Visit Seychelles, place with nearly half of its landmass set aside for national parks and reserves, offer an abundance of pristine beaches, sheltered coves, and sapphire waters ideal to be explored by private yacht charter.
Plus, the desirable climate and balmy breezes provide the perfect cruising playground all year long.
The Seychelles archipelago is made up of 115 islands. Forty of these, the inner islands, are montane and granitic. The others are low sand cays on sea-level coral reefs, or of reef limestone only slightly elevated above the sea.
The granitic islands are about 930 km north of Madagascar and 1600 km east of Africa. They lie between 4-5 degrees latitude south, and 55-56 degrees longitude east.
Capital: Port Louis Population: 90.846 Language: Creole English Italian
What adorns the Seychelles?
Denis
Denis Island is the second most northerly island in the Seychelles (after Bird Island), and feels a thousand miles from anywhere; in fact it lies 52 miles (80km) from Mahé.
Denis Island retains a welcoming atmosphere, with an open-sided central lobby and restaurant at the heart of the lodge.
At night it feels sophisticated but unstuffy. There’s a real emphasis on sustainability, and guests are constantly immersed in the natural sights and sounds of the local wildlife, especially the endemic Seychelles’ bird species.
Anse Intendance
Mahé’s west coast is exquisite on the eyes, and its beaches and coastal scenery are naturally the star attractions. One such jewel, Anse Intendance, is famous for its hypnotically dramatic sunset; as the sky deepens to orange,
the granite boulders that frame the beach glow with muted copper tones and form the perfect backdrop for a romantic stroll.
Valleé de Mai
Located on the granitic island of Praslin, the Vallée de Mai is a 19.5 ha area of palm forest which remains largely unchanged since prehistoric times. Dominating the landscape is the world’s largest population of endemic coco-de-mer, a flagship species of global significance as the bearer of the largest seed in the plant kingdom.
The forest is also home to five other endemic palms and many endemic fauna species. The property is a scenically attractive area with a distinctive natural beauty.
Bird Island
The Seychelles islands are home to many plants and animals which are endemic to the islands. They are derived from species existing on Gondwanaland before it split up, as well as from earlier immigrants from the neighbouring continents.
here are many rodents, including the rabbitlike agouti, and numerous species of bats and lizards. Bird species include several parrots, hummingbirds, ibis, and flamingos.
The coastal seas are rich in marine life, including turtles, shellfish, caiman, dolphin, red snapper, bonito, and flying fish.
Anse Lazio
Anse Lazio sits about 7 miles northwest of Baie Ste. Anne where Praslin’s ferry port is found, and can be reached by car, bus or bike from the island’s main road. You can access the beach at any time free of charge
Morne Seychellois National Park
Morne Seychellois is the highest peak in Seychelles. Morne Seychellois is located on the island of Mahé in the Morne Seychellois National Park. Seychelles Mountain National Park is a famous national park in the Seychelles Islands.
Standing on the heights of the Thirty-two Mountains, you can overlook the seascape of the archipelago for 4 weeks. It is really very beautiful. The crystal clear blue water is like a huge gem, which really shocks the beauty.
Beau Vallon
One of the longest beaches in the Seychelles, Beau Vallon is popular amongst tourists and locals thanks to its mixture of beautiful scenery, extensive activity options, fantastic surrounding infrastructure, and widespread appeal.
If you are lucky enough to be staying in one of the many accommodations that lie near to the beach, it will simply be a short walk from your room to the golden sand of Beau Vallon.
It’s not much more difficult for everyone else, however, as there is plenty of public parking next to the beach, and the frequent bus service stops on the road beside the beach, allowing easy-access by car, taxi, or bus.
The sheer choice of different activities at Beau Vallon is unique in the Seychelles.
When is the best time to visit?
DEC–MAR
The trade winds bring, warmer, wetter air streams from the northeast. Accommodation can be hard to find during
APR– MAY & OCT–NOV
The ‘turnaround’ periods, which are normally calm andwindless, are ideal for travelling.
JUN–SEP
The southeast trade winds usher in cooler, drier weather, but it can be quite windy. Peak travel time (due to northern hemisphere summer holidays).
Diving with Sharks
Discerning divers have long known of the Seychelles’ claim to being one of the Indian Ocean’s most rewarding dive destinations. We like it especially for its variety of sealife, and the unmistakeable cachet of swimming with whale sharks and massive rays off Mahé.
There are wreck dives and mind-blowing fish off Brissare Rocks, but nothing beats the frission of getting up close and personal with the whale sharks who frequent the area.
La Digue
La Digue is a close neighbour to Praslin and to its satellite islands of Felicite Marianne and the Sisters Islands, La Digue is the fourth largest island in Seychelles. La Digue takes its name from one of the vessels in explorer Marion Dufresne’s fleet, sent by the French to explore Seychelles’ granitic islands in 1768.
The friendly atmosphere of this intimate island with its languid pace of life, traditional architecture and breathtaking beaches, such as legendary Anse Source d’Argent, is an absolute must for visitors.
Driving around the Seychelles
Air Seychelles’ only international airport is on Mahé. There are around 25 scheduled flights per day between Mahé and Praslin.
Bicycle This is the pricipal form of transport on La Digue; you can also rent cycles on Praslin, but Mahé is too hilly for casual cycling.
Boat Travel by boat is very easy between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, with regular and efficient ferry services.
Bus If you’ve got time, you don’t really need to rent a car to visit the islands: Mahé and Prasiln both have extensive bus services.
Car If you want to be controller of your own destiny, your best bet is to rent a car. Most of the roads on Mahé and Praslin are sealed and in good shape.
Mahe Seychelles
Mahé, measuring 28km long by 8km wide, is the largest island and cultural and economic hub of the Inner Islands, and the international gateway to Seychelles. It is home to the international airport and the nation’s capital, Victoria. The island is home to almost 90% of the total population (or approximately 72,200 people).
Food and drink in Seychelles
Staple foods include fish, seafood and shellfish dishes, often accompanied with rice. Fish dishes are cooked in several ways, such as steamed, grilled, wrapped in banana leaves, baked, salted and smoked. Curry dishes with rice are also a significant aspect of the country’s cuisine.
Especially popular are rum-based drinks using Takamaka Bay rum, as well as vodka mixers.Two more of the Seychellois’ favourite beverages are Buka and Kalou. The latter is fermented wine, obtained from the inflourescence of coconut trees, which tastes sweet or tart after fermentation.
Seychelle’s climate
Seychelles’ enviable climate is always warm and without extremes. In this tropical haven the temperature seldom drops below 24°C or rises above 32°C. All but the remotest southern islands lie comfortably outside the cyclone belt making Seychelles’ a year round destination for sun worshippers and beach lovers.
Visit Seychelles during the north-west trade winds that visit between the months of October and March, the sea is generally calm and the weather warm and humid, with average winds of 8-12 knots.
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