Beaches
Seychelles boasts some of the best beaches in the world, each uniquely different from the next and all offering ideal spots for either swimming, snorkelling, diving, water sports, boating and/or fishing.
Regardless of which way the trade winds are blowing when you visit, you will always be able to find a tranquil swimming spot to relax and while away the day or a secluded spot to hit the waves.
Our top picks for must-see beaches during your stay;
Anse Royale, Mahe – Fringed by a majestic reef and granitic boulders, the bay of Anse Royale offers sheltered waters ideal for swimming, snorkelling, boating, fishing, kayaking and paddle boarding. Enjoyable all year round but particularly during the North-West trade winds when the aqua-blue waters are translucent, balmy and tranquil.
Anse Intendance, Mahe – An ideal spot for sunbathing all year round, Anse Intendance offers half a mile of powder white sand. There is no reef so the waves are much larger than most other beaches, making it the perfect surfing spot. During the south-east trade winds the waves can reach fearsome heights. However, in the north-west trade wind season, the sea is calmer and ideal for swimming.
Beau Vallon, Mahe – Mahé’s most popular beach, this sweeping bay of white sand and clear waters on the north-western coast of Mahé offers a very safe swimming area. With a large selection of restaurants, weekly markets, water sport and dive centres stretched out along its sand, this is the beach for those wishing to do something a little more than just soaking up the sun. During the south-eastern trade winds, the sea is extremely calm and the beach is at its absolute best.
Anse Lazio, Praslin – Often listed amongst the world’s top ten beaches, Anse Lazio is a true tropical paradise hidden away at the end of a long windy road and boasting soft white sand, calm aqua blue water and beautiful granite rocks – well worth the journey. Ideal for swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing, Anse Lazio also features two restaurants perfectly placed for lunch and refreshments.
Anse Source D’Argent, La Digue – Reputed to be the most photographed beach in the world, Anse Source D’Argent boasts soft white sand, clear turquoise water and huge granite boulders sculptured over time. Sheltered by the reef, the sea is very calm and shallow making it safe for children. Access to the beach via L’Union Estate requires an entrance fee of SCR100 for non-residents.
For information on all beaches within the Seychelles be sure to visit the Seychelles tourism website: www.seychelles.travel/explore/beaches
Nature Walks:
Morne, the highest mountain on Mahe, exceeds 900m in height. Morne Seychelles National Park covers more then 20% of Mahe and includes 12 extensive walking trails for half or full days excursions. The Mission Lodge at Sans Sourci is perhaps the most famous vantage point in all of Seychelles, offering spectacular sea and mountain views looking southward across Mahé, from the shaded and peaceful confines of a gazebo where Queen Elizabeth II once sat for tea.
For information on all walking trails within Seychelles be sure to visit the Seychelles tourism website: www.seychelles.travel/en/explore/walks-trails
Attractions:
Mahe:
Domaine de Val des Près Craft Village – experience traditional Creole culture showcased at Domaine de Val des Près. Featuring five attractions highlighting Creole architecture, arts and craft, and gastronomy: the ‘Gran Kaz’ Plantation House built around 1870; ‘La Kaz Rosa’ a typical 20th century working class home, 12 craft workshops that host local crafts; and finally; the ‘Maison de Coco, a house built of coconut products in which you will find gifts made from all things coconut.
Kreole Fleurage Parfums – the only perfume manufacturer in the Indian Ocean, Kreole Fleurage Parfums is run by Dagmar Ehlert, who founded the laboratory in 1988, and offers unique range of products includes perfumes produced on a base of essential oils from the region as well as from all over the world. Located near the beach at North East Point, her small laboratory has become a popular tourist attraction on the island of Mahé.
Kenwyn House – Built in 1855, Kenwyn House, is an elegant example of French colonial architecture and is one of Seychelles’ most visited monuments and a must-see for visitors exploring the Seychelles capital, Victoria. Home of JOUEL- the premier luxury retail company in Seychelles- Kenwyn House offers visitors a chance to explore a historical site while browsing through a world-class jewelry selection comprising of six JOUEL collections.
La Plaine St Andre – Originally built in 1792, La Plaine St Andre has been lovingly restored and offers the perfect setting to relax, unwind and indulge. The home of Takamaka Bay Rum, no visit would be complete without visiting the Trois Freres Distillery followed by a rum-tasting. Follow the process from cane crushing to fermentation, distillation and finally sample our award-winning range. Take a tour of our grounds during which you will learn about plantation life in the 1790s, the beginnings of the creole mix which is visible today.
National Museum of History – Established in 1964, the National Museum of History is charged with the acquisition, preservation and exhibition of historical artifacts for the public benefit. Exhibits illustrating the history of Seychelles include such items as the oldest map drawn in 1517, the Stone of Possession, the world’s smallest statuette of Queen Victoria, and objects of ethnographical interest that exemplify the traditions and modes of life in times gone past.
Port Launay & Baie Terney Marine National Park – Famous for its whale shark season, these huge gentle giants can be seen swimming lazily around feeding on the rich plankton that accumulates in the park. The reefs on both sides of the bay provide a wonderful opportunity for snorkelling, while the beautiful sandy beach offers quiet calm to relax and enjoy.
Seychelles National Botanic Gardens – One of Seychelles’ oldest National Monuments, the National Botanic Gardens boasts a wide collection of mature, exotic and endemic plants within five acres of landscaped and beautifully maintained tropical gardens. An added attraction is the population of giant tortoises from Aldabra, some of which are over 150 years old.
Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke Market – A visit to Mahé’s busy and colourful market is the way to get a feel for the Seychellois and their way of life. Built in 1840 and renovated in 1999, it remains the bustling heart of the capital and definitely the best place to buy fresh fruits, fish, vegetables and spices.
Tea Factory – Established in 1962, the Tea Factory enjoys a splendid panoramic view of the western slopes of Mahé and is undoubtedly one of the finest viewing points on the island. Here, in the cool mountain air of Morne Blanc, amid terrace upon terrace of tea plants, you will discover, first hand, how Seychelles’ tea is made.
Victoria Clocktower – The Victoria Clocktower, or Lorloz as it is better known in Creole, is the most prominent feature of Seychelles’ small capital, and has acted as a focal point for nearly 100 years. While all around massive transformation has taken place in the town centre, with modern buildings of concrete and glass springing up, the Clocktower has remained virtually unchanged. The Lorloz is an elegant replica of the clock that was first erected in London in 1897 at the junction of Victoria Street and Vauxhall Bridge Road, near Victoria Station.
Praslin:
Vallee de Mai – Seychelles’ second UNESCO World Heritage Site is the legendary Vallée de Mai, administered by the Seychelles Islands Foundation. Once believed to be the original site of the Garden of Eden, this hauntingly beautiful primeval forest is home to some 6000 Coco-de-mer trees, considered to be among the botanical wonders of the world. The Vallée boasts six endemic palm species as well as many other indigenous trees and is also the last habitat of the endangered Black Parrot.
La Digue:
L’Union Estate – Take a step back in time and visit L’Union Estate – see a traditional copra mill and kiln (kalorifer), watch the antics of the estate’s population of giant land tortoises or stroll around the majestic Plantation House framed by giant granite boulders in landscaped gardens, or go horse back riding. The estate is also home to the cemetery of the original settlers of La Digue and to one of the most pristine beaches in Seychelles – the legendary ‘Source d’Argent’ – among the most photographed beaches on earth.
For information on all attractions within Seychelles be sure to visit the Seychelles tourism website: http://www.seychelles.travel/en/explore/attractions