Mahe travel guide

Victoria

Billed as the smallest capital city in the world, Victoria may also be considered one of the most charming and is easily explored on foot. The best place to soak up the friendly atmosphere is at the busy daily market (closed on Sundays), where local crafts are sold alongside fresh fish, fruit and vegetables.The city's French and British colonial history is still palpable, reflected in historical buildings such as the courthouse and main post office. Among the colourful houses, visitors can also spot a cathedral and the Victoria clock tower (a replica of the clock was first erected at Vauxhall Bridge in London in 1892). The quaint city is also home to many artists, and works by talented locals are popular buys at local galleries.

Morne Seychellois National Park

The largest national park in the Seychelles, Morne Seychellois National Park takes up almost 20 percent of the area of Mahé. The park is made up of a number of habitats and ecosystems ranging from coastal mangrove forests to misty mountain peaks. Morne Seychellois contains no settlements, although visitors may stumble across the ruins of old cinnamon distilleries. Dominating the landscape is Morne Seychellois, the highest peak on the island, at 2,970 feet (905m). The national park has a network of 12 well-marked hiking trails covering just over nine miles (15km), traversing some truly beautiful landscapes. Visitors can find maps and other information in Victoria.

Seychelles National Museum of History

Travellers can step back into the days of the buccaneers at the Seychelles National Museum of History, which features excellent displays of historic artefacts relating to the cultural and natural history of the islands. Exhibits take visitors on a journey through three centuries of Seychelles history, and include a range of interesting displays that cover Creole culture, music, clothing, fishing and architecture. Though small, the museum holds fascinating items such as the Portuguese Nautical Atlas of the Indian Ocean in 1519 and the world's smallest statue of Queen Victoria.

National Botanical Gardens

The century-old, six hectare Botanical Gardens at the south end of Victoria provide a cool, green oasis in the city, and are planted with a wide variety of indigenous and exotic trees, including the Seychelles islands' unique 'coco de mer' palms. For those staying on the island of Mahe and not travelling much further afield, the botanical garden may present the only opportunity to see this highly unusual plant, which is found nowhere else in the world. The orchid garden is also particularly lovely. Visitors can stop at the restaurant situated in the gardens for a bite to eat after a day of admiring the blooms.

St Anne Marine National Park

Nature lovers will relish a guided tour from Victoria harbour to the magnificent St Anne National Marine Park, which covers six islands off the coast of Mahé. The islands included in the park are Ste Anne, Ile Moyenne, Ile Ronde, Ile Longue, Ile Cachee and Ile aux Cerfs. The park encompasses one of the most important nesting sites for hawksbill turtles, and beneath its clear waters the glory of the coral reefs awaits snorkellers and divers. Glass-bottomed boat trips and sunset cruises are also available, and the national park is a beautiful and popular spot for wedding photos. All Marine National Parks in Seychelles are open daily, including public holidays.

Dive Sites

With crystal clear waters and wonderful underwater reefs, wrecks, boulders and sea life, it is no surprise that one of the main activities in the Seychelles is exploring its underwater world. The islands have a selection of dive sites ranging from those suitable for snorkellers and novice divers, to those preferred by experienced scuba enthusiasts. Highlights include the wreck of the Royal Navy tanker Ennerdale, the grey reef sharks off Marianne Island and the spectacular coral life around The Sisters, Trompeuse and the Outer Islands.

There are dive operators on most of the islands, although many divers believe that the best way to explore the islands is aboard a charter boat. Diving is possible throughout the year, but the best times are March to May and September to November, when the prevailing winds are at their mildest and visibility is at its best. Visibility is generally more than 100 feet (30m), and water temperatures are often as high as 80°F (29°C) â€' idyllic diving conditions. Divers can expect to see whale sharks, granite formations, soft and hard corals, turtles and giant stingrays, to name just a few highlights. Diving or learning to dive is the perfect holiday activity in the gorgeous Seychelles.

Beau Vallon Bay

The mile-long beach that encircles beautiful Beau Vallon Bay on the northern coast of Mahé Island is the most popular beach resort area in the Seychelles, boasting several hotels, a casino and a selection of scuba-diving and water-sport centres. Beau Vallon, known for its clear waters and enviable visibility, also has a number of dive sites within the bay, including wrecks and several coral reefs.

The Marine Park of Baie Ternay is easily accessible from Beau Vallon, and the bay is home to several major hotels, including some of the island's oldest and most famous: Le Meridien Fisherman's Cove, the Berjaya Beau Vallon and the Coral Strand.