Seychelles is a beautiful country and I am so glad that I was able to visit on a solo trip. The gorgeous sunsets, white sand beaches, creole dishes, and a lot more made my trip to this place quite memorable.
A nation that consists of 115 islands, Seychelles has a lot to offer to all kinds of travelers. And since I spent the majority of my trip on the biggest island – Mahe, there were a few things that really stood out for me during my stay here. Mahe is full of beautiful beaches and hiking trails and has something for everyone to explore.
So, if you are wondering what you can do in Mahe, then here are the top 10 things to do in Mahe from my point of view!
Victoria City
Victoria City is the capital of Seychelles and is quite small as well but is filled with beautiful and interesting attractions for you to explore. You can explore the capital on foot and enjoy beautiful views of the mountains that are surrounding the city. Here, you will come across the clock tower that is based on the Little Ben Clock Tower of London, the famous Victoria Botanical Gardens, and the Jetty area.
One of the most colorful places to explore in Victoria is the Sir Selwyn Clarke Market which was started in 1840. In this market, you can shop for food and grocery along with clothes, artwork, souvenirs, and so on. The Seychelles National Botanical Gardens (Victoria Botanical Gardens) is also a must-visit place where you can find a wide range of exotic plans to learn more about. And if you feel tired or hungry after a while, then there are several parks, takeaway vans, and restaurants to check out here as well.
Beau Vallon
Beau Vallon is a popular attraction in Mahe that is great for sunbathing and water activities. Here, you will find a lot of amazing hotels and resorts to stay in and enjoy the view of Silhouette Island that is situated a little away. From waterskiing to snorkeling, you will find all kinds of water sports being offered here that you can indulge in.
On the other hand, if you are looking for just a relaxed evening or afternoon on the beach then this place is perfect. You can walk around and explore the nearby souvenir shops and restaurants when you feel hungry or tired of the beach.
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Trip to Sainte Anne Marine National Park
Sainte Anne Marine National Park is a paradise for the ocean and beach lovers. This park consists of 6 islands and is a popular day trip from Mahe Island. Here, you can indulge in scuba diving and snorkeling to explore the rich marine life and coral reefs that can be found here. If you are not a fan of scuba diving or snorkeling, then don’t worry. You can still pay a visit to this national park and go on the glass bottom tour to explore the rich aquatic life that can be found here.
Drive to La Misere Viewpoint
One of the best spots to offer a panoramic view of the Eden Islands and Mahe is La Misere Viewpoint. It is just a 10-minutes drive from Victoria City and can be visited both during the daytime and the nighttime. You will also be able to see the Sainte Anne Marine National Park and Ile Au Cerf in the distance from this viewpoint.
During the day, you can enjoy looking around the island while at the night, you can admire the entire island lit up with lights and the sky filled with millions of stars.
Hike to Morne Blanc Viewpoint
Another popular viewpoint to visit in Mahe is the Morne Blanc Viewpoint that is located in the Morne Seychellois National Park. In order to reach this point, you need to hike through the forest for 2 hours and then you are rewarded with a view of the beautiful western coastline of Mahe Island.
The hiking trail is 3.2 km long and is moderately easy. The route itself to the viewpoint is gorgeous and filled with mossy trees that give the forest a mysterious yet charming look.
Mission Lodge
Located at an elevation of 1640 ft., Mission Lodge Lookout is where you will find the ruins of the Mission Lodge. That’s not all, you can also enjoy the view of the west coast of Mahe from this lookout and spend some time here surrounded by green mountains and blue sky.
Built in 1875 by a church organization, Mission Lodge was earlier home for the freed slaves. And Queen Elizabeth II used to regularly visit the lodge to enjoy a cup of tea while enjoying the beautiful views that the lodge has to offer.
Island Tours
One of the best things to do in Mahe is to go on island tours from Mahe Island. There are several islands to explore nearby such as Sainte Anne Marine National Park, Silhouette Island, Curieuse Island, St. Pierre Island, Cousin Island, and so on. You can join a boat trip or a boat cruise to visit these islands and spend an entire day there while enjoying some local drinks and BBQ meals throughout the day.
Ziplining
If you love adventurous activities, then you should definitely try ziplining in Mahe where you will encounter beautiful forest canopy views during the activity. The zip-lining center in Mahe is located in Port Launay where SMAC adventures offer 8 ziplining options that differ in distance.
Trust me, you will love the greenery and the granite boulders that surround this region and can be observed when ziplining here.
Sunset Beach
One of my most favorite places to visit in Mahe was Sunset beach that was located on the North West coast of the island. This beach is situated next to the Sunset Hotel and offers a marvelous view of the sunset and Silhouette Island. Since this beach is surrounded by cliffs and palm trees, it is secluded and is a great place for relaxing and sunbathing on this island.
Eden Island
Eden Island is located close to Victoria and is the island’s industrial area. Here, you will find a few artificially made lagoons, artificial islands, and replanted mangroves to make the area habitable and a conservation zone. This modern island is connected by small bridges to the Mahe Island and is home to exclusive and most gorgeous houses on the entire Mahe Island.
One can easily tour around Eden Island to explore the many shopping centers, bars, boutiques, restaurants, etc. that are scattered around here while enjoying the beautiful landscape of the island. There are several other places to explore on other islands of Seychelles as well. So, if you plan a trip to Seychelles, do try to include other islands as well to make the most of your trip. However, if you are planning just a short trip to Mahe, then these are a few of my top 10 things to do in Mahe.
Author Bio: Rachita of Meander Wander
Rachita Saxena is a travel blogger from India who has been traveling full-time for 3 years now. She shares her travel stories on her blog – Meanderwander and loves trying new food and experiences in a new destination. When she isn’t traveling, she loves reading about new places and plan her next trips! You can also follow Rachita on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, and Twitter.
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Nice post!
Mahe is a place I call urban heaven. I felt so after visiting La Digue and Praslin.