The best way to travel around Mahe Island is by renting a car, one main road loops around the perimeter of the island. Traveling away from the main town of Victoria will bring visitors to the quieter parts of the island following the coastal beach filled roads and through quaint villages decorated with tropical flowers and roadside shops. There are many magical destinations to visit on Mahe Island, with well-signposted roads and attractions that are easily reached via car. Car rentals are available at the airport as well as in the main towns throughout the island costing around SR1077 per day. The roads can be steep, narrow, and have tight turns, so drive with caution and keep your eyes on the road.

There are plenty of taxis on Mahe Island, taxis are metered and will often act as a tour guide, you can sometimes negotiate a rate beforehand. You can hail a taxi from the street in populated areas like Victoria or you can order a taxi by phone. The first 0.6 miles costs around SR19, and every 0.6 miles after costs SR6.

Walking around the main towns including Victoria while on Mahe Island will lead you to many attractions, eateries, and shops. Taking leisurely walks along the beautiful beaches to discover the true beauty of the island is an amazing experience. Hiking through the lush verdant interior of the island and up mountains is another enjoyable experience.

Bikes can be rented from many locations and riding a bike is one of the most popular ways to explore the island. Renting a bicycle costs around SR160 and bikes can be rented from most hotels and other rental shops. The entire island of Mahe is only 16 miles long and is easily navigated by bicycle leading to beaches, villages, attractions, and more.

Mahe Island is an extremely safe place to visit. Use your street smarts when exploring downtown and busy tourist areas, keep your wits about you and keep your items close. Snatch and grab crimes involving tourist bags, jewelry, and smartphones are popular in busy areas.

Seychelles is a shopper’s paradise where visitors can pick up unique souvenirs and artifacts. The best place to shop in the capital of Mahe Island, Victoria where small interesting shops can be found and vibrant markets selling locally produced items like perfumes and teas. Sir Selwyn Clarke Market is the best market found on Mahe, a bustling market selling fresh produce, species, and seafood.

Stunning Seychelles is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches; on Mahe Island, the famed sands of Beau Vallon Bay are simply magical, along with Takamaka beaches in the south and the solitary stretch of Grand Anse in the west, and the gorgeous Anse Royale in the east. There are 70 beaches total on Mahe with soft white sands and sparkling turquoise waters great for swimming and snorkeling, and surfing on some. Beau Vallon is the largest beach on the island, calm clear waters with a vibrant coral reef offshore popular with divers. Grand Anse is a picturesque strip of sand with horseback riding on the beach. Wild beaches are nestled along the shores including Petite Anse and Anse Soleil.

The official language spoken on Mahe Island is English and Seselwa, many people speak English especially in the service industry at hotels and restaurants. Most of the island’s inhabitants have a good comprehension of the English language. We recommend you get a good English-French Creole guidebook and learn the common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

Mahe island enjoys a year-round warm climate with average daily temperatures hovering around 82. The best time to visit is April to May and October to November when the weather conditions are mild and perfect for beach days, wildlife watching, and scuba diving. The best months to visit the island for snorkeling are October to May, the trade winds die down this time of year and change direction creating clear, calm waters. May to September is a little cooler with the southeasterly trade winds blowing through and creating perfect sailing around the archipelago.Trekking is wonderful this time of year to absorb the islands diverse landscapes and blossoming flora and fauna.

The currency on Mahe Island is the Seychelles rupees (SR or SCR). US dollars are widely accepted and USD $1 equals 13.50 SCR.

The cuisine in Seychelles is varied and features plenty of fresh fish and seafood, the Seychellois Creole cuisine is a blend of old French cuisine, piquant Indian, and Chinese flavors. Some of Mahe’s fine dining favorite restaurants include La Scala and La Perle Noire. Rice is a common staple on the island along with seafood curries, coconuts, and fresh fruit come in abundance, and ladob or spinach soup is another popular dish. The island of Mahe features 42 restaurants offering excellent food, great locations, and varied flavors. French and British cuisine is popular on the island, the main fish is tuna and red snapper.

Mahe Island offers exciting nightlife, especially in the bustling capital city of Victoria, the main tourist hub with lots of action after dark. There are numerous restaurants and beach side bars to enjoy dinner and drinks with great views of the sunset. Hotels on the island offer plenty of nightlife opportunities like discos, bars, casinos, and nightclubs.

In case of an emergency dial 248999 for police and fire, and 248151 for an ambulance.

Hospital: Victoria hospital tel. 248-4-388-000