Mahe The Largest Island in Seychelles Will Fascinate You

The Island Of Mahe, Seychelles

Mahe, Seychelles’ main island is home to the capital, Victoria, has the majority population

It is where the international airport and the hub of the island tourism infrastructure occurs

With its bustling port, Mahe is the commercial center and home to most retail outlets and tourism facilities. Many are concentrated towards the north of the Island while the south with its villages proposes a quieter pace of life.

On arrival we get to the highest peak which is Morne Seychellois, which rises to 2,969 feet (905 metres) and forms part of a national park of the same name.

Beau Vallon Beach

It’s virgin forests cascade down lush mountainsides to more than 60 beaches, where the only footprints you’ll find will be your own. We got a chance to get to one of the beaches, Beau Vallon Beach, which has very clear waters, soft sand and it is easily accessible, with amazing people that come to spend their vacation there. We got driven to Savoy Resort located in Beau Vallon Bay, on the edge of the beach of Mahe Island. With unique location, striking designs and landscaped tropical gardens of 16 acres, these are further enhanced by a world-class spa and a 700 sq. m swimming pool which is the largest in the Seychelles. Beau Vallon revels in its authentic seaside vibe and endless white sandy beaches that encourage swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling and other water sports. Fine sand, flat sandy bottom, low waves and stunning sunsets distinguish this beach from all others on the island. It takes only 25 minutes by car to get from Seychelles International Airport to the Resort.

Takamaka Distillery

Of course, if you have been to Seychelles you know that the very place you want to visit would be Takamaka Distillery. This is Seychelles only commercial rum producer and exporter, which was founded by two brothers of the d’Offay family and has been operating since 2002. The Takamaka Rum Distillery Tour and Garden Tour are very insightful and form part of the most popular attractions of the Seychelles. We enjoyed these local spice-infused rums at the distilleries and even enjoy guided rum-tasting. The building itself is a lovingly restored original wooden Seychellois house built in 1792, The Takamaka Distillery grounds include a boutique store, a forest walkway, a plantation bell and a sugar cane crusher.

Famous Restaurants

Despite its timeless charm Mahe possesses a modern yet discreet infrastructure such as Eden island with its elegant marina and mall, casino, bars choice of restaurants and vibrant nightlife, for example, the famous Bravo Restaurant. It is a trendy, casual dining Restaurant situated on the water’s edge on the prestigious Eden Island. Alfresco dining with a beautiful view of Eden Island Marina, sets the tone for a relaxed dining experience. Bravo is known for a wide variety of dishes however its signature includes Killer Prawns served on a hanging skewer served with lemon butter. Live music on a Friday and Saturday evening sets the mood for the weekend. The prawns were so good that we had to make a quick lunch stopper over before taking our flight back to Kenya.

Hotels

Mahe offers a wide choice of accommodation options in luxurious, international 5-star resorts, bouquet hotels, well-appointed villas and attractive guesthouses and self caterings offering great value for money. We booked at a lovely hotel known as Blue Hill Hotel which is nestled in the flora and fauna of Seychelles in an extremely characteristic, quiet and lively area within a short distance to the City and is surrounded by the extraordinary beauty of Nature, churches, buildings, shops and monuments. Blue Hill is part of a lovingly restored place. The special charm and the cozy mood of Blue Hill will make you feel as true as home.

Culture

Street foods

Victoria is full of history, creole character and delightful impressions like the busy market, two cathedrals, Botanical Gardens and Esplanade where you are sure to find local souvenirs. At the market, we are fascinated by the amazing street foods at Perry’s Grillz. it has been serving its customers classic and contemporary local dishes. The menu in the place includes appetizers such as Greek tekzaki, cheese and dried meat, main dishes such as delicious pasta and pizza of all kinds, and many types of sweets and delicious pastries. The restaurant has simple decorations that will ensure that all visitors to the place have a wonderful and relaxing time. From the look of things, localists enjoyed the servings at Perry’s Grillz.

The Roman Catholic church of the Cathedral of Victoria

during our travels around the globe, nothing fascinates us more than visiting places of worship. On a central, slightly elevated location stands the Catholic Cathedral of Victoria in the shape of a Latin cross and in the colours grey and white. Going up some steps we arrive at an attractive portico with Ionian-style columns. Entering through a door with carvings one sees the wide central nave, separated by slender pillars from two much narrower naves at the side. The gabled roof is held by beams. There are arched windows with stained glass windows, some traditional, some in modern style. Unlike so many other Catholic churches there are no side altars, just the high altar. The church goes back to the mid-19th century, but there had been several renovations and changes since then. Outside one will find a separate chapel and a bit further away the priest house La Domus. We also had a chance to visit the Hindu Temple where you have to take of your shoes before entering. The temple has amazing architecture and the exterior is colourful with faces and figures of many of the Hindu gods.

Main Attractions of Mahe

Over 65 beaches to enjoy
Walk the town of Victoria
Botanical gardens and other private gardens
Mission Lodge
Museums in and around Victoria
Eden Island
La Plaine St. Andre distillery
Several local bazaars (weekly and on the last Sunday of each month)
Entertainment programmed in hotels, featuring live bands, local dance troupes, entertainers etc.

Main Activities To Enjoy

Fishing
Diving
Sailing & Cruising
Guided walks and trails
Golf
Rock climbing/ zip lining
Spa & wellness treats
Snorkelling and swimming
Visit one of Mahe’s Marine Parks

Not To Be Missed

Savour the delicious Seychellois cuisine
Boat cruise or sunset cruise around Mahe
Visit an art gallery or local artist’s workshop
Savour Eden island’s nightlife with casino, bars and restaurants
A night at a local discotheque
Tour around the pastoral South of the island
Island-style dining experience next to the beach with feet in the sand

Mahe Island : https://seychelles.com/app-listing-details?ProductId=5fc5dd8e60e8763372ea112f

What to see: https://seychelles.com/home

Things to do: https://seychelles.com/home

Important Tips and Links For Visitors

Travel Advisory: CLICK HERE
Dress Code: Day- Casual and Night- casual, but smart
Language: Seychelles has 3 official languages, that is, English, French and Creole.
Available flights: Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, British Airways, Air France, Air Seychelles,
Apply For Travel Authorization: https://seychelles.govtas.com/
Domestic Transportation: www.airseychelles.com, www.catcocos.com