By air
Seychelles International (SEZ), ~10 km from Victoria
Indian Ocean Islands · Seychelles
Mahé, Seychelles
Granite peaks, beaches and the capital's markets
Getting there
Best time to visit
April to May and October to November — calm between the trade winds
Don't miss
Beau Vallon
Victoria's clock tower and market
Morne Seychellois National Park
Anse Intendance
Things to do
Hiking Morne Seychellois
Snorkelling at Baie Ternay
Victoria's market
Where to eat
What to pack
Swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, hiking shoes
A quieter corner
Anse Major, reached on a coastal trail
Questions travellers ask
When should I go to Mahé?
April to May and October to November, the calm spell between the trade winds.
What should I do on Mahé?
Hike Morne Seychellois, snorkel at Baie Ternay and browse Victoria's market. Beau Vallon, Anse Intendance and Victoria's clock tower round out the list.
Where's a good hike on Mahé?
Take the coastal trail to Anse Major, or hike in Morne Seychellois National Park. Pack hiking shoes along with swimwear and reef-safe sunscreen.
What's on the menu on Mahé?
Creole fish curries, and grilled fish at the Beau Vallon night market.
About Mahé
- Island
- Mountains
Where it is
Mahé is the largest island of the Seychelles, in the western Indian Ocean north-east of Madagascar; its granite mountains rise to Morne Seychellois, about 905 m, and the capital, Victoria, lies on its north-east coast.
History
The islands were uninhabited until French settlers and enslaved Africans and Indians arrived in 1770, first on Sainte Anne and later on Mahé, which had been named after the governor Mahé de La Bourdonnais. Britain took control during the Napoleonic Wars, and the Seychelles became independent in 1976, with Victoria as its capital.
People
Seychellois speak Seychellois Creole, English and French, the three official languages, and are of mixed African, European, Indian and Chinese descent. Moutya and sega dances, octopus curry, fish grilled over coconut husks and the bustle of the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market in Victoria are part of daily life.
Known for
- Beau Vallon beach
- Victoria's clock tower and market
- Morne Seychellois National Park
- Anse Intendance and Anse Major
- Creole fish curries and grilled fish
Did you know?
Victoria's clock tower was modelled on Little Ben, a clock tower in London.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.