Beau Vallon is the large beach in the north of Mahé, about three kilometres of pale sand in a wide bay, with hotels, restaurants and stands behind it. It is the most famous beach on the island and the only one where, literally, there is always something going on. If you are looking for solitude, you go somewhere else; if you want an afternoon with food, swimming and people, this is the right place.
The season decides, and in reverse
This is the most important information about this beach: Beau Vallon faces northwest and is thus the exact opposite of the beaches in the south. From May to October, when the southeast trade wind blows and Anse Intendance has waves, Beau Vallon is calm. From December to March the wind turns to the northwest, then the swell reaches here and the south becomes calm.
In practice, this means you never have to miss out on swimming, you just have to choose the right side of the island. That is exactly what we do when we are out and about.
Food and shade
Behind the beach are restaurants in every price range, plus stands with grilled fish. On Wednesdays and Saturdays in the late afternoon there is a small market on the street: grilled fish, curries, cakes. Trees provide shade, sunbeds can be rented.
Swimming
The entry is shallow and sandy, which is why Beau Vallon is also good with children. In the calm season the water is almost like a swimming pool. Lifeguards are sometimes there, but not reliably.
How to get there
From Victoria over the pass, the bus runs frequently. Beau Vallon is a fixed stop on our island tour and on the beach tour.
Close by
Carana Beach is just a quarter hour further north, the path to Anse Major begins at the end of the bay.
