I Love Seychelles

Archive for the ‘Sights’ Category

Coco de Mer palm tree

Coco de Mer palm forest

Vallée de Mai is a nature reserve on Praslin island in the Seychelles and has a unique and natural palm forest preserved in its original state. The reserve is home of the famous Coco de Mer palm tree, endemic to the Seychelles, with its giant double coconuts. Vallée de Mai was added to the UNESCO world heritage list in 1983.

It’s only a short drive from the coast at Baie Sainte Anne to the reserve which is located about 5 miles land inwards. Several well maintained paths lead you through the palm forest.

We took the north route and were amazed by the giant palm leaves, almost five times my own size. After about 45 minutes we reached a shelter up a small hill offering a beautiful over the tropical forest.

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Map of Praslin island, Seychelles

Exploring Praslin island, Seychelles

Just like we did on Mahé, we decided to do a round trip on Praslin island. Saturday September 27th we rented a car from a guy called Manuel of Prestige Car Hire, who was always hanging out near the Acajou hotel. He was also recommended by our Mason’s Travel contact. The rental price per day was €50 or €70 including insurance, which was a lot pricier than our rental car on Mahé.

Again the fuel tank was almost empty, so I had to fill it up first. About a 3rd of the tank this time, because Praslin island is even smaller than Mahé island. The car we got was a small, bright orange Kia with airco. All Seychelles rental cars come with airco. I think it’s standard on the cars, and everything else, even the most basic things like electric windows in the front doors, is optional.
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View from Mission @ Mahé island

Mission, Mahé island

At Port Launay we knew it would be dark soon. The sun sets pretty quickly in these parts of the world and there was still one sight we really wanted to see. So, we had to get moving.

On the narrow road we drove back to Port Glaud and missed the road to Mission, because there were no road signs to be seen, just a small road zig-zagging up the mountains. At the bus stop was an old lady and her daughter and we asked her for directions. The small road (called chemin fôret noire) turned out to be the road to Mission after all.

Higher and higher we drove through the green mountains until we saw a small exit saying Mission. About 0.5 km further there was a parking area, which was, except for one other car,  empty. The parking area was surrounded by some ruins of a school for freed slave children in the 19th century. A short walk led us to the actual viewing point.

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Port Launay @ Mahe island

Port Launay, Mahé

The road from Port Glaud to Port Launay became narrower until it was only one car wide. Hopefully we wouldn’t encounter any traffic going the other way. After such a long day we couldn’t really decide where we were exactly. I knew I wanted to see Port Launay, but I wasn’t sure the beautiful bay on our left was in fact Port Launay. It looked amazing enough though.

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Anse Takamaka

Anse Takamaka: dream beach

The name alone gives you that tropical feeling: Anse Takamaka. The best name for a beach I’ve ever heard. With a name like that expectations are high, very high. After we had parked our car somewhere half into the bushes, we walked towards the beach under some tall trees. When we entered the beach we were amazed. It was like walking into a Robinson Crusoe movie set. A beach like beaches are supposed to be. Golden sand, blue waves crashing on the fairly steep beach, warm white water around your feet. A romantic beach which is ideal for honeymooners.

We did see some signs warning about strong currents during a specific period of the year. I don’t remember that exact period, but September was in it. So, this might not be the best swimming and snorkeling beach of the Seychelles. But it’s perfect for tanning, relaxing and getting your feet wet.

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Anse Royale @ east coast of Mahe

Part of the east coast from Victoria to the airport probably is the least attractive part of Mahé. Apart from the glimpses of the blue ocean and green mountains there isn’t much to see here.

Clear blue water

Around the corner at Ile du Suete, just after passing the airport, the landscape became much more attractive again. At Anse Royale we just had to stop and jump out of the car and run to the beach. It was incredibly beautiful. The water clear and turquoise blue. A bay with unspoiled yellow sandy beaches, granite rocks and green, lush vegetation with palm trees. Heaven!

Regrettably we had to leave this beautiful sight and continue our Mahé island trip. While driving we constantly got glimpses of small, secret and secluded beaches. Beaches with unknown names and just for the 2 of us if we had decided to stop.

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Victoria @ Mahe island, Seychelles

Victoria: capital city of the Seychelles

September 24th: In Victoria we parked the car at the marina and made a short stroll through the town. Even though it was still in the morning, it was already very hot and humid. Not an ideal climate to be walking in this town, or any town for that matter. However we wanted to see this small capital city. Also I wanted to find an ATM for some cash. Found 2, but both didn’t work. Fortunately the third one did manage to spit out some rupees.

Victoria itself is just a small city. I didn’t find it particularly interesting. The famous clock tower, a small replica of the Big Ben, didn’t really impress me. But the atmosphere was relaxed and it felt like walking through a big village.

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Mahe map

Exploring Mahé island

Wednesday September 24th we decided to explore the island. We rented a small car with a car rental agency called Camec for €35 for a full day. We were told this was one of the cheapest options on the island. Renting a car can be expensive in the Seychelles.

The idea was to drive to around the island clockwise, starting at Victoria, making our way down along the east coast and then cross the island at Quatre Bornes in the south to the west coast. I had heard Anse Takamaka should be beautiful, so after a stop there the route would go along Baie Lazare, Anse Soleil (the lunch cafe there was recommended by Stephane from Clef des Iles) all the way up to Port Launay. Check out the map of Mahé for a more detailed view.

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Beach at Beau Vallon

Beau Vallon: Most popular Mahé beach

Beau Vallon is the name of the best known, most popular and largest beach of Mahé island. It’s located in the north west coast of Mahé, 3km from Victoria, in a huge bay: Baie Beau Vallon. Across the bay you can see Silhouette island and North Island.  The beach stretches for miles from the Hilton Northolme hotel in the north to the Meridien Fisherman’s Cove resort in the south.

The water is deep enough for swimming, although you have to be careful not to swim in the areas where the fishermen land in their small boats. In the northern part of the beach there are some excellent places for snorkeling, especially around the big granite rocks. Be careful of the Sea Urchins during low tide though even when wearing foot protection.

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Anse Takamaka, Mahe

During our 12-day holiday on the Seychelles we wanted to see as much as possible, without racing all over the islands. So we made a holiday plan with the places we would stay at and all the things we wanted to do and see.

Planning your stay is already half the fun. Looking at all those photos, reading reviews, deciding what we wanted to see, and what was better to skip. Learning from other travelers experiences. The Internet is such a useful tool to prepare ones holiday or honeymoon!

Feel free to use our plan while making your own I included flight times to give you an idea of how much time these take.

Our Seychelles plan

21st September: flight BA439 Amsterdam to London 16.25 – 16.40
21st / 22nd September: flight HM001 Londen – Mahe 21.05 – 10.15
22nd – 25th September: stay at Clef des Iles, self catering accommodation at the Beau Vallon beach on Mahé
25th September – 1st October: stay at Acajou, hotel BB at Côte d’Or on Praslin
1st – 2nd October: stay at Jardin des Palmes, hotel HB at Anse la Mouche on Mahé.
2nd October: flight HM008 Mahe – Paris 09.15 – 17.30 and flight AF2240 Paris – Amsterdam 18.30 – 19.45
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