Mahé is small enough that you can get around it in a day, and full enough that you will inevitably miss something. This overview lists the places we visit ourselves, organised by region. Each one has its own article with what you want to know beforehand: how long you stay, whether you can swim there, what it costs and whether the detour is worth it.
Everything here is written from our own experience. We have been driving these routes since 2020, and where something is not worth it, we say so.
The North
Beau Vallon is the big beach of the island, with restaurants, boats and activity; Carana Beach next to it is the beach for photos rather than swimming. Sunset Beach is a small bay with a spectacular evening. And from Danzilles near Bel Ombre, the coastal path leads to Anse Major, a bay with no road to it: a guided walk of about three and a half hours.
Victoria and the East
The capital Victoria can be seen on foot in an hour. This includes the market in the morning and the botanical garden with the giant tortoises. Mont Signal gives you a view over the city, Eden Island has marina and restaurants. Further south, at Au Cap, stands Domaine de Val des Prés, the craft village in a plantation house.
The South
Anse Royale has shallow water behind the reef, Anse Forbans next to it is the quieter of the two. Up on the slope is the spice garden Le Jardin du Roi, down by the road is the Takamaka Rum Distillery in a house from 1792. Anse Takamaka is the beach where we stay longest, and Anse Intendance is the wild one where you cannot always swim.
The Southwest
Baie Lazare is the bay where the island's history begins, and at the same time the turning point to the small beaches: Anse Soleil and Petite Anse, both via a track that not every rental car likes. Anse à la Mouche lies before it, shallow and quiet, and in the evening is one of the best places for sunset.
The West
Port Launay is the quietest bay on the west coast, the Sauzier Waterfall is a short forest walk from there. Above both, on the Sans Souci Road, are the tea factory and Mission Lodge, the viewpoint with the remains of a school from 1875.
The Mountains
A fifth of the island is Morne Seychellois National Park: mountain forest, granite, pitcher plants and the highest point in the Seychelles. All our walks run there, from Copolia to Trois Frères.
What entrance fees cost
Gardens, museums, the waterfall and the distillery charge a small entrance fee per person in cash on site. It is not included in our tour prices. All current amounts can be found together in the overview of entrance fees on Mahé.
How you fit all this in one day
You do not, and that is not bad news. The island tour takes you around the island once, the beach tour stays at the bays, the city tour explores Victoria on foot. Which stops are included is up to you: on each tour page there is a day planner where you can click on your places and see how much time they take together. You can use it when booking, or you can skip it; your guide will plan the day with you anyway.
