Anse Royale is on the east coast of Mahé and is one of those beaches where everything comes together: pale sand, granite rocks in the water, a few palm trees, and a reef in front of the bay that breaks the waves before they arrive. Behind it the water lies flat and calm.
Swimming and snorkelling
Because the reef provides shelter, Anse Royale is one of the calmest swimming spots on the island, even with children. For snorkelling it's worth coming at high tide: at low tide the water between the beach and reef is so shallow in places that you walk more than swim, and the coral is better left undisturbed. Your guide will know what the tides are doing on your tour day.
The small island in front of the bay is called Île Souris. It looks close, but the journey there is further than it appears.
Food and shopping
Anse Royale is a proper village and not just a beach: there are shops, snack bars, a petrol station and restaurants along the road. For a day on the east coast, it's the most practical stop.
When it's worth going
The light is good in the morning, at weekends families from Victoria come here. From May to October the south east trade wind can bring seagrass to the beach, which is part of the east coast and is not a sign of dirt.
How to get there
On the east coast road, easily reached by bus from Victoria. Anse Royale is a regular stop on our island tour and on the beach tour.
Close by
Le Jardin du Roi is up on the hillside, Takamaka Rum distillery about twenty minutes to the north, Anse Takamaka equally far to the west.
