Hiking to Anse Major Beach in Seychelles

Seychelles

Hiking to Anse Major Beach in Seychelles

words: Sophie Alexander-Osman
photography: Sophie Alexander-Osman
published: September 4, 2026

There are plenty of beautiful beaches in the Seychelles, but Anse Major makes you work for yours. Tucked into the northwest coast of Mahé within Morne Seychellois National Park, this small stretch of white sand and turquoise water is reached by a coastal trail from Danzil, near Bel Ombre, with no road leading to the beach. The official Anse Major Nature Trail is 2.4 kilometres one way and takes around an hour, depending on your pace and how often you stop for the views. It is classified as a low-intensity trail, but the terrain is rocky and uneven, with exposed granite, climbs and descents, so proper walking shoes are essential.

The appeal is the journey as much as the destination. The path follows the coastline at around 50 metres above sea level, crossing the distinctive granite landscape known as glacis, with stretches of woodland, exposed rock and panoramic views across the Indian Ocean towards Silhouette Island. There are sections where you walk directly above the sea, while the route passes beneath and around enormous granite formations, including a cave-like formation known as Ros Legliz. The final approach crosses more exposed terrain before the trees open onto Anse Major, where the trail ends almost abruptly at the sand.

This is where Anse Major becomes particularly special. There is no road, string of resorts or development along the beach, just a small crescent of white sand framed by palms and dense tropical vegetation, with clear turquoise water stretching towards the Indian Ocean. It can feel remarkably private, although it would be wrong to promise that you will have it entirely to yourself. For honeymooners, however, the combination of the walk, the secluded setting and the chance to spend an afternoon on an almost untouched beach makes this one of Mahé’s most romantic outings. If you are lucky, you may even spot dolphins offshore.

Take a proper picnic, plenty of water, swimming clothes and a towel, then give yourself the full afternoon here. There are no shops or restaurants at the beach, so come prepared. Swim, read, picnic and settle into the sand beneath the palms before making the return journey. There is no need for an itinerary once you arrive. The appeal is having nowhere else to be.

Anse Major is accessible by boat as well as on foot, and the yellow taxi boat Happiness can sometimes take hikers back towards Bel Ombre after they have spent time on the beach. The service is weather and sea dependent, with departures roughly hourly from late morning. If you want to rely on a boat for the return, arrange it in advance rather than assuming one will be waiting. The boat is a useful escape if the weather changes or you simply do not fancy walking back, but arriving on foot is what makes the beach feel earned.

The weather is part of the experience too. Mahé is tropical, and rain can arrive quickly, turning sections of the rocky trail slippery. You might set off under clear skies and find yourself walking through a sudden downpour before the sun appears again. Take a lightweight waterproof layer, protect anything in your bag that cannot get wet and expect the path to feel different after rain. The coastal sections can also be exposed to the sun, so start with water and sun protection rather than assuming the forest will provide shade throughout.

Most importantly, leave enough time for the return journey. There are no lights along the trail, and once the sun goes down the combination of uneven granite, roots and potentially wet surfaces is not something you want to negotiate in the dark. If you have spent the afternoon swimming and picnicking, start back with plenty of daylight left. The trail is not technically difficult, but it is still a proper coastal walk, and good shoes matter far more on the way back when your legs are tired.

Anse Major is the kind of day you remember because you did not simply arrive at a beach. You walked there. You climbed above the sea, scrambled over granite, passed through the rocks and eventually reached a stretch of sand with nothing between you and the Indian Ocean. It is not every day you can hike to what feels like your own private beach, and for a couple on honeymoon, that is exactly what makes it worth the climb.

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