Anse Major is a beach bordering the preserved Morne Seychellois National Park on the norther coast of Mahe, Seychelles in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of Africa. To get to the beach you must either hike the nature trail along steep granite slopes or hire a boat from the near by Beau-Vallon Bay. We took the scenic route, strapped on our walking sandles, and took the 1.5 hour hike to explore the beach. The result was well worth the effort.

Friday night at a Mexican restaurant in LA, friends and I were talking about all time favorite travel destinations. Answers came up from all over the world, from the Western Sahara, to India, to Scandinavia. For me its easy, the Seychelles Islands has been my favorite destination of all the places we’ve visited.

Looking back at my Seychelles trip report in 2009, I realized I didn’t share my favorite adventures from the trip. So I dug up pictures and video from my SeaGate external hard-drive and created this post to share details from the hike to Anse Major. In a separate post I’ll also cover another day trip to the Island of La Digue, Seychelles.  I hope this will come in handy for those of you visiting Seychelles (including my good friend Joseph who is going to the Seychelles on SkyMiles).

View of Anse Major

Be prepared, this is a 1.5 hour hike through Morne Seychellois National park over granite rocks with great scenic views. Take plenty of water and a picnic, you will need it.

We started out leaving the Hilton around 8:30 AM local time, we were bound to be the first ones at the beach. Our hotel driver took us to Danzil, where our hike started. Alternatively you could take the public bus to the Danzil terminus. The nature trail is very clearly marked and easy to find. We started out passing La Scala restaurant, which was on our left, and to our right were great views of Beau-Vallon Bay.  Once we saw the trail signage we knew the real journey would start. Trekking along the path, you can’t help but notice the smell of Breadfruit (abundant along the route) or the great views of granite rocks or Silhouette Island in the distance.

Gorilla Face Granite Rock

 Silhouette Island In The Distance

The Beach

The beach is a large sandy beach with two sides separated by large granite rocks. Behind the beach is a small lagoon. On the top hill above the beach you will find one picnic table and several old deserted buildings. The beach itself was fantastic.  We were alone on a deserted paradise island beach. We snorkled in the clear turquoise waters over and around granite rocks. The abundance of sea life was fascinating through the lens of a snorkel mask.

Anse Major

Bottom Line

If you are headed to the Seychelles, Anse Major is a must.  If you hike the nature trail or take a glass bottom boat ride, it will be well worth the effort.  In a separate post I’ll share details from our other Seychelles day trip to the island of La Digue.

Sail Boat Journey To La Digue

Anse Source D’argent

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