Island Paradise - The Seychelles Islands

Breathe in bliss with an island paradise that delights with adventure, wildlife, and heritage. The Seychelles is that once in a lifetime barefoot luxury experience that will likely entice you back for more.

There’s an almost ethereal aura about the Seychelles. Unlike other destinations in the Indian Ocean, this archipelago of 115 islands is brimming with nature. Perhaps it’s due to the close proximity to East Africa, or maybe it's the remoteness of its location that creates this sprawling Garden of Eden. Whatever the reason, if you’re someone who loves to break up your beach time with activity and one-of-a-kind experiences, then the Seychelles is where you need to be.

Every divine Seychelles holiday begins in the archipelago’s largest island of Mahé, and from the moment you arrive you’ll be mesmerised by the sway of verdant palm trees, dazzlingly soft white sands, and shimmering turquoise waters.

“The beaches are delightfully wild and untouched, remaining unchanged for centuries, which is why it’s possible to find critically endangered hawksbill sea turtles nesting on them, a breathtaking sight that will stir your heart for a lifetime.”

Ben Stratton

Regional Destination Manager at Sovereign Luxury Travel.

Mahé: Cutural Treasures, Unearthed

Space out your days between relaxing on the sands and exploring. Known for its exotic spices, Mahé is home to the small capital city of Victoria that houses the wonderfully tropical botanical gardens, and the many cultural markets where you’ll be welcomed by warm and kind-natured Seychellois people. There’s also plenty of roaming to do. Visit the hilltop retreat of Le Jardin Du Roi Spice Garden, where you can surround yourself with organic spices and delve into the island’s historic spice trade or get a taste for rum at the Takamaka Rum Distillery. (The rum drinking culture is understandable. Many of the islands of the Seychelles were used to bury treasure by passing pirates, before being transformed into coconut and vanilla plantations in the 18th century.)

Head for dinner at Marie Antoinette, a traditional colonial mansion that serves up deliciously authentic Creole cuisine from a menu that hasn’t changed in 50 years - think battered parrotfish and aubergine fritters! In southern Mahé, there are also plenty of local Creole beach restaurants, where you can feast on freshly caught fish, prawns and crab and the Indian influence of curries, lentils, and chutneys while your feet sink into the divinely warm sand.

“You can even meet wise and friendly 100-year-old giant Aldabra tortoises in a special breeding wildlife reserve on nearby Moyenne Island.”

With all there is to do in Mahé alone, it’s understandable why most visitors stay here for the duration of their holiday. But, to really make the most of the Seychelles, our advice is to island-hop around three or four islands in one trip so that you don’t miss out, as each island has a different vibe, both in terms of activities and character. What's more, it’s easy to get around, with short travel times between islands, making it suitable for travelling around with youngsters.

“If you’re travelling to a resort island, you might find you’re joined on your journey by glittering flying fish who quite literally fly alongside your speedboat.”

Praslin: A Brilliant Brush with Nature

To really get up close to nature, venture to the small island of Praslin, where at its heart lies the tucked away Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is brimming with endemic birds, flora and fauna.

“It’s possible to develop an entirely new relationship with wildlife, particularly when you hear the distinctly human-sounding whistle of the Seychelles warbler.”

Even if you’re not much of a walker, head out on one of three hiking trails that take you into this emerald forest and you’ll be rewarded with views to die for. This is one of only two places on Earth where you’ll find the renowned coco de mer, the world’s largest seed from a palm tree, which is steeped in fascinating legend and can weigh up to 36 kgs! The Seychelles has no poisonous or dangerous wildlife, and no predators, so it’s quite possible to connect with millions of years of evolution in one holiday, be that with dinosaur millipedes, the Seychelles bulbul, skinks and geckos, or fairy terns. Across the Seychelles you can take day trips to islands that are dedicated specifically to birds.

“Praslin arguably holds the world’s most beautiful 18 hole golf course at Constance Lemuria, which is edged by mountainous jungle and the azure ocean.”

La Digue: Where Time Stands Still

The one island you must take a day trip to is the delightfully tiny La Digue. Everything here runs at a much slower pace, and life here is as wonderfully archaic as it is laidback. In fact, the only way to get around the island is by bicycle, even if you’re a president or royal!

La Digue truly takes the cake with its beaches, such as the secluded Petite Anse Beach, home to powdery white sands and granite boulders. Some of La Digue’s beaches are so well hidden that it’s best to go with a local guide, and a few can only be reached by foot, such as the remote but hauntingly attractive Anse Marron.

Into the Ocean:

Adventure always seems to meet nature in the Seychelles, not least when you’re indulging in water sports. The waters are safe and wonderfully warm here, with average temperatures of 28°C. With six marine parks that are home to colourful marine life and corals, there’s so much to see! If you’re lucky, you can witness bottlenose dolphins while you’re day tripping on a catamaran, or witness schools of clownfish while scuba diving or simply snorkelling near the shore edge. You may leave her behind, but the Seychelles will imprint on your soul forever.