Seychelles Islands

We arrived on Mahe Island four days before our cruise to allow time for exploration before departing. However, the weather did not cooperate. When we picked up our rental car, it was pouring rain. Unfamiliar country, narrow winding roads with traffic-stray dogs-parked vehicles on the road, rain washing across the road into deep gutters, darkness descending, and we are driving by GPS to a point on the map on the left side of the road. Somewhat challenging, but we made it.

                Sunrise at Northeast Point, Mahe Island

Immediately, we had to turn around and find a ‘grocery store’ for we had rented an empty apartment.  The store was a spare room stocked with freezer chests and shelves. Our apartment had one A/C outlet in the bedroom; we had to open all interior doors for any hope of cooling the bath-kitchen-living room. But the apartment was on the ocean and the owner, next door, was helpful.  Our rented vehicle had come with 1/4 tank of gas, so we needed to also find a government-controlled gas station.

We were located at the northern end of the island (Northeast Point was the address), and we discovered that the best beaches are located at the south end.  Driving down narrow roads to entry drives controlled by exclusive resorts. With the rainy weather and marginal driving conditions, our explorations were limited. While the natives live in humble conditions, the major resorts are beautiful but expensive, $500 or more per night.

Limited by the poor driving conditions and rainy weather, our explorations were limited to downtown Victoria, some nearby beaches, and a botanical garden with a collection of large tortoises. We were ready to join our cruise ship after four days.  We were able to schedule turn-in of our rental car at the pier where we joined our cruise ship, Le Jacques Cartier.

Lush vegetation at botanical garden, Mahe Island.  The entire island looked like this unless it had been intentionally cleared.

Just across the street from our AirBnB.

In summary, we were somewhat disappointed with Mahe Island, not as developed for tourism as we expected.  If I were to go there again, I would book a stay at a major resort, although I expect it would be expensive.

Transfer by RIB, rigid inflatable boat, from ship to shore.

A beautiful Seychelles beach on a cloudy day.

After a beach wet landing, we were guided to are area where 'double coconuts' grow.  Extremely dense vegetation and the coconuts are like two fused together.

Is this vegetation dense enough for you?  The leaves on these palm trees were immense, like about 8' by 10', big enough to serve as a single shelter.  They are even used in multiple layers as roofing on local abodes.

On another RIB expedition to an island bird sanctuary.  This bird is an ocean hunter whose favorite prey is flying fish.  All invasive species had to be eliminated from this island to protect the birds.

We could even swing from these vines.  However, in the hot, humid, still atmosphere of this interior island location, it was best to keep moving before the mosquitoes gathered.