Nobody even lived on Seychelles until the 17th century when a British East India ship landed there. In the following years, many pirates moved their base to the Indian Ocean from the Caribbean. In 1964, the Seychelles first political parties were formed and in 1976, the country was made independent. Presently the Seychelles has become a tax haven and a playground for the wealthy.
Mahe, Seychelles is the main and the largest island of the archipelago, and most of the Seychelles' population lives here on the north and east coasts of the island. Its lush mountains and plentiful beaches serve as the ideal starting point to explore the Seychelles.
Mahe, Seychelles is 27 km long and 12 km wide, and with its international airport, is the economic and political center of the Seychelles. Forming the backbone of the island is a spectacular mountain range that includes Morne Seychellois, the island's highest peak. Around the peak is one of the island's beautiful national parks, offering good hiking and stunning scenery. The 75 beaches that are scattered along Mahe shores are palm-fringed and surprisingly free of people. There are several interesting sights to see in Mahe, particularly in friendly Victoria. The capital city, Victoria, is the seat of the Seychelles government and has a population of about thirty thousand - which represents just under half of the entire population of the islands.
Many visitors arrive here only to carry straight on to their hotels on one of the other islands, but Mahe, Seychelles is certainly worth a look if you have the time and inclination. Away from the beaches, the landscape climbs up hills covered in dense rainforests frequently shrouded in mist. There are also plenty of art and cultural attractions. Mahe's main tourism centre is at Beau Vallon, on the west coast just opposite Victoria. Beau Vallon has a great bathing beach and there are also good facilities for sailing, waterskiing, windsurfing, para-sailing and banana rides. Other places to visit include Baie Lazare with its long expanse of beach and the Seychelles' largest hotel, the Plantation Club, and the artists' studios in Anse a la Mouche and Anse aux Poules Bleues in the south.
Mahe, Seychelles is surrounded by a string of satellite islands. Ste Anne is the largest of the six and is the site of the five star Ste Anne Resort; Ile au Cerf used to be the home of Wilbur Smith, the novelist; Ile Moyenne is a mystery isle - a pirate treasure; Ile Longue is now a prison; Ile Cachee is just a tiny dot in the ocean; and Ile Ronde's main attraction is its excellent restaurant, Chez Gaby.
The nightlife is much livelier on Mahe than the neighboring islands; there are two casinos, one in Beau Vallon Bay and one at the Plantation Club. The restaurants offer fantastic cuisine with a variety of international and local delicacies.
For the most adventurous, there are Mahe safaris and wildlife trips compiled by experts to introduce the visitors to Africa's untamed ecosystems.
Mahe has something to offer to every visitor. Come and see for yourself!