seychelles
Seychelles is a country composed of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. The archipelago is closer to Africa than to Asia. The islands have unique natural features, relatively high income per capita and developed infrastructure. The main islands in Seychelles are neither volcanic nor coral. They are remnants of a prehistoric continent Gondwana and represent tips of mountains. Millions of years of erosion carved peculiar drape-like or fold-like shapes into the granite boulders. The islands also have white sandy beaches as well as mountains and hills covered by tropical rainforest. White sandy beaches fringed by the hallmark boulders and palm trees are the classical components of a postcard-like picture of Seychelles.
In addition to the peculiar granite boulders, there are unique species of animals and plants, such as Aldabra giant tortoises and Coco de Mer. The tortoises are similar to those living in Galapagos islands. Coco de Mer is a bi-lobed coconut. It does not grow anywhere else in the world and has been a subject of myths and misconceptions for centuries. The best way to see tortoises and Coco de Mer is to visit Praslin and Curieuse islands. There are many nature hikes and remote spots where you can be all alone. Also, as on any island there are water activities. So, if you are a nature lover and an active person you can find things to keep you busy.
Culturally, there is a blend shaped by the previous periods of French and British colonization. The islands were initially uninhabited and later populated by sailors, colonists and slaves. The locals speak English, French and a French derivative creole. Staff at the resorts may speak only English as many come from India and other countries. Food is heavily influenced by the Indian cuisine. Seychellois curries are the local specialty. As expected, there is abundance of fish, sea food, and tropical fruits.
- Romantic beach vacation Seychelles fits the bill as a romantic honeymoon destination. You can find some idyllic atmosphere and privacy in the resorts. There are no overwater bungalows like in Maldives and French Polynesia, but some beachfront properties offer beautiful views and privacy.
- Sailing is very popular in Seychelles as most islands are in direct sight of view. Navigation is easy and shelters are not too far away. There are several rental companies. You can rent either a bare boat or with a skipper.
- Nature reserves and hiking trails. There are several nature parks on different islands. The sites that show Seychelles specifics are:
- Curieuse Island Marine National Park with its sanctuary for the giant tortoises. There is also an abandoned lepra colony (Doctors house).
- Vallée de Mai park on Praslin where Coco de Mer grows in abundance.
- La Digue island with its beautiful beaches (anse).
- Water activities, as expected are the main type of activities. Accessibility to swimming and snorkeling in the ocean can be an issue at some locations. You need to do your research. In some areas reef profile, surge or winds make places difficult to swim. We encountered three spots where beaches were gorgeous but we could not swim either because of shallow coral or strong waves. At the resort where we stayed most tidal areas were too shallow for swimming. We did not mind since we just came from a week of sailing, but for those who stayed at one spot only it could make a difference.
- SCUBA diving in Seychelles is a controversial issue at the time of writing. We heard stories that it used to be very good, but coral bleaching took a toll lately. As of 2019 all places we snorkeled or dove had largely dead coral. The fish was there, but the coral was bleached extensively. Prices for diving were high though. So, we found that diving few times was OK, but the activity was getting boring and expensive rather quickly. At the moment (2019), Seychelles was not a prime diving destination. Hopefully, the coral will come back. The bleaching is due to the rising water temperatures, so it is not clear where it can come back. You would need to read latest reports elsewhere to check for current conditions.
When to goWhen to go
July to September is a drer and cooler period, with winds picking up around July. December to May is a rainy, warmer and less windy season. Both air and water tempretures are relatively flat all year round, both ranging from 25-27 in July - August to 27-30 degrees in March -April. You can check for more information here.
Many international flights fly to Victoria (SEZ), Seychelles' capital on Mahe island. At the time of writing, the airlines include British Airways, Air France, Etihad, Emirates, Turkish Airlines and some other. The last segment will take about 10 hours from London, 8 hours from Istanbul and 4.5 hours from Dubai.
- On water
We found that the best way to explore Seychelles is to combine a period of liveaboard sailing with a stay at a resort. Exploration of the islands on a yacht is especially attractive in Seychelles. You will likely need to move between islands to see the tortoises and Coco de Mer. The best way to see the giant tortoises is go to the Curieuse Island Marine National Park, while Coco de Mer grows in abundance in Vallée de Mai park on Praslin. La Digue island has some of the best public beaches which are near deserted. Mahe has the capital and the airport. Also, many beautiful virgin places in Seychelles are accessible only by the sea. There are ferry connections between the islands but making multiple trips can tire you out. Therefore, we thought that visiting several islands on a yacht would give a more rounded and enjoyable experience. As islands are in direct sight of view from each other, navigation is easy and sailing is safer. A fleet of rental boats is available, either bareboat if you have skills, or with a skipper. For our needs, we chartered a skippered sail yacht by seyscapes.co.uk. The owners Edwin and Tina were our captain and cook. The movie shows our cruising trip between Mahe, Praslin, Curieuse, La Digue and Silhouette islands. During the trip we absorbed the unique beauty of Seychelles, learned about Seychelles giant tortoises and Coco de Mer. Boat charters are also available from other companies such as Dream Yacht Charter, Moorings, SunSail, Globe Sailor and others.
- On land
After the cruise we stopped at the Hilton Labriz resort on Silhouette island. The resort and the island appeared to us as a balance of value, luxury, privacy, and beauty. Accommodations are generally expensive but, unlike Maldives there is more variability of accommodation and vacation styles in Seychelles. Your choices are not limited to just expensive luxury resorts. On-land accommodations range from vacation rentals, small boutique hotels or larger expensive luxury resorts, depending on an island.
Day 1: Land in Mahe, board sail yacht, overnight
Day 2: Sail around northern Mahe, anchor at "Hidden paradise" - a beautiful bay with a deserted beach accessible by sea only
Day 3: Sail to Praslin island, anchor overnight at a bay with a public beach
Day 4: Sail to Curieuse island, see the giant tortoises at the Curieuse Island Marine National Park, visit the Doctor’s House (former leprosy colony), overnight at Praslin island marina
Day 5: Explore Praslin island and its Vallée de Mai park, sail to La Digue, overnight at La Digue marina
Day 6: Explore La Digue on bikes and foot (no fuel burning cars on the island), beautiful deserted beaches on the south-east side, overnight at anchor between Praslin and Curieuse
Day 7: Sail to Silhouette island, Hilton Labriz resort
Days 8-18: Stay at the resort, enjoy beutiful and island and the resort, several hiking trails, SCUBA diving (dive shop onsite)
Day 19: Ferry to Mahe, flight home
