Victoria
Having the dubious honour of being the smallest capital city in
the world, Victoria may also be considered one of the most
charming, and this quaint capital 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
fish, fruit and vegetables. A hint of the French and British
colonial history is still palpable, reflected in historical
buildings like 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 first erected at
Vauxhall Bridge in London in 1897. The city is also home to many
artists, and works by talented locals are popular buys at local
galleries.
Victoria's centrally located clock
tower
Thomas Gee
Morne Seychellois National Park
The largest national park in the Seychelles, Morne Seychellois
National Park takes up more than 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 you 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.
Morne Seychellois National Park
David Stanley
Seychelles National Museum of History
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 include a range of interesting objects
salvaged from shipwrecks, coral, and voodoo dolls to items that
belonged to well-known pirates in days of yore. The museum also
holds the oldest known map of the Seychelles, which dates back to
1517. Though the museum is small, its single gallery offers a
fascinating glimpse into the culture and history of the Seychelles,
and visitors interested in local history will be rewarded by
spending a quick hour or two perusing the exhibition.
Address:
National Library Building, Francis Rachel Street,
Victoria
National Museum
David Stanley
National Botanical Gardens
The century-old Botanical Gardens at the south end of Victoria
extend for six hectares (15 acres), 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. There is a restaurant
and souvenir shop in the gardens. The National Botanical Gardens
provide a cool, green oasis in the city, the perfect spot for a
stroll or a picnic.
Address:
Mont Fleuri Road, Victoria
Giant tortoise in the Mont Fleuri Botanical
Gardens
David Stanley
St Anne Marine National Park
A treat for nature lovers, guided tours are offered from
Victoria harbour to the St Anne National Marine Park, which covers
six islands off the coast of Mahé, near the city. 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, ideal for snorkelling, the glory of the coral
reefs can be enjoyed. 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.
Sea Turtle, Seychelles
Stephane Enten
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 this underwater
world. The islands have a selection of dive sites ranging from
those suitable for snorkellers and novice divers through 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
scuba enthusiasts 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). 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.
Diving in Seychelles
Paul Britton
Beau Vallon Bay
The mile-long beach encircling 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 also
has a number of dive sites within the bay, including two wrecks and
several coral reefs; the bay is known for its clear waters and
enviable visibility. The Marine Park of Bay Ternay is also easily
accessible from Beau Vallon. The bay is home to three major hotels,
some of the island's oldest and most famous: Le Meridien,
Fisherman's Cove; the Berjaya Beau Vallon; and the Coral Strand.
There are, however, many other hotels in the area, and numerous
restaurants.
Beau Vallon Beach
Welcomematt22
Mahé lies close to the equator, and the annual temperatures
remain fairly constant, with average daytime temperatures at about
80°F (27°C). At higher altitudes, temperatures are lower,
especially at night-time. Mahé's dry season technically runs from
May to October but travellers should note that during this period
the southeast monsoon winds can bring brief showers every few days;
these rain showers provide some relief from the heat and generally
don't dampen the holiday spirit in any way. From December to March,
the monsoon arrives bringing heavy rainfall and high humidity,
especially in the coastal regions.
Mahé can be enjoyed at any time of year, but visitors do tend to
avoid the monsoon rains between December and March. The best time
to visit depends on desired activities.
Seychelles International Airport
Location: The airport is located seven miles (11km) from Victoria
on the island of Mahe.
Time: Local time is GMT +4.
Transfer Between Terminals:
The airport has one international and one domestic terminal. The
terminals are a short walking distance from each other.
Getting to the city:
Taxis are available to carry passengers to any point on the
island. A bus service to Victoria is also available and departs
every 20 to 30 minutes.
Car Rental:
Car rental agencies represented at the airport include Sixt.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis leave from just outside the terminal. Taxi fares vary, so
it's best to enquire before the journey starts.
Facilities:
Airport facilities include a tourism kiosk, duty-free shopping,
banking and currency exchange facilities, ATMs, restaurants and
bars, and an executive lounge.
Parking
Parking is available in front of the terminal buildings.
Independence Day
The Seychelles Independence Day celebrations, which take place
at the end of June each year, are not to be missed. Visitors will
be treated to impressive displays of national pride and patriotism,
as public spaces and parks fill with families and fireworks light
up the evening skies. The Independence Day celebrations are a key
event in the Seychelles, and visitors are encouraged to wave the
colourful blue, yellow, red, white and green Seychelles flag and
join in the festivities. Although few travellers plan their trips
to coincide with the event, those who happen to be in the
Seychelles on 29 June are in for a real treat.
Fireworks
Chris
Seychelles Marathon
The Seychelles Eco-Friendly Marathon is held on the last Sunday
of February every year. Runners from across the globe descend on
the Seychelles to take part in this scenic event. Participants can
enjoy the natural beauty of Mahe Island as they run, walk or jog
along the beaches, and onlookers cheer from the side-lines or from
their sunbathing spots. The race starts at Beau Vallon Beach and
follows the peninsula round to Victoria before turning to follow
the same route back to the finish. In addition to the full
marathon, there is a half marathon and both a 5km and 10km
race.
Runners
Bernal Saborio
Mahé is the largest and most developed island in the Seychelles,
and home to the capital city, Victoria, and about 90 percent of the
country's population. There is still plenty of unspoiled island
paradise to go around though, and Mahé provides a good balance
between luxury amenities and natural beauty. The interior is
mountainous and densely jungled, much of it protected within the
boundaries of the Morne Seychellois National Park. The gorgeous
coastline is ringed by many pristine dive sites, with the
celebrated St Anne Marine National Park within easy reach. Beau
Vallon, on the northwest coast, is a tourist magnet, and the
beaches of Anse Intendance and Baie Lazare are some of Mahé's most
lovely.
Victoria is the only seaport in the Seychelles, and this
tropical city retains some colonial flavour and boasts a few
tourist attractions, including the Seychelles National Botanical
Gardens, some historical buildings around Freedom Square, the
Seychelles National Museum of History, and St Paul's Cathedral. The
Sir Selwyn Clarke Market is a good stop for local produce and
crafty souvenirs, and the George Camille Gallery is a treasure
trove for admirers of the local artist.