Beau Vallon & North Mahé
The long beach at Beau Vallon and the north-west coast — Mahé’s busiest stay area for beach holidays.
Hero image: 2006-06-23 13-34-02 Seychelles Beau Vallon Beau Vallon.jpg by Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Beau Vallon is a wide, gently shelving bay on Mahé’s north-west coast and the island’s best-known beach resort area. Hotels, guesthouses, self-catering apartments and restaurants sit along and behind the beach, with the villages of Bel Ombre to the west and Glacis to the north stretching along the coast road. Victoria is only a short drive away over the hill road.
It suits travellers who want an easy beach base with places to eat within walking distance, and a good starting point for exploring the rest of the island.
Why stay at Beau Vallon
- A long, sandy beach with room to walk and, in calm conditions, comfortable swimming.
- Restaurants and small shops within walking distance of many places to stay — rarer on Mahé than you might expect.
- Boat trips and water sports operate from the beach and the nearby coast.
- Easy access to Victoria, the north of the island and the trailhead for Anse Major.
- A wide range of accommodation, from budget self-catering to larger beach hotels.
The area: Beau Vallon, Bel Ombre and Glacis
Beau Vallon itself is the central bay, with most of the restaurants and beach-front hotels. Bel Ombre, to the west, is quieter and residential, with the coast road continuing past small coves to the end of the road and the Anse Major trail. Glacis and the coast towards North East Point are hillier, with sea-view villas and apartments above rocky shores and small beaches.
Because the area spreads along a narrow coastal strip, check how far a property is from the beach and from restaurants before you book. Some hillside stays have steep access roads.
Things to do around Beau Vallon
Swim and relax on the beach
Beau Vallon faces north-west. It is usually calmer during the south-east trades (roughly May to September), when the bay is sheltered from the prevailing wind, and can be rougher during the north-west monsoon (roughly December to March). Swim where others swim, check flags and local advice, and take care with boats near the shore.
Walk to Anse Major
The coastal trail to Anse Major starts beyond Bel Ombre at the end of the road and runs through Morne Seychellois National Park to a secluded beach. It is moderately challenging in the heat, with little shade in places; carry plenty of water and set off early. Swimming at Anse Major can be dangerous when the sea is rough.
Snorkelling and boat trips
Snorkelling is possible off the rocks at either end of the bay in calm conditions, and glass-bottom boat and snorkelling excursions operate along this coast. The Ste Anne Marine Park is a short drive away on the Victoria side.
Explore north Mahé
From Beau Vallon it is easy to reach Victoria, the hill roads of Morne Seychellois National Park and the sheltered bays of the north-east coast. A day with a hire car or an organised island tour covers much of Mahé.
Tours and activities near Beau Vallon
Excursions that start on Mahé and suit a stay in the north-west, including boat trips, island tours and guided walks.
Ste Anne Reef Safari with Snorkelling, Fish Feeding & Lunch (Shared)Cruises & Boat TripsView Tour Details →
Semi Submarine Tour in Ste Anne Marine National ParkCruises & Boat TripsView Tour Details →
Ste Anne Marine Park Glass-bottom Boat Tour with BBQCruises & Boat TripsView Tour Details →
Full Day Reef Safari at Ste Anne Marine Park SeychellesCruises & Boat TripsView Tour Details →
Glass-Bottom Boat, Crystal Kayak & Snorkelling Trip in Ste Anne Marine ParkCruises & Boat TripsView Tour Details →
Private Catamaran & Creole BBQ: Ste Anne & Moyenne IslandCruises & Boat TripsView Tour Details →Where to stay in Beau Vallon
- Beach-front: the most convenient, with the beach and restaurants on the doorstep; book early in busy periods.
- Behind the beach: apartments and guesthouses a few minutes’ walk inland, often better value.
- Bel Ombre: quieter, with some properties on the shore; you may want a car or rely on taxis for evenings out.
- Glacis and North East Point: hillside villas and apartments with sea views; a car is helpful.
Places to stay in Beau Vallon & North Mahé
Properties listed on this site for Beau Vallon, Bel Ombre, Glacis and the north of Mahé, each with its own guide page.
Coral Strand Smart ChoiceHotel · Beau Vallon, MahéView Property Details →
Beau Vallon BungalowsGuest house · Beau Vallon, MahéView Property Details →
Anne Hillside ApartmentApartment · St Louis, MahéView Property Details →
Anse Norwa Self CateringApartment · Beau Vallon, MahéView Property Details →
Mouggae Blues VillasVilla · Beau Vallon, MahéView Property Details →
Voilà Beau VallonHotel · Beau Vallon, MahéView Property Details →For a wider comparison, read where to stay on Mahé.
Getting there
Beau Vallon is reached from Victoria by the road over the hill, and from the airport via Victoria. Public buses connect Beau Vallon with Victoria, and taxis can be booked through most places to stay. If you arrive by ferry from Praslin or La Digue, the quay in Victoria is a short taxi ride away.
Best time to visit
Beau Vallon is pleasant all year, but the sea is generally calmest for swimming during the south-east trade-wind season and the transition months (roughly April to November). In the north-west monsoon season, expect more swell on this coast on some days. See Travel Planning for the seasons.
How long to stay
Three or four nights at Beau Vallon give time for the beach, the Anse Major walk, a day in Victoria and a boat trip. It also works as the Mahé base for the start or end of a three-island itinerary.
Practical tips
- Beach vendors and water-sports operators work the beach; agree prices in advance and use licensed operators.
- Do not leave valuables unattended on the sand.
- Evenings are livelier here than in most of Mahé, but still relaxed by international standards.
Official visitor information, including events and practical updates, is published by the Seychelles tourism board at seychelles.travel.