About Seychelles
GeographyHistoryPeople & CultureClimateFlora & Fauna
The Republic of Seychelles is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, to the northeast of Madagascar and about 1600km east of Africa. The archipelago consists of 115 islands, occupying a land area of 455 km² and an Exclusive Economic Zone of 1.4 million km².
The Seychelles islands can be divided in granitic islands, low-lying coralline cays, atolls and reef islands. There are 43 inner islands(mostly granitic islands) and 72 outer islands.
The Inner Islands
The islands are grouped around the principal islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, sustaining almost the entire population of the archipelago. Because here are the majority of Seychelles’ accommodation facilities, the inner islands are the main travelers' target. There are three islands with significant permanent population: Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.
Mahé
Area: 155km²
Population:~72000
Mahé is the largest island of the archipelago, measuring 28km long by 8km wide, and is Seychelles' political, economic and cultural center. It was named by the French in honor of the 18th-century governor of Mauritius, Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais. The nation's capital, Victoria, and the international airport are located on this island.
Being a granitic island, Mahé has an altitude of 905m in its tallest peak, Morne Seychellois. Luxuriant and rare vegetation covers the whole island, such as the Jellyfish tree, the carnivorous Seychelles Pitcher plant and many species of unique orchids.
Accommodation exists all over the island and offers a wide range of activities: from golf to horse riding, from diving to paragliding.
Praslin
Area: 38km²
Population:~6500
Praslin is Seychelles' second largest island, lying 44km north east of Mahé. One of Seychelles’s two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Vallée de Mai, is located in the heart of the island. Here is the place where you can see the rare coco de mer palms growing in their natural state. Three paths are laid out for the tourists to follow, of which the longest takes around three hours.
The island is divided into two administrative districts: Baie Sainte Anne and Grand' Anse. The main settlements are Grand' Anse, the Baie Ste Anne, Praslin’s main port, and Anse Volbert. The island has some of the best beaches in the Seychelles, such as Anse Georgette, Anse Lazio and Anse Volbert.
La Digue
Area: 10km²
Population:~2000
Situated near Praslin and Félicité island, La Digue is the forth largest island in Seychelles. It was named after one of the vessels in French explorer Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne's fleet, who visited the archipelago in 1768.
Compared to Mahé and Praslin, La Digue is a more intimate island, where traditions are still kept. There are virtually no cars here, the traveling being made by ox-carts or bicycles.
La Digue is most famous for its beautiful beaches, such as the legendary Anse Source d'Argent. The island's ecosystem is amazing. One of the rarest bird on earth, the Seychelles' black paradise flycatcher, can be seen here.
Other Islands
Anonyme
Accommodation: none
The island is very close to Mahé's international airport and is an ideal place for people who love snorkeling. Anonyme hosts some rare species of trees, such as the iron wood or the banyan tree.
Aride
Accommodation: none
The island is famous for its huge bird colony and some very rare plant species, like the Wright's Gardenia. Aride is open for day-trips 3 days a week: Sunday, Monday and Wednesday.
Bird Island
Accommodation: yes
Bird is a coral island situated 100km north of Mahé. Between the months of May and October the island is colonized by millions of birds, such as sooty terns, lesser noddies, fairy terns, white-tailed tropic birds, fodies, plovers and whimbrels Also the island hosts the oldest and heaviest giant land tortoise "Esmeralda. Bird is surrounded by beautiful white beaches and clear waters with good snorkeling and deep-sea fishing possibilities.
Cerf
Accommodation: yes
Only 4km away, Cerf is a favorite picnic place for the residents of Mahé. The island offers fine sand beaches and excellent swimming and snorkeling. places.
Chauve Souris
Accommodation: yes
A very small island near Praslin, the ideal place for an intimate vacation.
Conception
Accommodation: none
Conception is a hilly island covered in coconut trees. Until the mid-'70's it was exploited as a coconut plantation, but was abandoned since then. Now, the island hosts a few threatened endemic species such as bronze eye gecko, green gecko, the skink and hawksbill turtle.
Cousin
Accommodation: none
Since 1968 the island has been a nature reserved, and from 1975 it has been declared a special reserve by the Seychelles government. Here the birds lovers can see the Seychelles sunbird, the red turtle dove, the moor hen, the Seychelles bush warbler, the Seychelles magpie robin, fairy terns, noddies, frigate birds and shearwaters.
The reserve is very strictly maintained by the local environment group Nature Seychelles. Visits are restricted to 20 people at any one time and a guide will show around the island.
Cousine
Accommodation: yes
Once a coconut plantation, Cousine is now a private nature reserved with four Old French Colonial style villas. The island is a nesting site for the hawksbill turtle, as well as the home of a few Seychelles endemic birds such as the Seychelles brush warbler and Seychelles magpie robin.
Curieuse
Accommodation: none
Besides Praslin, Curieuse is the only other island where the Coco-de-mer tree grows naturally. The island is also a reserve managed by the Seychelles Centre for Marine Technology - Marine Parks Authority.
Denis Island
Accommodation: yes
Denis is a coral island and is located on the northern edge of the Seychelles bank, only 45km from Bird Island. In the past, like many other Seychelles islands, it was a coconut plantation. Now the island hosts many species of birds and lush vegetation. The waters are ideal for deep-sea fishing expeditions.
Frégate
Accommodation: yes
It is said that Frégate was a popular pirate hangout during the latter half of the 17th century and that a treasure might be buried somewhere on the island. The island belongs to the Seychellois magnate Harry Savy who bought it after World War II. Frégate hosts around 15 species of birds, numerous giant tortoises and the giant tenebrionid beetle.
Félicité
Accommodation: yes
Félicité is a small granitic island near La Digue, covered with luxuriant vegetation. With only two traditional style bungalows, the island offers a quiet and peaceful holiday, with optimum comfort and privacy.
Grande Soeur and Petite Soeur
Accommodation: none
These two islands are commonly referred to as "The Sisters Islands" and they are managed by the hotel Château de Feuilles(Praslin). The island offer excellent opportunities for trekking, snorkeling and diving.
Ile Cocos
Accommodation: none
This small island is a marine park and can be found 7km north of La Digue. The island offers great waters for snorkeling and diving.
Moyenne
Accommodation: none
The island is located in St. Anne National Marine Park close to the north coast of Mahé. The island was purchased by Brendon Grimshaw, an English newspaper editor, in early 70's. The island is covered with lush vegetation and has a strong population of giant tortoises. The island offers excellent swimming, snorkeling and trekking opportunities.
North Island
Accommodation: yes
North island lies just north of Silhouette and only 35km from Mahé. The island has 11 guest villas, each of them being handcrafted by Seychellois and African craftsmen with wood, local stone and glass.
Round Island
Accommodation: none
The island is situated in the Ste Anne Marine National Park, close to Moyenne. Round island offers stunning beaches and one of the best sites for snorkeling lovers. The island is currently under development.
Round Island (Praslin)
Accommodation: yes
The island has excellent snorkeling sites and a five star private resort. A fitness centre and a wide range of water and land activities are also available.
Silhouette
Accommodation: yes
Silhouette is Seychelles' third largest island and is reachable via a helicopter flight from Mahé. The island is strictly protected by the Nature Protection Trust of Seychelles, therefore the flora and fauna of the island remained untouched.
Ste. Anne
Accommodation: yes
Ste. Anne Island is the largest island in the Marine National Park. The island is covered with luxuriant vegetation and has quiet beaches and excellent snorkeling sites.
The Outer Islands
The outer islands are situated outside the Seychelles plateau and they include 72 low-lying coralline cays and atolls. Among them only two islands, Alphonse and Desroches, offer accommodation facilities.
Alphonse
Only 1 hour fly away from Mahé, Alphonse is a small triangular island covered with coconut trees. Through its 25 luxury bungalows and 5 executive suites, the island provides all the ingredients for a intimate and unique holiday. Alphonse offers excellent opportunities for fly-fishing, deep-sea fishing and diving.
Desroches
Desroches is a beautiful small coral island in the Amirantes Group. The island is quiet, secluded, covered with coconut palms, ideal for a honeymoon/ romantic getaway. Desroches offers spectacular white sand beaches and sites for snorkeling and diving.