Anse Intendance lies in the south of Mahé, behind the hill of Anse Takamaka, and is the beach where our guests stop most often and simply look. A wide curve of pale sand, palms behind it, and in front nothing but the open Indian Ocean. That is what makes it special, and that is also what makes it demanding.
Why different rules apply here
Most beaches on Mahé have a reef in front that breaks the waves. Anse Intendance does not. The water arrives unbroken, and from May to September, when the southeast trade wind blows, a swell builds up that is more powerful than it looks from the beach. Added to this is sometimes a current that pulls sideways and outwards.
On the daily plan this stop is listed with a note: beautiful, but not always for swimming. Your guide will look at the water before you go in and tell you honestly whether it is safe on this day. From December to March it often lies calm, then it is a different beach.
What you get here
Space. The beach is wide and long, and even if a few people are about, you have it almost to yourself. The palms at the edge give shade, the surf provides the views that many come to the Seychelles for in the first place. There is no restaurant or shop on the beach, bring water with you.
Sea turtles
This stretch of coast is among the beaches where sea turtles lay their eggs, usually between October and February. If you see tracks in the sand that look like they come from a small tractor, one was there during the night. Please do not dig and keep your distance.
How to get there
From the south road a narrow, steep road leads down. You cannot get there directly by bus, and the last part on foot is a long walk. On our island tour and on the beach tour Anse Intendance is a regular stop, and on the tour page you can plan how long you want to stay there.
Close by
Anse Takamaka is less than ten minutes' drive away and is the quieter neighbour with food and shade. To the Takamaka Rum Distillery it is a good twenty minutes.
