6 Hidden Seychelles Beaches Even Locals Keep Secret

Seychelles may be famed for postcard beaches like Anse Lazio and Beau Vallon, but ask a Seychellois and they’ll whisper about coves not on the tourist trail. These are the shorelines where you won’t find resorts or crowds just powdery sand, jungle backdrops and maybe a roaming tortoise.

Scratch a little deeper beyond the five-star spots and you’ll discover wild trails to secret bays and secluded lagoons. Ready to beach it like a savvy local?

Pack that snorkel, grab some spicy samosas to-go, and follow us to six under-the-radar beaches offering snorkelling, picnic perfection or blissful solitude (sometimes all three).

1. Anse Marron

Hidden at the far southern tip of La Digue, Anse Marron is so secret you literally need a guide to find it. Getting there is half the adventure: you’ll trek through dense jungle, wade chest-deep through natural rock pools and squeeze between giant granite boulders. When you finally emerge, you’re greeted by a wild Robinson Crusoe coastline of powdery sand and turquoise tide pools shimmering amid the rocks. It’s untouched, untamed and often entirely yours aside from maybe a sunbathing sea turtle or two. No wonder even born-and-bred islanders keep this spot on the down-low.

The only way in is via a six-hour guided hike (around SCR 900, ≈ $60 per person, fruit snacks included) that ends with a boat ride back to civilization. Because the trail crosses private land, guides are mandatory – and worth it for the juicy local legends they spill en route. Seasoned trekkers rave that the journey is “challenging but rewarding,” with secret rock pools that feel like your private spa. Even the CEO of a safari company couldn’t resist posting an Instagram reel from Anse Marron, crowning it a “truly magical escape” in Feb 2025.

Local tip:

Wear reef-safe sunscreen and bring a dry-bag you’ll be swimming (and sweating) before you see the sand.

2. Anse Major

If you crave a deserted beach without leaving Mahé, set out on the Anse Major trail on the northwest coast. After a scenic hour’s hike through Morne Seychellois National Park think lush forest and clifftop ocean views the jungle suddenly spits you out onto a secluded cove. Anse Major greets you with sugar-white sand, calm crystal water and zero road access (hence the lack of people). The bay’s protected shallows are snorkel-friendly and often as clear as a swimming pool, with colorful reef fish fluttering about. No beachfront bars, no loungers just you, the breeze and maybe a pair of blissed-out honeymooners who also ditched the resort for the day.

Instagram hiker @miss.juulie nailed it:

Getting here is free aside from a new SCR 150 (~$10) national park trail fee  and so worth the sweat. Bring your own picnic and plenty of water; there’s nary a shop in sight and you’ll need fuel for the return trek. Too relaxed to hike back? Do like the locals and flag down the taxi boat that sometimes swings by to shuttle beach-goers to Bel Ombre (have ~SCR 100 cash, about $7, ready). In 2025, travel bloggers called Anse Major “one of Seychelles’ hidden gems,” noting it’s only reachable by foot or boat and rewards adventurers with dazzling turquoise waters framed by dramatic granite outcrops.

Local tip: 

Start early to beat the midday heat, wear proper shoes (save the flip-flops for later), and pack reef shoes if you want to poke around the tide pools.

3. Anse Cocos

On laid-back La Digue, most tourists flock to Source d’Argent for the iconic boulder selfies – but those in the know head to Anse Cocos for true island solitude. Tucked on the island’s remote east coast, Anse Cocos requires a 30-minute trek through coconut groves and jungle from the end of Petite Anse. The payoff? You stumble out of the trees onto a crescent of soft white sand so empty it feels like your beach. Granite formations frame the shoreline and shallow jade lagoons invite you in for a paddle. It’s completely unserviced no shacks, no vendors, not even a stray dog so the vibe is pure castaway bliss.

As @vio_zie_77 put it: “One side a rough ocean and on the other, a natural pool created by nature.” Anse Cocos on La Digue is the kind of beach that makes you whisper wow under your breath –turquoise tide pools tucked between boulders and no WiFi to be found (glorious). Getting there involves a breezy jungle hike, but you’ll earn bragging rights and front-row seats to paradise.

Don’t forget to tote water and snacks (bonus points for a fresh boulangerie baguette from town) because you won’t find a coconuts-for-sale stand here. At the southeastern end of Anse Cocos, a circle of boulders forms a natural seawater pool a mermaid bath of sorts where you can float safely, sheltered from the ocean’s swells.

In July 2025, local guides on Instagram showed off this very spot, dubbing Anse Cocos “a quiet beach with a protected swimming spot” perfect for a lazy dip. If you venture further along the sand, you might even spot black fruit bats swooping over the Takamaka trees at dusk.

Local tip: 

Go in the morning for the best light and calm seas, and consider hiring a knowledgeable local guide if you’re uneasy finding the unmarked trail it’s easy to miss the turnoff in the dense foliage.

4. Anse Takamaka

When popular Beau Vallon beach is jam-packed with bronzed tourists, locals in the know point their cars south to Anse Takamaka. This southwest Mahé gem is a 400-metre stretch of golden sand fringed by takamaka and almond trees that provide natural shade.

The bay’s tranquil turquoise water is usually gentle, protected by offshore reefs ideal for leisurely snorkelling with rainbow fish and the occasional cruising hawksbill turtle. There are no hotels looming here, just a couple of friendly guesthouses and one legendary beachfront eatery perfuming the air with grilled fish and curry. The whole scene feels like a throwback to simpler times: families casting fishing lines at dusk, kids climbing palm trees, and an unbeatable sunset painting the hills amber each evening.

As @alto_traveller gushed, this is

There’s zero cost to enjoy Anse Takamaka no entry fees, no parking charges, just roll up and roll out your towel. In lieu of beach clubs, you have Chez Batista, a rustic Creole restaurant at the sand’s edge where you can feast on octopus curry and fresh-caught snapper with your toes in the sand. (Insider tip: come on Sunday for their famous Creole buffet at around SCR 600/$45 – elastic waistband recommended.) The vibe here is delightfully mellow: you’re more likely to share the beach with picnicking local families than selfie-stick wielders. In fact, Seychellois often joke that Anse Takamaka is where they go when they want “Beau Vallon without the bling.” Local tip: Bring cash – the little beach restaurant only takes cash for that post-swim rum punch, and trust us, you’ll earn it.

5. Police Bay

For ultimate solitude, head to the very end of Mahé’s main road (literally) and you’ll find Police Bay – a wild, untouched crescent of sand that feels like the edge of the world. As the larger sister beach to Petite Police cove, Police Bay sits at the island’s remote southern tip and remains blissfully undeveloped. Think wide ivory sands backed by dense jungle and coconut palms, with rugged granite cliffs at either end. The only footprints here are usually your own; it’s often empty enough that the resident ghost crabs outnumber people.

Sometimes all you need is sand, stone, and solitude just ask @anastasia_tokareva, who looked utterly unbothered basking solo on Police Bay’s untouched sands. With granite cliffs, leaning palms, and absolutely no crowds (or cafés), this Mahé beach is the Seychelles’ answer to a digital detox—no filter needed.

The ocean comes in strong and clear, crashing in dramatic turquoise waves that are stunning to look at (though swimmers, beware this ain’t a paddling beach). If you’re into photography or just soaking up nature’s raw beauty, Police Bay’s mix of frothy surf, bleached driftwood and sky-high palms is a dream.

Reaching this hidden paradise requires a bit of effort exactly why few tourists bother. You’ll need to drive down bumpy lanes to the end of the island (or take a bus to Anse Bazarca and walk the last 15 minutes).

The price of admission? Basically just some petrol or a SCR 10 (≈ $0.70) bus fare and a sense of adventure. There are zero facilities  no lifeguards, no kiosks so pack whatever you need, especially water and sunscreen. Because of the strong currents and deep water, swimming is generally unsafe here. But surfers sometimes ride the big swell at Police Bay, and skilled scuba divers love the healthy offshore coral formations. Most visitors, though, come simply to stroll the pristine 700m beach and enjoy the kind of peace you can only find at the literal end of the road.

Local tip: 

Go in daylight (the area is isolated after dark), and if you’re driving, a 4x4 is helpful for the rough track. Bring a picnic and your camera sunset here, with the waves roaring and jungle silhouetted, is pure magic. Just resist the urge to geotag this spot on Insta; let’s keep it our little secret!

6. Anse Georgette

Anse Georgette is the worst-kept secret on Praslin Island yet it still feels like a total VIP experience. How so? This breathtaking beach on Praslin’s northwestern tip is technically on the grounds of a luxury resort, and non-guests can only visit by scoring advance permission. That controlled access means Georgette is pristine: powder-soft white sand, crystalline water and lush jungle untouched by any development. No hotels, no beach bars, not even a restroom just nature doing its thing in high definition. It’s regularly cited as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches (imagine a smaller Anse Lazio, but often with no one on it).

To get in, you email or call Constance Lemuria Resort a day ahead to request a visitor slot, then saunter through their scenic golf course to the shore at the allotted time. It’s a bit of hoop-jumping, but as you emerge from tropical foliage to see that empty paradise cove, you’ll understand why the locals guard this gem with a wink and a shhh.

This view makes a solid case. Tucked behind Praslin’s luxury Lemuria Resort, this turquoise crescent stays blissfully crowd-free thanks to limited access. What you get in return? Powder sand, jungle cliffs, and waves that sparkle like a daydream.

The beach itself costs nothing (aside from the effort of planning) no entrance fee, just your name on the guest list and you’re in. Only about 30 outside visitors are allowed per day, keeping crowds delightfully sparse and the vibe exclusive. You’ll want to bring everything you need (water, snacks, snorkel gear) because there are zero vendors and zero infrastructure on the sand.

It’s just you and unspoiled nature: towering granite boulders, a fringe of takamaka trees, and that ridiculously blue water. Do heed the locals’ warnings, though Anse Georgette’s beauty can be deceiving, as strong currents and a steep drop-off make the sea tricky for swimming beyond the shallows.

A Praslin native described it best: “No buildings, no noise, no nonsense just the Seychelles at its purest”

Local tip: 

Time your visit for mid-morning when the sun lights up the water in shades of neon turquoise (and before the day-trippers from La Digue sail in). If you can’t snag permission, consider booking a boat trip that stops here some tour operators include Anse Georgette on snorkelling excursions, letting you slip in through the sea side of this secret.

The beauty of these hidden beaches isn’t just in their scenery it’s in the sense of discovery and serenity you get by leaving the beaten path. Seychelles may be a honeymooner’s paradise, but as you’ve seen, it also hides plenty of wild, local-loved shores beyond the brochures.

Whether you’re hiking to a jungle-fringed cove or lazing under a palm with a takeaway curry, you’re experiencing the islands like a true insider. Just remember the golden rule: take only photos, leave only footprints and maybe keep a few of these secrets until your friends ask how you found such empty paradise. Happy beach hunting, and bon voyage to the quieter side of the Seychelles!