Seychelles Travel Guide
They Seychelles are a group of 115 islands, only a few inhabited, in the Indian Ocean that lie off the coast of East Africa, northeast of Madagascar. The Seychelles represents an archipelago of renowned beauty that extends from between 4 and 10 degrees south of the equator and which lies between 480km and 1,600km from the east coast of Africa. The Seychelles is divided into Inner and Outer Islands. Mah is the largest of the Inner Island group, and lies to the south of its nearest neighbours, Silhouette, Praslin and La Digue. The Outer Islands are strung out to the southeast. Of its 115 islands, 41 constitute the oldest mid–oceanic granite islands on earth while a further 74 form the low–lying coral atolls and reef islands of the Outer Islands.
The granitic islands of the Seychelles archipelago cluster around the main island of Mah, home to the international airport and the capital, Victoria, and its satellites Praslin and La Digue. Together, these Inner Islands form the cultural and economic hub of the nation and contain the majority of Seychelles tourism facilities as well as its most stunning beaches.
Things to See and Do
Seychelles is home to no less than two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the legendary Valle de Mai on Praslin where the wondrously shaped Coco–de–mer nut grows high on ancient palms and fabled Aldabra, the worlds largest raised coral atoll, first seen by early Arab seafarers of the 9th century A.D.
The unusually beautiful flora and fauna of the Valle de Mai nature reserve draws thousands of visitors to this place as Valle de Mai is the one and only place in the world where you will find the rare coco de mer palm. This palm produces the largest nut in the world. The place is also home to some of the rare birds such as the Seychelles bulbul, fruit pigeon, and the black parrot.
Aldabra Island in the outer circle of the archipelago has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a large population of giant tortoises has made the area a major tourist attraction. However, travellers who are more interested in indoor attractions, should try the Seychelles Natural History Museum and the National Museum of History to satisfy their thirst for knowledge.
Coral reef diving is perhaps the main sporting attraction in the Seychelles. The clear water makes conditions perfect for underwater photography as the coastal waters are a haven for 100 species of coral and over 900 species of fish. The annual Subios underwater festival is held in the Seychelles over a three–week period in November and attracts underwater experts from all over the world. Snorkelling is also very popular, with many snorkelling spots conveniently close to the beaches; most of the larger hotels rent out snorkelling equipment. A favourite location for snorkelling is the St Anne National Marine Park, which encompasses six islands off the coast of Mah.
The physical beauty of the islands draws visitors from all over the world, with multiple blue hues reflecting out of the water, the distinctive granite rock formations and the white, clean beaches which every island in the archipelago boasts.
Beaches
Anse Aux Pins and Turtle Bay
This long stretch of coastline has narrow beaches and shallow waters that lie close to the coastal road. Its a wonderful walk with all sorts of marine life to be seen trapped in rock pools.
Anse Intendance
This beach is half a mile of powder white sand and enormous breakers. The waves are larger than most of the other beaches as there is no reef, making it suitable for surfing, it is also a fabulous beach for sunbathing.
Anse Lazio
The best beach on Praslin and one of the best in the country and the beach has soft white sand with granite boulders, water that is a gorgeous turquoise colour and snorkelling at the quiet end of the beach.
Lazio
The beaches east of Lazio are protected by a beautiful reef, which makes the water like a giant jacuzzi – it's warm, shallow and safe.