Cote Desiree The long beach of Cote Desiree has very fine sand and is located on the south side of the island. Depending on the monsoon the beach measures up to 1036 steps. Palm trees, pines, Vouloutye bushes and Beach Morning Glories dominate the coastline. The beach itself is very much exposed to strong waves throughout the year. The silhouettes of Praslin, Curieuse and various small islands can be seen on the horizon. The Aride National Park includes 200 metres of surrounding seas providing ideal snorkelling. A beautiful coral reef and over 400 species of fish can be seen. The beach is also a popular nesting site for the Hawksbill and Green Turtle.