Seychelles is a group of 115 islands located in the Indian Ocean, near East Africa. It is known for its beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and protected nature areas. Some unique animals, like the giant Aldabra tortoise, live here. The main island, Mahé, is home to the capital city, Victoria, as well as tropical forests in Morne Seychellois National Park and popular beaches like Beau Vallon and Anse Takamaka.
The Inner Islands, made of granite, include Praslin, where visitors can relax on the famous Anse Georgette beach and see the Seychelles Black Parrot in the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve. La Digue is a peaceful island where people mostly get around by bicycle and where the Veuve Nature Reserve is home to rare birds. The Outer Islands, such as Alphonse and Desroches, are remote coral islands that can only be reached by boat or small plane.
Seychelles offers many types of accommodation, including luxury resorts, spa hotels, and self-catering stays. The local Creole food is a tasty mix of African, Indian, Chinese, and European flavors.
Places to visit in Seychelles
Curieuse Island
Curieuse Island is a small granite island located near the northern coast of Praslin. It’s known for its striking red soil and the rare coco de mer palm, which only grows here and on Praslin. This island is a special place to see one of Seychelles’ most iconic natural wonders.
Sainte Anne Marine National Park
Just 5 km from the capital, Victoria, Sainte Anne Marine National Park includes eight small islands. It’s a top destination for snorkeling, diving, and glass-bottom boat trips. The park is full of colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, and even reef sharks, making it a great spot for underwater exploration.
Cousin Island
Cousin Island lies about 2 km west of Praslin and is a protected nature reserve. It’s an important site for birds and is home to many seabirds like white terns, tropicbirds, and Audubon’s shearwaters. Frigatebirds also use the island for resting and can often be seen flying above.
Aride Island
Aride Island is the northernmost granite island in Seychelles and is run by the Island Conservation Society. It’s a protected reserve focused on wildlife and ecotourism. The island is famous for its large seabird colonies and one of the highest lizard populations in the world.
La Digue
La Digue is one of Seychelles’ most peaceful islands, where bicycles are the main way to get around. It’s known for its stunning beaches, like Anse Source d’Argent with its granite boulders. Other remote beaches like Anse Bonnet Carré and Anse Cocos can only be reached on foot. The island is also home to rare birds found in the Veuve Nature Reserve.
Anse Lazio
Anse Lazio is located on the northwest coast of Praslin and is often called the best beach on the island. With soft white sand, clear blue water, and beautiful views, it’s a favorite spot for visitors.
Vallée de Mai
Vallée de Mai is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Praslin, known for its ancient palm forest. The rare coco de mer palm grows here, along with other plants found only on the island. It’s also home to the Seychelles black parrot and many other unique animals.
Sainte Anne Island
Sainte Anne Island is the largest of the islands in Sainte Anne Marine National Park. It lies 4 km from Mahé and has six beautiful beaches to explore. The island is also known for its scenic hiking trails and peaceful natural surroundings.
Victoria Botanical Gardens
Founded in 1901, the Victoria Botanical Gardens are located in the capital of Seychelles. The gardens are used for plant conservation, education, eco-tourism, and provide a relaxing green space for visitors and locals alike.
Morne Seychellois
Morne Seychellois is the tallest mountain in Seychelles, found on Mahé in Morne Seychellois National Park. The park is full of rare plants and animals, including several bird species found only in Seychelles. It’s a popular place for hiking and birdwatching.
Best time to visit Seychelles
The best time to visit Seychelles is between April to May and October to November.
During these months, the weather is calm, pleasant, and ideal for beach activities.
The seas are clearer, making it perfect for snorkeling and diving.
Humidity is lower, and there’s less rainfall compared to other times of the year.
It’s also a great season to explore nature trails and enjoy island hopping.
