Albion Beach

Albion sits on the north-western shoulder of the island, above Flic en Flac, at a point where the west coast begins its curve toward the north. The lighthouse at Albion Point — a working navigational light that has guided ships entering the west coast channel since colonial times — is the visual landmark that defines the beach and makes it identifiable from photographs. The beach runs north from the lighthouse headland for about a kilometre, and the wide, flat sand is backed by a low coastal scrub that gives it a more natural character than the developed stretches of Flic en Flac.

The lagoon at Albion is calm and swimmable, protected by the same reef system that runs the length of the west coast, and is particularly suitable for families with children due to the very gradual depth increase from shore. The Beach Club operated by the Westin hotel (formerly Sofitel Tamassa) provides beach infrastructure including sunbeds, a bar, and watersports hire to non-guests on a fee basis, and this is the most comfortable way to spend a full day at Albion without bringing everything yourself.

Albion has developed a loyal expat following among the south-west and west coast residential population — the beach is genuinely lovely, it is considerably less crowded than Flic en Flac, and the drive from the Tamarin and Black River residential areas is 15 minutes through cane fields rather than through the tourist corridor. The sunset from Albion, with the lighthouse silhouetted against the western sky and the offshore reef visible as a dark line in the glowing water, is one of the best free shows on the west coast.