The Anse Major hike is probably the most popular walk on Mahé, and we still love it. We have done this trail more than 1000 times over the last 10 years, and every time the view over the northwest coast makes us smile.
We pick you up anywhere on Mahé and drive you to the start of the trail in the north of the island. From there a single path leads through the green cinnamon forest, past viewpoints over quiet bays and out to the islands of Silhouette and North Island. At the end waits Anse Major, a beautiful bay that no car can reach.
The hike is easy, with a few short climbs and descents. Children from 5 years enjoy it just as much as adults. The tour is private, only you and your partner, family or group.
Highlights
- Easy hike on a single trail through the cinnamon forest
- Views over the bays and the northwest coast of Mahé
- Panorama of Silhouette and North Island
- Swim at Anse Major, a bay you can only reach on foot
- With luck, a flying fox up close
- Private tour with free pick up anywhere on Mahé
Your day
Pick up
Around 10:00 am, or at a time you choose, we collect you at your hotel, guesthouse or any meeting point on Mahé.
Drive to the trailhead
We drive to the start of the hike in the north of Mahé. Anse Major itself is not accessible by car.
Through the cinnamon forest
The single trail winds through lush green forest. There are a few gentle climbs and descents, easy to manage even for children from 5 years.
Viewpoints on the way
Several lookouts open up over the west coast, with Silhouette and North Island on the horizon. Your guide shows you plants and animals along the path.
Time at Anse Major
Swim in the bay, take photos or simply relax on the sand. The hike takes about 3 hours out and back in total.
Walk back and drop off
We hike back the same way and bring you to your starting point or anywhere you like on Mahé.
Included
- Private licensed local guide
- Pick up and drop off anywhere on Mahé
- Transport in our tour vehicle
- Guided hike to Anse Major and back
Not included
- Lunch, snacks and drinks (optional, paid on site)
- Personal expenses
What to bring
- Sturdy shoes, no flip flops
- Swimwear and a small towel
- Enough drinking water
- Sun protection and a hat
- A light rain jacket if the weather looks changeable
- Camera or phone for photos
Good to know
- The trail is easy, with a few short climbs and descents.
- Suitable for children from 5 years.
- If two adults book with children, the first child aged 5–12 is free.
- The hike is doable even when the weather is not perfect.
- Pick up time is flexible, the standard start is around 10:00 am.
- Our guides speak English and French, and Sheena also speaks a bit of German.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour, with a full refund.
- The tour is paid in advance online. Food and drinks are optional and paid on site.
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 person | €129 |
| 2 person | €69 |
| 3 to 4 persons | €55 |
| 5 to 25 persons | €49 |
With two paying adults, one child up to 12 years travels free. Lunch, dinner, drinks and entrance fees are optional and paid on site.
Why the Anse Major hike is so special
Among all outdoor activities on Mahé, the Anse Major hike is a real highlight. It is more of a pleasant walk than a hard trek, yet it shows you a lot of the island. You see the west coast from above, walk through green forest and finish at a bay that feels untouched, because there is no road to it. You need a little effort to get there, and you are rewarded many times over.
We have walked this trail more than 1000 times in the last 10 years. We know every bend, every viewpoint and the best spots for photos. That is why we can show you the details many visitors pass by.
The trail: cinnamon forest and sea views
The hike follows a single trail through the cinnamon forest in the north of Mahé. The nature here is lush and green, and the jungle you cross is not dangerous. There are a few minor climbs and descents, but they are easy to manage. You do not need hiking experience, only normal fitness and good shoes.
Viewpoints over the west coast
Along the way, several viewpoints open up. You look down on different bays and over the northwest of Mahé. On clear days you see the islands of Silhouette and North Island rising from the sea. These are the moments when most of our guests stop, take a deep breath and reach for their camera.
Flying foxes and other discoveries
There is a lot to see and discover, which is why children from 5 years love this tour too. With a bit of luck, we see a flying fox up close and may even feed it. Your guide also points out plants, trees and small animals along the path, and shares stories about life on our island.
Arriving at Anse Major
After the walk you reach Anse Major, a beautiful bay framed by granite and green hills. You have time to swim, take photos or simply sit on the beach and enjoy the view. Then we walk back the same way. The hike takes about 3 hours out and back, and in total we are on foot for about 3–4 hours, depending on how long you like to stay at the bay.
Private tour with free pick up
This is a private tour, only you and your partner, family or group take part. We pick you up anywhere on Mahé: your hotel or guesthouse, the airport, the Victoria jetty, the cruise terminal, Eden Island or your friends' home. After the hike we bring you back there or wherever you like on the island, with no extra cost.
Your guides
Island Tour Seychelles is a family business on Mahé, run by Sheena Jean since 2020. All our guides, including Chris, Kevin, Yannick and Keeto, are licensed and hold an official tour guide certificate, and we guide our guests in English and French, and Sheena also in a bit of German. The walk to Anse Major is easy and can be done even if the weather is not perfect, so it is a safe choice for your holiday plans.
Choose your date, pick up place, pick up time and the number of guests, then book your Anse Major hike online. Free cancellation is possible up to 24 hours before the tour.
Questions and answers
How difficult is the Anse Major hike?
How long does the Anse Major hike take?
Can we swim at Anse Major?
Can you drive to Anse Major?
Is the tour suitable for children?
What happens if the weather is bad?
Where do you pick us up?
What is the cancellation policy?
Read up on the places
What awaits you at each stop, in peace and before you go.
Guest reviews
Awesome experience. I had a great time and the guides were very kind and helpful
Tripadvisor
Great Hike! Great hike with amazing views and not too difficult, although wear shoes. Take snorkel gear there is some nice snorkelling right off the beach at Anse Major. Kevin picked us up on time very knowledgeable about the island and engaging. Would recommend to see this part of the island. Be aware you’ll need to pay a small entry to the trail when you get there.
Tripadvisor
Amazing. Great experience, Sheena was lovely and gave us the time we needed, the hike was easy and so beautiful, really worth it!
Tripadvisor
Unforgettable. Sheena made Seychelles unforgettable with expert guidance and warm hospitality. Her genuine passion for her homeland shines through every step of the journey.
Tripadvisor
A great way to see a bit more of Mahé island and have a guided walk to a beautiful remote bay! Kevin picked us up from our hotel reception and was right on time! The 40 minute journey in the car was very relaxed and informative, Kevin spoke about the history of the Seychelles and the local area. He made sure that we had enough water for our walk. When we arrived, Kevin was happy to take lots of photos of us along th…
Tripadvisor
Great hike with a visit with a Fruit Bat. This was an awesome hike! Sheena is a great guide! She is very knowledgeable and works at your pace! She even showed us a fruit bat up close! It was awesome! I recommend Sheena for all your excursions! You up won’t be sorry!
Tripadvisor
