Anse Lazio sits at the north-west tip of Praslin and is regularly named one of the best beaches in the world. It is a wide curve of soft golden sand closed off at each end by huge rounded granite boulders, with clear water that is usually good for swimming and for snorkelling around the rocks. You reach it by car or taxi and a short walk over a low hill, and two restaurants sit right behind the sand. Mornings are calmest and quietest.
Praslin
The beach the whole world puts on its list.
If you have seen one photograph of Praslin before your trip, there is a fair chance it was Anse Lazio. This wide bay at the island’s north-west tip turns up on almost every list of the best beaches on earth, and unlike a lot of famous beaches it earns the title in person. Here is how to make the most of a day there.
Where it is and how to get there
Anse Lazio is at the far north-west of Praslin, past the Constance Lemuria estate. There is no road that drops you straight onto the sand. You drive or take a taxi to the parking area at the top, then walk a few minutes down and over a low headland called Chevalier Bay to reach the beach itself. A hire car makes this easy and lets you arrive early. The public bus runs to the Anse Lazio junction rather than the beach, so you still have a walk and a climb at the end, which is worth knowing if you are carrying a cooler and towels.
The beach itself
The sand is soft, pale gold and deep, backed by takamaka and badamier trees that throw real shade by mid-morning. Two clusters of smooth granite boulders frame the bay at each end and give the water its postcard look. Because there is no fringing reef directly across the bay, the water is clear and the swimming is open rather than lagoon-calm.
Swimming and snorkelling
On a normal day the swimming at Anse Lazio is excellent, with a gentle shelving entry and clean water. The snorkelling is best around the granite boulders at either end, where fish gather in the rocks. Because the bay faces the open sea, it can pick up swell and the occasional current when the wind is up, so look at the water before you swim out far and keep an eye on children. There is no lifeguard.
Food, shade and facilities
Two restaurants sit right behind the beach, so this is one of the few wild-looking beaches where you can have a proper grilled-fish lunch and a cold drink without leaving the sand. There are basic toilets. There are no sunbed rentals or big commercial setup, which is part of the charm, so bring water, sunscreen and a mat, and use the natural tree shade at the back.
The best time to go
Come early. Before mid-morning the light is soft, the sand is quiet and the parking is easy. Tour groups and day boats tend to arrive around lunch, and the small car park fills up. Late afternoon is the second-best window as it empties out again. Across the year the calmest sea is usually in the April to May and October to November windows.
What is nearby
Anse Lazio pairs naturally with the rest of northern Praslin. Anse Georgette, another contender for the island’s prettiest beach, is a short distance away through the Lemuria grounds. The Vallee de Mai forest, where the famous coco de mer palm grows, is a twenty-minute drive inland. Boats to the nature island of Curieuse and its giant tortoises leave from the Cote d’Or side of the island.
Where to stay and how to plan
Most visitors base themselves around Cote d’Or or Grand Anse on Praslin and drive over to Anse Lazio for the day, which works well. If you want to be near the quieter north, there are guesthouses and small hotels within a short drive. Browse verified places to stay on Praslin in our directory, and a hire car is the single thing that makes beaches like this easy to reach at the right hour. If you are island-hopping, the fast ferry links Praslin with Mahe and La Digue several times a day.
Frequently asked questions
Is Anse Lazio good for swimming?
Yes, on most days the swimming is excellent with clear, open water and a gentle entry. Because the bay faces the open sea it can get some swell and current when the wind is up, so check conditions and watch children. There is no lifeguard.
How do you get to Anse Lazio?
By car or taxi to the parking area at the north-west tip of Praslin, then a short walk over a low hill to the sand. The public bus stops at the junction, not the beach, so you still walk and climb at the end. A hire car lets you arrive early.
Are there restaurants at Anse Lazio?
Yes, two restaurants sit right behind the beach, so you can have a grilled-fish lunch and a cold drink without leaving the sand. There are basic toilets but no sunbed rental, so bring water and use the tree shade.
When is the best time to visit Anse Lazio?
Early morning, before the day boats and tour groups arrive around lunch and fill the small car park. The light is soft and the beach is quiet. Late afternoon is the next best window.
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