Seychelles: holidays on paradise islands - where is it worth going, what is worth knowing and where is the prettiest?
Holidays in the Seychelles are one of the best ideas for a luxurious holiday on paradise islands. The Seychelles are an archipelago of hundreds of islands and islets in the Indian Ocean, close to the African continent. Therefore, you will feel a typical African atmosphere combined with Creole and French culture. If you are looking for an idea for an exotic holiday, the Seychelles will meet your expectations 100%! These are not only paradise beaches with gently warm sand and turquoise ocean water, but also unique nature, including 100-year-old turtles and the most beautiful islands in the Seychelles.
You know that, among others, The world's largest coconut grows on Praslin Island coco de mer? It has a very original shape that resembles buttocks :) The inhabitants of Seychelles are so proud of it that the symbol coco de mer appears on their coat of arms and on banknotes.
Get to know the most beautiful islands in the Seychelles
- Mahe Island
- Private North Island
- Praslin Island
- Alphonse Island
- La Digue Island
- Felicite Island
- Round Island
- Desroches Island
- Silhouette Island
- Curieuse Island
- Aldabra Atoll
- Bird Island
- Denis Island
1. Mahe Island
Mahe Island is the largest island of Seychelles, where the capital of the country - Victoria - is located. It is home to 70 inhabitants, or almost 000% of the population. Despite this, the island retains its idyllic beauty with mountains almost 90 m high and is full of wonderful, varied landscape. From volcanic rocks typical of this region, covered with tropical vegetation, to wonderful beaches, and there are over 1000 of them! In our opinion the most beautiful beaches on Mahe is the beach in Port Lanuay and Anse Soleil. Additionally, it is worth visiting local manor houses with colonial architecture, taking a walk in the botanical garden or visiting a cinnamon and vanilla plantation. In addition to the above, Mahé has many other interesting places, such as Le Jardin Du Roi Spice Garden, and an interesting attraction on Mahé is also a glass-bottom boat ride, thanks to which the underwater world will be at your fingertips.
If you are looking for the best hotel for families with children, we recommend the iconic Four Seasons Resort Seychelles. You can read more about family hotels in the Seychelles in our previous one entry. Or maybe you are planning a vacation for two in the tropics? A great choice will be the 5-star Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas hotel.
2. North Island Private Island
Located in the far north of the Indian Ocean archipelago, North Island is a remote tropical paradise that offers truly unforgettable experiences, and the lush tropical nature only enhances this feeling. Located 30 km north of Mahé, the private island North Island offers complete privacy in the only hotel on the island. This is the most exclusive place in the Seychelles, which is perfect not only for a honeymoon in the Seychelles or a romantic getaway for two, but also as a family escape from civilization. It offers an unrivaled sense of exclusivity and privacy with just eleven ocean-view villas. All this is hidden among 2 kilometers of tropical paradise.
3. Praslin Island
Praslin Island is the second largest island in the Seychelles. The most unique attraction are, of course, the palm trees Coco de Mer, whose coconuts have a very interesting shape. The island is home to the Praslin National Park, most of which is covered with equatorial forests. Therefore, it is worth going on a walking tour with a private guide who will introduce us to the island's plants and animals. Bathed in the equatorial sun, Praslin Island is the perfect place for a paradise holiday away from the crowds. Anse Georgette beach is considered to be the most beautiful beach.
For a luxurious stay on the island of Praslin, visit the Raffles Seychelles hotel and the Constance Lemuria hotel. These places are perfect for families with children and groups of friends. Both hotels offer excellent villas with private pools in the Seychelles, and the Constance Lemuria Hotel has a Kids Club with fun activities.
4. Alphonse Island
The private, triangular-shaped island of Alphonse, covered with lush vegetation, covers an area of almost 2 square kilometers. It is mostly inhabited and even has a small runway. The huge, shallow lagoon offers amazing turquoise waters, perfect for swimming. Alphonse is one of the flattest islands in the Seychelles and was once, along with many other Seychelles islands, the site of coconut plantations, from which as many as 100 coconuts were harvested every week! You can still see the remains of sisal agaves and cotton plantations. The private island of Alphonse is well on its way to becoming a tourist destination thanks to the luxurious Alphonse Island Resort, which is located right on the beach and is famous for its exclusive villas and bungalows. It is worth adding that the island is surrounded by beautiful diving spots, and thanks to the excellent conditions in the lagoon, it has been considered an ideal place for fly fishing.
5. La Digue Island
The island of La Digue is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful in the world. First of all, it is one of the most pristine islands of the Seychelles, inhabited by only 2 people. The best way to get to La Digue Island is by private yacht from the main island of Mahe or Praslin. The most popular means of transport on the island are electric vehicles, but we recommend cycling or walking along the coast. Similarly to the densely covering jungle and palm groves on the island, which are a perfect place for hiking. Undoubtedly, the biggest attraction on the island of La Digue are the giant tortoises, which can live up to 100 years! Beaching with a hundred-year-old turtle? Only on the most beautiful beach - Anse Source D'argent. Certainly, the other beaches on the island of La Digue - Anse Cocos, Petit Anse and Grand Anse are not worth missing.
For lovers of intimate, boutique hotels, we recommend the so-called "guest house". Many of them maintain a very high level of service with a smaller number of apartments.
6. Felicite Island
Another paradise island on your route during your dream vacation in the Seychelles. It is located just 2,5 km from the island of La Digue. Felicite Island is famous for its smooth granite rocks scattered carelessly throughout the island. While on the island, be sure to try wild mangoes and bananas. Felicite Island is the perfect place for a paradise vacation and a wide range of water sports. First of all, it's worth diving, snorkeling, surfing or going on a kayaking trip along the tropical coast.
The most luxurious hotel on Felicite Island is the famous hotel Six Senses Zil Pasyon. The hotel's philosophy is sustainable development, thanks to which it blends harmoniously with the surrounding lush nature. Villas on the rocks are amazing!
7. Round Island
Round Island (Île Ronde in Creole) is one of many islands in the Seychelles archipelago. It is located north of Mahé, the largest island of the Seychelles, and is one of the smaller islands of the Seychelles. Round Island is completely wild and uninhabited by humans. It is one of the most important nature conservation areas in the Seychelles and is part of the Sainte Anne Marine National Park. The island is also a popular destination for tourists who come here to admire the beautiful landscapes and diverse fauna and flora.
Round Island has beautiful beaches that are perfect for rest and relaxation, as well as water sports such as diving and swimming. The island is surrounded by coral reefs that are home to a rich variety of marine life, including colorful fish and sea turtles. The island is only accessible by sea and can be reached by boat or catamaran from Mahé or other nearby islands. The luxurious JA Enchanted Island Resort hotel is also located here - perfect for a romantic holiday in the Seychelles.
8. Desroches Island, Amirantes
We will say only one thing about this island: it has 14 km of sandy beaches. Spreading coconut palms on the shore of the Indian Ocean provide the perfect shade while relaxing on the beach. Exotic vegetation and a colorful coral reef make this place truly unique.
Our number 1 hotel on Desroches Island is the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island. You can choose from spacious apartments or villas with direct access to the beach. Moreover, it is a paradise for anglers who, during exclusive cruises, have the opportunity to catch large specimens of local fish, which will then be prepared for dinner.
9. Silhouette Island
Silhouette Island is an island of volcanic origin, made of granite rocks. The surface of the island is covered with dense, impenetrable tropical forest and pristine nature, which makes it one of the best places for holidays. It is located northwest of Mahé and belongs to the Inner Islands in the Seychelles archipelago. Its area is 20 km², which makes it the third largest island in the country. The highest peak on Silhuette is Mont Dauban, 740 meters high. Only about 140 people live here permanently.
For many years, the island was the hideout of the famous pirate Jean Hodoul. According to local legends, the pirate hid his treasure in one of the rock crevices. On Silhouette we will find unique plant species in the Seychelles; during walking tours around the island, you can admire specimens such as multi-colored orchids and ebony and balsam trees, which are found only here. You can spend a blissful holiday there on the beach at the luxurious Labrize hotel or go scuba diving. An exclusive hotel of the international exclusive Hilton chain offers a true idyll and plenty of attractions for families with children; there are two other hotels of the same brand in the Seychelles. A great form of relaxation may also be a cruise on a yacht or catamaran around the islands, and lovers of active recreation will appreciate trekking around the tropical areas of the islands.
10. Curieuse Island
Part of the Inner Islands group of the Seychelles archipelago, it lies approximately 1 kilometer north of Praslin Island. Its area is approximately 3 km² and few people live there permanently. The island and the surrounding waters constitute the Curieuse Marine National Park, established in 1979. It is the second largest marine park in the Seychelles after Sainte Anne. The island has a poorly developed tourist infrastructure, the easiest way to get there is by boat from Praslin.
Curieuse is also known colloquially as "Île Rouge" or the Red Island, due to the rusty soil found there. Curieuse Island is now a protected area and home to a breeding program for giant tortoises and sea turtles. When visiting the island, it is easy to spot them roaming freely around the sandy bays. During the sightseeing tour, a special attraction for visitors is feeding these friendly giants. Curieuse is the only place outside Praslin where the Seychelles Coco de Mer palm naturally occurs, producing giant coconuts in the shape of human hips. The island has a somewhat dark past, as it was a leper colony in the 70th and XNUMXth centuries. Visitors can visit the ruins of the leprosarium on the south bank and the doctor's house. The doctor's residence, dating from the XNUMXs, is a well-preserved national monument and now houses a museum and education center.
11. Aldabra Atoll
It is the largest atoll in the Indian Ocean and one of the largest atolls in the world, characterized by untouched, pristine nature and endemic fauna and flora. It is located in the Outer Islands group of the Republic of Seychelles. It consists of four islands and a shallow lagoon, and the total area of the archipelago is 154 square kilometers. The archipelago is located over 1000 kilometers southwest of the main island of the Seychelles - Mahe and 360 kilometers north of Madagascar. The Aldabra group includes four atolls - Cosmoledo, Aldabra, Astove and Assumption.
There you will find an impressive colony of giant tortoises living in the wild in their natural environment, numbering about 152 individuals. This represents 99% of the world's population of this species. It is a strict nature reserve, included on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1982. There are 97 endemic species of birds in the Aldabra archipelago, including ibises, flamingos, sea swallows, Seychelles kestrels, Seychelles salangans, red-headed coralbirds, fruit bats, smokey herons, Aldabra's groundhogs and Aldabra flightless birds. The archipelago is flat, and the highest point is only 8 meters above sea level. In the shallows of the atoll you can often see tiger sharks and large manta rays. Tourist traffic on Aldabra Atoll is severely limited; to go there you need to charter a yacht. Cruises in the Seychelles are trips away from the crowds, for people who love untouched nature.
12. Bird Island
The island is famous for its diversity of seabirds, so it is a paradise for ornithology enthusiasts and those who want to get away from the everyday hustle and bustle. Bird Island is also a nature reserve where preserving biodiversity is a priority. The beaches of the island are like a dream - sandy, white, and stretching for kilometers. The water around the island is clear, and the coral reef delights with colors and life. Providing a comfortable, eco-friendly stay, the Bird Island resort is a place that combines luxury with the harmony of nature. Walking along the beaches, you can meet sea turtles that come here to lay eggs, creating an amazing natural spectacle.
13. Denis Island
Surrounded by the blue of the Indian Ocean, Denis Island is a 121-hectare private enclave located 60 kilometers north of Mahe, the main island of the Seychelles Archipelago. It is the second northernmost island in the archipelago, second only to Bird Island. On Denis Island, time flows to the rhythm of nature, and the beauty of the surrounding nature and the sparkling depths of the ocean bring harmony to life. It's the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, where you can explore it barefoot, exploring the charm of the island, admiring majestic schools of colorful fish and unusual encounters with sea turtles.
Denis Island is a unique place where nature and peace are everyday occurrences. There is only one small village and one ecological hotel on this picturesque island, which is an ideal place to relax and read books in harmony with nature. It is an ideal place for those who want to find peace in the embrace of nature and enjoy an unforgettable holiday.
Seychelles - holidays on several paradise islands, i.e island hopping
The Seychelles is an archipelago of over 100 islands, so choose which islands to explore while island hopping will depend on your preferences and the time you have at your disposal. It is worth considering visiting the most important of them, i.e. Mahe, Praslin, Desroches, Felicite and La Digue. The latter of them enjoys, according to many, the most beautiful beaches, while the Desroches and Felicite islands are perfect for lovers of true luxury, as this is where the most exclusive hotels in the Seychelles are located.
Where are the Seychelles? How to get to Mahé and other islands?
Seychelles is an archipelago located in the Indian Ocean, in the equatorial climate zone. They are located about 1600 kilometers east of the African coast, and are familiar with neighborhoods such as Madagascar and Mauritius. The Seychelles are located about 2000 km southwest of the Maldives, another popular tourist destination. This place on Earth, which delights both residents and tourists, offers sunny weather almost all year round, maintaining the temperature at 28 degrees Celsius. The Seychelles archipelago consists of approximately 115 islands and covers a total area of approximately 455 km², with an exclusive economic zone of approximately 1.4 million km². These islands differ in their origins and are divided into two main categories: volcanic and coral islands.
If you are planning a trip to the Seychelles, the only international airport in the archipelago is on the island of Mahé. All international flights direct to them. If you want to reach other islands in the archipelago, you will need to use sea transport, local air connections or helicopters.
Author: Travel Agency CARTER®
