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Mahe, the largest island in Seychelles, is a tropical paradise known for it's stunning beaches and turquoise waters, but it also has thrilling adventures and rich history. From hiking jungle trails to exploring vibrant markets and kayaking through mangroves, there’s so much more to discover beyond the island’s natural beauty.
This guide will take you through an action-packed 2-3 day itinerary, showing you how to experience the best of Mahe. We'll also include tips to help you plan your visit, including where to stay, where to eat, and how to get around.
Day 1: Exploring Victoria, Hiking and Scenic Views
Morning: Exploring Victoria
We’d recommend starting your first day in Mahe with a relaxed morning in Victoria, the small but vibrant capital of the Seychelles. As this is an adventure packed itinerary, we'd recommend starting early - we visited the market at 8am.
We had breakfast at our hotel before exploring the city, but if you are getting breakfast out we'd recommend Glorious bakery, where you can get pasties, traditional breakfasts and coffee.
After breakfast, head to Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market, a bustling market that has everything from fresh tropical fruit to handcrafted souvenirs. It's a great place to experience the local culture and buy a unique locally made gift.
Just a short walk from the market, you’ll find the Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple, the only Hindu temple in Seychelles. Its colorful, intricately designed exterior stands out against the backdrop of Victoria’s streets. Remember to take your shoes off when going inside the temple!
Mid-Morning / Afternoon: Hike the Copolia Trail
After exploring Victoria, it’s time to trade the city streets for lush jungle trails. The Copolia Trail is one of the best hikes in Seychelles, offering an incredible panoramic view over Mahe.
This short but rewarding hike takes you through dense tropical forest and over granite rock formations, ending up with 360-degree views over Mahe, including Eden Island, the Sainte Anne Marine Park and the rugged mountains.
The trail is around 1.6 km one way and typically takes 1 to 1.5 hours to reach the summit. The trail starts at a well-marked trailhead near Sans Souci Road, just a 15-minute drive from Victoria. The best time to hike is in the morning or early afternoon, ideally before 2 PM, to avoid the intense afternoon heat.
Late Afternoon Option 1: Visit Mission Lodge & Tea Factory
After hiking the Copolia Trail, you have two options on how to spend the afternoon. Option 1 is to visit the Mission Lodge & the Tea Factory which are both close by to the Copolia Trail.
Mission Lodge
Located high in the mountains, Mission Lodge is a historical site that dates back to the 1800s. Originally a school for freed slaves, it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage site with a viewpoint offering incredible sea and mountain views over the west coast of Mahe.
You can walk around the beautiful gardens and explore the ruins of the old schoolhouse, while learning about the history of the site. The entrance fee is SCR100 which you buy at the entrance.
Seychelles Tea Factory
Just a short drive from Mission Lodge is the Seychelles Tea Factory, where you can take a tour of the factory and discover the process of turning local tea leaves into the final product. Seychelles’ tea is renowned for its distinct flavor, so make sure to pick up a box of locally made tea before you leave, it's a perfect souvenir to remind you of your time in Seychelles.
Late Afternoon Option 2: Discover Mahe's beaches
If you’d prefer to unwind in the afternoon by the sea, Mahe has some of the most stunning beaches in Seychelles, perfect for relaxing after a morning of hiking.
Some of the best beaches to visit are Grand Anse Beach, located on the south west coast, Petite Anse, which is on the southern tip by the Four Seasons Resort and Beau Vallon Beach, in the north of the island.
Day 2: Hiking to Anse Major Beach and 4x4 / Kayaking Tour
Morning: Hike to Anse Major Beach
The second day of this Mahe itinerary takes you on a morning hike to Anse Major Beach, one of the most secluded and beautiful beaches on the island. Here, you'll find pristine white sand and clear turquoise waters surrounded by lush green jungle, and it's relatively quiet and peaceful as it's not the easiest to get to!
It's located on the northwest coast of Mahe and is only accessible by foot or boat, so you’ll need to take a short hike along the Anse Major Trail or hop on a boat to reach it.
The Anse Major Trail is about 3 km each way and offers stunning views of the coastline as you make your way through the jungle. The hike takes around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on your pace and the track is moderate in difficulty with some steep sections.
Afternoon: Off road 4x4 Adventure Tour and Kayaking in the Wetlands with White Sands Tours
In the afternoon, we'd highly recommend joining an off-road 4x4 and kayaking adventure tour by White Sands Tours, a unique experience that takes you beyond the usual tourist trails. This tour offers access to breathtaking viewpoints, secluded jungle trails and picturesque wetlands, so it's perfect if you're looking to explore Mahe’s hidden gems.
Off-Road 4x4 Adventure & Hidden Hiking Trails
The tour starts with a 4x4 journey deep into Mahe’s rugged mountains, where you'll navigate through winding jungle roads and remote mountain paths. Along the way, your guide will take you to a secret viewpoint with panoramic views over the turquoise coastline and lush forests.
Kayaking Through High-Biodiversity Wetlands
After exploring Mahe’s mountainous terrain, you’ll swap the 4x4 for a kayak and paddle through one of the island’s protected wetlands. These high-biodiversity mangrove ecosystems are home to an incredible variety of marine life and exotic bird species.
You’ll paddle through the serene waterways, weaving through lush mangroves before reaching a secluded beach to take a break and recharge before making your way back.
Evening: Sunset and Dinner
If you plan to stay another night, we'd recommend having a laid-back evening by the beach and indulging in some of Mahe's best food.
Head to Beau Vallon Beach, one of the most famous beaches in Seychelles, to watch the sunset. For dinner, we'd recommend checking out La Plage or Marie Antoinette Restaurant. La Plage is a beachfront restaurant that serves fresh seafood and Creole-inspired dishes, while Marie Antoinette Restaurant is tucked away in Victoria and serves Creole food; and they have a garden with Giant Aldabra Tortoise!
Optional Day 3: Saint-Anne Marine Park and Moyenne Island Cruise
If you have another day in Mahe, take the opportunity to do a Saint-Anne Marine Park and Moyenne Island Cruise, where you'll sail over the turquoise waters to a secluded island paradise with Giant Aldabra Tortoise!
The tours start from the Marine Charter, but most tours offer hotel pick up and drop off. The journey takes around 30 minutes to reach Moyenne Island, but you stop to do some snorkelling along the way! Unfortunately, the water wasn't very clear when we did our tour and we didn't see very many fish, but it's still worth doing!
Moyenne Island is unlike any other in Seychelles. Once privately owned by Brendon Grimshaw, a British conservationist who transformed it into a protected nature reserve, the island is now home to over 120 giant tortoises, roaming freely through the forests and along the beaches; there was even a baby tortoise nursery!
Walking the easy 1.5 km nature trail, you'll come across ruins, hidden graves and panoramic viewpoints with stunning views over the surrounding islands. The tour guides will guide you around the island while teaching you about the history!
After exploring the island, it's time for a BBQ Creole Lunch prepared on the island, along with some live music. It was a big buffet shared between a couple of different cruises, so it had a great atmosphere and there were plenty of food options.
The last stop on the cruise was a secluded island with a long sandbank stretching out into the turquoise water. This was our favourite stop, it was one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever seen, with incredibly blue water and soft white sand.
Top Rated Boat Tours
Where to Stay in Mahe
Mahe has a wide range of accommodations, from luxurious beachfront resorts to cozy guesthouses and apartments, so there is something for every budget.
We stayed at the Sables d'Or Luxury Apartments on our first two nights, its right on the Beau Vallon beachfront and was cosy yet modern and spacious!
We also stayed at Eden Bleu Hotel on Eden Island, which was extremely luxurious and spacious, and we even had our own golf cart to drive around the resort!
Some other great options include:
- Four Seasons Resort Seychelles for a luxury experience.
- Red Coconut Self-Catering for a mid-range jungle stay.
- Castaway Lodge for a cosy budget-friendly option.
How Many Days Do You Need in Mahe?
The ideal amount of time to explore Mahe is at least 2 to 3 days to experience the island’s best beaches, hikes and cultural sites. We had two days in Mahe before flying to the other islands in the Seychelles, and had one more day before leaving the Seychelles. We found that this was enough time to explore everything Mahe had to offer while spending some time relaxing.
Getting around Mahe is fairly easy, but the best mode of transport depends on your itinerary and travel style. The island has winding mountain roads, scenic coastal drives, and a few public transport options, making it possible to explore in different ways.
How to Get Around Mahe
Getting around Mahe is fairly easy, but the best mode of transport depends on your itinerary and budget. The island has winding mountain roads, scenic coastal drives and a few public transport options.
Renting a Car
If you want the freedom to explore at your own pace, renting a car is the best option. It allows you to visit hidden beaches, hiking trails and remote areas that public transport doesn’t reach. Driving in Mahe can be slightly challenging with narrow, winding roads and steep hills, but nothing too crazy.
Public Buses
If you're on a budget, getting the bus is the most affordable way to get around, with tickets costing around SCR 7 (40p) per ride. The public bus system connects the main towns and beaches, so you can get to most places.
However, it's not the most convenient, so it's best suited for budget travellers who are staying near a town and don’t mind some waiting.
Taxis & Private Transfers
Taxis are widely available, but they are one of the most expensive ways to travel around Mahe. There are no apps like Uber, so fares must be agreed upon in advance, as taxis do not have meters.
Group Tours
Another option is to join group tours or private tours if you're travelling in a group. It's a great way to see Mahe’s highlights without worrying about transport, and often isn't that expensive when split between a group of people.
When is the Best Time to Visit Mahe?
Mahe has great weather year-round, but some months are more ideal depending on what activities you want to do. April and November are the hottest months, while May to October are slightly cooler with calm seas, perfect for hiking and water activities.
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