To get to Victoria from Eden – turn
right as you exit Eden Island over the bridge and drive for 5 minutes. On
reaching the second roundabout take the second exit onto Francis Rachel Street.
A little further you will find public parking on the right which is a good
place to leave your car if you want to explore Victoria on foot. There are also
many souvenir kiosks in this area where you can find crafts and curios made by
Seychellois artisans. There is also a money-change kiosk with decent exchange
rates if you need to convert cash.
Victoria has many one-way streets
and driving can be confusing at first, so it’s a good idea to explore via
walking first. It’s not a very large town so you can easily find all the key
sights and locations without having to walk too far. One of the most
recognisable features of Victoria is the clock tower located near Independence
Avenue and the Museum of Natural History.
Victoria is renowned for its fresh
food market, Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market, which is located in the aptly
named Market Street. Here you’ll be able to Seychellois fruit, vegetable, and
spice vendors selling their wares, as well as local fishermen displaying their
catch of the day. If you’re a fan of seafood then it doesn’t get fresher than
buying straight from a fisherman, and if you ask, they’ll even scale, gut, and
fillet your fish for you.
If you’re interested in learning about the culture, history, and
art of the Seychelles, Victoria is the ideal place to start. With art galleries,
museums, tourist information offices, local shops, and other places to explore,
you’ll be able to see Seychellois craftspeople and artisans in action as well
as learn a bit more about the islands and their history. The Seychellois are a
predominantly Christian population, but there are people of many religions
coexisting, and you’ll also be able to see various churches, temples, and other
places of worship. A popular and beautiful architectural and religious sight is
the Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple, for
example.
This if one of the most popular
beaches on Mahe and is loved by Seychellois and tourists alike. The beach is
2km long, perfect for a scenic beach walk, and the sea is clean and clear. If
you don’t mind a few waves, Beau Vallon can get a bit more vigorous then some
other smaller, more sheltered beaches at certain times of the year, but most of
the time, it’s calm enough and great for swimming. The beach is accessed by a
very windy road down the mountain along Revolution Road from Victoria.
The region of Mahé south of the
airport is home to many stunning and unique beaches. Anse Takamaka is a bit
less touristy than Beau Vallon and is equally beautiful with view of shining
waters, swaying palm trees, and floury white sand. The beach is protected by a
reef, so the waters are generally calm which makes for excellent snorkelling.
If you’re feeling a bit more
adventurous and enjoy a hike, then the Ros Sodyer rock pool between Anse
Takamaka and Anse Intendance is a must-see! This rock pool is located a good
few meters above sea level, right on the edge of a rocky outcrop and the most
amazing thing about it is that the rock pool itself is almost perfectly
circular. Nicknamed “the blowhole” by locals, this pool is a lovely, quiet
place for a dip after the scramble to get there, but it’s quite difficult to
get to and can be dangerous at high tide so it’s best to go with a guide. If a
tricky hike is not your thing, then Anse Intendance is also home to the
exquisite Banyan Tree Hotel which offers the utmost in decadence and luxury if
you decide to visit its restaurants or spa.
If you’re a rum connoisseur, then
the Takamaka Rum Distillery is definitely worth a visit. The distillery
organises regular tours and tastings, and you’ll be sure to leave with a bottle
or two of the Seychelles’ signature rum in tow. They also have their own
restaurant situated in a revamped traditional homestead with great views and
superb food.
A little further south, you’ll find
the little gem Anse Royal. This beach has become iconic as it has a small
island just off-shore called Ile Souris (translates to Smile Island) that you
can easily snorkel or swim to. It doesn’t get much more picturesque than Anse
Royal and the shallow waters are ideal for wallowing in after a day in the sun.
there are several restaurants in the area Les Dauphines Heaureux (which
translates to the Happy Dolphins) where you’ll find excellent fish dishes, and
Kafe Kreol which has delicious pizzas and a casual alfresco atmosphere.
In Monte Fleuri, a few minutes’ drive from Eden
Island, you’ll find the Botanical Gardens. These gardens are usually very
peaceful and are a great way to see different tropical plant species in a
natural environment. The Botanical Garden also has coco de mer trees, laden
with coco de mer coconuts, which are a very rare sight to see as they are only
really native to Praslin and Curieuse Islands.
For a more forest-based adventure, there are plenty
of highly rated hiking trails around the Morne National Park which you can buy
entry tickets for at the Botanical Gardens. Another good point to hike to is
called the Mission, or Venn’s Town Mission Lodge where you can learn a bit
about Seychelles’ colonial past and the history of slavery in Seychelles whilst
overlooking the mountains and breath-taking sea views. Trois Freres Trail
(Three Brothers Trail) winds its way up to the triplet peaks of the Trois
Freres Mountains, and although the hike to the top can be quite advanced, the
views once you get there are exquisite.
This road over the mountain leads from Victoria to
Port Glaud where you will find yet more incredible beaches and secluded
relaxation spots. The drive itself is beautiful as it takes you through dense
tropical forest up in the mountains, providing stunning views of the island.
Once you reach Port Glaud, a short drive to the right will take you to Port
Launay where you will find a brilliant snorkelling beach as well as five-star
resort, the Constance Ephelia Hotel, where you can have lunch if you feel like
an indulgent treat. There aren’t many independent restaurants around the area
so if you’re planning on spending the day, it’s best to bring a packed lunch
and drinks.
If you follow the coastal roads down to the south,
you’ll encounter the likes of Anse Boileau and Anse La Mouche, characterised by
the quintessentially turquoise oceans and pristine sands. Any beach you find
yourself on in the area will make you feel like you are truly in paradise! If
you’re interested in seeing and learning about (or purchasing) some authentic
Seychellois art, then the Michael Adams Gallery is nearby. Located in an old
house, the gallery houses some very colourful, expressive, and animated art
which gives a true sense of the Seychelles’ vibrancy.
If you’re a sunset chaser, Anse Soleil is the place
for you, as you can tell by its name which means “beach of the sun”. Due to its
location and west-facing position, this beach is the ultimate place for
watching the sky explode with colour at sunset. Anse Soleil is also home to the
Anse Soleil Beachcomber Hotel which is a great place to book a romantic evening
meal.