My idea of the perfect tropical getaway involves grabbing your swimsuit and relaxing on the white beach surrounded by palm trees. And Seychelles features prominently in my mind.
Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean located just off the eastern coast of Africa. With so many islands you won’t have to worry about overcrowding on the beach.
You can go on hiking paths, water adventures, snorkeling, diving. You can explore the massive coral reefs. These are just a few of the things available as you hop from island to island.
Seychelles is a fantastic place for honeymooners and adventure seekers. If you want to view endangered kinds of fish or deep dive into 40 meters of immaculate Topaz water, this is the place. Here are some of the reasons why Seychelles should be your next vacation destination:
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The Greatest Beaches On The Planet
Seychelles, made up of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, is a beach lover’s dream. Every anse (Creole for “beach”) offers a new stretch of sugar-white sand. The crystal-clear waters surround the lush tropical rainforest.
A beach in Seychelles. [Photo: My Holidays]
Snorkelers will enjoy Anse Lazio on Praslin, the second-largest island in Seychelles. Just off the eastern end of this beautiful white beach is a coral-rich wonderland. On Mahé Island, Beau Vallon is as active as it is beautiful. At the southern end, Anse Intendance is large, empty, and gorgeous.
On weekends you find the locals picnicking and playing music under takamaka trees. There are merchants selling Creole cuisine, drinks, and apparel. They fill the beaches south of the airport on Mahé.
Its Diverse Wildlife
Birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate Seychelles. The world’s smallest frog and some of the world’s largest tortoises, as well as 12 endemic bird species, call the islands home.
You will find Gardiner’s tree frog on Mahé’s Morne Seychellois hiking trail. It has a distinguishing dark band stretching from its mouth on its green-to-brown skin. But you’ll need good eyesight to see it because it’s only 11mm long.
The huge Aldabra tortoises, on the other hand, are much easier to spot. They appear to be pets in every hotel, restaurant, and distillery on the islands. You may find them in the wild on North Island, Cousin Island, Curieuse Island, and, of course, Aldabra atoll, where they originated.
The rare Seychelles black parrot is the islands’ official bird, and the Seychelles magpie robin and Seychelles warbler. They were both endangered and now spared from extinction. They will appeal to birdwatchers. Cousin Island, a former coconut plantation is now a nature reserve after the discovering of the last warblers.
This is the best place to see them. Because visitors are only permitted on the island at specific times, you will need to plan your journey to Praslin ahead of time.
Bird Island, a private area abounding with wildlife, is a must-see for serious twitchers. Because the island is only accessible by plane once a day, you need an overnight stay at the island’s well-renowned resort.
The Breathtaking Hiking Trails
A world of excitement awaits you if you can tear yourself away from Seychelles’ mesmerizing beaches. Rugged mountains and lush vegetation abound on the larger islands, many of which are unspoiled and waiting for exploration.
There are walks and hikes for people of all fitness levels and abilities. On Mahé, the Anse Major route is a short walk through beautiful granite boulders. On Praslin, the Anse Georgette walk is a moderate hike that connects two magnificent beaches on the island’s northern tip. The five-hour trek to Morne Seychellois, Mahé’s highest point, is difficult, but rewarding with stunning vistas of the islands.
Delicious Creole Cuisine
In Seychellois cuisine, fusion is not a new notion. The wonderful indigenous Creole dishes bear the imprint of traders from Africa, China, Europe, and India. It also helps to have such ready access to the sea’s wealth. Tuna, bonito, sea bass, red snapper, barracuda, king mackerel, gilt-head bream, and lobster are all available, cooked in a variety of ways.
Zourit (octopus) cooked in creamy curry is a popular dish. Another must-try is tec tec, a delightful soup made from little mussels picked on the shore and boiled with pumpkin. You can buy samosas, a quick and easy Indian snack, on most street corners.
The local shark chutney is a must-try for those with a more daring palette. Alternatively, there’s the bat curry. It’s available from most Creole takeout, but residents say the Marie Antoinette Creole Restaurant on Mahé serves the best. Check out Mahé’s La Plaine St. Andre if you want to eat fruit bat ravioli.
Head to the Boatshed at Beau Vallon for their regular Creole buffet to get a taste of Creole cuisine. The buffet features a dizzying selection of Creole classics and favorites, plus it’s an ‘all-you-can-eat’ option. Inquire about a local’s favorite Creole takeaway for a cheap lunch. A delicious coconut curry from one of these establishments can set you back merely a few pounds.
Most eateries serve hot chili-based American, Italian, and Creole-inspired dishes with raw, roasted, grilled, or curried fish. At The Boathouse Café, a short distance from Seychelles’ most famous beach, Beau Vallon, you may eat as much as you like for around 30 euros.
The meal at Ristorante Pizzeria De Luca and Gelateria on Praslin Island is all about presentation. They have exquisite meals, gentle lighting, and a gelato shop with more than15 different ice cream flavors.
World-class Scuba Diving
Seychelles has some of the world’s most diverse diving. There is something for every diver, from coral gardens near offshore to wildlife-rich deep-water wrecks.
Mahé, La Digue, and Praslin are the primary diving islands, and they are all part of the inner island group, which makes up the remains of a submerged mountain range. They’re perched on a rocky outcropping with a plethora of marine life.
Scuba diving in Seychelles. [Travel Triangle]
When the oceans are calm and you can dive with sharks and manta rays, the best time to dive in Seychelles in October November. The visibility is worse during the monsoon season, which runs from late May to September, but the abundance of plankton attracts whale sharks.
Culture
Make a note of the Seychelles Carnival in your calendar. Since the annual 3-day event moved from April to October to coincide with the annual Creole Festival, there’s still time. From the procession to the music to the acts, everything reflects Seychelles’ melting pot of cultures.
Brazilian dancers, Masai Warriors, vocalists, Chinese acrobats, and other performers perform at the Seychelles Carnival. The festival, which celebrates Creole culture, attracts visitors from all around the world, including other Creole performers.
Adventures
Enjoying Seychelles. [Photo: Yatravelo]
Luxury Resorts
Maia Luxury Resort & Spa is a 5-star resort that goes above and beyond all-inclusive. Private villas, butler service, and helicopter flights to desolate islands are all available.
Choose from a variety of dishes created by five different chefs at the resort. Pictures don’t do this home justice because it comes with a private garden and other unusual features like a seashell wall, an outdoor shower for coming from the beach, and a friendly staff.
