The islands
Mahè is the main island of the Seychelles, covering 150 kmq of roads. The capital, Victoria, has about 65,000 inhabitants and is a picturesque town mixing colonial and modern style, lying on the hill that slopes down to the sea and extends around a large bay at the foot of the Morne Seychellois and the Très Frères. This small town is the economic and administrative center of the Seychelles. The culminating point of this island rises to 900 meters above the sea level. Mahè is full of amazing beaches, one more fascinating than the other: Grand'Anse, Beau Vallon, Anse à La Mouche, Anse Takamaka, Anse Royale, Anse Intendance, Anse Soleil ... your choice depend on your personal taste. The crystal clear waters of Mahè are a real paradise. The best way to appreciate these wonders of the ocean is a trip with a glass-bottomed boat, this will allow you to admire the fish stalls and the wonderful coral formations that in the Seychelles are strictly protected. During your stay on Mahè island, it's necessary to rent a car; there are numerous Creole restaurants, craft shops, art galleries and a spectacular market in the capital Victoria. Use your time to discover this paradise island, its vegetation, its exotic scents, its forests, its white sand beaches and you will live an unforgettable holiday.
MAHE - St. Anne Marine National Park
This park was designed to ensure the protection of seabed and the large coral lagoon with its magnificent snorkeling grounds. Landing is paid as well as anchoring (very safe even at night) which takes place in the St Anne canal, just above the Ile Ronde.
PRASLIN
Second largest island (11km per 4km), Praslin is part of the granite group and has a population of about 5000 inhabitants. Less mountainous than Mahè, its great attraction is the Vallee de Mai, a forest untouched by millions of years full of endemic plants, a sanctuary of about 5000 unique palm trees that produce the most curious fruit of the botanical kingdom: the "Coco de Mer.", symbol of the Seychelles. Coco de Mer is an extraordinary fruit whose shape reminds a woman's belly, and weighing from 10 to 20 kg. It is estimated that some palm trees are as old as 800 years old. In the Valley a path has been created with well-kept paths leading to all areas and all interesting plant species. Walking, it’s possible to see an immense mass of primordial granite from the Seychelles that dates back to 650 million years ago. But the Praslin's charm is not over; here some of the most beautiful beaches of Praslin: Cote d'Or, Anse Bois de Rose, Anse Boudin, Anse Kerlan, but the most famous is Anse Lazio, perfect for those who loves swimming and snorkeling. Quieter than Mahè, its beauty is wild. The secluded beaches and the delightful hotels make it the perfect destination for a short stay or a complete vacation. The main port is located to the east, in the large bay of St. Anne.
CURIEUSE
Small island, easily accessible by boat with trips organized by local operators and often combined with the island of Cousin. Almost uninhabited, except for some families and guardians, the island is reserved for about 250 giant tortoises, brought there from Aldabra about 10 years ago with the aim of protecting and making them reproduce freely. Superb vegetation made up of 8 different types of mangroves, as well as large takamaka trees. The National Marine Park offers two anchors that correspond to the parks' paid entries. For the night we recommend a stop in the well protected La Roye bay, on the slope Oriental.
LA DIGUE
La Digue, with its 2000 inhabitants is the fourth largest island (5 km per 3 km), is part of the granite group, easily accessible by the sea, without a natural harbor "protected" by the reef that surrounds it, La Digue keeps all the charm of an intact world. The eastern coast is the wildest area and where the most beautiful beaches of the island are located: Anse La Réunion, Pointe Cap Barbi, Anse Source d'Argent with pinkish white sand among pink granite headlands. The local transportation system of wagons pulled by oxen, guarantees the tranquility of this island; the rhythms of life are slow and natural and should be lived like that: long walks will allow you to come into contact with local life, see beautiful colonial houses or Creole huts on stilts. Renting a bicycle is the best way to visit the island and the Union, where coconut is processed and turned into oil, the reserve of Renè Payet where the Paradise Flycatcher lives, laying on the Indian almond trees and which you will probably miss.
N.B. Itinerary is subject to modifications without any notice for technical and/or weather reasons.
