research no fee for the path (as of November 2026) |
| Guided tour | private, price depends on group size, current prices on the operator's booking page (as of November 2026) |
| Facilities | none: no shade at the pool, no toilets, no kiosk |
The best time of day is the morning, when the path and rocks are at their coolest. Plan the trip for a dry day, as roots and granite are very slippery after rain. The south coast is more exposed to the wind than the north. At nearby Anse Intendance, signs warn against swimming from June to September, and in those months you should expect rough seas at the Rock Pool too.
Tips for your visit
Nearby, Anse Takamaka, Anse Intendance and Police Bay and Petit Police are all worth a visit. You can find more about the island on the Mahé page.
