Mahé

The Coast

Natural  History

Conservation    & Research

Area Size:  154.7 Km²
Maximum Altitude:  2969 feet
Population:  72, 000 approximately
Island Highlights:  Victoria, Jellyfish Tree, Seychelles Pitcher Plant, Seychelles Vanilla Orchid, Beau Vallon Beach, Morne Seychellois Park, National Botanical Gardens, Whale Shark

Introduction
Mahé, characterised by its spectacular mountain ranges, is the largest island in the Seychelles and is the economic centre of the archipelago.  The island is home to the Seychelles international airport, from which all scheduled domestic flights originate from.  Upon arrival into the airport, visitors are presented with stunning views over the island and its coastline. 

Mahé is also home to the nation's capital city, Victoria, which is one of the smallest capital cities in the world and as such can be easily explored on foot.  Home to around one third of the Seychelles population, Victoria is a very well serviced city, providing a variety of amenities for both residents and visitors alike.  Victoria's bus service enables visitors to explore the city and its surrounding area more freely, meanwhile, the ferry terminal facilitates boat trips to other islands.  Victoria has a number of worthwhile visitor attractions, including the clock tower, National Botanical Gardens, National Museum of History and Natural History Museum.

Around 90% of the total population of the Seychelles reside on Mahé, a multicultural population reflecting a diverse ethnicity of African, Indian, Chinese and European backgrounds.  This ethnic diversity is also greatly reflected in Mahé's cafes and restaurants, which provide a multitude of different cuisines, from traditional Creole and French delicacies in elegant restaurants to international dishes such as pizza, which can be enjoyed on the beach.

Aside from the fascinating wildlife and marine life that can be found on Mahé, the island has a tremendous amount of other attractions on offer, including, various art galleries, national monuments, historic and religious sites as well as beautiful beaches.  It is well worth hiring a car in order to fully explore the island in greater detail, although many areas can be investigated on foot.

The island has a wide selection of accommodation on offer, ranging from fairly modest to very premium in price.  The next step up from the accommodation provided on Mahé would be on one of the exclusive islands of Cousine, Frégate, Denis or North Island which are very well environmentally maintained.

Mahé is a superb island for diving and snorkelling and as such is the location for our Whale Shark Research and Conservation experiences.  We can provide expert local guides to help visitors explore the island and trek through its lush forests.  It is always worth keeping a close watch on the weather, as during wet periods, the combination of granite and tree roots can make for a rather slippery trekking experience. 

Mahé is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful islands of the Seychelles archipelago with a stunning backdrop of granite peaks and bountiful rainforest, parts of which reach up to 1000 metres.

Photographs kindly provided by Charlotte Caffrey, Ralph Pannell, Holly Payne, STB & Linda Ashmore

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