MAHE: CAPITAL ISLAND
Mahe is the first experience most visitors have of the Seychelles. This is where the international flights land on the impressive airport that stretches out across the turquoise water. As it is the largest island in the archipelego, yet just 27 km long by 12 km at its widest point, it has long been the Seychelles economic and political centre, yet has lost none of its beauty and charm.
Mahe is dominated by a mountain range that forms its backbone. The highest peak, Morne Seychellois reaches a height of 905m and provides a perfect backdrop of the capital city Victoria.
In many ways, Mahe is the most spectacular of the islands with its huge mountains and lush tropical vegetation and with over 75 beaches scattered around the island.Despite its great lure for tourists, there are only ever a handful of people on these beaches with their beutiful sand, swaying palms and tropical waters....
Mahe has a wide range of accommodation from self catering to large sophisticated hotels. During the day visitors can dive and explore Mahe's many nature walks in the Morne Seychellois National Park or visit a local artists studio.
Victoria is a small enough capital to cover on foot. The market is a hive of activity except on Sundays where visitors can buy locally made crafts and mingle with locals buying fish, spices, fresh fruit and vegetables.
The capital also boasts several banks, two cathedrals, a mosque, a Hindu temple, a library and two stadiums. The clock Tower remains the capital's focal point.
The Botanical Gardens offer the opportunity to see some of the Seychelles' endemic plants. Established almost a century ago, the gardens cover 15 acres.
As you might expect with 90% of the total out of 80400 Seychelles' population living on Mahe, the night life is much livelier here than on neighbouring islands.
The discovery of Mahe is done by driving along the coast road to view the panoramic deserted beaches and coves and also through winding mountain roads amidst tropical vegetation for a better glimspe of the traditional creole life-style.