Mahe Island Seychelles (Victoria)

Mahe Island's Port Victoria is Seychelles' principal cargo and cruise port, as well as the capital city (population around 25,000). Mahe is the country's largest Island - sized approx 157 km2 (61 mi2) and with population around 80,000 (or ~86% of Seychelles' total). The island's scenery features extensive gardens and tall mountains, while the surrounding beautiful coral reefs provide great opportunities for snorkeling. Tourists are also attracted by the rich heritage of Indian, Chinese, European and African cultures.

Seychelles' second largest island (Praslin) is just a 15 min flight from Victoria-Mahe.

Mahe Island was first visited by the Europeans in the early-17th-century (1609, by the British) and again in the mid-18th-century (1742, by the French). In 1756, the island was claimed for the King of France (Louis XV "the Beloved"/1715-74) and remained French until 1812. Between 1812-1976 (Seychelles' independence), Mahe was part of Great Britain.

Due to a shortage of housing, the island was greatly expanded through land reclamation (Bel Ombre and Port Victoria). Before Seychelles' independence (1976), Mahe was largely a private plantation owned by the Frichot family. In 1977, following a coup d’etat, all the Frichots were expelled from Seychelles.

Like most Seychelles islands, Mahe's economy is largely based on tourism, but also on commercial fishing and canning. Principal exports from Port Victoria (locode SCPOV) are vanilla, coconuts, coconut oil, fish, guano.

Seychelles International Airport (1971-opened) is approx 11 km (7 mi) southeast of Victoria. It is the country's principal/largest airport and the homebase of the national carrier Air Seychelles. A number of foreign airlines link via regularly scheduled flights Victoria-Mahe with Reunion (Saint-Denis), Mauritius (Port Louis), South Africa (Johannesburg), Ethiopia (Addis Ababa), Kenya (Nairobi), Sri Lanka (Colombo), Russia (Moscow), France (Paris), Israel (Tel Aviv), Turkey (Istanbul), UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi), Qatar (Doha).

Mahe Island Seychelles cruise terminal

Mahe Island Seychelles tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

• Beaches: the main attraction. The island offers 68 amazing beaches with white sands and endless sun. There are two in walking distance from Mahe cruise port terminal. The three top-rated Seychelles beaches are located in Mahe, the most popular one is Beau Vallon Beach.
• The Natural History Museum: located at the heart of Victoria. You can discover the history and live on the island and see some of its treasures. Some of the displays include extinct Seychelles crocodile and a vessel wreck dating from 1570.
• The Botanical Garden: it spreads over 15 acres. It is located on the Victoria’s south side and there you can see orchids, giant tortoises and indigenous trees selection.
• Morne Seychellois National Park: here you can see the highest Seychelles’ peak – Morne Seychellois.
• Seychelles Tea and Coffee Company: take a tour at the company on the Blanc and Mountain’s top and discover the coffee production process.
• Take a history glimpse: you can visit the courthouse or the post office near Mahe cruise port terminal. Monte Seychellois houses mission ruins.
• Kaz Zanana: the former house of George Camille, an artist, is a Creole architectural masterpiece.