The Seychelles Island of Mahe is the first stop for most people visiting this amazing group of islands in the Indian Ocean. Sadly, some visitors continue straight to a resort on one of the other islands without exploring more of Mahe. We didn’t make the same mistake on our recent trip. By staying in the Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa we were ideally located to explore Mahe and Port Victoria Seychelles, the charming capital of the small island nation.

This colorful and vibrant market is a great place to soak up the atmosphere on the Seychelles Island of Mahe. Even with a name like Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clark (it doesn’t fit, right?), the market is filled with island spirit.

Things to look out for at the Victoria market are fresh fruit, local herbs and spices, and pareos (sarongs). It’s also an experience to watch the fishmongers display the catch of the day in the early mornings.

The Botanical Gardens is a beautiful extension of the nature you see all around you on the Seychelles Island of Mahe. It’s a quiet retreat only a 20-minute walk from bustling Port Victoria.

The 15-acre garden is more than 100 years old. You will immediately be impressed by the lane of Coco de Mer palm trees greeting you after entering the garden. And don’t forget to go looking for the Cannonball Tree, with their round and heavy fruit resembling (you guessed it) cannonballs. Unlike the indigenous Coco de Mer palm tree, the cannonball tree is exotic to the Seychelles Island of Mahe. It’s believed to be native to India, the Caribbean Islands, and South America.

Tip: If you get bothered by mosquitoes in the Victoria Botanical Gardens, simply rub some of the fruit of the cannonball tree onto your skin or clothes.

The Seychelles don’t have a very long history compared to the continents, but the short history it has is incredibly interesting. It is so worth visiting the National History Museum even though it’s not something you’d generally associate with an island holiday.

The National Museum of Natural History can’t be missed in the center of Port Victoria Seychelles. These are just some of the things you will see nowhere else in the world:

When you get tired (if that’s possible ?) of lying on a Mahe beach, there’s 3,045 of magnificent nature to explore in the Morne Seychellois National Park.

The national park takes up 20% of the Seychelles Island of Mahe, covering a variety of habitats. Most of it is only accessible via a well-developed network of 12 hiking trails totaling more than 12 miles. You can stay in the mangrove forests near the coast or you can work up some sweat to reach the top of Morne Seychellois.

Tip: The best way to explore Morne Seychellois National Park and learn all about the fauna and flora of the Seychelles Island of Mahe is to go on a guided walk with a park ranger.

Almost every Mahe Beach is up there with the best. Here is my Mahe Beach list to bookmark for your visit:

Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa is one the smallest Hilton hotels. In fact, it’s the smallest Hilton in the world. It’s also one of the oldest hotels on the Seychelles Island of Mahe, dating to before WWI.

The 5-star Hilton Northolme of today is a far cry from the pre-WWI version. But while the facilities have been updated to include only the best modern comforts, it’s still the same beautiful beach and views over azure waters that inspired Ian Fleming to write his For Your Eyes Only James Bond short stories.

We stayed in one of the Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa’s 36 treehouse-style villas. They are tucked away among the pandanus palms and breadfruit trees behind Beau Vallon Bay. The villas are connected to the restaurants, pool, and spa by narrow pathways.

Our bedroom in our Hilton Northolme villa was very colonial in style. Think four-poster beds draped in mosquito nets. Brightly colored cushions and typical island artwork add a happy touch to the rooms.

If you are lucky enough to stay in one of the 15 grand ocean view pool villas of the Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa, you can watch the sunset over Silhouette Island from your deck and pool.

The food at the Hilton Northolme didn’t disappoint. From breakfast in the Ocean View restaurant to lunch and dinner with typical Creole dishes complimenting western cuisine.

Note: The Hilton Northolme Resort & Spa is mainly an adults-only resort. Children are only accommodated from the age of 14.

It takes only 25 minutes to get to the Hilton Northolme from Seychelles Airport. From the hotel, you can either explore the Seychelles Island of Mahe on your own or book one of the organized excursions. There are many different ones, both on land and in the water, to choose from. They include:

Secluded beaches, botanical gardens, and even a museum of natural history – the Seychelles Island of Mahé is a tropical island destination filled with contrasts. The variety of things to see and do in such a relatively small area is surprising indeed. We loved the buzz in Port Victoria Seychelles just as much as we loved retreating to the tropical paradise that is the Hilton Northolme.

Have you ever visited the Seychelles Island Of Mahe? Have you ever stayed at the Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa?
What was your favorite moment there? Comment Below!