Mahé (Seychelles)
Mahé is the largest island and cultural and economic hub of the Inner Islands, and the international gateway to the Seychelles. It’s the home of the nation’s capital, named Victoria.
The island retains its idyllic beauty, with 3,000-foot mountains and scores of gorgeous beaches.
The island Mahé is home to almost 90% of the total population (or approximately 72,200 people) reflecting Seychelles’ diverse ethnicity and descent from African, Indian, Chinese and European populations, and is the seat of government and the chief centre of commerce.
Transport | Mahé is is the home to the international airport and the transportation hub for island-hops and day excursions to neighbouring islands and all other islands within Seychelles. All scheduled domestic flights by Air Seychelles originate from Mahé to the serviced islands. On Mahé you are well advised to rent a car, due to both traffic and size of the island. A leisurely tour of the island by car will take 2 to 2 1/2 hours and reveal the lion’s share of Seychelles’ accommodation facilities, places of cultural interest and other attractions. Alternatively, those with more time and less money take a taxi or the local bus. The primary means of public transport throughout the principal islands of Mahé is by bus with shorter or longer versions of the vehicle being employed according to road conditions. Please note that on Mahé buses don't take you if you carry more than a daypack! Please notice: After 7 p.m. there are hardly any buses running. Launched in May 2007, a modern 35-metre catamaran with a capacity of 350 passengers now operates up to four times a day between Mahé and Praslin in one hour at the speed of 35 knots. |
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Geography | Mahé is measuring 28km long by 8km wide with an area of 154.7 sq.km. The island is divided into east and west by the Morne Seychellois National Park, a mountain range with peaks as high as 905 metres clad in thick tropical forest.
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Famous beaches | With over 60 beautiful beaches and coves fringing the island, ranging from sweeping bays of white sand to hidden corners you can make your own, a densely forested interior and small towns with a unique Creole culture, there is much to explore.
Here you will find some beaches Beau Vallon is Mahé’s most popular resort beach with both visitors and locals alike. This sweeping bay of white sand and clear waters on the north-western coast of Mahé offers a very safe swimming area. With hotels stretched out along its sand, together with water sport and diving centres, this is the beach for those wishing to do something a little more energetic than soaking up the sun. Beau Vallon is also very safe for children, as there are no strong currents, no rocks or corals underfoot and a lifeguard service is supplied. During the south-eastern trade winds, the sea is extremely calm and the beach is at its absolute best. Situated on the south-western coast of Mahé, Anse à la Mouche is a large, sparkling calm bay with shallow clear waters. Swimming here is very safe and suitable for children as the water remains shallow even at high tide, with no strong currents. This long stretch of coastline stretching along the south-eastern coast of Mahé and including Turtle Bay, has narrow beaches and shallow waters that lie close to the coastal road. At low tide, it is interesting to walk on the sand and rocky outcrops where you will discover all sorts of marine life trapped in rock pools. Located on the south-western coast, the beach of Anse Boileau is a narrow band of sand fringing shallow waters close to the main coastal road. Fishermen can often be seen unloading their fish traps and small boats along this beach. |
Country name | Republic of the Seychelles |