Praslin & La Digue

Anse Matelot

Anse Matelot is an isolated cove on Praslin's north-east coast, east of Anse Gouvernement, lined with granite boulders and usually empty. Easiest by boat, about 10 minutes from Anse Volbert. The water is fairly deep without a sharp drop-off, and seaweed is present all year.

Last verified 16 September 2026

The beach

Anse Matelot is a short cove of about 200 m on Praslin's north-east coast, beyond Anse Gouvernement. Granite boulders line the sand, and SeyVillas describes it as empty at nearly all times because it is hard to reach.

Getting there

SeyVillas recommends arriving by boat or canoe; it puts the cove about 10 minutes by boat from Anse Volbert. Its beach page describes the land route as dangerous, involving rock climbing, and advises against it unless you are an experienced climber with a guide. Its north-east Praslin page, by contrast, mentions a trail of about 15 minutes from the eastern edge of Anse Gouvernement. Given the conflict, take local advice before attempting the walk.

In the water

The water is fairly deep, but SeyVillas says there is no sharp drop-off, so it is safe for swimming, and it rates the cove good for snorkelling. Currents passing the bay leave seaweed on the sand throughout the year, and the tide changes quickly, so keep an eye on the water level.

Facilities

SeyVillas describes no facilities beyond some natural shade, so bring water and anything else you need.

Best for

  • Solitude, as the cove is usually empty (SeyVillas)
  • Swimming and snorkelling from a boat trip (SeyVillas)

Getting there

Best reached by boat or canoe, about 10 minutes from Anse Volbert (SeyVillas beach page). SeyVillas describes the land route as dangerous and involving rock climbing, advising only experienced climbers with a guide to attempt it; its north-east Praslin page mentions a trail of about 15 minutes from the eastern edge of Anse Gouvernement.

Facilities

No facilities described; natural shade only (SeyVillas).

Swimming

Fairly deep water with no sharp drop-off, considered safe for swimming; the tide changes quickly; seaweed present all year because of passing currents (SeyVillas).

Snorkelling

SeyVillas rates Anse Matelot good for snorkelling.

Map of Anse Matelot

32222

Beach

Anse Matelot

Map of Anse Matelot with nearby beaches and places to stayCoastline © OpenStreetMap contributors. Positions are approximate.
The 23 places on this map

Places to stay near Anse Matelot

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

How do I get to Anse Matelot?
SeyVillas recommends a boat or canoe, about 10 minutes from Anse Volbert. It describes the land route as dangerous and suited only to experienced climbers with a guide.
Is there seaweed at Anse Matelot?
SeyVillas says seaweed is present on the sand all year because of the currents passing the bay.

Sources

Details last verified 16 September 2026.