The 10 Ultimate Places to visit in Mahé
Hello!
1. Eden Island
Eden Island is a luxurious marina development, very close to the capital Victoria. It has been build on a reclaimed coral reef and it stands on the water. The style is very nice and thoroughly modern with plenty of private moorings if you need to berth your vessel. It is mainly a place for foreigners (no doubts, it is quite highly priced) as if you buy one of these apartments you are eligible for a free Seychellois residency lasting 5 years – and 0% taxation 🙂
Just to mention that, if you would like to drink a nice illy espresso or cappuccino or buy some expensive clothes, Eden Island has the right shops for you. The most interesting thing for me was the SPAR supermarket (open every day except Sunday) where you can find any kind of international delicassies.
2. Victoria and its Market
Victoria is the smallest capital in the world and it is located in Mahé, the archipelago’s main island. The area was originally settled by French colonists when they claimed the island in 1756 but the capital was then established by the British that gave it its name.
The Victoria Market, officially known as the Sir Selwyn Clarke Market, is a colourful market that takes place every day (except Sunday) from morning till mid-afternoon in Victoria. It is a covered market where you can find every kind of local fish and fruits and a lot of variety of colourful spices and oils. On the first floor of the market you can find sarongs, souvenirs and local wooden art. I suggest trying this market as it is very authentic, i also suggest having a walk in the surrounding area and looking at some typical shops.
3. The Hindu Temple
The Hindu temple is literary on one side of the Victoria Market, across from the parking. The foundation stone of this temple was layed in 1990 and it took two years to create this 7 metre high building full of various sculptures.
The Arulmigu Navasakti Vinayagar Temple is the first and the only Hindu temple in Seychelles that has Ganesha as the presiding deity. Ganesha is worshipped as the remover of obstacles. His statues, is very famous and can be seem all over in India: he is represented as an enormously fat human figure with an elephant’s head
4. Victoria Clock
At the junction between Independence Avenue and Albert Street in Mahé, you can admire the Victoria clock tower that is one of the historical features of the Seychelles. Its creole name is Larloz. The clock, 25 feet high and 5 tons in weight, was installed in the capital in 1903 and erected in memory of Queen Victoria who died in 1901. The clock was a replica of the one located at the intersection of Vauxall Bridge Road and Victoria Street, in London , not far from Victoria Station (where i lived for 10 years). The Clock was declared a National Monument in 1989. Originally, the clock was expected to chime, but it did not do so. Today, however, the Victoria clock regularly strikes the hour, having had its mechanism completely replaced in 1999.
A local lady, working in a shop, told me a ghost story about that clock that I want to share with you…..don’t get scared!! 🙂 It seems that, when digging to build the clock, some workers found the skeleton of a nun who perished in a big storm on the night of the 12 October 1862. As they disturbed her peace, every year, at midnight, they says that the ghost of that nun can be seen walking along the streets of Victoria.
5. Beau Vallon Beach
Beau Vallon is perhaps one of the most famous beaches of Mahé. It is located on the north western coast of the island and it is 1,750 metres long. Beau Vallon is popular and well known for its long and white sandy beach and because it is great for everyone, kids included, thanks to its shallow water that deepens very slowly. The water is pristine, clear and warm as only a tropical beach can be (and I love it!!). Also there is a lot to do there from snorkelling to windsurfing, jet skying etc. so if you don’t want to spend all your time lying under the sun there is plenty of activities to do.
If days are wonderful on the beach, evenings are beautiful and with a great atmosphere too . For example, you can plan to spend your evening at the beach, watching nice sunsets, sitting at the bar and restaurant La Plage Restaurant ……:)
Otherwise, you could just cross the road and have a drink or dinner at the Boat House or at the Baobab Pizzeria, just few metres from la Plage.
One of two evenings per week (check because it depends on the season) you could also visit a local bazar that is organised on the street towards the Savoy hotel. It is full of stalls and it is very busy from 4.00pm to 8.00pm when everyone, locals included, come there to have dinner as they serve grilled fish, breadfruit and barbecued food. If you are looking for some souvenirs you can also buy some crafts and sarongs.
Yes, another thing that make Seychelles so special is that beaches are free, there is nothing to pay and everyone is sitting and swimming together, even though you are at one of the most expensive 5 star hotel!!!!!!
Small tip: if you are looking for some food, on the way to Beau Vallon, when turning on the right to go towards the Savoy hotel please note two nice supermarkets, on the opposite site of the beach. They are both quite good, nicely priced and the best choice of international food I have seen in all the Seychelles!!! 🙂
6. Morne Seychelles National Park
From Beau Vallon, go back to Victoria and then turn towards Mount Fleuri. That route will bring you across the Morne National Park towards the other side of the island. As already said, please drive carefully as the road is narrow, winding and often without barriers.
Morne National Park covers 20% of the land area in Mahé and it is pure jungle with lush trees and the highest peak of the island (905m). If you like hiking ,the park has excellent trails you can choose according to the difficulty you are looking for. As I am not a hiking expert I only visited the Mission Lodge and the Tea Factory. The Mission Lodge has great views of the west coast and central Mahé while the Tea Factory is an interesting place to see as you can learn the tea-making process; you can also buy some SeyTé at the small local factory shop.
7. Glacis beach
Glacis beach is located on the north-west part of the island. It is a beautiful place, very relaxing and not busy and full of palm tree offering natural shade during the hot days. The beach is like divided in two parts by some rocks. The water becomes quite deep if you get far from the shore as there is no coral reef on this beach. You can notice it from the colour of the water that become deep blue quite suddently. From the beach you can see Silhouette island. When I went there the beach was totally empty except for some locals sitting outside a little shop.
8. Port Glaud Waterfall
I discovered the Port Glaud Waterfall by chance and I am very glad I did so as I really like it! In Seychelles it is quite common for locals to give a lift to people if you are driving a car and you see someone walking along the street. It is a nice way to help each other as buses are not frequent, roads are winding and steep sometimes and it is often very hot. To make things short, we were driving a car when we saw a lady walking along on the street, so we stopped and we asked her if she wanted a lift to Port Glaud. She accepted the lift, thanked us for that and then we started talking about the area. She told us to visit a couple of places, included the Port Glaud Waterfull….. that is why I went there….. 🙂
The waterfall is lovely; it is water pouring from the granite slopes. You can swim, climb the rock and dive! We visited the waterfall during the rainy season and it was quite spectacular as the water was coming out very strongly. There is always some local there to help if you need, especially after getting a tip….:)
9. Port Launay North Beach
Just a few minutes away from the waterfall you can discover another beautiful beach, Port Launay North Beach. I suggest to spend one or more days at this beach that is part of the Port Launay Natural Marine Park. The beach is popular to the guest of the Constance Ephilia hotel, a wonderful 5 star hotel nearby. This is a very beautiful sandy beach with calm and shallow water, perfect for snorkeling and other water activities. If you like, you can book a fishing trip or rent a kayak directly there with one of the locals providing this renting service on the beach. Port Launay North Beach is also easy accessible by bus (direct bus from Victoria) as the bus station is a few minutes away walking or by car as you won’t have any problem parking it in the area. If during your day you are getting hungry or thirsty no problem… there are a couple of small shops selling food and drinks in the area….or even you can buy some coconut water from one of the local guy selling them on the beach.
The beach form a natural U shape, protected on the two sides by the beautiful jungle. If you do snorkeling (as I do) you will see that the water fond is sandy in the middle with coral reef and rocks on the two sides. One of the locals told me to snorkel there in the late afternoon to see more fish species; I followed his suggestion and I had the marvellous chance to see a turtle!!!
10. Anse Takamaka beach
Heading South from Port Launay you will reach another great beach, Anse Takamaka. Anse Takamata is situated on the south-west area of Mahé and takes its name from the Takamaka tree growing on the beach. This is a tropical, evergreen tree that likes sandy soil and grows on the beach; it is also a natural protection from sun and very helpful for tourist who are looking for some shade during the sunny hours. The water of this beach is crystal clear and great for snorkeling; it is quite shallow however you need to be careful as there are often tall waves and sometimes currents can be strong on this beach.
