What to do in Seychelles

The Seychelles, free and unique, keep many pirate secrets and still attract brave wanderers. Today, this small state is located on the Amirante and Seychelles Islands on the east coast of Africa. Of the 115 islands surrounded by the waters of the Indian Ocean, only 33 are inhabited and developed. It's no surprise that travelers who come here feel like they're pioneers, and if you're a fan of novelty, then this article will be interesting to you.

Mahe Island (search flights and hotels)

The capital of the Seychelles - the city of Victoria - is home to 25,000 inhabitants, which is one third of the total population of the archipelago. Everyone who flies to the Seychelles inevitably visits this town, as the only international airport in the country is located here. In general, there are many unique things in Victoria - for example, the only university, the only museum, one Hindu temple and one traffic light. From here you can go to any island you are interested in by ferry, boat, yacht, helicopter or small plane.

Some tourists may think that there is nothing to do here, but if you have a couple of days to spare, then you can safely dispel this myth. For example, you can go for a long walk in the Royal Garden, also known as the Spice Garden. Here you can see how cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, chili, cocoa and vanilla grow. Avocados, bananas, lemons, pineapples and other exotic fruits also grow in the park. Interestingly, the Royal Garden was founded in the 18th century and over the past two centuries, its owners are members of the same family. And here is one very unusual restaurant Marie Antoinette, which serves bat curry. Though, in the light of recent world events and 3 years of wearing a face mask, the flow of people who want to try this dish has greatly decreased.

There is also the beautiful St. Anne Marine National Park, which is a favorite place for divers and yachtsmen. The best way to explore it is by boat. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the wild beach of Baie Terne, surrounded by mangrove trees, and dive to the sunken British tanker Ennerdale. In the early 1970s, a tanker hit a rock and sank, becoming home to huge sea eels, stingrays, lionfish and barracudas. Another of the attractions of the park is the Trompez Rocks, rising above the water from a depth of 20 meters, where divers can watch tuna, sharks and musketeer fish.

Those who are not very fond of marine activities will like the Morne National Park. This is a great place for hiking through the hills and mountains of volcanic origin, dotted with tropical trees and relict shrubs. Morne Park has 12 trails of varying difficulty, suitable for both experienced hikers and families with children. Here is the highest point of the island - Mount Morne Blanc. From its top, a breathtaking panoramic view of the neighboring islands - La Digue and Praslin - opens up.

Praslin Island (search flights and hotels)

Praslin, the second largest island in the Seychelles, is actually very compact - just 11 by 4 km, making it easy to explore on foot. In the southern region of the island is the Praslin National Park, which is famous for its ancient rainforest. It is said that the appearance of this forest, full of relict plants, has remained unchanged for millions of years. The Park is ideal for hiking, especially for botanists, as there are six unique species of palm trees and black parrots.

Vallee de Mai, another national park on the island of Praslin, attracts tourists with an extensive plantation of a rare type of palm tree - coco de mer. This palm tree is known for unusually shaped nuts resembling female buttocks, which have become a real symbol of the Seychelles and adorn the coat of arms of the country. It is believed that the government of the Seychelles managed to preserve the original forest, where this plant first appeared.

The island's main beach, known as Côte d'Or or Anse Volbert, is a popular destination for watersports enthusiasts such as surfing, kite surfing, water skiing and kayaking. There is also a diving center on the beach, where you can rent equipment and try your hand at the training dive pool. Other beautiful beaches are also located here, such as Anse Lazio, Anse Georgette (which belongs to the Anse Constance Lemuria and requires advance booking by phone) and Anse Marie Louise, which has an amazing natural pool that fills at high tide. The beaches of Praslin are famous for the deep blue color of the water, which is due to the lack of coral reefs around the island.

La Digue Island

If you just want to lie on the beach, then you should definitely sail to this island. Here are the beaches that top many rating lists. For example, Anse Source d'Argent Beach was named the best in the world by National Geographic magazine. Next to it is a bungalow where the famous 70s erotic film "Farewell Emmanuelle" was filmed, as well as vanilla plantations, which are worth a visit. Anse Marron Beach is almost as impressive, but harder to get to, making it the perfect spot for a "wild" swim without the crowds of tourists. Grand Anse Beach was named as the best beach in the world according to CNN in 2013, however, due to high waves, people rarely swim here, preferring to surf. It is important to note that all Seychelles beaches, including those located on the territory of luxury hotels, are open and free for visitors, which is guaranteed by the country's legislation.

Visitors to La Digue can get to know the huge ancient turtles that live in the Union Estate Nature Reserve. This park is located on land that was owned by the noble Hossen family two hundred years ago. Currently, only a colonial-style wooden house with a palm-leaf roof has survived from their possessions, which is now owned by the country's former president, Franco-Albert René.

Silhouette Island

This island is a nature reserve that attracts lovers of snorkeling and fishing. Here you can catch and cook on your own (or contact the chef in the restaurant) various seafood: lobster, shrimp, crabs and many types of fish.

At the same time, people come to Silhouette to enjoy its untouched nature: despite the fact that the island is the third largest, it is almost untouched by civilization. It is believed that this tropical paradise was preserved in its original form thanks to the impenetrable granite rocks on the coast, which made the island inaccessible for a long time after colonization.

Cousin Island

Private Cousin Island is quite a modest size (only 30 hectares). The owners of the island welcome guests with pleasure; for them, they have created a reserve for exotic birds on their territory, the number of which reaches about 300 thousand individuals. In addition, the island serves as a breeding ground for Indo-Pacific hawk turtles, which have layed their eggs here since ancient times. Visitors of Cousin have the opportunity to meet the oldest inhabitant of the Seychelles, a tortoise named George, who is over 160 years old. Despite his impressive age, George does not miss the opportunity to ask the guests for treats.

Aldabra atoll

Four large and many small coral islands are located as far as possible from any civilization. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Aldabra remains almost untouched by man, with massive colonies of the Seychellois giant tortoises, estimated at around 150,000 individuals.

In addition to turtles, Aldabra is home to unique species of animals, such as the white-throated rail, the last flightless bird in the Indian Ocean. Also, here you can find a colony of frigates and rare marine mammals - dugongs.

There are no hotels on Aldabra: you can get to the island only as part of an organized group on a yacht. When visiting, guests are strongly advised to exercise the utmost care so they do not to disrupt the normal rhythm of life of local animals and not cause harm to the natural environment.

The Seychelles is truly a tropical paradise, but with a huge range of experiences, from active to lazy. Roaming is very expensive here, and Wi-Fi from hotels does not always cover all beaches, so connect to fedafone for Seychelles and let yourself go!