Mahe Island

Mahe is the largest of all the islands of the Seychelle and also the main island where most of the population of the Seychelles live, mostly on the northern and eastern coasts.

Most visitors who come to Mahe are in transit to some of the other islands, but Mahe itself certainly deserves a second look if you have the inclination. There are the beaches of course, but to the interior of the island the topography changes to hills densely covered in rainforests shrouded in mist frequently.

Victoria, which is the capital of the Seychelles is situated on the east coast of Mahe. It is a natural harbor created by a string of six small islands that surround it. Sainte Anne is the largest of these islands. It is home to the five star resort Sainte Anne Resort and only guests of this hotel can visit the island. The remaining islands have some interesting piece of history or story of their own. The novelist Wilbur Smith used to live on Ile au Cerf. The island Ile Moyenne has a story about a pirate treasure and the ghost of an old woman and her dogs. Ile Longue which was once a quarantine station is now a prison. Ile Ronde’s famed restaurant, Chez Gaby, was once a leper’s camp!

On the west coast, is Beau Vallon the main tourist centre of Mahe. Beau Vallon has a good beach with facilities for various water sports like sailing, waterskiing, windsurfing, banana boat rides and par ascending.

Other interesting places on Mahe are Baie Lazare with its long expanse of beach, and the artists’ studios in Anse a la Mouche and Anse aux Poules Bleues.

La Digue Island

This is one of the most beautiful islands of the Seychelles group and is the fourth largest island in the archipelago. The island is characterized by palm-fringed beaches and towering boulders of granite.

Interesting sights on the island are the bustling fish market at La Passe, and the Veuve Reserve which is home to the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher and a variety of other birds. The island also has the most beautiful beach of the Seychelles, the Anse Source d’Argent with its silvery white sand and beautiful palms trees. The island has a luxury resort called the La Digue Lodge situated a little further inland.

Bicycles available on hire are the best way to explore the most beautiful island of the Seychelles.

Fregate Island

This idyllic island is a getaway for the rich. It is a private island and only guests of the only luxury hotel on the island can visit or stay. Needless to say, it is expensive!

Fregate is one of the granite islands. It is surrounded by coral reefs and is quite isolated. Fregate Island has its own contribution to conservation efforts in the Seychelles. The magpie-robin which used to be found only on Fregate, was on the brink of extinction with hardly 20 birds of the species being available at one time. It is now a thriving species and is being introduced to the other islands where it is hoped they will breed and thrive.