Anse Lazio is often listed among the most beautiful beaches in the world, and is one of the sites you shouldn’t miss in the Seychelles. Ringed with palm trees and tacamahac trees, with a fine carpet of white sand, crystal-clear water of a dazzling blue – the attraction is immediate. At either end of the beach, bedecked with granite rocks, there are excellent opportunities for snorkeling.
Anse Lazio is at the northern tip of the main road that goes round the island, about 4 miles (6km) from the center of Côte d’Or. It comes to an end near the edge of the beach. It is quite easy to find a parking space, but make sure you don’t leave anything in the car, as theft is not uncommon.
There are always one or two taxis near the beach until sunset. By bus, get off at Anse Boudin (the end of the line) and walk about twenty minutes to reach the beach. Please note that the route is hilly and, in the heat, the way up can be demanding.
There are two areas to explore at Anse Lazio. They are at either end of the beach, around 500 yards apart. Enter the water directly from the beach (where the first rocks are). If you want to explore both sides, it is better to get out of the water and walk to the other end. Since the shark attacks in 2011, a zone for swimmers, protected by a net, has been set up, but it doesn’t cover the interesting areas.
South zone (to the left as you are facing the ocean): This is the deepest area, with the most rocks, and is also the least rich in underwater life. From the very first yards as you leave the beach, you will come across large blocks of granite that seem to have been “planted” in the white sand. All around, the water is generally very clear and can be deep (↕7-13ft/2-4m). Small shoals of pompanos and sergeant majors move between the rocks, which are lightly colonized by a few sea urchins.
North zone (to the right as you are facing the ocean): Near the shore, this area is less deep (↕7-10ft/2-3m) and has more coral. You move along a rocky barrier that has been colonized by small coral. You may come across, in turn, bluefin trevally, needlefish, surgeonfish or checkerboard wrasse. Large groups of blue damselfish rest near the rocks, where small moray eels sometimes find a home.
It was once usual to observe sharks, but they are now rare in Anse Lazio, due to the relentless hunting undertaken since the fatal attacks in 2011. Towards dusk, in the sandy areas, you can observe small groups of stingrays (↕6-10ft/2-3m). They are discreet and easily camouflaged, but you can try to spot their eyes standing out against the sand. This fish inflicts a particularly painful sting, so here, even more than elsewhere, you should avoid putting your feet on the seabed outside the swimming areas.
This spot is regularly exposed to jellyfish, and their presence will often lead to your exploration being cut short.
There are two mid-category restaurants on the beach, at either end. You can also rent a bungalow, but prices are very high. All the surrounding area is nature. In other words, if you are on a budget, you should bring your own drinks and a picnic.
Hawksbill sea turtles 👇 can sometimes be spotted at Anse Lazio, as you can see in this video shot by pcamus (Oct. 2019).
These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
