Lily and Ethel Beaches

The east coast pairs its pocket coves for easy wildness: Lily and Ethel beaches, linked by road and boardwalks, land coral sand between limestone arms where the swimming runs clear on calm days, robber crabs patrol the approaches in the island's blue-and-orange armour, and the shorebreak's terraces pool at low tide for the exploring hours. Lily's lookout platform frames the surf theatre; Ethel's wider sand takes the picnics; and the pair's five-minute spacing makes the classic east-side afternoon - crabs, coves and the Indian Ocean's uninterrupted horizon.

What you actually see

• The pocket coves - coral sand between limestone arms.
• The robber crabs - armoured patrols on the boardwalks.
• The tide terraces - low-water pools for the exploring.
• Lily's lookout - the surf theatre framed.

When to go

April to November for the calmest east-side days; low tide opens the terraces - the island chart schedules.

Honest expectations

Swimming is calm-day judgement with currents at the arms; the crabs are protected absolutely - and will investigate unattended bags with legal impunity.

Nearby

Poon Saan's town, the Grotto and the east road.