Alright, let’s talk about my little trip through Seychelles International Airport over on Mahe island. It wasn’t my first time dealing with island airports, but each one’s got its own little quirks, you know?
Landing and Getting In
So, we touched down in Mahe. Getting off the plane, the first thing that hit me, like it always does in these places, was the warm, humid air. Not complaining, that’s part of the deal. We walked across the tarmac – none of those fancy jet bridges for our flight, which I honestly kind of like. Feels more old-school travel.
Inside, the terminal building felt, well, compact. Don’t expect sprawling halls like Heathrow or Dubai. This is a small island nation, and the airport matches. We shuffled towards immigration. The queue wasn’t terrible when we arrived, moved along okay. The officers did their thing, stamped the passports, asked the usual questions – where you staying, how long. Pretty standard stuff, really. They weren’t overly chatty but efficient enough. Got through without any drama.
Bags and Customs Shuffle
Next up was baggage claim. Just a couple of carousels spinning around. We found a spot and waited. It took a little while for the bags to start spitting out. You always have that tiny worry, right? Will it be my bag next? Will it be on this belt at all? Reminds me of this one time years ago, totally different country, where my bag went on a little holiday of its own for three days. Stressful stuff. Luckily, no such issues here in Mahe. Bags arrived, we grabbed ’em.
Then it was the customs check. Usually just a formality unless you’re bringing in something weird. We just walked through the ‘nothing to declare’ channel. A quick glance from the officials and we were waved on. Easy peasy.
The Great Escape (Leaving the Airport)
Stepping out of the arrivals hall, you’re right there. Taxis waiting, tour operators holding signs. It felt a bit busy right at the exit, everyone trying to sort out their next move. We had pre-booked transport, so we just had to find our guy holding a sign with our name. Found him after a minute or two of scanning the crowd. The heat outside was definitely noticeable after the air-conditioned terminal. Loaded up the bags and off we went to our hotel. First impressions – small airport, straightforward process getting out.
Heading Back Out (Departure Day)
Fast forward to departure day. Got dropped off outside the terminal. Check-in was pretty smooth too. The desks weren’t swamped. We dropped our bags, got our boarding passes. Standard procedure.
Security check was next. Again, pretty standard. Laptops out, liquids in the baggie, shoes off sometimes – you know the drill. It wasn’t overly crowded, moved reasonably quickly. No major hold-ups.
Once airside, the departure lounge is… well, it’s functional. Don’t expect a massive shopping mall. There are a few shops:
- Some duty-free basics (booze, perfume, smokes).
- Souvenir shops selling the usual t-shirts, magnets, local crafts.
- A small cafe or two for drinks and snacks.
Seating was okay, but I imagine it could get crowded during peak times. We found a spot, grabbed a coffee. It felt pretty relaxed, actually. No mad rush. It’s funny, sometimes these smaller airports are less stressful than the giant ones where you need a map and a packed lunch just to find your gate. You trade off fancy amenities for simplicity, I guess.
Boarding was announced, and again, it was a walk across the tarmac to the plane for us. Got on board, settled in. Watching the island get smaller as we took off is always a bit bittersweet.
Final Thoughts
So, Mahe Airport? It does the job. It’s not flashy, it’s not huge, but it gets you in and out of paradise without too much fuss. Manage your expectations – it’s an island airport, built for purpose, not for world-class shopping sprees. Everything worked, staff were generally fine, and the process was straightforward on both arrival and departure. It felt… appropriate for the relaxed vibe of the Seychelles. No major complaints from my end on this one. Just a simple, functional gateway.
