Port Launay Marine National Park

Port Launay is a shallow sheltered bay on the northwestern side of Mahé, protected as a marine park, with calm water, mangrove behind part of the shore and a beach backed by takamaka trees that give real shade. Whale sharks pass along this coast between roughly August and October and boats go out for them from here. The bay is also one of the calmest swimming beaches on the island because the reef and headlands keep the swell out.

What's there

• The sheltered bay - calm protected water behind reef and headlands.
• The whale sharks - the seasonal passage along this coast from August.
• The takamaka shade - the trees backing the beach, unusual in giving real shade.
• The mangrove - the wetland fringe behind part of the shore.

When to go

August to October is the whale shark window, though sightings are never guaranteed. April to May and October to November are calmest generally. Park fees apply.

What to expect

Whale shark encounters are seasonal and far from guaranteed on any trip. A park fee is charged on top of any boat cost. The bay gets busy at weekends.

Nearby

Morne Seychellois is inland, and Anse Major is north along the coast.