Why Mahé Island Should Be Your Next Big Vacation

If you’re anything like me, you get easily overwhelmed when figuring out vacation plans. So, let me introduce you to Cool Material’s new monthly column, Where You’re Going. Each month, I, someone who travels roughly 80% of the year, will tell you where you’re going next, and answer all of the questions in between: where to stay, what to do, when to go, and how to get there

Let’s kick things off with a destination that can seem pretty daunting logistically: the Seychelles. More specifically, Mahé Island. Here’s why this tropical paradise is an ideal destination for family adventures and romantic getaways.

This tiny African nation is made up of over 100 islands, and Mahé is the largest. The Seychelles were colonized by both France and the UK, until they became independent on June 29, 1976. Today, the country is a popular beach destination, with its largest crowds coming from Germany, France, and Russia. But many travelers choose to skip Mahé in lieu of harder-to-reach and more remote destinations within the archipelago. 

But, not you, dear reader. You are going to Mahé.

The journey to the Seychelles is long, but the reward is sweet, especially if you’re a beach bum. I’ve had the honor of traveling to beaches all around the globe, from Tahiti to the Galapagos Islands, and I can say with my whole chest that the best beaches in the world are in the Seychelles. As someone who is more of an adventure junkie, there’s still something thrilling about being so far away from the rest of the world, simply a dot in the Indian Ocean. The Seychelles host fewer than 10,000 American tourists per year, so if you crave to venture where few of your friends and family have been, and experience the epitome of tropical paradise, Mahé should be high on your list.

The  Seychelles are a hot destination, with an average of 86 degrees Fahrenheit year round. The rainiest months are from November to March. The islands also see some significant winds, with the strongest gusts typically in July. April, May, and October are some of the best months to visit.

Mahé is home to just about every major chain hotel, along with plenty of boutique hotels and rentals. The three Hilton hotels on the island are solid options for both adults-only options and families traveling with kiddoes. Canopy by Hilton Seychelles has 120 rooms in an oceanfront setting, and is home to three pools. Activities such as local beer and rum tastings are available, and the fish curry at Avocet, one of three restaurants on-site, wound up being my favorite meal in the Seychelles. Pro-tip: get their banana split espresso martini for dessert.

Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa, on the other hand, is the creme de la creme for adults-only resorts. Located on the northern side of Mahé, you may be tempted to stay on-site the entire stay, especially if you book one of their villas with a private infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean. There’s an onsite coral restoration snorkeling program, and you can watch one of the world’s most jaw-dropping sunsets nightly at The Lower Deck, one of the onsite bars. And if you happen to have a late flight, Northolme has a designated lobby for those in the purgatory of long travel days, fully equipped with a shower, a hairdryer, TVs, WiFi, and plenty of places to rest.

I travel just about everywhere solo, including Mahé. While I can confirm that Mahé Island is technically solo travel-friendly, I did not meet another solo traveler while there.

The Seychelles are a popular honeymoon destination for a reason. Home to some of the world’s most pristine beaches, the setting is naturally romantic, with a remarkably relaxing feel. Plus, the resorts here tend to go above and beyond with special touches, like rose petals on the bed and top-notch spas, further amplifying the romance factor.

At the same time, Mahé is also incredibly family-friendly, thanks to its safety and ample outdoor activities. Like anywhere in the world, there are pockets of Mahé where petty crime runs higher, notably in the capital of Victoria, but overall, the island is considered safe. 

The Seychelles are best known for their beaches, and Mahé is no exception. The south side of the island is where the most coveted beaches are.

My favorite beach there is Petite Anse, the hidden beach at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles. You do not need to be a guest to visit; you simply need to know where to go. Find the sign that says “Four Seasons Resort Seychelles,” sign in with the attendant, and you’ll be given a yellow wristband. From there, you will walk about 10-15 minutes down a road that does not allow vehicles other than the ones operated by the Four Seasons hotel. Eventually, you’ll turn a corner and see a shade of blue you didn’t know could exist. But you’re not there yet. Keep going downhill, show a security guard your wristband, climb down some rocks, and voila; you’ve made it to Petite Anse. It has those classic granite rocks that Seychellois beaches are known for, and the sand is remarkably flat and white.

Just down the road from Petite Anse, Anse Soleil is also a stunner. There’s a man who sells fresh coconuts on the beach everyday, so bring some local currency. Other great beaches on Mahé’s southside are Anse Royale, Port Launay, and Grand Anse.

Northern Mahé’s most popular beach is Beau Vallon, which is lined with shops and restaurants. It has more of a commercial feel compared to some of the untouched beauty of its southern counterparts. Many locals agree, however, that it does not hold a candle to most of the beaches on the southside.

If you want to partake in some hiking, Mahé has plenty of that, too. Port Glaud Waterfall is an easy hike along some rocks that leads to some falls and costs 50 Seychellois Rupees per person (roughly $3.50). Morne Seychelles National Park is home to Copolia Trail, which will lead you to Morne Blanc, where you can see stunning panoramic views of Mahé. For more physical thrills, there are few better places in the world for jetskiing or kayaking.

The Seychelles are also home to one of the most unique plants in the world: the coco de mer. Many mistakenly assume you need to venture out to other islands, such La Digue or Praslin, to see this funny-looking flora, which has the largest seed in the plant kingdom, but they can be found at the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens. The adorable Aldabra giant tortoises are endemic to the islands, and spotting them at the gardens and elsewhere makes for another great kid-friendly activity.

Be prepared for a bounty of fresh fruit, including coconut, passion fruit, soursop, and custard apples. For the real local taste, you’ll want to sample some Seychellois Creole cuisine. The national dish of the Seychelles is fish curry, and octopus curry is also commonly found at restaurants around the island. La Gaulette Restaurant and Koko Zerm are great options, but the latter is takeout only. 

No trip to the Seychelles is complete without sampling the local spirits from Takamaka Rum Distillery, the only distillery on the island. Takamaka rum can be found at pretty much any bar in the Seychelles, and the Seychellois treat it as a badge of honor. Due to the sheer remoteness of the Seychelles paired with strict regulations, Takamaka rum is made from molasses instead of traditional sugarcane.

Your best option from anywhere in the US will be to fly Emirates, Qatar Airways, or Kenya Airways. If you plan to merge the Seychelles with other nearby African islands, such as Mauritius or Madagascar, Air Seychelles is another option.

If the prospect of flying for 20+ hours doesn’t appeal, consider a long layover in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi through Emirates, Doha via Qatar Airways, or Nairobi via Kenya Airways. All of these airlines offer stopover programs, meaning you can essentially get an airline ticket to the Seychelles, with another destination en route (or on the way home) for the price of one.

Once on the island, public transportation is limited and hiring car services is extremely expensive, roughly $150 for every four hours. Consider renting a car, but note that the roads are narrow and the locals drive on the left (and often chaotically). If you’re a confident driver, go for it. Otherwise, take out some Seychellois rupees, and arrange your rides with a local driver, which is easy to obtain by asking the staff at your hotel.