MAHÉ ISLAND, SEYCHELLES

The largest island of the Seychelles is Mahé Island, and is home to the country’s capital Victoria.  As the largest island in the Seychelles group, Mahé spans 154.7 km² (28km long and 8km wide) and is one of 41 inner granitic islands.  With lush vegetation and granite rock formations, it forms a beautiful backdrop for 70 fine white sand beaches. Victoria is a small-town capital and is the country's economic and administrative hub, and host to the only international port.

Victoria's attractions include; a yacht club, the National and Natural History Museum, the National Library and Archives, the Botanical Gardens as well as cathedrals, famed colourful Hindu Temple, shops, a cinema, and restaurants.

Mahé itself has hills as high as 1,000 meters (2,952 ft), providing for dramatic sea views. The national park provides opportunities for those wanting to explore nature on foot. Mahé has a great bus service which pretty much goes everywhere there is a tarmac road - so there is no excuse not to explore the island if you want to.  Some places on Mahé you might want to visit include:

• Beau Vallon – Mahé’s most popular beach which is safe to swim at all year round.  Watersports such as jet skis and water-skiing are allowed and there is a promenade with hotels and restaurants.
• Victoria Clock tower – a wonderful silver coloured miniature Big Ben right in the centre of Victoria.  It was built in 1903 as a memorial to Queen Victoria.
• The Bicentennial Monument in Victoria – a white sculpture erected in 1978 to honour the 200^th anniversary of Victoria.
• The Sir Selwyn-Selwyn Clark Market – located in the heart of Victoria is a bustling and colourful market and a great place to buy fresh fish, fruit and vegetables and spices.
• Kenwyn House - an original French Colonial house restored to its former glory. It is now home to arts and culture exhibits.
• Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple or Tiempio Hindu – the only Hindu temple in the Seychelles and is in Victoria.  If you are in Victoria, do look out for it as it has beautiful and colourful carved architecture.
• Le Jardin du Roi Spice Garden – located towards the south of Mahé is a beautiful spice garden converted from an old plantation and home to vanilla, citronella, cinnamon and nutmeg plants.
• Mission Lodge Lookout – the former site of a 1800s boarding school for liberated slave children.  The lodge is really just a viewing platform but it is near to the summit of Mount Sans Soucis and commands the most spectacular views of Mahé and is a wonderful place to visit.

If you are planning on visiting Mahé and are looking for accommodation, South Point Villas on neighbouring Cerf Island are just a short ten minute boat trip from Mahé - a wonderful way to arrive!  All our villas are a stones throw from the sea and are totally private and secluded.  They really are the ultimate Seychelles villas with private wide verandas with plunge pools and spectacular ocean views. 

Book now and you could soon be having your very own paradise adventure!