A Dream Family Holiday on Mahé, by Land and Sea
A few years ago, we visited the islands of Praslin and La Digue as a couple, but this time we decided on the main island of Mahé.
We travelled as a family with 2 primary-school-aged children, so having a certain level of infrastructure was important to us, and Beau Vallon provided this.
Anyone travelling to Beau Vallon should be aware that this is certainly not the ‘most secluded’ beach in the Seychelles. However, anyone expecting a ‘Magaluf-style party scene’ will be equally disappointed. We enjoyed a good combination of a lovely beach for swimming, which always offered a shady spot even at high tide, beautiful sunsets against a mountainous backdrop and good beach restaurants.
For snorkelling, however, we went to other beaches, as the sea close to the shore at Beau Vallon was often quite murky, while the surrounding reef was a little farther out and required a swim to reach it.
In general, compared with destinations such as the Maldives, where reefs are usually close to the shore, reaching the reefs in the Seychelles often requires a little more effort, whether because of the distance, the tides or changing currents, which can sometimes be dangerous. Warning signs should therefore be taken seriously, as people drown every year after underestimating the surf and currents. You should also take care around the coral and avoid stepping on it.
On Mahé, the 2 marine parks in particular have lovely house reefs with plenty of fish. 
At weekends, locals enjoy gathering at Beau Vallon, creating a lively atmosphere, while during the week it is almost entirely frequented by tourists. Efforts are made to keep the beach clean, although some areas were not always spotless.
Mahé offers good guesthouses for independent travellers, as well as options for luxury holidaymakers. We stayed for 2 weeks at the northern end of Beau Vallon in The Beach House (Chateau Martha), which we thoroughly enjoyed. With its 2 bedrooms, the B&B holiday home offered plenty of space for our family as well as a beautiful sea view.
Depending on where you stay, access to local shops and amenities can be somewhat difficult without a car. The roads are not up to European standards, although the congestion may well remind you of a major city, particularly since almost all roads on the main island converge in the capital, Victoria. Pavements are often non-existent, and there is hardly any room for wheelchairs or pushchairs on the narrow, bumpy and winding coastal roads. Even short journeys require plenty of time. Routes often lead over steep mountains, and it is rarely possible to drive faster than 40 km/h. Public transport consists of large buses whose technology and condition seem to belong to another century, making every journey a small adventure.
The Seychellois are extremely helpful, friendly and open. We felt welcome at all times. The food is a blend of South-East Asian, Middle Eastern and African cuisine, with plenty of local fish, vegetables and rice. Fruit grown on the islands is always fresh, fully ripe and delicious. The selection of other food can sometimes be limited. Larger restaurants also serve ‘international cuisine’ for those who prefer it.
The highlight of the island, and indeed the islands, is undoubtedly the beautiful tropical beaches, which are probably the main reason most tourists visit the Seychelles, as well as the impressive natural environment both above and below the water (photo 08). Several beaches in the south-east are well suited to swimming and snorkelling. Among others, we visited Anse Royale and Anse Parnel by hire car.
Some beaches in the north-west, however, have strong surf in places and become deep very quickly, making them less suitable for children.
Compared with Mauritius, for example, the Seychelles have the significant advantage of not having cleared almost all their forests to grow sugar cane. A considerable amount of original vegetation remains here. Although this may appeal to keen walkers, hiking alone is not recommended. It is best to find local guides who know the area and its trails well.
We nevertheless wanted to enjoy the views from the mountains, some of which rise to almost 1,000 m, so we visited the spice garden Le Jardin Du Roi Spice Garden twice by hire car. 
As a family, we spent 2 wonderful weeks on the island of Mahé, discovering many new places while also finding time to relax.
