See, Eat, and Do: A Guide to the Seychelles' Largest Island, Mahé
Photo Credit: Vitalii Ustymenko
Crystal clear waters. Pristine white sand beaches. Palm-fringed coastline.
Is that how you would describe paradise? If your answer is yes, then you need to start planning a visit to the islands of the Seychelles.
Mahé, the capital of Seychelles, is the biggest island in the archipelago. Although it is the most populated of the Seychelles islands, it still possesses a laid-back atmosphere and plenty of nearly deserted beaches to relax in. From waterfalls to idyllic beaches, excellent restaurants and stunning sunsets, there is so much to see and do in Mahé.
Take a stroll on Beau Vallon Beach
Photo Credit: Dating Scout
Beau Vallon is perhaps the most popular beach in all of Mahé. Here you will find numerous restaurants, beachside bars, plenty of hotels and beautiful sunsets.
In Beau Vallon beach, the waves are generally gentle and the water is not too deep, which makes it a perfect location for children to frolic in the water. The sand is extremely soft making it perfect for long walks. The beach stretches for more than 3.5 km and has some of the most beautiful sunsets in the entire island.
On Sundays, Beau Vallon beach becomes a lively, but still surprisingly relaxing beach to visit. Local families frequently park their cars near the beach and set up barbecue grills on the sand, and will enjoy the day with fresh cold beers, food and music. Nothing too crazy, I promise. This is a great way to experience the Seychelloise laid-back way of life.
On Wednesdays, a night market is set up along the beach, which draws in many locals and tourists alike. Here you can sample various foods and buy handcrafts from local vendors. All at very affordable prices.
Although it may sound like Beau Vallon is a very busy beach, the reality is far from it. Here you will find the perfect balance between quiet enjoyment and a taste of the local culture.
2. Have a sunset cocktail at La Plage
La Plage at Beau Vallon Beach
While strolling along Beau Vallon beach, make sure to stop at La Plage for a sunset cocktail. The restaurant is located directly on the beach and has wide views of Beau Vallon. In my opinion, it is the best location from where to watch the majestic sunsets of Mahé.
At La Plage, there are two seating areas:
An outside terrace, from where you can enjoy the breeze of the ocean and hear the gentle lapping of the waves while drinking a cocktail.
The indoor dining area, where you can have dinner in a simple setting while listening to the sound of soothing music. The dining room is equipped ceiling fans, which are perfect for balancing out the tropical air.
The cocktails are deliciously made with fresh local fruits. The wine and champagne list is quite extensive, and the prices are high, but on par with what you would normally find around the island.
I do not recommend having dinner at La Plage. The prices are high and the quality of the food is not exactly stellar. Leave your appetite intact and hop on over to....
3. Sample the seafood buffet at the Boathouse
Across the street and about 10 meters away from La Plage you will find one of Beau Vallon's most popular restaurants, the Boat House.
The Boat House is a restaurant with a large open dining area spread out over two floors. The dining area is simple and there is a bar on the ground floor for those craving a cocktail. A live band plays at the restaurant on certain days of the week and the Boat House also offers happy hour drink specials on select days.
The Boat House's claim to fame is their delicious seafood buffet. The food is served atop an old boat and some of the buffet offerings include smoked fish salad, octopus curry, and grilled breadfruit. Fresh fish can be grilled to order. Everything is prepared fresh and in the typical Seychelloise style of cooking.
The price of the buffet at the time of this writing hovered around 500 SCR. On special holidays, the price will be slightly higher, around 550 SCR. The Boat House also offers an à la carte menu, with many of the items from the all-you-can-eat buffet included in it.
4. Rent a car and take a scenic drive around Mahé
View from Morne Seychellois National Park
Renting a car in Mahé is easy and relatively inexpensive. When arriving at the airport, there will be many car rental companies to choose from. The prices between each rental car company don't fluctuate much, so any will do. Rentals start at around 520 SCR for the most basic vehicles. Grab a car with some wheel traction, as the island is hilly and the roads can sometimes be a bit bumpy. Fuel prices are similar to Europe, averaging out to 25 SCR per litre of petrol.
Renting a car is the best way to see the island, in my opinion. You will have the freedom to stop wherever and whenever you want. With so many beautiful beaches to explore, this is the fool-proof way of getting to know the island.
Mahé has an area of around 154 km², so it does not take long to drive around the entire island. I have done it before and it took me around 5 hours, with a few stops in between.
If driving is not your thing, you may opt to take a private guided tour of the island.
5. Take a dip in Sauzier Waterfall
Sauzier waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the island of Mahé. It is located in the Morne Seychellois National Park, which is the largest national park in the Seychelles. The waterfall is about 60 meters tall and is surrounded by dense rainforest.
You will need a car or taxi to get there. While driving on the Port Launay Road, you will spot a church to your right. Turn here and drive up to the end of the road. Park your car and follow the path into the rainforest. Walk a few minutes in, and you will have reached Sauzier Waterfall.
The water here is extremely refreshing. Swimming is not only possible but encouraged, and you can even jump off the nearby rocks if you are feeling adventurous. Many locals come to this waterfall for a jump and a swim to cool off from the tropical heat.
6. Relax at Port Launay beach
Port Launay beach is only a few minutes drive from Sauzier waterfall.
It is an oasis of tranquility, with many shaded areas providing a perfect setting for an afternoon snooze session. The beach is located in a cove protected from the strong sea winds.
The waves here are very small, at times practically non-existent. This makes Port Launay beach an ideal place for snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, fishing and many other activities. There is no shortage of rental equipment for all kinds of activities here, and Port Launay beach is a perfect location for small children to frolic in the calm waters.
The nearby Constance Ephelia Resort has many restaurant options available in case you wake up hungry from your afternoon nap by the beach.
7. Tour the Takamaka Rum Distillery
If you are a fan of rum, then a visit to the Takamaka Rum Distillery is a must on your list of things to do in Mahé.
The distillery is set on a traditional Seychelloise plantation mansion, which dates back to 1792. It is owned by two brothers who were intrigued by rum distillation and decided to order a book to learn how to make their own rum. The learning and implementation process began in 2000, and in 2002 Trois Frères Distillery (the name of the original distillery) opened its doors.
Takamaka rum is infused with tropical spices, taking inspiration from pirates who would preserve fruits in alcohol. It has a truly distinct flavor and is the only rum produced in the Seychelles.
During a tour of the distillery, you will:
Hear a brief history of how rum-making started in the Seychelles and how it has evolved over time.
See how the rum is made, from the fermentation and distillation process to the aging and bottling.
Taste a variety of Takamaka rums, such as the classic white rum, the aged dark rum, and the flavoured rums.
See the various equipment used in the rum-making process and learn about the importance of each step.
Learn about the different types of sugar cane and other ingredients used to make the rum.
Learn about the aging process and how it affects the taste and quality of the rum.
By the end of the tour, you will have a much better understanding of how rum is made and the different factors that contribute to the flavor and quality of Takamaka rum.
Tours can be booked directly at the property or they can be arranged here and include a traditional creole lunch.
8. Explore the Surrounding Islands by Boat Tour
The Seychelles is an archipelago comprised of many islands and each of them has something different to offer.
Although staying at other islands such as Praslin or La Digue is highly recommended, it can be time-consuming and costly to do so. Luckily, there are many boat tour options leaving from Mahé that can take you to the surrounding islands. These tours usually take up most of the day, lasting between 6 and 11 hours, but are completely worth the time.
Some of the stops include:
Praslin
Praslin is home to a breathtaking coastline and the Vallée de Mai, a nature reserve which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will find the endemic Coco de Mer, the largest seed in the world. The Coco de Mer is considered the symbol of the Seychelles and you will see it literally from the moment you enter the country. Just take a look at your passport when it gets stamped at immigration!
La Digue
La Digue is not far off from Praslin and has a very relaxed atmosphere. The main mode of transportation here is bicycles. In La Digue you will find the world-famous Anse Source D’Argent, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire world.
Other Islands
Smaller tours and private tours will also take you to islands such as St. Pierre islet and Curieuse, where you can rub noses with giant tortoises.
Don’t miss out on this activity and book a full-day boat tour. Most of the packages include snorkeling, fishing, renting bicycles in La Digue, transportation around Praslin, lunch and entrance fees to national parks. Check out some options here and here.
9. Visit the capital of the Seychelles, Victoria
Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, is renowned as the world's smallest capital. Despite its size, this charming city is packed with character and offers visitors a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. The city center is dominated by the iconic clock tower, which was built in 1903 in honor of Queen Victoria's. Locals affectionately call it ‘Little Big Ben’ due to its resemblance to the famous British namesake.
Take a stroll around the Sir Selwyn-Clarke Market, a bustling outdoor market where you can buy fresh produce, handmade crafts, and sample local street food.
Explore the Natural History Museum: Learn about the unique flora and fauna of the Seychelles, including giant tortoises and exotic birds.
Stroll around the Botanical Garden: Take a peaceful walk through this lush garden, which is home to a variety of exotic plants, including palm trees, tropical flowers, and giant bamboo.
Whether you're seeking adventure or relaxation, Mahe is the perfect place to unwind and escape the stresses of everyday life. So, pack your bags and head to this paradise island to experience the best that Seychelles has to offer. With its breathtaking natural beauty and diverse array of activities, Mahe is sure to be a memorable destination for any traveler.
