April 17, 2026 – Mahe, Seychelles

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Mahe, Seychelles.

MAHÉ, SEYCHELLES
Pristine beaches, lush mountains with hiking trails, and snorkeling sites with multi-coloured corals.

Far from any major shipping routes, the Seychelles archipelago remained isolated from the rest of the world for centuries. Although it is widely accepted that Arab navigators were the first to reach its shores, it was the Portuguese, led by Vasco da Gama, who became the first Europeans to set foot on the islands at the beginning of the 16th century. They landed on Silhouette and Desroches, though they did not lay claim to the territory.

As trade with India increased, piracy naturally developed in the region. For a time, the Seychelles—particularly Mahé and Fregate Island—appear to have served as a refuge for pirates. In 1735, the French, already established on Réunion and Mauritius, sought to reinforce their presence in the Indian Ocean. Following the first official expedition in 1742, the archipelago was initially named “Îles de la Bourdonnais”, while the main island was called Mahé, after the expedition’s leader, Bertrand‑François Mahé de La Bourdonnais. However, it was not until 1756 that the islands—closely watched by the English—were formally claimed by France. At that point, they were renamed in honor of Jean Moreau de Séchelles, the Minister of Finance under King Louis XV. The first permanent colony was founded in 1770, and by 1788, Saint‑Anne was home to around thirty French settlers and 200 enslaved Africans, who cultivated the land and traded with passing ships.

Following the French Revolution, the Seychelles became a base for privateers who plundered British vessels returning from India. Unsurprisingly, this led to British retaliation. England attacked the archipelago and seized control on 16 May 1794, before taking definitive possession in 1811.

The British, who also acquired Mauritius, abolished slavery in the Seychelles—an action that temporarily slowed the island economy. Economic recovery began in the early 20th century, aided by the opening of the Suez Canal, which significantly shortened access to European markets. Despite this, the first half of the 20th century remained challenging for the archipelago and its inhabitants. The Seychelles gained independence in 1975, adopting a socialist‑inspired political model. Today, with an economy centered on luxury tourism, the country enjoys one of the highest standards of living in Africa. Reflecting its colonial heritage, French is still spoken by approximately 30% of the population.

Today’s Excursion – Northern Highlights
We admired the exceptional beauty of the island of Mahe on this half-day panoramic excursion to the largest island in the Seychelles.

Our tour takes us to the northern center of the island, where you will appreciate the lush vegetation, the towering granite
peaks, the enchanting villages, and its world-famous, magnificent beaches.

Botanical Gardens
On arrival in Victoria, the small capital of the Archipelago, your first stop is to the Botanical Gardens which host some of the most representative species of local flora and fauna. You will also have a chance to see the colony of giant tortoises, a rare species of fruit bat, and the Coco-de-mer, the largest seed in the world, and one of the symbols of the Seychelles.

Victoria Walking Tour
Next, enjoy a walking tour of Victoria where we saw and learned about the National Library, the Clock Tower, the National Museum, and the Cathedral, and soak up the lively atmosphere of the local market.

Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort
We had a short drive to Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort, where you will be greeted with a beverage. We also had some free time to relax, swim, take a stroll, and soak up the sun near the crystal-clear waters that hug the coastline of the Seychelles.

6:30 Destination Lecture with Chris McPherson: “From Pirate Coves to Protected Valleys: The Changing Face of Praslin” .
Join Chris, your destination speaker, for an exploration into the history, culture, and cuisine of Praslin Island.

Dinner was in The Atlantide Restaurant.