8 Reasons Why We Love Beau Vallon Beach (According To Locals)
From The Authors: Gaelle was born and raised in the Seychelles while Viktor has been living here for 1+ year. Unlike many other travel blogs, we actually have first-hand knowledge and experience of the places we write about. If you have any questions, we respond quickly to comments!
Beau Vallon beach is one, if not the most popular beach Mahé and the Seychelles at large has to offer. In fact, we hang out at Beau Vallon almost on a weekly basis for a variety of different reasons.
In this article, we’ll detail all the reasons why we love Beau Vallon beach, let you know how to get there and where (not) to park, and equip you with some informational nuggets to get the most out of your experience.
👉 How To Get There | Key Facts | 7 Reasons Why We Love Beau Vallon | More Impressions Of The Beach
How To Get there & Where (Not) To Park
Beau Vallon is located on the north of Mahé alongside Bel Ombre road. One of its biggest perks is that it’s easily accessible, regardless whether you travel by bus or rent a car.
Bus lines crossing Beau Vallon are a dime a dozen. Coming from Victoria, you can take line 20, 21, 22 or 32. However, the closest ones to the beach will be line 20 and 22.
We recommend downloading the SPTC mobile app where you can get real-time information on when and where buses depart (Google Maps, especially in the Seychelles, isn’t always accurate).
If you opt to driving yourself, then knowing the parking spots is useful. Most of the times, especially if you go during the typical work week, parking closest to the beach are plentiful.
Next to Boathouse and in front of the Eth.ink (tattoo and piercing studio) sign, you’ll find ample parking space.
That said, keep in mind that you won’t be able to park everywhere.
Beau Vallon Bungalows, which has its own designated parking area (opposite of Baobab), does not allow rented cars to be parked there (since the parking space is reserved for guests and locals).
Some Key Facts About Beau Vallon (Beach)
The first thing you’ll notice when arriving at Beau Vallon is the vastness of the beach. In fact, Beau Vallon, at roughly 1.75 km (~ 1.09 miles for our American friends), is one of Mahé’s longest beaches.
Local legend has it that the beach got its name from a beautiful young woman named Belle Valón who lived nearby centuries ago.
Another local tale says that the first settlers on Mahé Island chose Beau Vallon as their landing spot due to its breathtaking beauty and strategic location.
That historical significance has been carried over through the centuries. Beau Vallon was one of the first areas to be developed for tourism in the Seychelles, making it a crucial spot that paved the way for the country’s booming tourism industry.
Some of Mahé’s oldest and most popular hotels, such as Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort (also one of the country’s first casinos), are located right along the Beachfront
Beau Vallon Beach has hosted various activities from Creole Bazaar where local artisans can display and sell their work and the Regatta, one of the country’s most popular festival, which took place for the 50th time in 2023, attracting thousands of people.
8 Reasons Why We Love Beau Vallon
There’s a plethora of reasons why Beau Vallon beach is a regular hangout spot for us.
1. Captivating Sunsets
‘Wow’ – this was the only word I could muster to say as I stood in awe of such beauty. There’s a sense of peace and calmness that overwhelms one’s body whilst witnessing a sunset. That feeling has largely persisted every time we return.
The sun, for those of you who don’t know, sets on the West coast of Mahé Island. And Beau Vallon beach, despite attracting loads of tourists, is still a great spot to take those Instagram-worthy pictures.
That said, don’t always expect those illustrious sunset vibes. It tends to rain quite heavily around September and October, so sometimes you may be robbed of those sunsets thanks to clouds blocking the sky.
Luckily, there are a few more reasons to check out Beau Vallon beach, even during those cloudy days…
2. Grab grub
We will unapologetically admit that a criminally high percentage of our Beau Vallon visits include a stop to Baobab Pizzeria.
A staple among the local population, Baobab offers some of the best pizzas on Mahé coupled with scenic ocean views and airy, laid back, Mediterranean vibes.
I certainly appreciate a good tuna pizza while Gaelle confesses to being a regular eater of the Hawaiian option.
Apart from Baobab, we can also recommend giving Wooden House Cafe a try, especially if you’re keen on some fresh sushi.
Another favorite of ours is Leo’s Food Truck. Don’t be fooled by its simplistic appearance – they make some of the best cheeseburgers we ever tried (you won’t regret it, that’s a promise).
In between SeyBabe and Boathouse you’ll also find a small shop run by two Italian ladies, which according to us serves some of the best ice cream and sorbet on the island.
3. Safe Splash
The water at Beau Vallon beach is quite clear and shallow. It takes a fair bit of walking until you reach ocean levels where you can’t stand anymore.
With that being said, as most places, there are risks that may come up when performing certain activities.
We always advise our readers, that regardless where you take a plunge, to stay close to the shore or refrain from going out when currents and waves are strong.
4. Leg stretches
Now, you can certainly just relax on the beach and enjoy some delicious burgers and refreshing Seybrew beer while the salty sea breeze takes all your worries away.
Gaelle personally likes to take advantage of what seems to be an everlasting coastline with soft, delicate white sand to put in some work out time, as well as squeeze in a quick spirited football match.
In fact, you can often notice people jogging along the promenade or putting the exercise equipment to good use. One can definitely be motivated to do a keep fit session with the light coastal air and breath taking vista Beau Vallon beach has to offer.
We recently even went to a local competition hosted at Beau Vallon where you could compete across a variety of different beach games.
Lastly, due to its grand bay and gentle waves, Beau Vallon is an excellent location for water sports. Activities like jet skiing, parasailing, and windsurfing are common sights.
5. No Sleep Beach
Turning up to Beau Vallon when the sun has already set? No biggie.
One of the first things you’ll notice when you arrive in the evening are the music and dancing locals as well as travelers who are scattered across the beach.
We can particularly recommend giving Beach Shak a try. They regularly have events, such as Creole Heritage Month, where you can learn about Seychellois culture while indulging on some amazing food and refreshing drinks.
The drinks especially give you a great bang for your buck and have led to the occasional headache for us during the next morning, making the night quite memorable.
6. Shady Bay
One of the nicest aspects of Beau Vallon beach, especially if you already got your share of that sun kissed glow, is that it offers plenty of spots to take a break and just chill – Hakuna Matata style.
You don’t even have to hit up one of the many bars or restaurants. There’s a number of coastal trees, which are spread across the beach, providing plenty of shade.
As much as we would want to just throw caution to the wind while savoring an epic beach day, we would advise to keep an eye out for falling coconut when resting underneath the trees.
7. Get Tatted Up
Now, this is more of a personal favorite/plug since we’re biased (just look at Viktor’s legs but if you do, don’t tell his mom 🤫).
If you’d like to make your Seychelles stay particularly memorable, then we recommend paying Eth.ink a visit. They’re by far the best tattoo studio on the island in my opinion. Guaranteed friendly service and a souvenir ink that will leave a satisfied smile on your face.
They’re located on the first floor of The Boat House Restaurant. There are signs that can guide you or just ask one of the restaurant workers and they’ll point you to the right direction.
And should you decide to go, tell Nick and Jeanne (the owners) that Gaelle and Viktor sent you.
8. The People’s Beach
Regardless of your preferences, or your budget, there is always something you can experience at Beau Vallon Beach.
We’ve had the opportunity to enjoy Beau Vallon beach through all it has to offer, from a playful and relaxing day with kids, grabbing a bite and drinks with family and friends to exquisite dining experience with ambassadors
Otherwise, if you’re more into a personal self care day. You can choose a quite shaded spot with a good book as the sea breeze brush your skin.
More impressions of Beau Vallon
Here are some additional impressions to get you hyped up for your visit to the must-see that is Beau Vallon:
