Private Mahé Island Full Day Tour with Pickup

Tour the island's best stops at your own pace, with a driver who knows where to linger

A private full-day tour of Mahé with hotel pickup and an English or French-speaking guide covers the Botanical Garden, Mission Lodge viewpoint, Takamaka rum distillery, Sauzier Waterfall, and two beaches, with the route customizable to your preferences. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours in an air-conditioned vehicle. The Botanical Garden and Victoria are closed Sundays and public holidays but are replaced with other stops on those days. Waterfall entry and some attractions carry small additional fees.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day tour of Mahe Island

• Visit nature spots with Coco De Mer
• Enjoy views at Mission Lodge gazebo
• Explore Domaine de Val des Près cultural village
• Tour Takamaka Rum distillery and tasting
• Walk to Sauzier Waterfall and swim
• Relax and snorkel at a beautiful beach
• Experience lively popular beach activities

The experience

You're picked up from your hotel and driven in a private air-conditioned vehicle to start the day on Mahé. The route is built around the island's most visited stops: the Botanical Garden (where you spot native Coco De Mer palms and endemic birds), the Mission Lodge perched below Sans Soucis with views across the west coast, and the Takamaka rum distillery where you walk the plantation grounds and taste their award-winning rums before lunch at La Grande Maison. The guide speaks English or French and can reshape the itinerary if you'd rather skip a stop or add something else: Victoria, Eden Island, Rochon Dam, Le Jardin Du Roi Spice Garden, or any of the other beaches and viewpoints on the list.

The day includes a short nature walk to Sauzier Waterfall in Port Glaud (a 5-minute trail down to a pool fed by one of the island's purest water sources), and time at two beaches. One is quieter and good for snorkeling in a protected marine zone. The other is livelier with more facilities and activity. Bottled water is provided throughout, and the vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters on a full day in the sun.

Because the tour is private, the pace is yours: you decide how long to stay at each stop and whether to swim, photograph or just sit. If you're traveling with infants or small children, specialized seats and stroller space are available. The Botanical Garden and Victoria close on Sundays and public holidays, but the operator replaces them with other attractions on those days, so the day doesn't shrink.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup and drop-off.
• English or French-speaking guide for the full day.
• bottled water throughout.
• access to the Botanical Garden, Mission Lodge, Takamaka rum distillery with tasting, Sauzier Waterfall and two beaches with time to swim or snorkel.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 10:30

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 31

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by CAT Tours and Transfer

Is this one for you?The tour runs 7 to 8 hours with walking at most stops but no strenuous hiking, so it suits a full day of sightseeing without high physical demand. Because it's private, you set the pace and can linger at any stop or skip it entirely: useful if you want to customize the route around your interests or energy level rather than follow a fixed group schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the Botanical Garden like, and what animals can I see there?

The Botanical Garden is one of Seychelles' most visited natural attractions, where you can spot the Coco De Mer palm tree native to the islands and endemic bird species found nowhere else. It's a walking tour through the garden itself.

Does the tour include lunch, or do I need to arrange it separately?

Lunch is not included in the base tour price, but the Takamaka rum distillery stop includes time at La Grande Maison restaurant, where you can order and pay for a meal if you choose. Other stops have facilities nearby.

Can I add or skip stops if there's something I'd rather do instead?

Yes, the route is customizable. You can skip any stop or add alternatives like Eden Island, Rochon Dam View Point, Le Jardin Du Roi Spice Garden, or Anse Intendance Beach. Tell the guide your preferences when you're picked up.

Is the waterfall easy to reach, or does it require serious hiking?

Sauzier Waterfall is reached by a short 5-minute nature trail walk from the village of Port Glaud on the west coast. The walk is easy, and you can swim in the pool at the base if you want to cool off.

What happens if I visit on a Sunday or public holiday?

The Botanical Garden and Victoria are closed on Sundays and public holidays, but the operator replaces them with other attractions so your day stays full. You'll visit different sites of equal interest instead.

Is there time to snorkel, or is the tour mostly driving between stops?

One of the two beaches included is a protected marine zone good for snorkeling. Because the tour is private, you control how long you spend in the water: the schedule isn't fixed to a group departure time.