Mysterious patches of land are lost among the waves of the Indian Ocean. From a haven for sea pirates, sorcerers, and adventurers, they have turned into a romantic place for lovers of exotic recreation. Vacationers come here to fully enjoy the endless ocean spaces, lie on the sand, the softest in the world, listen to the singing of rare birds, see the mysterious palm fruit “coco de mer,” and hear the local legend that it was called the “forbidden fruit” from the biblical Eden. Seeing the white beach strips surrounding the green thickets, the blue ocean, it is impossible not to choose the resorts of the Seychelles for a vacation.
A long flight, not a budget-friendly vacation option, will not stop lovers of paradise among untouched nature. Especially since the Republic of Seychelles, located on a volcanic underwater plateau, includes a huge number of granite, coral islands wrapped in mysterious secrets. Some of them have created dream resorts for the inhabitants of the planet.
Mahé
The country’s vacation starts on the largest granite part of the Mahé archipelago. 9 km from the capital Victoria is the Pointe Larue International Airport. The city is considered the smallest capital among the states of the world. Near the eastern coast of Africa is a piece of land with breathtaking beach areas (there are more than 70) and secluded bays.
Here are the Royal Garden, Morne Reserve, Mont Fleuri Botanical Garden, and other reserved places popular with vacationers. To enjoy the most white beaches on the planet, it is suggested to stay in hotels in Victoria. Luxurious, modern complexes have rooms of different price categories. Special bus routes are offered to any beach. The city has many souvenir shops, stores, and restaurants. There are two museums.
The main entertainment on Mahé is beach recreation, diving, and water activities. Familiarity with numerous marine inhabitants and exploring coral reefs takes place in a calm ocean, protected from hurricanes and storms due to the favorable location of the archipelago. There are no dangerous predators here, and huge turtles weighing up to 300 kg at the age of 150 years are not dangerous but cause delight, especially among children.
- Constance Ephelia 5* — luxurious suites and villas, 5 restaurants, 6 bars, 5 pools
- Coral Strand Smart Choice 4* — 2 outdoor pools, rooms with ocean or mountain views, 3 restaurants, cocktail bar
- STORY Seychelles 5* — located in the Morne National Park, modern suites and villas, 7 restaurants
Praslin
Palm groves of fan (rack, leaf, hauban, thousand-foot), cabbage, and the legendary “coco de mer” create an atmosphere of pristine nature in Praslin. The abundance of rare birds, including the black parrot, bulbul, Indian myna, and frigate, fills the unique May Valley National Park, listed as a UNESCO heritage site.
Beautiful landscapes, endless vanilla plantations, and extraordinary beach areas against the backdrop of blue water form an atmosphere of exotic recreation. The untouched natural beauty is offered to be seen by participating in various ecotourism options. Half of the country’s lands are combined into protected national parks (including marine), nature reserves, and sanctuaries.
Hospitable Creoles thus preserve invaluable natural places for future generations. During the resort vacation, photo and video shooting on land and in the sea depths is not limited. Sea trips to different places of the archipelago, participation in water activities, and beaches are offered. Cozy rooms in modern hotels, the opportunity to try local cuisine dishes in restaurants complement the quality vacation.
- Constance Lemuria 5* — suites and villas, three-level pool, 4 restaurants and 5 bars
- Le Château de feuilles 5* — restaurant, outdoor pool, bar, food and drink delivery to the room
- Raffles Seychelles 5* — luxurious villas with private mini-pool and 2 landscape pools, dinner on the beach for guests
La Digue
The birth of the archipelago is associated with the indomitable natural force of volcanic eruptions in the historical past of our planet. Traces testifying to the passage of mysterious processes have frozen in the form of black rocks surrounding La Digue. Now it is one of the best resorts in the Indian Ocean.
The unique beach Source d’Argent, covered with coral sand, protected by natural statues of granite, attracts vacationers for a special vacation. There are no noisy car engines here; the only means of transportation are ox-drawn carts. Life flows as it did 200 years ago. Changes are visible only in recreation areas. Numerous small restaurants built on the coast surprise with a variety of delicious local cuisine dishes.
For accommodation, guests are offered rooms in the only hotel, while the other territory is built up with wooden houses in the old Creole style. Excellent sandy beaches and clear water with a transparent bottom dispose to rest and provide an opportunity to feel like the first inhabitant of a lost world.
Therese
Small pieces of land are separated by strips of the purest ocean water. An oasis of palms, white sandy beaches attract attention; you want to get there and find out what secrets are hidden there. Or lie on a deserted strip of the ocean, swim, see beautiful marine inhabitants by diving to the transparent bottom.
Such a place is the small (only 700 m long) island of Therese, located near Mahé. The distance between them is suggested to be overcome by motorboat in 10 minutes. Its popularity was created by the filming of the TV show Dom 2. Next to the beach areas are stairs leading up. Everywhere there are signs “Private Property.” It is allowed to go through them to a stylized village built with the preservation of local traditions for transmission.
Participants of the TV show lived in huts made of palm branches before moving to another place. The kitchen, toilet, sleeping places, and recreation areas were built among the pristine and played an important role in organizing an exciting game. Visiting these places is considered an interesting one-day route during the rest.
Desroches
You can get to the picturesque atoll created by corals, covered with tropical forest, bordered by white strips of beaches 14 km long by air flight from Mahé. This piece of paradise among the blue waves got its name in honor of the eighteenth ruler of Mauritius. Here, lovers of active recreation and lazy sunbathing are eager to come.
Walking along jungle paths, participating in water activities, mastering the initial skills of diving, and windsurfing under the guidance of experienced teachers. After training, a diving certificate is provided. Familiarity with the beauty of corals in the underwater world, fun sea trips — all this is possible during your stay on a small piece of land in the vast Indian Ocean. For accommodation, 49 luxurious rooms of the only hotel Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island 5* and numerous villas are offered.
Even if you choose a place to stay away from the shore, you can drive to the beach and restaurant on a buggy for free or by bicycle. It is possible to order lunch or breakfast directly to the villa. Modern amenities such as a SPA center, boutiques, internet, and medical staff services are available for vacationers. You can participate in excursions around the surroundings and visit the famous turtle farm.
Sainte Anne
An exclusive resort with an international name appeared on the site of pirate ships and whaling ships’ stops in 2002. This was facilitated by white sandy beaches with coral sand, lush tropical vegetation, granite rocks, and a mysterious mountain watching the blue ocean waves.
It is offered to admire the unique nature and beautiful landscapes by staying at the modern hotel Sainte Anne Resort & Spa 5*. It includes 87 luxurious villas, four restaurants, a Japanese SPA salon with a beauty salon, a yoga pavilion, and a wooden pool. In the recreation areas surrounded by a garden, there are gazebos, several pools for kids. A children’s club and playgrounds are available for children.
Vacationers are warned that motorized floating devices cannot be used in coastal waters. The entire territory is part of the National Marine Reserve. This is one of the first reserves in the Indian Ocean, aimed at preserving the ecosystem of rare marine inhabitants. The opening took place in 1973. The underwater world can be seen by diving with a hobby mask or during diving.
Cerf
The heart of the unique Marine Reserve is a piece of land measuring 1 by 1.5 km with interesting inhabitants. In the coastal waters, giant turtles reign, along with 150 species of marine inhabitants. Among them are stars, octopuses, crabs, fish, sea urchins, and majestic coral thickets.
Lovers of underwater adventures strive to get into the pristine tropical paradise. Any equipment for such journeys is offered at rental services or dive with a regular mask in absolutely clear water. It is always warm here. The average annual temperature is 24-29°C. Short tropical rains occur from December to February.
The coral formation is named after the frigate Le Cerf. It is suggested to stay at the modern hotel, which opened in 2003. For accommodation, 12 villas are built on the coast. It is very easy to walk to the bays with cozy beaches and bask in the sun. Walk around the beautiful surroundings and find the only waterfall in the archipelago, amazing in its beauty.
Moyenne
The history of the archipelago in the Indian Ocean holds many unsolved moments of its birth and further life. Its islands served as a safe haven for pirates with looted wealth. Legends and myths about it still excite the minds of brave treasure hunters. Moyenne stands out for its number of legends more than other places lost in the ocean.
For over 50 years, it was owned by Brendon Grimshaw and his adopted son Rene Antoine Lafortune. Thanks to their efforts, life originated here. They not only searched for pirate treasures but also attracted tourists’ attention with unusual excursions around the territory. They planted 16,000 trees, brought giant turtles, and laid out tourist routes (including to the old cemetery where three pirate graves are located).
They arranged a beach, opened the “Jolly Roger” restaurant, a small museum, and a chapel indicating all the island’s owners. Since 2012, the island has ceased to be private property and has become part of the Republic. Since 2008, a piece of land with an area of 9 hectares has received reserve status and is part of the National Park.
Anonyme
The green kingdom on a small territory surrounded by white strips of sand, clean ocean waters, and coral reefs is private property. Since people appeared in this part of the Indian Ocean, the place belonged to the St Jorre family. Now it is owned by the daughter of the former president of the archipelago and is used in the tourism business. For guests at the resort, separate chalets are offered for accommodation, a small restaurant, and a luxurious house Anonyme Island Resort 4*.
The caretaker and his wife keep order throughout the territory. Its close location to noisy Mahé and regular ferry service allows for entertainment elsewhere, while here reigns peace and tranquility. The island can be rented during wedding trips or family vacations. All kinds of water activities are possible and take place in a small company. During walks around the surroundings, rare trees and plants are offered to be seen.
Among them are bois-noir (ironwood) and the Banyan, over 100 years old. Anonyme, named after an ancient sailing ship, has a granite origin. Numerous legends and mysterious stories are hidden in caves, cozy bays, and under green hills among the tropical forest. All this creates a special atmosphere of secluded rest.
Silhouette
The pearl of the Indian Ocean is less equipped with elements of modern civilization than other places. Jungles, white sand, and beautiful coastline still retain the reputation of the “treasure island.” Now people strive here for exclusive rest among beautiful nature and amazing legends from the lives of pirates. Although the proven fact of their activities is the export of copra and repair of ships on the shallow coast.
During the excursion, it is told that one old man knew where the pirate treasure was, but he was afraid to specify its place, which added fantastic wealth sought to this day. Guests are offered rooms in the only hotel. Moreover, the number of people vacationing here at the same time is limited and strictly regulated. Those who want to see this abandoned place in the ocean, enjoy the silence on beaches surrounded by exotic palm thickets, should take care of this in advance.
Then the pristine nature, the only rainforest in the archipelago, unusual animals (including a turtle reserve that can be touched by hand), a bright underwater world, and unusual animals will reveal their special life secrets. You can come here at any time of the year.
- Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa 5* — awarded the Green Globe certificate, spacious villas, 7 restaurants, bars, live music shows
- La Belle Tortue — located on the first line, rooms and villas, bar on the territory
North
Lovers of walking on the ocean floor and looking at the residents of the underwater kingdom strive here for a vacation all year round. Learn to dive with aqualung, take a diving course, confirm their professional qualities in water sports events. One of the most beautiful places on earth — North Island, a Luxury Collection Resort, Seychelles 5*, hospitably offers guests 11 guest villas built in the traditions of local residents. They are located next to the shore of the Indian Ocean.
On cozy verandas, it is pleasant to have breakfast and watch the endless ocean expanse. The butler brings the food. The living conditions in the environmentally clean zone resemble Robinson Crusoe’s lost world. You can not only swim all day in the turquoise waters of the ocean and convenient pools (with kids), do windsurfing, sailing, but also explore the picturesque surroundings.
Among the unique tropical forests, there are many small freshwater lakes. On them, the enticing smells of rare plants and wild fauna create a happy world of peace and relaxation for the soul and body.
Curieuse
Having settled in the hotels of Praslin, having lain enough on its beautiful beaches, it is suggested to make an extraordinary journey into the kingdom of untouched nature on a small piece of land called Curieuse. This was the name of the French schooner that arrived here in 1768 for the fruits of the amazing palm. A terrible fire and a zone for leprosy patients went down in the history of the beautiful world of Curieuse.
Only in 1979 did the ocean archipelago oasis gain National Park status. Now people in love with the sea, fishing, surfing, diving, and exclusive beach recreation come to the island, formerly called Ile Rouge. There is no permanent population or modern hotels. You can get there by overcoming a 700 m strait with exceptionally clear water on a yacht, another vessel with an excursion or by yourself. In the wildest part of the land, a colony of amazing land and sea turtles brought after complete extermination in the 20th century lives.
Special nurseries are created for them. Turtles are not afraid of people and love being petted on the neck. And the hawksbill turtle comes ashore only during egg-laying. During the journey, it is suggested to have a snack in barbecue areas and with tender nuts, which are countless here.
Félicité
As if a strong giant dragged stone boulders and laid them along the coast of a lost paradise in the Indian Ocean. Massive boulders have become the hallmark of the resort, located 3 km from La Digue and 5 km from Félicité. Around the stone formations, rare marine inhabitants swim peacefully, which is interesting to observe during an underwater journey. It is suggested to get here by helicopter from Mahé or boat from other areas of the archipelago.
For accommodation, Félicité (bliss in French) offers 30 villas, 3 two-level residences in the hotel Six Senses Zil Pasyon 5*. The buildings are built in the traditional Creole style. Everything is equipped with modern comfort. Massage salons and Ayurveda centers are working.
The villas have pools, a relaxation terrace, a wine bar, a beach relaxation area with sunbeds and umbrellas. Lovers of water sports and active recreation can appreciate the services of the most sporty resort of the archipelago. There is an opportunity to participate in fishing in the open ocean.
Try delicious seafood dishes, order lunch in the style of European, African cuisine in two restaurants Island Café, Ocean Kitchen, and beach bars Koko Bar, Lakanbiz. Exploring the surroundings, it is suggested to hike through the granite mountain range born by oceanic volcanoes in ancient times and passing through Félicité.
Frigate
The former pirate refuge known to every schoolchild is located in the eastern part of the archipelago. Legends of treasures and the secret struggle for them have lived here since the first inhabitants. In the 18th century, thousands of amazing birds were the main hosts of a piece of land among ocean waves. Special creations of nature, pirate birds, could not swim or land on the water.
Nature endowed them with extraordinary speed and the ability to rob other sea birds. The ability to perform complex maneuvers during hunting allowed the researcher Lazare Picault to name the island after them. It is suggested to get to know the unusual inhabitants, see the picturesque nature, and lie on the white private beaches by staying in comfortable rooms at the Fregate Island Private 5* hotel, represented by 16 secluded villas designed for 40 places.
You can come to the luxury vacation area by plane, helicopter, or boat from Mahé. Near the landing site is the beautiful Bamboo River. Along its banks grow rare tropical plants, palm groves, and Indian almond trees. There is a nursery for preserving rare trees and plants.
Cousin
Guests of one of the most expensive resorts in the world are greeted by George and Georgina – two old big turtles who have become everyone’s favorites. This does not surprise anyone because the private vacation area in the archipelago has had the status of an international reserve since 1968.
Thanks to the efforts of locals and the country’s laws, the ecology, animal, and plant world inherent in these places have been fully restored on the small piece of land. Scientific work on 40 programs is still being carried out here. Lovers of travel come here not to participate in night discos and noisy holidays, but to enjoy the pristine sounds of nature, listen to the ocean waves and the singing of rare birds.
Simultaneous stay is designed for 10 people. It is suggested to walk through mysterious places with excursions or independently. Special paths are thought out in the private property. Walking along them, no disturbing violations of life for the inhabitants or damage to rare plants are created.
During the stay at the only hotel Cousine Island Seychelles 5*, smoking and arranging fun picnics are prohibited. Nothing should disturb the eternal harmony of nature, restored by man. Cyclones and rains pass by this place, making the rest safe and convenient for children over 15 years old. There is an opportunity to rent the entire hotel (these are 4 comfortable villa-bungalows) and enjoy the amazing nature with your family.
Denis
In the northernmost part of the island nation is a private property (with permission for tourist visits in 1977), representing a unique eco-resort Denis Private Island. Among the tropical forest, 25 modern villas are built, and there is an ecological farm. It provides guests with its own products. Dishes from them are served in the local restaurant. The farm is serviced by the residents of a small local village.
The village also houses an 18th-century chapel building, popular for romantic wedding ceremonies. The marriage is confirmed by valid documents. The hotel grounds are equipped with sports and children’s playgrounds. Babysitting services are offered to look after young children. Denis is located on the edge of the African shelf. Almost near the shore, ocean depths begin.
This creates special natural conditions for exciting fishing. Five world records have been set here for catching dogfish, tuna, and marlin. Vacationers are offered all types of water entertainment and beautiful white sandy beaches with soft sand. The PADI diving center operates here, and its specialists provide various services for those who want to walk on the sea bottom.
Yachts, canoes, catamarans, and boats constantly cruise around Denis, filling the surroundings with fun and joy. You can come to the vacation area by boat, helicopter, or plane from Mahé.
- Denis Private Island Denis — 30 minutes flight from the main island of Mahé, 9.1 Good based on 40 reviews, 2 bookings today, show prices
What to Try in the Seychelles. National Dishes of Seychelles
