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Port Launay
ℹ️Practical info — Port Launay
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit the beach early in the morning before resort guests and tour boats arrive.
- Snorkel along the rocks on the right side of the bay for the best variety of reef fish.
- Bring insect repellent if you plan to relax in the shade of the trees near the sand.
- Take advantage of the shallow, calm waters which are excellent for families with small children.
- Park in the designated area and avoid leaving any valuables visible in your vehicle.
🍽 Food
Look for small stalls at the end of the beach grilling freshly caught fish over charcoal.
Purchase a chilled coconut from local vendors right at the main beach access point.
Enjoy fresh papaya or mango shakes from the small beach bars on the southern side.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Find shell jewelry and coconut-carved items at stalls near the resort entrance area.
Buy colorful wraps with Seychelles motifs from the vendors strolling along the coast.
A short boardwalk behind the beach leads through a protected mangrove forest, great for nature lovers.
Walk all the way to the left towards the rocks; it's usually much quieter than the central area.
Water temperature…
Port Launay is a sheltered crescent-shaped bay on the western coast of Mahé that belongs to the Port Launay Marine National Park. The calm turquoise waters, broad sandy beach, and weak currents make the spot one of the most popular snorkeling destinations on the island and a well-suited family bathing beach. The protected position behind granite headlands keeps the water temperature and visibility excellent, so that reefs with parrotfish, surgeonfish, and occasionally hawksbill turtles are easy to observe. Behind the beach stretch dense mangrove forests, among the last surviving mangrove habitats on Mahé, and an important nesting ground for waterbirds. A small wooden boardwalk crosses the mangrove ecosystem and enables interpretive walks. The district also hosts the Constance Ephélia Hotel, a luxury resort that blends harmoniously into the natural surroundings. Port Launay is a popular picnic spot among locals, especially on weekends and holidays.
- Location: Seychelles
- Top sights: Anse des Anglais · Ros Lepa Trail · SMAC ADVENTURES
- Nearby: Danzil (4 km)
- Population: ~3.243 (2026)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
| Rain mm | 207 | 109 | 106 | 115 | 94 | 80 | 55 | 62 | 108 | 117 | 124 | 164 |
Geography
Facts
- Port Launay was officially declared a marine national park in 1979.
- The bay is home to all seven species of mangroves found in the Seychelles.
- Nearby is a small waterfall, accessible after a short hike.
- The water here is so calm that it is ideal for stand-up paddling.
- The park protects rare fish species such as the Indo-Pacific sailfish.
- Port Launay is a designated RAMSAR site of international importance.
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Sights in the town Port Launay (3)
Frequently asked questions
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Port Launay: where is it located?
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