Praslin & La Digue

Anse Gouvernement

Anse Gouvernement is a curved, shallow bay on Praslin's north-east coast, just east of Côte d'Or, home to Hotel L'Archipel and a small juice bar. Calm water, snorkelling and fishing gear for hire, and seaweed in March. Roman Polanski's Pirates was filmed here in 1984.

Last verified 16 September 2026

The beach

Anse Gouvernement is a curved bay of about 600 m on Praslin's north-east coast, a short way along from Anse Volbert and Côte d'Or. Hotel L'Archipel stands on the beach, and outside the hotel's section the bay is usually quiet. SeyVillas notes that Roman Polanski's film Pirates was shot here in 1984.

Getting there

A road runs nearby, with parking beside it and at the hotels. SeyVillas recommends asking the hotels for permission if you arrive over land, since the route can cross private ground; visitors arriving by boat can land directly.

In the water

The water is shallow with small waves, suited to swimming and snorkelling. SeyVillas reports seaweed in March. Snorkelling, fishing and sailing equipment can be rented, and palm trees give shade.

Facilities and walks

Cast Away Cabana, a local fruit-juice bar listed with Tourism Seychelles, sits on the sand on the way to L'Archipel. SeyVillas' north-east Praslin guide mentions a trail from the eastern edge of the bay to Anse Matelot, about 15 minutes away; its Anse Matelot page describes the land route as dangerous, so treat that path with care.

Best for

  • Calm swimming and snorkelling (SeyVillas)
  • A quieter alternative close to Côte d'Or (SeyVillas)

Getting there

By car, with parking next to the road and at the hotels; SeyVillas recommends obtaining permission from the beachfront hotels if arriving by land, while arrivals by sea need not cross private land.

Facilities

Hotel L'Archipel on the beach; restaurants in the surrounding area; rentals of snorkelling, fishing and sailing equipment; palm shade (SeyVillas). Cast Away Cabana fruit-juice bar on Anse Gouvernement beach (Tourism Seychelles listing).

Swimming

Shallow water with small waves and a normal tide; seaweed in March (SeyVillas).

Snorkelling

SeyVillas describes the shallow water as good for snorkelling, with equipment for hire.

Map of Anse Gouvernement

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Beach

Anse Gouvernement

Map of Anse Gouvernement with nearby beaches and places to stayCoastline © OpenStreetMap contributors. Positions are approximate.
The 30 places on this map

Places to stay near Anse Gouvernement

  • Hotel L'Archipel

    Hotel in Anse Gouvernement, Praslin

    Hotel L'Archipel is a 32-room hotel at Anse Gouvernement, at the eastern end of Côte d'Or bay on Praslin's north-east coast, with a beach reserved for hotel guests. It has an infinity pool, two restaurants and a hillside garden, and offers in-room spa treatments instead of an on-site spa.

    • Beachfront
    • Luxury
    • Families
    • Pool
    Check availability on Booking.com

    Affiliate link

  • Hotel Côte d'Or Lodge

    Hotel in Côte d'Or / Anse Volbert, Praslin

    Hotel Côte d'Or Lodge is a hotel at Côte d'Or in Anse Volbert bay, Praslin, close to Anse Gouvernement. The booking agent SeyVillas lists rooms in four categories, a pool and a restaurant, and puts the beach about 50 m away.

    Check availability on Booking.com

    Affiliate link

  • Treasure Villa

    Self-catering in Cap Samy / Marie-Jeanne, Praslin

    Treasure Villa is a set of self-catering apartments at Cap Samy on Praslin, about 1 km from the Côte d'Or beaches, built around a pool with a slide, swim-up bar and barbecue area.

    • Families
    • Self-catering
    • Pool
    Check availability on Booking.com

    Affiliate link

  • Villa Marthe

    Self-catering in Marie-Jeanne Estate, Baie Sainte Anne, Praslin

    A single self-catering unit for two people on the Marie-Jeanne Estate in the Baie Sainte Anne district on Praslin's east side. It has air conditioning, wifi, a full kitchen and daily maid service.

    • Couples
    • Self-catering
    Check availability on Booking.com

    Affiliate link

  • Vinc.Villa

    Guesthouse in Côte d'Or (Marie-Jeanne Estate), Praslin

    A two-room guesthouse on the Marie-Jeanne estate near Anse Volbert (Côte d'Or), Praslin, with king-size beds, free wifi, flexible check-out and help booking excursions.

    • Families
    • Self-catering
    Check availability on Booking.com

    Affiliate link

  • Les Villas D'Or

    Self-catering in Anse Volbert (Côte d'Or), Praslin

    Les Villas D'Or is a group of ten Seychellois family-owned self-catering villas in a garden by the sea on Anse Volbert, Côte d'Or, Praslin, with a pool, daily housekeeping and optional breakfast. Restaurants, shops and takeaways are a short walk away.

    • Beachfront
    • Families
    • Self-catering
    • Pool
    Check availability on Booking.com

    Affiliate link

  • Leo Self Catering

    Apartment in Marie Jeanne Estate, Baie Ste Anne, Praslin

    Four self-catering apartments with a shared pool in the Marie Jeanne Estate at Baie Ste Anne, Praslin, about 2 km from the ferry jetty. SeyVillas lists a billiard table and table football, and gives beach distances of between about 500 m and 1 km.

    • Couples
    • Families
    • Self-catering
    • Pool
    Check availability on Booking.com

    Affiliate link

  • Savy's Place

    Self-catering in Au Cap, Baie Ste Anne, Praslin

    Two sea-facing self-catering apartments on the shore at Au Cap, on Praslin's east coast near Baie Ste Anne. The owners offer daily housekeeping and can arrange transfers, car hire and boat trips.

    • Beachfront
    • Honeymoon
    • Self-catering

  • Villa Sole

    Self-catering in Marie-Jeanne Estate, Praslin

    Two self-catering villas in Marie-Jeanne Estate, near Côte d'Or on Praslin, each with four bedrooms for up to nine people. Anse Madge is about 900 m on foot, and breakfast or dinner can be ordered on site.

    • Families
    • Self-catering

Where to stay on Praslin

Questions

Is Anse Gouvernement open to non-hotel guests?
SeyVillas recommends asking the beachfront hotels for permission if you arrive over land. Arriving by sea does not involve crossing private land.
Can I walk from Anse Gouvernement to Anse Matelot?
SeyVillas' area guide mentions a trail of about 15 minutes from the eastern edge of the bay, but its Anse Matelot page describes the land route as dangerous and recommends a boat. Take local advice before trying it.

Sources

Details last verified 16 September 2026.