Praslin & La Digue
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Anse Petite Cour

A small reef-sheltered bay on Praslin's north coast beside Le Domaine de La Réserve, inside the Curieuse Marine National Park boundary. Calm, shallow water with coral, views of Curieuse, and limited parking for non-guests.

Last verified 16 September 2026

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The beach

Anse Petite Cour is a small bay on Praslin's long north coast, about 240 m of sand with granite boulders at one end and a view across to Curieuse. Le Domaine de La Réserve hotel sits beside it, and most visitors are its guests. Tourism Seychelles lists "Anse Petit Cours, next to Domaine de La Reserve Hotel" among the snorkelling sites it names for Praslin in its Beach and Sea Safety Guide, 2nd edition. Curieuse is about 1.9 km offshore in a straight line.

Marine park

The hotel says the bay is inside the Curieuse Marine National Park, and the park's 1979 designation order runs the boundary along the coast of Anse Petit Cour; the order's eastern limit on the Praslin mainland is Pointe Zanquilles, about 610 m east of the beach in a straight line. Under regulation 3 of the 1991 park regulations, taking or disturbing any animal, its eggs or shells, disturbing or removing any plant, or removing sand, soil or rock carries a fine of R 2,000 and twelve months' imprisonment. The hotel says its guests get free entry to the park. Tourism Seychelles' own listing for the park gives an indicative price of SCR 300 with children free, opening hours of 09:00 to 17:00, and says tickets should be bought online from spga.gov.sc (listing updated 30 September 2025).

Getting there

The main road passes nearby, but SeyVillas says hotel parking is for resort guests, and no public car park is mapped within 500 m (OpenStreetMap, checked 20 September 2026). The bus stop is La Reserve Hotel, about 230 m from the sand in a straight line, with a platform on each side of the road; OpenStreetMap's mapping of SPTC routes 61 (Mont Plaisir via Vallée de Mai) and 62 (Mont Plaisir via Consolation) runs both through it in both directions, the relations last edited 2 December 2025. SPTC publishes timetables for Mahé routes only, so check Praslin times locally; its visitor travel cards start at SCR 100 for a day (SPTC, checked 20 September 2026), and the UK FCDO says most public buses do not run after 20:00 (updated 21 January 2026). The hotel puts the beach about 10 minutes from the Baie Sainte Anne jetty and about 20 minutes from Praslin airport. SeyVillas adds that the hotel sometimes limits the number of non-guests on the beach, so ask before you come.

What is there

The hotel's restaurant L'Obrizan stands on a dining deck over the Anse Petite Cour reef and serves breakfast 07:30 to 10:00 and dinner 19:30 to 21:30; the William Bar and Pool Grill and the Dan Disab Beach Bar open 10:00 to 18:00 (hotel website, checked 20 September 2026). Snorkeling Report says the restaurant takes non-residents who book ahead. The hotel lends snorkelling equipment and kayaks to its own guests free of charge. No public toilets, showers or drinking water are mapped at the beach (OpenStreetMap, checked 20 September 2026).

In the water

A reef shelters the bay, and the hotel describes gentle water for swimming and snorkelling and says the bay snorkels well throughout the year. Tourism Seychelles notes butterflyfish and surgeonfish on the reef. Snorkeling Report puts the deepest part of the bay at about 6 m, describes the coral as fine overall but damaged in places, and says there is no coral barrier across the mouth, so you can swim out to the outer reef; it reports melon butterflyfish, bluefin trevally, bluespotted cornetfish, small groupers and octopuses. SeyVillas reports a little seaweed for much of the year, especially when the north-west trade wind begins in December, and says the beach can disappear at high tide - the Seychelles Meteorological Authority's September 2026 tide table gives low waters of 0.4 m to 1.0 m and high waters of 1.0 m to 2.0 m. There is no lifeguard: Tourism Seychelles states that lifeguards are stationed at Beau Vallon, Anse Lazio and Côte d'Or only.

Also here

A Patience Tree, whose interlocking seeds give it the name Puzzle Nut, grows on the beach.

Best for

  • Snorkelling in the marine park (SeyVillas; Tourism Seychelles; Le Domaine de La Réserve)
  • Views of Curieuse (Tourism Seychelles)
  • Arriving by bus: the La Reserve Hotel stop is about 230 m away in a straight line, on SPTC routes 61 and 62 (OpenStreetMap, checked 20 September 2026)
  • Guests of Le Domaine de La Réserve, who get snorkelling equipment, kayaks and marine park entry free (hotel website)

Getting there

By car or bus via the nearby main road; hotel parking is reserved for Le Domaine de La Réserve guests and no public car park is mapped within 500 m (SeyVillas; OpenStreetMap, checked 20 September 2026). The bus stop is La Reserve Hotel, about 230 m from the sand in a straight line, with a platform on each side of the road; OpenStreetMap's mapping of SPTC routes 61 and 62 runs both through it in both directions (relations last edited 2 December 2025). SPTC publishes Mahé timetables only, so check Praslin times locally; visitor travel cards cost SCR 100 for one day, SCR 198 for four consecutive days and SCR 363 for eight (SPTC, checked 20 September 2026), and the UK FCDO says most public buses do not run after 20:00 (updated 21 January 2026). The hotel puts the beach about 10 minutes from the Baie Sainte Anne jetty and about 20 minutes from Praslin airport. The hotel sometimes restricts non-guest numbers; SeyVillas advises obtaining permission before arrival.

Facilities

Le Domaine de La Réserve's restaurant L'Obrizan stands on a dining deck over the reef and serves breakfast 07:30 to 10:00 and dinner 19:30 to 21:30; the William Bar and Pool Grill and the Dan Disab Beach Bar open 10:00 to 18:00 (hotel website, checked 20 September 2026). Snorkeling Report says the restaurant takes non-residents who book ahead. Snorkelling equipment and kayaks are free to hotel guests (hotel website). No public toilets, showers or drinking water are mapped at the beach (OpenStreetMap, checked 20 September 2026). Natural shade (SeyVillas).

Swimming

Shallow water protected by a reef, calm most of the year (SeyVillas; Le Domaine de La Réserve). A little seaweed most of the year, especially at the start of the north-west trade wind in December; the beach can disappear at high tide (SeyVillas) - the Seychelles Meteorological Authority's tide table for September 2026 gives low waters of 0.4 m to 1.0 m and high waters of 1.0 m to 2.0 m. There is no lifeguard: Tourism Seychelles' Beach and Sea Safety Guide, 2nd edition, states that lifeguards are stationed at Beau Vallon, Anse Lazio and Côte d'Or only. Regulation 5 of the Beach Control Regulations bars motor boats and water-skiing within 400 feet of the seashore except in a marked lane. Within the Curieuse Marine National Park, where regulation 3 of the 1991 park regulations makes taking or disturbing animals, eggs or shells, disturbing or removing plants, or removing sand, soil or rock an offence carrying a fine of R 2,000 and twelve months' imprisonment (hotel website; Designation Order S.I. 55 of 1979 and Regulations S.I. 15 of 1991).

Snorkelling

Known for snorkelling over coral (SeyVillas); Tourism Seychelles lists butterflyfish and surgeonfish among reef species, and names "Anse Petit Cours, next to Domaine de La Reserve Hotel" as one of the snorkelling sites in its Beach and Sea Safety Guide, 2nd edition. Le Domaine de La Réserve describes the reef-protected water as gentle for snorkelling and says the bay snorkels well throughout the year. Snorkeling Report puts the deepest part of the bay at about 6 m, describes the coral as fine overall but damaged in places, notes that there is no coral barrier across the mouth so you can swim out to the outer reef, and reports melon butterflyfish, bluefin trevally, bluespotted cornetfish, small groupers and octopuses.

Map of Anse Petite Cour

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Beach

Anse Petite Cour

Map of Anse Petite Cour with nearby beaches and places to stayCoastline © OpenStreetMap contributors. Positions are approximate.
The 45 places on this map

Praslin or La Digue for beaches?Every beach on Praslin and La DigueWhy the granite boulders are shaped like thisWhat lives on the reef here

Open stays with live Booking.com links near Anse Petite Cour

Distances are measured in a straight line from the beach; the walking or driving route may be longer.

Explore every bookable stay

  • Acquario Villa

    Guesthouse in Anse Petite Cour / Côte d'Or, Praslin

    492 m straight-line from Anse Petite Cour

    A small guesthouse of self-catering apartments and a two-bedroom family villa in a garden at Anse Petite Cour, Praslin, a few minutes from Côte d'Or, with breakfast or dinner from its own restaurant on request.

    • Self-catering
    More information
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  • Passage du Soleil

    Villa in Anse Possession, Praslin

    635 m straight-line from Anse Petite Cour

    A two-bedroom self-catering villa for up to five guests, built on granite boulders above Anse Possession on Praslin's north coast. It looks out over the bay towards Curieuse Island and has private access to the sea.

    • Honeymoon
    • Families
    • Self-catering
    More information
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  • Coin D'or Self Catering

    Chalet in Anse Possession, Praslin

    659 m straight-line from Anse Petite Cour

    A one-bedroom waterfront self-catering cottage in a garden of citrus trees and granite at Anse Possession, Praslin, looking over the bay to Curieuse.

    • Beachfront
    • Self-catering
    More information
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  • La Saline

    Villa in Anse Possession, Praslin

    676 m straight-line from Anse Petite Cour

    A three-bedroom self-catering villa of local red granite at the entrance to Anse Possession, Praslin, with a wraparound veranda over the water facing Curieuse and snorkelling from the door.

    • Families
    • Self-catering
    More information
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  • Mirella Villa

    Self-catering in Anse Possession, Praslin

    678 m straight-line from Anse Petite Cour

    Self-catering villas and an apartment spread across a garden estate near Anse Possession on Praslin's north coast. The beach is about 300 m away and a food shop is next to the estate.

    • Self-catering
    More information
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  • Paradise Sun Hotel

    Hotel in Côte d'Or / Anse Volbert, Praslin

    701 m straight-line from Anse Petite Cour

    Paradise Sun is a Southern Sun hotel of French-Creole beach bungalows at the quieter western end of Côte d'Or beach on Praslin. It has 80 rooms, a pool, a beachfront restaurant, a spa and a weekly kids' programme, and room rates include breakfast and dinner.

    • Beachfront
    • Honeymoon
    • Families
    • Pool
    More information
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  • Sea View Lodge

    Villa in Anse Possession, Praslin

    701 m straight-line from Anse Petite Cour

    Six self-catering villas with a pool and their own car rental on the bay at Anse Possession, Praslin, looking out to Curieuse, with meals and a beach buffet available on request.

    • Families
    • Self-catering
    • Pool
    More information
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  • Villa Kass

    Villa in Anse Possession, Praslin

    706 m straight-line from Anse Petite Cour

    Two self-catering villas with air-conditioned bedrooms, kitchens and verandas at Anse Possession, Praslin, about 2 km from Anse Volbert village, with boat trips and car hire arranged on request.

    • Families
    • Self-catering
    More information
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  • Villa Milou

    Self-catering in Anse Possession, Praslin

    732 m straight-line from Anse Petite Cour

    A four-bedroom self-catering villa at Anse Possession on Praslin's north coast. The tourism board describes it as overlooking the beach; rooms have air conditioning and sea or garden views, and daily maid service is available. It shares its owners and phone number with the neighbouring Villa Kass.

    • Families
    • Self-catering
    More information
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  • Chalets Anse Possession

    Chalet in Anse Possession, Praslin

    793 m straight-line from Anse Petite Cour

    Self-catering chalets at Anse Possession on Praslin's north coast, which the owners describe as beachfront, each with a private balcony, air conditioning and wifi. The owners say the island's most visited area is within walking distance.

    • Beachfront
    • Families
    • Self-catering
    More information
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  • Villa Face Mer

    Apartment in Anse Possession, Praslin

    805 m straight-line from Anse Petite Cour

    Villa Face Mer is a two-storey block of holiday apartments at Anse Possession on Praslin's north coast, with sea-view balconies. Anse Possession beach is across the road.

    More information
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  • Hideaway Holiday Apartments

    Self-catering in Anse Possession, Praslin

    839 m straight-line from Anse Petite Cour

    Hideaway Holiday Apartments is a family-run group of self-catering apartments and a wooden chalet on the beach at Anse Possession, on Praslin's north coast facing Curieuse. The owners say the bus stops outside.

    • Beachfront
    • Self-catering
    More information
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Read the full where-to-stay guide for Praslin

Acquario Villa492 m in a straight line

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Questions

Can non-guests use Anse Petite Cour?
SeyVillas says visitors can come by car or bus, but hotel parking is for guests and the hotel sometimes limits non-guest numbers, so ask Le Domaine de La Réserve before arriving.
Is Anse Petite Cour in a marine park?
Yes. Le Domaine de La Réserve says the bay is in the Curieuse Marine National Park, and the park's designation order names Anse Petit Cour on its boundary.
Is there a bus to Anse Petite Cour?
Yes. The stop is called La Reserve Hotel, about 230 m from the sand in a straight line, with a platform on each side of the road. OpenStreetMap's mapping of SPTC routes 61 and 62 runs both through it in both directions (relations last edited 2 December 2025). SPTC publishes timetables for Mahé routes only, so check Praslin times locally, and the UK FCDO says most public buses do not run after 20:00.
Are there toilets at Anse Petite Cour?
No public toilets, showers or drinking water are mapped at the beach (OpenStreetMap, checked 20 September 2026). The hotel's bars open 10:00 to 18:00 and its restaurant L'Obrizan takes non-residents who book ahead, according to Snorkeling Report.

Sources

Details last verified 16 September 2026.