Seychelles

Where should you go when you want to experience natural beauty with a dash of luxury? We can’t think of a better place than the Seychelles. The Seychelles islands are so much more than sun, sea and sand. The Seychelles is an archipelago off the Kenyan coast. With 115 islands, this breathtaking country is among the top destinations in the world for couples, nature lovers and luxury travelers. It is home to the world's oldest ocean islands and largest raised coral atoll.

History

Seychelles is a comparatively young nation which can trace its first settlement back to 1770 when the islands were first settled by the French, leading a small party of whites, Indians and Africans. The islands remained in French hands until the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo, evolving from humble beginnings to attain a population of 3,500 by the time Seychelles was ceded to Britain under the treaty of Paris in 1814.

During this period Seychelles came to know the enlightened policies of administrators such as Pierre Poivre, the brilliant politicking of Governor Queau de Quinssy and, of course, the terrible repercussions of the French Revolution.

Under the British, Seychelles achieved a population of some 7,000 by the year 1825. Important estates were established during this time producing coconut, food crops, cotton and sugar cane. During this period Seychelles also saw the establishment of Victoria as her capital, the exile of numerous and colourful troublemakers from the Empire, the devastation caused by the famous Avalanche of 1862 and the economic repercussions of the abolition of slavery.

Seychelles achieved independence from Britain in 1976 and became a republic within the commonwealth. Following a period of single party rule by the government of Mr. France Albert René, on December 4, 1991, President René announced a return to the multiparty system of government, 1993 saw the first multiparty presidential and legislative elections held under a new constitution in which President René was victorious. President René also won the 1998 and 2003 elections before transferring the Presidency to James Alix Michel in June 2004.

What to see in Seychelles

1. Mahé Island

Mahé is the largest island in the Seychelles, and home to the country’s capital city, Victoria. Part of the Granitic Islands, a group of 45 islands made up of some of the world’s oldest granite rock, Mahé is renowned for its dense tropical forests, its white sand beaches and its mountain peaks. The tallest mountain in the Seychelles archipelago, Morne Seychellois, is located on this island. Hiking through some of the island’s national parks is a must. Climbing to the summit of Morne Blanc takes about 45 minutes and offers some of the best views of the Indian Ocean. Also popular is a visit to Sainte Anne Marine National Park, the largest marine park in the Seychelles. If you visit Mahé, be sure to visit the capital city to get a taste of Seychellois culture—including its unique blend of cuisine.

2. Bird Island

Bird Island is one of the many granitic islands in Seychelles that together form the inner island group. It is approximately 105 kilometres from Mahe and is known to be one of the most beautiful well kept natural islands. Bird's nature and habitat is kept intact through all these years and is one that Seychelles can gladly boast about. True to its name, the island is known for being a safe haven for various kinds of birds who live here.

Bird Island was previously called the Ile aux Vaches which translates to the Island of the Manatees. The reason for this name was indeed the Manatees that were found in large amounts in the surrounding waters of Bird. Today, the island is a renowned spot that promotes ecotourism and has played a huge role in keeping the island green.

3. Praslin Island

Praslin, or the Isle de Palme, is most popular for the Vallée de Mai UNESCO World Heritage Site and the coco de mer that grows here in abundance. Home to Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette that are coveted as two of the most beautiful beaches of the world, the island is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Seychelles.

This island is one of the most noteworthy one island on earth and it’s on the Indian ocean. It will take only 50 minutes to arrive at this beautiful place, and you can book a hotel in here as well, which is near the beach. You can soak up in the sun and do not forget to carry a binocular to experience the beautiful black parrots. These are very rare species of parrots and they are found in this place and in the Praslin national park as well, where you will get 200 of them. Also, try not to miss the Vallée de Mai for the biggest coral riffs in here. If you are here in Praslin Island, then do visit Coco de mer as well, and see the world’s biggest coconuts.

4. La Digue Island

The boutique island is known for the granite boulders that adorn the stunning beaches, such as Anse Source D’Argent. The island offers authentic island-style accommodations and traditional modes of transport, such as ox-carts and bicycles.

5. Moyenne Island

The island is most popular for the Giant Tortoises that roam here freely, the old ruins, and the pirate graves. Located towards the north coast of Mahe island, this island was abandoned until a Yorkshire editor purchased it in late 1960s and was the only person to inhabit the island until his death in 2012. As of now, this place remains a nature reserve and is visited by many tourists from all across the world as part of some organized trips.

This island is filled with 16,000 plants and trees like mahogany, mango, palm and several other. You will get to see the tortoise in here, and if you want, on permission you can feed them too. There is a church of saints in the island and you can buy small things from here like old doll’s haed and other old artifacts. There are some paranormal stories about this island as well, and you can hear about them from your guides or in the guidebook as well.

Snorkelling in Seychelles

The Seychellois islands are full of fascinating marine flora and fauna including exotic species as well as bright corals and are an absolute paradise for sea lovers. The crystal clear turquoise waters provide excellent visibility, making Seychelles one of the best places in the world for underwater activities. Snorkelling in Seychelles is particularly popular since it does not require any specialised training. It is an activity suitable for kids as well as adults. The enchanting underwater world of Seychelles is bound to fascinate you with its diverse life underneath the sea.

Climate

The Seychelles' climate is one which is always warm and does not reach extremes of heat or cold. The temperature rarely drops below 24°C or rises above 32°C. All but the remotest southern islands lie outside the cyclone belt making Seychelles’ a year round destination for sun worshippers and beach lovers.

What to Eat In Seychelles

Echoing the grand assortment of people who populate Seychelles, Creole cuisine features the subtleties and nuances of French cooking, the exoticism of Indian dishes and the piquant flavours of the Orient.

Grilled fish or octopus coated with a sauce of crushed chillies, ginger and garlic are national favourites as are a variety of delicious curries lovingly prepared with coconut milk and innovative chatinis made from local fruits such as papapya and golden apple.

As may be expected, seafood dishes feature predominantly in the local cuisine, appearing alongside the national staple, rice.

Some restaurants specialise in Indian, Chinese or Italian food and many feature popular international and specialist dishes.

Nightlife in Seychelles

Seychelles is not known for its lively nightlife, but there are a couple of casinos and a few nightclubs on Mahé. Most large hotels and resorts provide some form of entertainment at night.

Shopping in Seychelles

Those who go to the Seychelles expecting large shopping avenues and centres might be disappointed. Victoria, the small capital of the Seychelles, offers a few shops that are worth exploring, while Eden Island has a small shopping centre to offer, but besides that there isn’t much on offer.

If you want to self-cater, there are plenty of small corner shops that offer essentials, as well as a few larger supermarkets (e.g. STC) which have a larger selection of goods. If you want to save money, then buy local products when possible.

Fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish can be found on small stands which line the streets. If you are lucky, you might even be able to buy freshly-caught fish at the beach when the fishermen come back in the afternoon. Locals tend to shop at the Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke market (Mon - Sat: 10:00 - 18:00) in Victoria. If you are looking for souvenirs, here you can find a large selection of jewellery, spices, woodwork, and much more. The market is also a great place to meet on Saturdays to see the Seychellois go about their daily business.

How to Reach Seychelles

The only way to get inside the island of Seychelles is via airway. Due to some restrictions, mainly for environmental protection, even getting in via waterways is not a feasible option.

Direct flight to Seychelles is available from Mumbai via Air Seychelles. Flights with more than one stop in between are available from almost all major cities in the country via carriers such as Jet Airways, Etihad, Kenya Airways and Sri Lankan Airlines.

Seychelles is served by Seychelles International Airport located near the capital Victoria on the Mahe island, the airport is the only international gateway to the country. Air Seychelles, the national carrier operates nonstop flights from Mauritius, Johannesburg, Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Mumbai and Paris. Taxis are readily available at the airport to take you to the city centre.

Getting Around

The best way to get around the Seychelles all depends on where you are staying. There is an affordable bus service on Mahé and Praslin. If you’re planning on island hopping, you can use the reliable ferry services.