Victoria

Top 10 things to do in Victoria

Victoria may be the capital of Africa’s smallest country – the Seychelles – but that is probably the only aspect where Victoria comes last. Its profile was boosted when it played host to the Miss World pageant two years in a row in 1997 and 1998. Victoria sits on the largest of the more than 115 islands that form the Seychelles.

1. Beau Vallon – The Seychelles is about white sandy beaches and they do not come any better than Beau Vallon. As the most frequented beach in the archipelago, it can get a little crowded during the peak season. But the experience is well worth the hassle.

2. Anse Lazio – Another of the Seychelles top beaches, Anse Lazio is on Prasin Island which is 44 kilometres north east of Mahe. Like Beau Vallon, Anse Lazio has often featured on lists of the best beaches on the planet.

3. Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke Market – The principal market on Mahe Island and is the place to find the freshest fruit, vegetables, fish and spices. Even if you do not intend to buy anything, a walk through the market is a great way to take in the raw, authentic vibe of the locals.

4. Ste Anne Marine National Park – The Park is 5 kilometres from Victoria and encompasses 6 Seychelles islands – Ste Anne Island, Cerf Island, Ile Cachee, Round Island, Long Island and Moyenne Island. It is best known for snorkelling, scuba diving and glass-floor boat tours. The “sea grass meadows” are a spectacular sight.

5. Victoria Botanical Gardens – See the best of the Seychelles terrestrial flora. The gardens were established in line with an aggressive government policy on plant conservation, community education, landscape management, eco-tourism and passive recreation.

6. Vallee de Mai Nature Park – An important national park that is also listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Not only is the park home to a diverse range of fauna and flora, it is also the place where you can get to see the coco de mer, the plant with the world’s largest seeds.

7. Aldabra Atoll – Aldabra is the second biggest atoll in the world. Thought it is part of the Seychelles archipelago, it is much closer to the eastern coast of Africa than it is to Victoria. Still, if you have a week or two in the Seychelles, a trip to the remote and uninhabited atoll will give you a chance to see giant tortoises in their natural, undisturbed habitat.

8. Lovenut Nightclub – Seychelles has a vibrant night life but Lovenut is arguably the number one nightclub in Victoria. It is smack at the centre of the capital and is just 100 meters from the city’s taxi station.

9. Therese Island – Therese Island is just off the western shores of Mahe Island. Though it is a tiny island, the close to 700 meters of white sandy beach is picture perfect and a popular water sports hangout. Therese has 2 rocky peaks that from afar, resemble a gigantic staircase.

10. Eat shark chutney – A dish largely unique to the Seychelles. Consists of a fine mash of skinned, boiled shark meat in lime and bilimbi juice seasoned with salt, pepper, onion and tumeric. Shark chutney is often served with rice and green shredded papaya.

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