Seychellen | Mahe | fruitstalletje
The main island of Mahé stretches some 28 kilometres in length and is 8 kilometres wide. Mahé has more than seventy beaches. Thick, lush rainforests cover the inland areas, where unforgettable walks await you. Mahé's most famous beach, Beau Vallon, is located on the northern coast and the Seychelles' lovely capital, Victoria, is located at the same altitude along the east coast. Sainte Anne Marine Park is just opposite Victoria.
The granitic rocks to which the Seychelles owes its fame are visible from the plane when you begin your descent towards the airport, as is the thick, green vegetation. Many visitors view Mahé as a stopover location en route to their hotel on one of the other Seychelles islands, or as a stepping stone for island hopping. This is shame really, because a visit to this main island in the Seychelles is very worthwhile. Take our advice and go for a drive along the turquoise waters, beautiful bays and stunning beaches on the west coast. The many beaches are perfect for both sun-worshippers and water sports enthusiasts. There are also various great places to visit inland. The north of the island in particular has a breathtakingly beautiful landscape. Various unique, endemic plants and trees grow on Mahé, including the pitcher plant and the vanilla orchid. Different trails have also been marked out, ranging in difficulty.
Stunning beaches encircle the island of Mahé - simply too many to be able to describe them all in detail. The most famous is Beau Vallon on the north coast: Beau Vallon has a beautiful long beach, which is a 15-minute drive from the capital of Victoria, where both adults and children can not only swim in safety, but can also enjoy sailing, waterskiing and windsurfing. The many rocks along the edge of this long beach and coral reef also make Beau Vallon an ideal place to snorkel. What's more, Beau Vallon is a great place to go out, with a relatively large number of hotels, restaurants and bars.
In the south of Mahé, the beaches are even more unspoilt and secluded, which can make you feel as though you've got an uninhabited island all to yourself. Baie Lazare in the south-west has a very beautiful palm-fringed beach and an extraordinary past. This is where the mariner Lazare Picault landed in 1742. He was the first westerner to explore this island thoroughly and subsequently claimed Mahé for France. To this day, Baie Lazare is still one of the most peaceful beaches on Mahé. To the south of the island, you will find Anse a la Mouche, which is located in a quiet and safe bay, and Anse aux Poules Bleues, which has both beautiful beaches and various different galleries where you can admire beautiful works of art.
Anse Royale in the south-east is a beautiful beach destination for snorkellers, among others. And while you're there, be sure not to miss Le Jardin du Roi either. In addition to vanilla plants, citronella, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper and various other spices, you will also find medicinal herbs growing in this traditional French herb garden and also on sale in the shop. The various old buildings, including an age-old farm, give Le Jardin an exceptional atmosphere. You can also go on guided walking trails through the mountains in this area.
Victoria is the capital of the Seychelles and a great little city to stroll though and take in the sights. It's not particularly large and the atmosphere is most agreeable; you'll feel like you've stumbled across a tropical paradise. Victoria comprises an old part, with narrow streets and dilapidated buildings, and a new part, with wide lanes and tropical gardens. The best places to visit in Victoria include the clock tower next to the courthouse, which is a replica of Little Ben in London, and the two cathedrals (Anglican and Roman), both of which are outdone by the impressive Caphucin House, which is a seminary for monks. There are also various museums and the Sir Selwyn-Clarke Market, which the stallholders load with tropical fruits, spices and fresh fish at daybreak. The botanical garden is the only place outside Vallée de Mer on Praslin where the Coco De Mer grows. For art fans, there's the Carrefour des Arts, which will give you insight into the Seychelles' cultural traditions and enable you to admire and purchase the work of the best local artists.
Further inland, you can visit Bel Air Cemetery, which was established in the 18th century and is the oldest historical site on Mahé. The gravestones offer a glimpse back through the history of the Seychelles, as some of Mahé's most prominent inhabitants have been laid to rest here. One of these was the gigantic Charles Dorothée Savy. Charles, who was a towering 2.70m tall on this fifteenth birthday, was poisoned by his neighbours because they were frightened of him. The mysterious Pierre-Louis Poiret is also buried here, who according to some was the son of Louis XVI and fled to the Seychelles during the French Revolution. Another famous person to be buried here is the pirate Jean-Francois Hodoul.
Morne Seychellois National Park, where the Morne Seychelles mountain peak is found, is certainly worth a visit. At 905 metres, it is the highest point on the island and in the archipelago. Baie Ternay/Port Launay Marine National Park is situated to the south-west and fantastic opportunities for snorkelling abound here. In the breeding season, whale sharks swim up close to the shore in order to feed from the plankton.
Sainte Anne Marine National Park is opposite Victoria on the coast. A glass bottom boat takes visitors out to sea here to allow them to learn more about the abundance of coral and different types of fish. Sainte Anne Marine National Park consists of six islands, including Sainte Anne, which was home to the French colonists before Mahé was colonised. It's an oasis of peace: the only thing that can be heard is the wind blowing through the palm trees and the gentle crashing of waves. The coast is a great place to fish, snorkel and dive, or you might like to hire a sail boat, kayak or pedalo. Another great alternative is to traverse inland and explore Sainte Anne on foot or by bicycle, which will enable you to have a closer look at the 250-metre mountain. There are also special nature trails that will take you past the various endemic trees.
