Are you going to the Seychelles and looking for which trips on Mahé Island not to miss? Then I have prepared today’s post just for you.
Mahé Island is the largest and also the liveliest one in the Seychelles. However, it is not just a tropical haven, like many other Seychelles islands. It is also the heart of the entire archipelago, where dramatic nature, rich cultural heritage and pure Creole spirit combine into one fascinating place that offers tourists more than just beaches.
From the wildly growing forests on the slopes of Morne Seychellois, the highest point of the island, to the colorful markets and streets of the capital Victoria. Mahé invites you to adventure and discovery. Here you can encounter authentic Creole cuisine, or take a look into the lives of local fishermen and grill some of their rich catches in your SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION.
MAHÉ ISLAND
Whatever your goal is when you travel to the Seychelles, one thing is clear. You simply cannot miss the island of Mahé. Personally, we like to leave it until the end of our vacation, as I am then sure that I don’t have to worry about canceled or delayed ferries from the surrounding islands before departure, and we can calmly enjoy the local atmosphere until the last moments.
We rent a car for comfortable travel and trips on Mahé island. Although the number of bus lines and their frequency is sufficient here, we personally would not feel that freedom of being able to go whenever and wherever you want. So we rent a car for the entire stay, from arrival by ferry to returning it to the airport before departure. Thanks to this, we don’t even have to worry about where we will wander with our luggage after checking out, but we can comfortably drive to one of the beaches, from where we can see the car, or stop for something good before the evening departure.
Are you interested in more tips for the Seychelles? Also visit my original website about traveling to the Seychelles:
You might find guides from other islands useful:
Ile au Cerf: accommodation + 7 tips for trips
Praslin: 9 tips on what to do here
ACCOMMODATION ON MAHÉ ISLAND
As for accommodation on Mahé Island, the island is doing great with its offer. I dare say that everyone will find something here. From simple rooms and smaller apartments to bungalows or luxury hotels and resorts for the most demanding clientele. Due to the higher competition, you can get really low with the cheapest accommodation if you book in advance.
Personally, we choose the golden mean and the average price per night in our favorite Self Catering apartments, where we have a fully equipped kitchen, is around 4 – 7,000 CZK / per night for 2 people.
Of course, it also depends on the location where you book your accommodation. For example, on our first vacation in the Seychelles, we ordered apartments with a breathtaking view of the sea and mountains in the Baie Lazare area, from where it was only a few minutes by car or on foot from the beautiful Seychelles beaches, and the position was also great for other trips to Mahé.
On the other hand, during our last visit to the Seychelles, we chose a luxury apartment in the Glacis area, where we had not only a well-equipped apartment with a kitchen, but also a breathtaking view and direct access to an almost private beach, where you could snorkel beautifully in the morning and evening hours. Even here, we didn’t have far to go for trips to Mahé. At the same time, there was the possibility of free rental of a sea double kayak, which we gladly used to explore the local coast.
LÌlot Beach Chalets – click here for more information
TRIPS ON MAHÉ ISLAND
1. The capital city of Victoria – Mahé Island
Among the most attractive trips to Mahé Island in Victoria is certainly the market in the city center, known as Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market. This market is the center of local trade and is full of energy, especially in the morning hours, when (not only) locals buy fresh ingredients here. At the market you will find everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to seafood that was caught the same day. Fishermen bring their catches and will prepare the fish for you on request so that you can put it straight on the grill or in the oven.
The market is also known for its wide selection of spices and herbs, such as cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla, which are typical of local cuisine. In addition to food, you will also find handmade souvenirs here. So if you don’t know what to bring your loved ones from the Seychelles, you will surely think of something here. A visit to the market in the capital of the Seychelles is an ideal opportunity for vacationers who want to experience the local culture and take a peek into the lives of the Seychellois. Keep in mind that it is really busy here in the morning hours.
2. Beau Vallon – Mahé Island
Beau Vallon is one of the most popular areas on the island of Mahé in the Seychelles. It is located further north on the west coast of the island and is known for its long beach with white sand and calm, turquoise waters. Beau Vallon beach is ideal for swimming, snorkeling and various water sports such as paddleboarding or diving. Thanks to the gradual entry into the sea, it is also suitable for families with children.
Around the beach there are many restaurants, bars and small stalls offering local Creole dishes and fresh coconuts. Wednesday evenings in particular are known here for their Creole markets, where you can taste a variety of specialties from local cuisine for a fraction of the price. Beau Vallon is a popular place among tourists, as well as among locals who come here to relax and enjoy the beautiful sunsets.
If you are looking for a busier destination, then you should be interested in accommodation in Beau Vallon. You will find cheap apartments as well as luxury hotels and resorts. As for restaurants, we prefer to visit the local Indian restaurant here, and I recommend freshly grilled fish at the markets. You practically point to the fish you want and it will be prepared for you in a moment. If you are staying in another part of the island, add a visit to Beau Vallon at least among the trips to Mahé that you should not miss.
3. Rumérie TAKAMAKA
Takamaka Rum Distillery on Mahé is an irresistible stop for those vacationers who love rum and history. It is one of the most popular trips to Mahé. A visit to the rum factory is also a great tip for cloudy and rainy days. It is open Monday to Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., on Friday until 10:00 p.m. and on Saturday again until 4:30 p.m. Admission is free and basic tours include a visit to the distillery, museum, botanical garden and historical ruins of the old La Plaine St. André estate. Tourists can visit the distillation facilities and discover the traditional rum production process. Check the current opening hours before visiting to be sure.
Guided rum tastings take place every day at various times with a fee of 125 SCR (approximately $10 USD) and offer a deeper insight into the flavor profile of each type of rum. If you fancy something unique, Takamaka also sells its famous vanilla rum, which you can find in their boutique and its price ranges from 500–600 SCR per bottle ($20–25 USD).
4. Tea Factory – Mahé Island
The tea factory, SeyTé on Mahé Island, was founded in 1962 and offers vacationers a glimpse into the world of Seychelles tea production. You will find it in a mountain environment on the slopes of Morne Blanc, from where the popular demanding trek also begins – Morne Blanc Trail, which you can also set out on in good weather, if you are fit and in good condition. You will be surrounded by fresh air and amazing views of the western part of the island. During a tour of the tea factory, you can learn about the tea processing process from harvesting to drying and packaging, and also be sure to buy some of the local teas, for example with the flavor of citronella or vanilla.
The factory is open from Monday to Friday, always from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission costs approximately 25 Seychelles rupees, which includes a guided tour of the factory. After the visit, you can have a cup of fresh tea in a small establishment with a terrace, from where there are panoramic views of the Mahé coast. Before arriving, be sure to check the current opening hours and definitely add a visit to the factory to the list of trips to Mahé.
5. Anse Intendance Beach
Anse Intendance is a great beach for us, which should not be missing in your list of trips to Mahé. It is a unique place on the south coast and is one of the most beautiful and wildest beaches in the Seychelles. Thanks to its remoteness, Anse Intendance has the atmosphere of a hidden paradise, although several accommodations have been built here in recent years.
Although swimming here is sometimes a challenge due to the stronger currents, the scenery definitely makes up for it. The beach is ideal for those vacationers who rent a car and set out to explore the remote beaches of the southern coast of Mahé. And what to do here? Listen to the sound of the ocean and walk on the white sand without large crowds of tourists.
- Swimming is not recommended here during our summer months – always follow the warnings on the signs
- The place is also popular with turtles, which lay their eggs here – follow the instructions on the signs before entering the beach
6. Petite Anse Beach
Petite Anse should not be missing among your trips to Mahé. It is one of the most picturesque places in the Seychelles, famous for its white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. It is located in a picturesque bay on the southwest coast of Mahé, in our favorite area of Baie Lazare. Surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and dramatic rock formations. The beach is relatively small, but offers a peaceful environment, ideal for relaxing, snorkeling and swimming.
During our first visit in 2015, they installed baskets in the bay to restore the corals and ensure that there is a rich underwater world here. Thanks to its location within the luxury Four Seasons resort, the beach is less crowded and provides a sense of privacy.
Access to the beach is possible through the resort, which makes visiting Petite Anse a bit of an adventurous experience with a reward in the form of a wonderful view of the azure waters and coral reefs. The beach is part of the resort, and so bracelets have been introduced here to distinguish day visitors from resort clients.
The best option to fully enjoy this paradise is to stay directly at the Four Seasons Resort:
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles
7. Beaches in Glacis
Glacis is a quiet area in the north of Mahé and is my secret paradise for those vacationers who are looking for peace and the typical beauty of the Seychelles. One of the jewels of the local coast is, for example, Sunset Beach or Glacis Beach. You can look forward to fine white sand that turns into a turquoise ocean with a backdrop of granite rocks and lush green trees. These beaches are also an ideal place for a romantic picnic at sunset. They should definitely not be missing on the list of trips to Mahé.
Glacis is also popular with snorkeling enthusiasts – the coral reefs near the coast hide a colorful underwater world with schools of colorful fish. If you are tempted by more than just beaches, you can go on shorter treks that will take you through the rolling landscape and offer you panoramic views. We stayed in Glacis and are happy to recommend this area further.
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