Mahe island seychelles. Mahe island, seychelles

Mahe Island is the main and largest island of the archipelago, most often visited by tourists. Here is located international Airport, so the transfer will not be long.

In the capital of the island - Victoria - there is an information office for tourists. Address: Independance Ave, tel.: 610 800, opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:00-17:00, Sat 9:00-12:00.

Funny moment: all the locals call the capital of the island of Victoria simply “the city”. This is understandable, because this is one of the few settlements on the island, besides the largest.

Transport Mahe

Buses run regularly between Victoria and the island's most popular beach, Beau Vallon. last bus leaves at 19:30, later you can only get by taxi (about 70 SCR, you need to bargain and check the cost of the trip before boarding). To the east, west or south coast can also be reached by bus from Victoria. The fare is 5 SCR, payable to the driver.

Prices on the page are for August 2018.

Weather on Mahe

Mahe beaches

There are 68 beaches on the island. On almost every one of them you can rent equipment for snorkeling, diving, surfing, windsurfing or water skiing. Start directly from the beaches sea ​​excursions on yachts or motorboats.

Beau Vallon Beach - the largest, most famous and most visited, is located just 3 km from the capital - Victoria. The entire local "hangout" is concentrated on it, the nightlife is in full swing and the main tourism infrastructure. The waves here are not big: the local reef acts as a breakwater. There are platforms in the ocean from which you can dive, and local hotels allow not only guests to use their beach and bar. In the village of Beau Vallon, where the road from Victoria forks west to Bel Ombre and northeast to Glacis, there is a gas station, a Barclays Bank ATM, an internet café and a police station. Many shops nestled along the road along the beach and the road to Bel Ombra.

7 things to do in Mahe

1. Start with water skiing, continue with snorkeling, finish with diving - and choose different beaches for each new activity.
2. Buy souvenirs from tortoise shells (and take care of permission to export them).
3. Take a horse ride along the Grand Anse beach.
4. Look into the Orchid Garden in the capital of the island - Victoria.
5. Watch the process of collecting tea leaves at a tea factory.
6. Take a boat trip to the nearby islets and islets.
7. It is not easy to climb to the top of the Morne Blanc mountain and reward yourself with awesome views.

South of the airport, you can find several pretty wild coves and secluded beaches, such as Fairyland Beach, which is famous for its great snorkelling. The beaches of Anse Forbans, Anse Bougainville and Anse Royale are also located here, which are protected by a coral reef, so you can swim in calm waters and snorkel safely.

The west coast of Mahe is wilder, more picturesque and rich in beaches. The road leading from Anse Takamaka Bay to Port Launay is famous for its gorgeous views of the coast, where everyone can look after the bay and the beach to their taste. From here it is also easy to get to the east coast of the island along scenic roads that run through the center of the island. In the local bay of Polis Bay, for example, you should not swim - it's dangerous. But from here there are stunning views of the surfers, you should take a picnic basket with you.

Mahe's 68 beaches offer excellent conditions for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, diving and sailing on yachts or boats.

Further west are the excellent beaches of Anse Takamaka, Anse Gaulette and Anse-à-la-Mouche. It is more difficult to get to the isolated beaches of Anse Soleil and Anse Petit - you need a jeep, but the palm-lined beaches and the sea teeming with marine life deserve it. Grand Anse beach is suitable for surfers with good waves, but from May to September you have to be careful there - the water is very restless due to the monsoons. In addition, the Utetangar Riding Center operates on this beach (tel.: 712-355, hour ride - 40 EUR).

Anse Intendance in the southwest is considered the most beautiful beach of the island - it is a five hundred-meter sandy arch, bordered by coconut palms.

The beaches in the southern part of the island are better and calmer than in the north. The most wonderful place for swimming and snorkeling is opposite the tiny island of Souris, on east coast. Divers will surely enjoy the following material: Diving on Mahe.

Mahe Hotels

There are about 30 ordinary hotels on the island, the same number of mini-hotels and at least 40 more all kinds of villas, bungalows and lodges. So, there will be plenty to choose from even the most fastidious traveler.

Entertainment and attractions in Mahe

Victoria is the smallest capital in the world, with a colorful market and two main streets, at the intersection of which stands a miniature replica of London's Big Ben. Main attractions: the famous cathedral Immaculate Conception, Museum natural history, Craft Village, where artisans exhibit their work, tiny Historical Museum, Mont Fleury Botanical Garden and Orchid Garden. Here you can also visit the workshop of Michael Adams - the famous Seychellois artist, whose canvases are valued by connoisseurs literally worth their weight in gold. You can also walk along Central Market Sir Percy Selwyn Clark to get a taste of the Aboriginal way of life, as well as buy inexpensive souvenirs.

Halfway from Victoria to Port Glaud, 2 km from Anse Royale Beach, is the Royal Garden "Le Jardin du Roi" (Le Jardin du Roi, tel.: 371-313, entrance 25 Rs, opening hours: 10 :00-17:00). A beautiful spice garden and the entire park can be viewed during a walking tour along the picturesque paths and clearings. The planter's house, which is located on the territory of the park, is interesting with a one-room museum and a nice restaurant with excellent views of the coast.

Another interesting attraction is the craft village (Craft Village, admission is free, opening hours: 9:30-17:30, tel.: 376-100). There are several shops with crafts and souvenirs, model boats, pots and coconut products. Here you can also have a bite to eat at the Vye Marmit restaurant (tel.: 376-155, opening hours: Mon-Sat 11:00-21:00, main dishes from 75-150 Rs). And after driving a couple more minutes from the village of artisans, you can get to the Lenstiti Kreol Creole Institute, which is located in a beautiful colonial building.

Mahe Island

Tea lovers should go on a tour of the tea plantation (tel.: 378-221, entrance with/without guide - 30/20 SCR, opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:00-16:00). It is located on the Sanssouci road, 3 km from Port Glaud. The best time to visit - until noon, when you can see the whole process - from picking to packing tea. It produces about 45 tons of tea per year for export.

In the very heart national reserve"Seychelles Morne", which occupies 20% of the entire island, is Mount Morne Blanc (Morne Blance, 905 m). From its top, a beautiful panorama of the coast of the island opens up, and on the slope there is the only tea factory in the entire archipelago (about which - a little higher in the text). On the way to the top, you can meet many ancient plants.

By the way, Victoria has two traffic lights, the only ones in the entire archipelago.

St. Anne National Marine Park

The fantastic marine park is located between the islands of Mahe, Deer (Cerf), Sainte Anne (Sainte Anne), Long (Long), Middle (Moyenne) and Round (Round). As a rule, excursions to national park are a day trip on a glass bottom boat. The cost of such a trip for the whole day with lunch and stops for swimming and snorkeling starts from 85 EUR. In addition, there are about 10 dive sites in the park, you can dive there with the help of the Ste Anne Island Dive Center (tel.: 570-043, from 70 EUR).

The cost of visiting the park is 10 EUR, children under 12 are free of charge (these 10 EUR, as a rule, are already included in the price of the excursion).

About 60 people live on Deer Island, including the famous South African novelist Wilbur Smith. Here you can stay in a small colonial-style hotel L'Habitation, which is only a 10-minute boat ride from Victoria. Or at the luxurious Cerf Island Marine Park Resort. In addition, Fairy Tern Chalet apartments are located exactly in the middle between these two hotels.

middle island can only be visited as part of a tour organized exclusively by Creole Travel Services (Tel: 297-000). round island famous for its great snorkelling. But on the island of St. Anne, which is 4 km east of Victoria, there are two great beaches and the chic Ste Anne Resort & Spa with its own dive center and spa. Long Island, a former Seychelles prison for a long time, is now an excellent place for swimming and diving, and since 2008 the Shangri-La hotel has also been operating here.

The Seychelles Morne is a beautiful nature reserve located on the island of Mahe. It is located at an altitude of 905 meters and is the highest point on Seychelles. This place is famous for its fresh air, unique landscapes and rich fauna. It is surrounded by magnificent picturesque hills, which are covered with bright green vegetation. The total area of ​​the reserve is 30 square kilometers. There are trails throughout the park with signposts to help you get to the most amazing places Seychelles Morne.

Among the local vegetation, the dominant place is occupied by tropical trees and shrubs that cover the slopes of the hills. You can also find many exotic flowers here, such as namakvansky pachypodium, Impala lily and cannes. Of the representatives of the fauna, monkeys, vultures, hornbills and spotted hyenas are often found here.

One of the most fascinating places of the reserve is the Morne Blanc hill with its magnificent tea plantations. Here you will find the only factory in the Seychelles that produces flavored tea (with mint, vanilla, citrus and cinnamon).

Anse Intendance beach

Anse Intendanse is a magnificent beach located in the southwest of the island of Mahe, which is often recommended to everyone who has a rest in the Seychelles. Its sandy arch, surrounded by magnificent coconut palms, is 500 meters long and 20 meters wide. This place is perfect for family vacation, since the coastal depth here reaches only 3 meters. Anse Intendanse is very popular among divers, as there is a diving center near the beach.

In these places you can retire with nature, admire the perfect white sand and magnificent mountains covered with lush vegetation. The infrastructure of the beach is poorly developed - here you will not find restaurants, bars and shops. Also in this place there are no awnings, deck chairs and umbrellas - the only shelter from the scorching sun is the shadow of broad-leaved palm trees.

At the entrance to the beach there is a small sign with an inscription in five languages, which says that rare sea turtles crawl out onto the shore in order to lay their eggs, so tourists should be careful enough.

And what sights of Mahe did you like? There are icons next to the photo, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.

Summit of Morne Blanc

Mount Morne Blanc is located on the island of Mahe, Seychelles. Its peak, which offers a magnificent panorama of the entire island, is located at an altitude of 907 meters above sea level. That is why thousands of tourists gather here every year to admire the wonderful scenery of the ocean, take unique pictures and breathe clean air. At the top of Morne Blanc grow ancient relict plants, because of which this area was recognized as a protected area. There is also a small tea plantation and a tavern where you can warm up and enjoy delicious teas. It is quite chilly at the top of the mountain, so it is worth taking warm clothes with you.

A wonderful wooden platform is located here, which raises tourists above the border of the forest. This place is perfect for a sunset picnic and romantic date. You can get to the top of Morne Blanc on foot or by lift in just 15 minutes. Here you will be warmly welcomed and offered to conduct a tour, of course for a hotel fee. Horseback riding and hiking in the forest for mushrooms are popular entertainment for tourists in these places.

Coetivy Island is a small coral atoll located in Indian Ocean and belonging to the Seychelles group. Coetivy lies three hundred kilometers south of Mahe - central island Seychelles archipelago.

Coetivy Island was discovered in 1771 by the French navigator Chevalier de Coetivy, who gave the island its name. Coetiwi has a very modest size - its area is slightly more than nine square kilometers, and the population does not exceed 250 people. However, in comparison with many other coral islands of the Seychelles archipelago, Coetiwi Atoll can be considered large.

Despite the excellent climate and good resort potential, tourism is not very developed on Coetivy. The island is privately owned and used for commercial purposes. Here is a shrimp farm and a shrimp processing plant. Also, the size of the island allows the development of sheep breeding, and a significant part of the territory of Coetivi is reserved for pastures.

Artisan Village

The artisan village is a very interesting attraction on the island of Mahe, which is part of the Seychelles archipelago. The village consists of several craft workshops, grouped around a small local history museum.

The artisan village consists of 12 huts that house workshops. And next to them is an old manor, which accurately recreates the atmosphere of colonial times - preserved old furniture, parquet, interior design. Well, in the workshops themselves, you can watch the work of local artisans and buy a lot of memorable souvenirs in memory of the Seychelles.

All the trinkets that can be bought in the artisan village are handmade, sometimes even in the presence of the buyer. The assortment is very large - hats made of palm leaves, models sea ​​ships, crafts made from coconuts, hand-woven baskets, scarves and much, much more.

The most popular attractions on Mahe with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places Mahe on our site.

Today I open a new and long-awaited column about the Seychelles (Seychelles) - a truly heavenly place on Earth and tropical resort located at eastern shores Africa in the Indian Ocean. The Seychelles is one of the prestigious areas of beach tourism, a place that will be appreciated not only by lovers of sunbathing in the sun, but also by fans of outdoor activities. The unique beauty of the Seychelles resorts attracts tourists from all over the world and travelers from Russia, who are happy to spend their long-awaited vacation in the Seychelles. So I will share everything I know about these incomparable islands: about what kind of state the Seychelles is, where it is located, whether a visa is needed for a visit, what language they speak there, what money is in use, how much to fly there and what prices on air tickets, when is it better to relax there and what islands and hotels are in the Seychelles. In general, my article is about how best to prepare for a trip to the Seychelles and what is worth seeing there so that your vacation in the Seychelles will be remembered for a long time.

I will begin my story, of course, with the definition and short description Seychelles, where they are on the world map and what a vacation is like there.

Seychelles- This Island state(its full name is the Republic of Seychelles), located below the equator in the southern hemisphere in East Africa, in the western Indian Ocean, with a population of about 90 thousand people and an area of ​​​​only 455 km 2. According to the form of government, the country of the Seychelles is a presidential republic that gained independence from Great Britain on June 29, 1976. The Seychelles flag has 5 colors radiating from the lower left corner and was approved on June 18, 1996.

basic information

Judging by where the Seychelles are located on the map - a little south of the equator, about 1600 km east of the African mainland, their belonging to Africa can be called very conditional, especially given the unique animal world these islands. However, territorially, the Seychelles are located closest to Africa, next to another famous island— Madagascar.

Seychelles on the map

Capital of the Seychelles is the city of Victoria, the largest city of this country. It is located on the largest island of the Seychelles archipelago - Mahe (its area is 142 km 2). The Seychelles International Airport is also located there, the runway of which is only 3 meters above sea level.

The territory of the Seychelles is formed by islands towering 4-8 meters above the ocean, which in the Seychelles are of two types: granite and coral. It is very easy to distinguish between them: people live and relax on granite (inhabited), but coral ones, similar to them, are mostly uninhabited and can only be visited as part of excursions.

Want to know how many islands there are in the Seychelles? Compared to other island states, there are not so many, only 115 islands. At the same time, only 33 of them are inhabited. Moreover, most of the tourists rest in the best hotels x, such as Four Seasons and Hilton Seychelles on the largest Seychelles - Mahe, Praslin, La Digue, Silhouette - or on small and private islands with exclusive hotels - North, Frigate, Felicite, Denis and a number of other resorts.

Flora and fauna Seychelles has a large percentage of endemics - birds, reptiles and plants that are found only in this archipelago of islands and nowhere else in the world. Seychelles palm trees grow here, the fruit of which weighs up to 20 kg and is considered the largest in flora. Rare species of birds also live - the Seychelles small black parrot and the bulbul nightingale.

Here is an interesting overview video about the Seychelles:

It is important to know: For detailed background information about the Seychelles, see Wikipedia, and I will continue to share with you practical information about this country and rest in it.

I would compare the Seychelles with Hawaii: there are also several large islands, each unique in its own way. Therefore, when preparing trips to the Seychelles the most important thing is to choose the right island on which you will relax. If we compare it with the Maldives, then everything will be completely different, because it is not so important (in essence, they are almost all the same) how to decide whether you want to relax.

Here are the top three hotels in the Seychelles:

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles 5* - a real paradise lagoon and stunning views of the ocean. The hotel is conveniently located in the south-west of the island of Mahe in a private cove of Petit Anse. From the airport, it can be reached in just half an hour. Accommodation in spacious villas with expensive interiors and a swimming pool. It features two Creole and international restaurants, a panoramic hillside spa and the best yoga center in the Seychelles. Price per room – from $1000 per day. Book Four Seasons 5*

Raffles Seychelles 5*- relatively new hotel with a magnificent design of rooms, excellent sandy beach Takamaka without pebbles and with an incredible level of staff. This truly fabulous place is located on the island of Praslin. It features romantic and family-friendly villas and apartments with superb interiors and a private pool, yoga room and kids club. For the convenience of guests, there are as many as 3 restaurants on site, which often host theme nights. Ideal places for holidays in the Seychelles. The hotel speaks Russian, there is a Russian manager. Price per room – from $1100 per day. Book Hotel Raffles 5*

Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa 5* is the only hotel on Silhouette Island. It is included in the top of the best hotels in the Seychelles and is the wildest, which will especially appeal to lovers of nature and the ocean. The well-groomed territory of the hotel is suitable for a romantic and family vacation or retreat in a comfortable retreat. Around everything blooms, as if in paradise, and the birds sing, and the comfortable beach is well suited for children. Among the staff there are very competent Russian-speaking people, not everyone will tell you about the island - a real reserve with a clean atmosphere and beautiful landscape. Complete relaxation is guaranteed! Price per room – from $450 per day. Book a Hilton 5* hotel

Seychelles on the map

Symbols on the map:

• Burgundy color - airports and ferry piers of the Seychelles;
• Blue color - islands in the Seychelles;
• Yellow color - the most famous beaches of the Seychelles;
• Green color - national parks of the Seychelles.

Holidays in the Seychelles

So, I told you the basic information about the Seychelles, and now let's talk about what the Seychelles are like the best place for beach and romantic getaway. It is no secret that the Seychelles constantly compete with the Maldives in these two prestigious categories, and tourists choose where it is better to relax - in the Seychelles or in the Maldives. And at the same time, the Seychelles slightly bypass the competitor as the best wedding destination for holidays and honeymoons in general impressions and price for two.

If you don't know what language is in the Seychelles, then keep in mind that there are three official languages ​​in the Seychelles - Seychellois Creole, French and English. All residents speak mainly Creole, which is a variety of French. However, Seychelles hotel staff and most of those employed in the tourism sector know English, because tourism accounts for about 30% of the country's GDP.

Why go to the Seychelles

• Romantic getaway and wedding. Whether you want to get married there with Seychellois flair and live music, honeymoon in a luxurious setting, renew vows on a family anniversary, have a relaxing and expensive beach holiday with your loved one, and still do a lot of beautiful photos. In general, any category of romantic getaway is available in the Seychelles;
• Vacation with children . Family people with kids also fell in love with holidays in the Seychelles. Many hotels have children's clubs, where your child will be busy with interesting games with other little travelers, and will also be able to explore the Seychelles in a cognitive way with experienced mentors;
• diving. Since there are many in the Seychelles coral islands and rich underwater life, then diving here is as five-star as in the Maldives. In addition, do not forget that everything is unique in the Seychelles: there are fish, birds and animals that are not found anywhere else on Earth. It is for this reason that experienced and novice divers come to the Seychelles and go diving in one of the best places for this on the planet;
• Trekking in nature and leisure . This category is the best for me. I don't like to just relax on the beach and do nothing. At least for a long time. And I definitely need to go somewhere, see the beauties of the surrounding world, climb higher up the mountain. So the Seychelles are just perfect in this regard: I came and rested for a couple of days on the beach, and then you can go trekking into the jungle, visit tea plantations, study the local flora and fauna, visit small towns and villages. And when he got tired of exploring the world, he returned to the beach again. Moreover, the beaches here are truly heavenly!
• Beach vacation. And finally, if you are just tired of everything and want to have a great rest on secluded beaches and swim in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, and you have already been to the Maldives, then why not visit the Seychelles this time?

Tour to the Seychelles or a trip on your own?

There are two simple ways how to relax in the Seychelles:

• Buy a ready-made tour to the Seychelles;
• Organize your own vacation.

Both of these are expensive. But to go to the Seychelles, nevertheless, is the best gift that can be given. Unlike the Maldives, where today there is a large selection of hedgehogs, in the Seychelles budget holiday not yet developed enough. Yes and direct flight there is no one from Moscow to the Seychelles yet, even the ubiquitous one does not fly there. So you will have to get there with a transfer, but it will be much more exotic and interesting, right?

• So, if you prefer to trust your vacation to trusted travel companies and pay more for it, you can familiarize yourself with their offers and see tours to the Seychelles for the dates you are interested in on the website.
• And if you, like me, independent traveler then all you have to do is buy cheap flights(on the Aviasales website), book the hotels that suit you on Booking and checkout online. That's all you need to go to the Seychelles yourself!

Seychelles map (from seychellesbookings.com)

Direct flights to the Seychelles from Russia have not yet been opened. Therefore, the best way to fly to the Seychelles from Moscow is to buy tickets with a transfer in one of the Arab countries, for example, in the UAE or Turkey. Tourists also often choose the flight Moscow - Seychelles with a small connection in Europe (usually through Serbia).

How long is the flight to Seychelles? It all depends on the choice of airline and the number of transfers. If you take inexpensive tickets Moscow - Seychelles at a price of 500-600 dollars, then the travel time will be from 18 to 24 hours. But flights to the Seychelles from Russia with a short connection in Dubai will cost more, 600-800 dollars per person, and the entire flight will take only 13 hours.

It is important to know: If you want to fly to the Seychelles, then keep in mind that the time difference with Moscow is only +1 hour, which is not so much. After landing in the Seychelles, do not forget to set your watch forward so that it shows exact time in the Seychelles.

Upon arrival in the Seychelles, you find yourself on the island of Mahe, in the center of which is the Seychelles International Airport. Then tourists need to think about transfer to the hotel:

• Vacationers on the island of Mahe can simply order a transfer: anywhere on the island can be reached in 30-40 minutes by bus from the hotel.
• To Praslin Island with Mahe you can fly domestic airlines - Air Seychelles or take a ferry. Many expensive five-star hotels organize a private helicopter transfer from the airport directly to the hotel - usually it costs from $600.
• The island of La Digue can be reached by ferry from Mahe, the journey will take about 3 hours. Or use the combined method: first get to Praslin (by plane or ferry), and then take the ferry to La Digue (it only takes 20 minutes). This is convenient if you choose both islands for recreation and take turns living on each of them.
• To Silhouette Island tourists are brought exclusively by helicopter, since there are only two hotels, one of which, Hilton, organizes this transfer.

To get to other private islands, like Providence, where Dom-2 Seychelles is rented, hotel guests usually book a helicopter transfer. But some of them, for example, to Frigate Island, can be reached by ferry. This is due to the fact that Frigate is an important tourist destination and is interesting to many travelers in terms of history.

As I said, in order to have a great rest in the Seychelles, you first need to choose an island, and then a hotel and a beach on it. I recommend that the most curious travelers visit all three main islands, especially if the number of days of your vacation allows you to do this.

So what is different islands in the seychelles?

• Mahe (Mahe) is the central and most big Island in the Seychelles, where the international airport and the capital Victoria are located. At the same time, the city of Victoria itself is a small copy of London (after all, the Seychelles used to be an English colony) and at the same time competes with for the title of the smallest capital in the world. Along the banks of Mahe there are awesome beaches, there are a lot of them - only about 70! Despite the fact that Mahe is a lively island, its western part is very quiet, and it is here that the most prestigious and expensive hotels are located. Also on Mahe nature reserve Seychellois Morne National Park national park), in the middle of which is the most high mountain in the Seychelles - Morne Blance (Morne Blance, height 907 meters) and the jungle around. Among other things, there are tea plantations on Mahe - the heritage of the British. An almost perfect island for a holiday - both beach and active, right?
• Praslin — beautiful island, which is unique for its unusual palm trees, for which a national park has even been organized here. The Seychelles were not just named the leader among honeymoon trips, because the coconuts of local palms look like a heart! So Praslin is the island of love in the Seychelles. The beaches here are as beautiful as on the island of Mahe, but on Praslin they are quieter. At the same time, in small towns you can find nightlife- bars and discos. And Praslin is also visited by divers who dream of exploring undersea world in local waters. So if you also dream of diving, be sure to include Praslin Island in your Seychelles itinerary.
• La Digue- this is the smallest among the granite islands, and at the same time there are the largest rocks. If we continue to compare islands, and call Mahé the island-city and Praslin the small-town, then La Digue is undoubtedly a village. At the same time, the village is cozy and fantastically beautiful. This is a way to break away from everything and everyone, live among tropical beauty, relax on white sandy beaches and relax in silence. It also has its own attractions, such as Mount Eagle's Nest and Union Estate Park. And it was on the island of La Digue that the cult film “Farewell Emmanuelle” was once filmed, and there you can even see the preserved planter’s house from this movie. By the way, budget travelers it will be important to know that on the island of La Digue, hotel prices are significantly lower compared to other islands of the Seychelles, and as the most expensive categories rooms, and housing is simpler.
• Silhouette is a wild island in the Seychelles. Yes, after the village, you can call an island with only two hotels in the middle of the jungle - wild. So if even the village atmosphere is too crowded, welcome to Silhouette, where there are very few people.

sand and beautiful beaches in the Seychelles

All beaches in the Seychelles sandy and located in small coves (you will immediately notice their names in French - anse, which means bay). That is, if the name contains the words Anse, it means a bay, and hence a beach. Another feature of the beaches in the Seychelles is that they are all municipal. That is, everyone can come to rest, even if you settled in a five-star hotel.

Tourists who came to the Seychelles inexpensively, this arrangement is quite satisfactory. Since sunbeds and umbrellas on the beach are free, you can book a cheaper hotel on the second line, and go to the beach of expensive hotels and not deny yourself anything.

Helpful advice: What if you want to relax on the beach, where there are few people? There is a way out - choose a hotel away from settlements, then there will be no one to come to the beach except tourists.

Many beaches in the Seychelles are without waves, as the bays are surrounded by breakwaters and special fortifications. One of these beaches is the most popular and party Beau Vallon Beach, which is located near the capital of Victoria. This means that the Seychelles are ready for the arrival of families with children and those tourists who are not very good swimmers. But there are also places with good waves for surfing and diving spots - especially on the islands of Denis, Felicite, Alphonse and Silhouette.

Intendance Beach - the most beautiful in the Seychelles

Which beach to choose in the Seychelles?

Do I need insurance in the Seychelles?

Insurance in the Seychelles will be needed, especially if you plan to practice active species sports. And for everyone else who just wants to relax on the beach, just in case, it’s better to take care of your health, and not leave it at random. I also recommend buying health insurance if you are going to relax with the kids.

Compared to the total cost of a holiday in the Seychelles, insurance is not at all expensive. However, if you have to use medicine in the Seychelles, it will greatly help in saving on paying for medical care.

Do not forget, the Seychelles is still Africa! But at the same time, you can not do any special vaccinations before the trip.

Visa to the Seychelles

Tourists visa to seychelles not required if the period of stay in the Seychelles does not exceed 30 days (as well as).

So if you are flying for two or three weeks, feel free to take a passport and tickets, and at Pointe Larue International Airport (Mahe Island) upon arrival you will be given an entry stamp and welcome to the Seychelles! You just have to go through customs.

By the way, before the flight, check out the list of what you can’t bring to the Seychelles and what you can’t take out, as well as how much cash you can bring in and take out with you to the Seychelles.

Currency in the Seychelles and what money to take with you

Official currency in the seychelles is the Seychellois rupee (SCR). There are 100 cents in 1 rupee. In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 10, 25, 50, 100, 500 rupees and coins of 1 and 5 rupees, as well as cents - 1, 5, 10 and 25.

Despite the fact that prices in the Seychelles are indicated in rupees, in the Seychelles you can officially pay with other money - US dollars and euros, which are used here along with the rupee. So you can take both dollars and euros with you to the Seychelles, but cash rubles must first be exchanged for foreign currency.

• The exchange rate of the Seychelles rupee against the dollar is quite stable and does not seriously change. It averages 14 rupees to 1 US dollar. 1 rupee = 4 rubles, 1 euro = 16.5 rupees.
• It will not be difficult to exchange dollars for local currency. This can be done at the airport, in many exchange offices in the city, bank branches or directly in your hotel.
• It is important to know that the reverse exchange of money - from rupees to dollars or euros - is possible only with the original currency exchange check. So don't throw it away unless you plan on leaving with Rs. Moreover, it is generally forbidden to take out of the country more than 2 thousand rupees per person.
• In hotels and restaurants, it is better to pay for services by credit card. And in transport, small shops and cafes, cash is preferred - local rupees, dollars or euros.
• Tipping in the Seychelles is usually 10% and is already included in the bill. Unlike and, all taxes that must be paid for accommodation are usually already immediately included in the prices that are shown in the hotel booking system. That is, this is the final price and there is no need to additionally calculate anything and figure out how much more you have to add.

When is the best time to fly to the Seychelles - weather and seasons for recreation

Climate in the Seychelles Tropical yet very mild. The temperature fluctuates slightly from month to month throughout the year. We can say that the weather in the Seychelles all year round approximately the same: average temperature air during the day is +26..29°С, and the water temperature is +25..28°С. There are no strong winds, and rains occur much more often in winter than in summer.

Seasons in the Seychelles not as pronounced as Maldives. It cannot be said that there is a time when it is not even worth thinking about flying to the Seychelles. You just need to keep in mind that during the winter period from December to February, there is more precipitation. At the same time, the rainiest month in the Seychelles is January, and quite a lot of precipitation also falls in December and February. Therefore, it is better not to travel to the Seychelles in winter. Although you can take a chance if you are not a big fan of walking in the jungle or going on excursions to see nature. The rains are just coming in the mountainous regions of the islands of Mahe and Silhouette. In this, the Seychelles are similar to Hawaii. It may rain in the mountains, but the sun is on the beach. The rest of the year - spring, summer and autumn - the Seychelles is a great vacation!

Conventionally, the seasons in the Seychelles are usually divided into two:

• hot from December to May, with rain from December to February;
• cool - from June to November, when the air temperature is quite pleasant and there is little rain.

Thus, when is the best time to fly to the seychelles? That's right, summer! But you can also spring and autumn.

You ask, how new year holidays, and is it really not worth going to the Seychelles in winter? You can take a chance and try to go, because the weather in the Seychelles at this time is generally not bad, but if you still want to guarantee yourself a 100% sunny vacation on the beach, then it’s better to choose from December to March.

Transport and car rental in the Seychelles

Seychelles is an island nation, but developed enough to smartly arrange transport connection between their islands.

There are several ways to move between the Seychelles using various means of transport:

• Air Seychelles domestic aircraft can fly between the two large islands in the Seychelles - Mahe and Praslin. In addition, this company connects the Seychelles with other islands and countries in the Indian Ocean - Madagascar and Mauritius, as well as mainland Africa - Tanzania, Kenya and others.
• public ferries also go between the islands, and this type of transport in the Seychelles is the cheapest. In just an hour you can get from Mahe to Praslin. It will take another twenty minutes to swim between Praslin and La Digue. And in two hours to get from Mahe to Fregat.
• By helicopter, it is most convenient to get not only to private islands or Silhouette, but also right on the territory of the most prestigious hotels on all islands, including Mahe, there are equipped helipads.

Ground transport on the islands:

• Mahe and Praslin also have well-developed local transport. There are clear and convenient routes land transport with the option to buy an all-day pass for just 5 rupees (about 40 US cents). Buses run from early morning until evening. There are also minibuses (minibuses) that connect Mahe International Airport with the capital Victoria.
• Taxi in the Seychelles is also a great way to get to the hotel, go to the store or visit the sights, and very inexpensively. Taxi is paid by the meter. Landing (or rather the first kilometer) costs 15 rupees, and then another 5 rupees is added for each next one. For example, during the day you can get from the airport to the capital for only 75 rupees (at night it will be more expensive).

Car rent- this is the most convenient way how to independently see the island of Mahe or Praslin. If you are planning to see nature or a trip to the mountains, then it is better to immediately take a four-wheel drive car, and at the same time be an experienced driver. Road traffic in the Seychelles is left-handed, and the roads in the mountains are narrow and in places look like serpentine.

• To rent a car in the Seychelles, you will need an international driving license (IDP), and the driving experience must be more than 3 years.
• There are not so many gas stations in the Seychelles: only 6 gas stations on the island of Mahe and 2 more on Praslin. It is better to know their location in advance so as not to be left without gasoline when you rent a car in the Seychelles.
• It is also worth remembering the maximum allowable speed in the Seychelles - 65 km / h, and in the city in general only 45 km / h.

Bicycle rental will be most useful on the island of La Digue. But on other islands, you can also try to travel by bike, if you have experience and desire.

Diving, surfing - what to do in the Seychelles

- this is interesting not only for those who already own this skill, but also for beginners who just want to try scuba diving. The Indian Ocean is very beautiful place for scuba diving. In addition, various unique fish and giant Aldabra turtles are found near the Seychelles.

• Visibility in the water near the Seychelles is up to 30 meters;
• The best time for diving in the Seychelles is from September to October and April-May.

The best places for scuba diving are along the coast of the islands (it takes about 10-40 minutes by boat). Don't miss the UNESCO-protected Aldabra Island and the wreck of the English tanker Ennerdale Rocks, now home to turtles and a variety of deep-sea fish. Other recommended diving spots are Mammel Island and Tropheus Rocks.

Surfing it is also popular in the Seychelles, especially on the islands of Mahe and Praslin.

Where to surf in the Seychelles:

• On the island of Mahe, the beaches of Grand Anse, Beau Vallon and Anse Bougueville are best suited. In the west of the island, the waves are more unpredictable, and in the east it is calmer;
• On the island of Praslin, Anse Lazio beach is ideal;
• On Silhouette Island - Anse Lascar.

Beaches in the Seychelles for surfing by level of training:

• Beaches for beginners in surfing: Beau Vallon and Carana (Mahe);
• Pro-only beaches: Anse Bougainville, Anse Royale, Barbaron and Misfit Bay (Mahe);
• Beaches for people of all skill levels: Anse Goulette (La Digue), Bel Ombre and Anse Intendance (Mahe).

Brief history and culture of the Seychelles

History of the Seychelles closely related to European discoveries. There is practically no information left about the time that was before the moment when the Europeans first landed in the Seychelles. Except that the Arab pirates used some of the islands (Silhouette, Frigate) for their base. Also, the Malays from Borneo could replenish their water and food supplies in the Seychelles on their way to Madagascar.

But as for the written history of the Seychelles, it begins from the moment when the great navigator Vasco da Gama at the very beginning of the 16th century (in 1502) sailed past them on his way to India. For some time these were no man's lands, but the British first declared their territory of the Seychelles when they, following the footsteps of Vasco da Gama more than a century later (in 1609), sailed to India and got into a storm. Seeing the land, the British landed in the Seychelles and immediately decided that this paradise piece of land is now in the possession of the English crown. However, since the resort islands were not in vogue then, it was not entirely clear how these lands in the middle of the ocean could be useful. And the British left them alone, but first described them in detail.

Then a little more than a century later, the French became interested in the islands and founded the first settlements there. They arrived in the Seychelles in 1756, looked around, and decided that, together with Mauritius, the Seychelles would be an excellent base for them (Mauritius is the source of sugar cane). Then they brought people here from Madagascar and East Africa, turning them into slaves. The name Seychelles did not appear immediately. The Seychelles became so called from the second half of XVIII century in honor of the Minister of Finance of France, Jean Moreau de Sechelle.

During the wars with Napoleon, which took place not only on land, but also at sea (many remember Nelson's victory), battles also took place in the distant Indian Ocean. In 1794, Britain drove the French out of the Seychelles and began cultivating vast plantations of coconut palms there with the help of slaves.

In 1814, the Seychelles became a British colony under the Treaty of Paris. Life became better under the British. At least in the sense that in 1835 they finally abolished slavery. But at the same time they began to encourage the import of hired workers - Arabs and Hindus. It was necessary to work, and someone also had to conduct trade.

The independence of the Seychelles was declared rather late (compared to India), only in 1976, when the Seychelles became a Republic, governed by a president.

Interesting facts about the Seychelles:

The history of the Seychelles is rather brief compared to world history. Nevertheless, the tangle of events formed here an unusual historical cocktail.

• Despite the fact that most of the time the islands were owned by the British, the name of the country itself and all its objects are French.
• The brought slaves mastered the French culture. Now it is called Creole - that is, African and French, born from mixed marriages and a common household. Now the Creole language is also here, that is, it seems to be similar to French, but not quite, the Creole cuisine, religion and that Creole: all Catholics, but with their own African flavor.
• The fact that the British brought Arabs and Indians did not greatly affect the situation. Hindus, Arabs and other peoples in the Seychelles are in the minority. Their culture is officially recognized, but does not greatly affect the general state of affairs, the Creoles still remain the absolute majority.

Attractions in the Seychelles

The main attraction of the Seychelles is their fantastic nature, which is definitely worth seeing. Since most of the tourists come here for beach holiday, then and picturesque beaches on the islands for them - this is the best in the Seychelles. In general, the beaches here are also important attractions, and they are all different - rocky or sandy, with white or pink sand, with a calm sea or high waves suitable for surfing. In general, if you have time and desire, you can personally visit many Seychelles beaches and see their unique diversity.

In the meantime, I will briefly talk about the most interesting sights of the Seychelles:

• Source d'Argent is the most photographed beach in the Seychelles. More precisely, even to say - this is the most photographed beach in the whole world! It is located on the island of La Digue and is famous for its granite boulders. You must have seen this photo on the Internet. It was precisely because of this photo that I learned about the Seychelles and wanted to go there.
• Aldabra Island- this is one of the most famous outer Seychelles, which is located in a region specially protected by UNESCO. It does not consist of granite, but coral, and is territorially closer to Africa, next to the Comoros. The peculiarity of this island, in addition to its extraordinary lagoon, where divers come to dive, is that the Seychelles giant tortoises live there - unique marine inhabitants. In general, it is worth paying a tidy sum to see them in their natural habitat and get to know them.
• bird island, which is a half-hour flight from Mahe, is especially popular from May to September. From the name it is immediately clear that this island is the abode of birds, black terns. In the summer (winter for the Southern Hemisphere), there are so many of them here that you can go deaf from their conversations.
• Curiosity Island, which is part national park in the Seychelles, has also become home to giant tortoises. But, as far as I understand, they were transported there from Aldabra.
• Cousin Island near Praslin is home to some endangered animals. After all, the Seychelles is a unique place, and the animals here are endemic. And some of them, unfortunately, are on the verge of extinction.
• Valle de Mai is another Seychelles national park on the island of Praslin where you can admire the sea palms and their coco de mer nuts. I love all palm trees very much and always find time to visit such unique places as the California Palm Garden in Joshua Tree Park. So for sea palm trees in the Seychelles, I will definitely allocate an hour or two.
• Victoria- this is the most Big City and the capital of the Seychelles. Compared to world capitals, this town is quite small, but here you can see in detail how the British settled on an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, far from rainy London.

And here's what else you can do in the Seychelles, in addition to sightseeing:

• Diving
• Surfing
• Fishing
• Island tours
• Trekking on Mahe and Silhouette. Why not?
• Beaching is undoubtedly the most important point of the holiday program.
• Acquaintance with local cuisine.

Holidays

Seychelles is a Catholic country. Therefore, the main holidays here are also Catholic, and their celebration does not differ much from the usual European holidays.

Generally, holidays in the Seychelles can be divided into two types:

1. religious
2. Related to the independence of the Republic of Seychelles from the UK (all of them fall in June).

Here are the days in the Seychelles declared holidays (national holidays):

• New Year(January 1-2)
• Good Friday
• Easter
• Labor Day (May 1)
• Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (June 3)
• Liberation Day (June 5)
• national day(June 18) is the main holiday in the Seychelles.
• Independence Day (June 29)
• Assumption of the Virgin (August 15)
• All Saints Day (November 1)
• Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary (December 8)
• Christmas (December 25)

Cuisine and restaurants

The cuisine in the Seychelles has its own special - Creole. What does it mean? Creole cuisine in the Seychelles took the island position and traditions as a basis, added European culinary delights (mostly French) on top and mixed it all with Indian spices. It turned out an original tropical mix, which is definitely worth a taste for all tourists.

The basis of Creole cuisine is, of course, seafood. Rice, curry and coconuts are also constantly used. What do you think is the most common dish in the Seychelles? Of course, rice with fish. Yes, not just, but with spices and coconut sauce.

And since fish are caught quite a lot in the Seychelles, fish dishes are also in abundance here. Those who love seafood will not get bored in the Seychelles either - octopuses, crabs, lobsters and so on. Moreover, at expensive hotels there are always European or other Asian restaurants. So it is impossible to stay without pizza and sushi.

As for inexpensive food, as always, the Indians help out. If you want something local and colorful, you can always go to an Indian restaurant or buy food right on the street. It's inexpensive, and adds an interesting variety to your diet.

From drinks, locals love different types fermented coconuts, sugarcane, mint infusions. And of course, wines are imported - French and South African.

Seychelles tours and prices

Trip to Seychelles tour- this is a rather expensive pleasure, but almost every tourist can go there. The price of the tour depends on the cost of the flight, the luxury of the hotel and the distance of the island from the airport (payment for the transfer), as well as your special preferences. Since there are practically no experienced tour operators in the Seychelles, it will take a very long time to make a ticket to the Seychelles with them. It is much more convenient to organize your trip on your own, especially since it is not at all difficult. In this case Seychelles tour for two will cost significantly less because you will not pay a large commission to the travel agent.

The price of the tour to the Seychelles it depends a lot on the season (in the summer from June to August - the high season and the highest prices, and it can be very expensive on New Year's Eve), as well as on your ability to save money and the desire to understand the features of a holiday in the Seychelles before starting your trip. Because you can immediately book the most expensive hotel and quickly spend all the money in a few days on expensive entertainment, as in the program Eagle and Tails Seychelles. But it would be much more rational to calculate in advance the approximate budget of a tour to the Seychelles, taking into account your own wishes, choose a good hotel on the beach or in nature, plan a cultural program and sightseeing in order to see the maximum possible.

For example, I will provide information about Seychelles price for two- the cost of air tickets and double rooms in hotels, if you book a room yourself on Booking.com:

And here is how much ready-made tours to the Seychelles with a flight from Moscow cost - the price for two, including fuel surcharges and all surcharges (without meals, only breakfasts or all inclusive):

What else you need to know about the Seychelles

The best hotels in the Seychelles, where Russians most often go, are the following:

• On the island of Mahe - Kempinski Seychelles 5 * and Savoy Seychelles 5 *
• On Praslin Island – Raffles Seychelles 5*
• On the island of La Digue - Le Domaine de L'Orangeraie Resort & Spa 4 *
• Silhouette Island - Hilton Seychelles 5*

In general, Russians are not often found in the Seychelles, however, some rich people here have their own villa, registered in the Seychelles offshore. A few years ago, when local authorities did not disclose data on company owners, many preferred to buy property in the Seychelles in order to optimize the payment of their taxes. However, now that all the data has become open, keeping money in the Seychelles has ceased to be as profitable as it used to be.

Mahe (fr. Mahé) is one of the islands of the Seychelles archipelago.

Located in the Indian Ocean, belongs to the state of the Seychelles.

The largest of the islands of the Seychelles archipelago. The size of the island is 25 by 8 km. The area of ​​Mahe Island is 155 sq. km. By the way, the total area of ​​the island is 16 times smaller than the area of ​​Moscow and 9 times smaller than the area St. Petersburg. The most high point on the island of Mahe, which reaches 905 m above sea level - Mount Morne.

The island is the capital of the state -, a commercial port and an international airport.

There are many more museums and an orchid garden, where you should definitely go too. And for those who like to dance, night discos are constantly held in all hotels, where you can hear both local folklore, in electronic processing, and compositions of the world's leading DJs. After you have thoroughly danced, you should definitely visit the local casino, located right in the Barbarons Beach Hotel. It's very nice and cozy. The staff is polite and positive. The visitors are quiet and cultured. In general, this is not an ideal casino!

In addition to visiting the capital of the Seychelles, the city of Victoria, you can fully enjoy the nature of the island. By the way, there are 68 beaches on Mahe, the most popular of which are Carana Beach, Anse Nord, Beau Vallon (the most civilized beach, with perfect fine sand and a three-kilometer bay), Anse Royale and Grand Anse. And it may happen that, while walking around the Island, you accidentally find a completely wild beach, on which there is absolutely no one. Here you can safely retire, hiding from prying eyes. True, some beaches are completely unsuitable for swimming, because there are a lot of algae and an unbearable smell. This is not the negligence of the state, which cannot keep cleanliness (everything here is at the highest level), but, on the contrary, care. Because in this way a unique ecosystem, nature and wildlife are preserved.

On beaches suitable for swimming (mostly all tourists go to Beau Vallon), all kinds of “water” entertainment are available. This is a rental of catamarans and jet skis. In the diving center you can rent a mask and fins for diving. Go water skiing and windsurfing (for this we recommend going to Grand Anse or Anse Nord - there are excellent high waves).

But, if you value beauty and nature more than a noisy seaside vacation, then it is better to go to Anse Intendance beach, whose five-hundred-meter arc is bordered by coconut palms.

Relaxed snorkelling is available on the coral reef-protected beaches of Anse Forbans and Anse Royale.

After you swim and dry, be sure to go for a walk (most importantly, take all measures to protect yourself from the scorching sun). You can conquer Mount Morne (907m.). Along the way, you will see many ancient plants that, as the locals say, have been growing here since the very foundation of the World. By the way, this has its own truth, because you will not find such plants as in the Seychelles anywhere on Earth. Due to the long isolation, completely outlandish trees grow here. The most interesting of which is the “sea nut” Coco de Mer. But there will be a separate article about it.

More on Mahe Botanical Garden, spread over six hectares, in which about 200 species of local plants grow. Here you can relax in the shade of the majestic Palms and think about the Eternal.