Mahe

As the largest and most developed island in the Seychelles archipelago, Mahe is not only the gateway to this tropical paradise but is also home to the Seychelles’ capital city Victoria, along with around 90% of the country’s population. But Mahe, named in honor of the 18^th century governor of Mauritius, is much more than just a financial and political hub. Dominated by the towering granite peaks of the Morne Seychellois National Park, the lush mountainous landscape of the interior soon drops down to a coastline punctuated with breath-taking bays and sandy coves.

The majority of Mahe’s accommodation is strung along its stunning coastline, with Beau Vallon in the north-west offering not only a wide variety of hotels and self-catering apartments but also the largest selection of restaurants and nightlife. Dotted along the rest of Mahe’s shores you’ll also find numerous luxury resorts ready to pamper to your every beck and call. With its relaxed pace of life and overwhelming natural beauty, every Seychelles itinerary should allow for a few days to explore Mahe. With a good system of well-maintained roads and an extensive bus network, accessing Mahe’s fabulous natural attractions is fairly easy; however hiring a car is probably the best way to see what Mahe has to offer, with distances being relatively short and attractions well sign posted.

Wherever you go on Mahe, be it on the coast or high up in the mountains, you almost always run the risk of being caught in a tropical downpour. As a result of its rugged topography, Mahe receives more rain than most other islands. However, showers don’t last long and without them Mahe would not be the verdant jewel that it is, in an otherwise sparse ocean!