Seychelles
About Seychelles
Seychelles is one of the African countries and home to over 115 islands that sit like sparkling, delicate jewels in this protected tropical paradise in the western section of the Indian Ocean. Located just four degrees south of the equator and northeast of Madagascar, over 50% of Seychelles is comprised of protected areas including National Parks and Nature Reserves, which also includes two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This creates a unique environment in which flora and fauna can flourish and an archipelago of unspoiled natural beauty for travelers to explore.
Remotely set approximately 1600 kilometers from mainland Africa and said to be home to the oldest granite islands in the world, the landscape, and topography of the Seychelles islands is like no other. A mixture of coral and granite islands including popular La Digue and Praslin, under a third of these, are inhabited, which means it is a truly well-preserved destination with vast areas of wilderness and an array of biodiversity on its islands.
Crystal clear turquoise waters and sun-drenched, white powder beaches make Seychelles an ideal post-safari retreat or honeymoon destination for the traveler seeking a truly unspoiled but luxury, upmarket destination. Seychelles offers adventure and breathtaking natural beauty in pristine surroundings.
Seychelles’ 115 islands fall under two distinct groups, the inner and outer Islands. The inner islands clustering mainly around the principal islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, offer a granitic beauty and delightful Creole culture.
The remote outer islands comprise unspoiled sand cays and atolls with many providing untouched habitats for numerous species of wildlife. The cultural center of Seychelles is the island of Mahe with its pristine landscapes and incredible culture.
We have identified the top 3 activities every traveler coming to Mahe Island should experience at least once.
Top three experiences in mahe
A food paradise; Selwyn Clarke food market
The Sir Selwyn-Clarke Market is a foodies paradise for those visiting Seychelles, this national landmark was built in 1840 in magnificent Victorian-style architecture. The market is the best place to buy fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, and a variety of spices for both locals and travelers.
The Sir Selwyn-Clarke Market is an incredibly colorful place for travelers to visit as you are able to find many local items for family and friends. The market is usually opened from Monday to Friday early morning until dusk in the evening and is especially lively on Saturday.
Visit the amazing beau Vallon beach
Okay we get it, this is an obvious recommendation for Seychelles as most travelers have already made plans to frolic by the beach, but for those travelers in Mahe for a limited time, we recommend you travel directly to the Beau Vallon Beach.
Beau Vallon is located on the northeastern coast of Mahé, this picturesque bay is one of them is our opinion the most beautiful beach in the country. Due to this, the waters of Beau Vallon are prized for swimming and snorkeling.
Visit the capital of victoria
The capital of Seychelles, Victoria is known for its emerging culinary scene through its abundance of cafés, bars, and incredible restaurants. Visit the city center, where you will be inundated with local markets that are highly tailored to both the locals and tourists alike.
A visit to the Victoria Botanical Gardens is also an amazing excursion option as travelers will have time to relax and take in the entire beautiful local flora.
Best time to visit Seychelles
The best times to visit Seychelles are April, May, October, and November. These months represent the transition times between the hot and humid northwest trade winds (from November through March) and the cooler southeast trade winds that define April through October. A visit during these shoulder months offers more mild conditions ideal for sunbathing, wildlife watching, and scuba diving. No matter when you visit, you’ll encounter temperatures averaging in the 80s. But by frequenting the islands in the spring and fall, you’ll also avoid the heavy tourist crowds that descend on the islands in December, January, July, and August.
Seychelles Safari Parks and Reserves
Baie ternary Marine National Park
Declared a National Park in 1979, the Baie Ternay Marine National Park had its claim to fame due to “the unique biodiversity of its underwater life” quoting a scientific paper presented by G Domingue, R Payet and N Shah back in 1979. Years have passed and since then a number of scientific research and monitoring programmes have concluded that Baie Ternay reef has grown to be one of the most resilient carbonate reefs of the inner granitic islands of Seychelles.
Curieuse Marine National Park
A sanctuary for flora and fauna, Curieuse Marine National Park designated 11th June 1979, brings you as close to nature as anyone could wish. On this relatively small island, there is intriguing unique biodiversity. Curieuse is home to a significant collection of Seychelles’ endemic species, from giant tortoises introduced from Aldabra and endemic birds to the world’s biggest nut, the legendary coco de mer.
The island is the only other place, apart from the Vallee de Mai world heritage site, where the coco de mer palm grows naturally.
Ile coco marine National Park
This is one of Seychelles most spectacular landmarks and features in many of Seychelles promotional materials. It is the ultimate ‘get away from it all’ deserted island which catches most peoples’ attention.
With its eye-catching beauty, this park; comprising 3 small islets of Ile Cocos, Ile La Fouche and Ilot Plate; is exactly what makes visitors long for a holiday in Seychelles.
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Morne Seychellois National Park
Morne Seychellois is the highest peak in Seychelles. Morne Seychellois is located on the island of Mahé in the Morne Seychellois National Park.
The Morne Seychellois Park is the largest in Seychelles and was created in 1979. It covers a total surface area of 3,045 hectares, more than 20% of Mahé. It is 10km in length and between 2km and 4km wide and equipped with an extensive trail network covering more than 15km. A total of 12 different trails can be explored either by half or full-day excursions.
Port Launay MarineNational Park
One of Seychelles most picturesque seascapes, this park encloses eight beautiful beaches, as well as the five-star Ephelia Hotel. It is the only Marine Park which is accessible by land as well as by sea. Here, under the shade of the takamaka tree, one can laze the hours away listening to the sounds of the ocean gently caressing the sandy shores. The reefs on both sides of the bay provide a wonderful opportunity to use the mask and snorkel.
This park which is very popular as a stop-over for visiting yacht charters is also famous for its whale shark sightings. In their season, these huge gentle giants of the sea can be seen swimming lazily around feeding on the rich plankton that accumulates in the park.
Praslin National Park
The “Heart of Praslin” is home to remnants of the original palm jungles of Seychelles and has often been described as a “Garden of Eden” thanks to its secluded and mystical nature.
The park was placed under protection as far back as 1966, with over 1,400 trees of the legendary Coco de Mer falling under the protection of the Seychelles Government due to their uniqueness and that of the location.
Silhouette National Park
Silhouette Island has officially declared a National Park on 7th August 2010. This is an event of major significance for the conservation of the island and for environmental protection in Seychelles. For the NPTS this is an important declaration as our work on Silhouette since 1997 had three main aims: securing the future of Silhouette as a protected area, increasing the sheath-tailed bat population to over 50 individuals and re-establishing tortoises in the wild on the island. The declaration of the Silhouette National Park sees the achievement of the first and in many ways the most important, of these aims.
St.Anne Marine National Park
There is much to see in the Ste. Anne Marine National Park, which is set amid dazzling turquoise waters and is thus a perfect snorkelling spot. Situated about 5km from the main island of Mahé, this picturesque Marine Park comprises 6 islands just off the coast of Mahe. These islands include Ste Anne, Ile Moyenne, Ile Ronde, Ile Longue, Ile Cachee and Ile aux Cerfs.
Daily excursions, including glass-bottom boat excursion, provide spectacular views of Mahé, and introduce visitors to the treasures of this pristine Marine Protected Area, the first such park to be established in the Indian Ocean (March 1973).
Snorkelers on reefs can enjoy a host of corals of all shapes, sizes and colours. Ste. Anne Marine National Park contains one of the largest areas of seagrass meadows in the granitic islands and it is not uncommon to see green turtles feeding on them. Visitors might even have the opportunity to swim with hawksbill turtles or watch bottlenose dolphins cruising, for a truly memorable experience.
Wildlife and Birds in Seychelles
This gem of an archipelago off the east coast of Africa is a wildlife photographer’s paradise. Seychelles has a rich variety of plants, animals, birds and marine life. The archipelago proudly boasts of its Aldabra tortoises, Coco de Mer, Seychelles black parrot and shoals of colourful fish, thanks to its tranquil and unspoilt nature for thousands of years before the setup of human civilisation.
Mammals have been primarily brought to Seychelles by the humans. Otherwise, there is hardly any mention of these in the studies and explorations done before the invasion of humans. The only mention is that of the Seychelles fruit bats.
Fruit bats
These are an endemic and native species of Seychelles. Their tapered head resembling that of a dog has also earned them the name of ‘Flying Foxes’. These feed primarily on mangoes and serve the important function of dispersing the seeds of plants. Fruitbat curry is also a savoury meal of Seychelles and is served by a large number of Creole restaurants. So, do not be taken aback when someone serves it on your platter in Seychelles!
Seychelles Safari Lodges
Seychelles Weather & Climate
Lying 4°-11° south of the Equator, in the western Indian Ocean, Seychelles has a tropical climate: warm and humid with strong maritime influences. The temperature is consistently 24-32°C, there is no distinct dry season and there is some humidity at all times.
In Seychelles, the climate is tropical, hot all year round. From November to March, there is a rainy and muggy season due to the northwest monsoon, while from June to September, when the southeast trade winds prevail; there is a dry and slightly cooler season. Tropical rains usually occur in the form of downpours or thunderstorms, and in Seychelles, they usually occur in the afternoon in the sultry and rainy season, and at night in the driest season (when they are fairly frequent but of short duration).
The average daily temperature is around 26 °C (79 °F) in July and August, 27 °C (81 °F) in January, and 28 °C (82 °F) in March, April, and May, which are the warmest months. However, the temperature varies little both between night and day and between seasons: it rarely exceeds 33 °C (91 °F) during the day or drops below 22 °C (72 °F) at night.
Is Seychelles safe for tourists?
Most visits to Seychelles are trouble-free. However, there has been an increase in break-ins, robberies, burglaries, and opportunist thefts against residents, expatriates, and tourists. Crime is generally non-violent, but bags have been snatched, cars were broken into and tourists robbed while walking at night
Seychelles Safaris and tours
No other Islands give you a place to have fun in tranquillity. Adventure Seychelles has exotic combinations of events, tours, and recreational activities that suit all ages and gender.
Whether you choose to stay in Mahe, Praslin or La Digue Island, at any time of the year you are spoilt of choice of things to do. With an abundance of white sandy beaches, nature trail, sightseeing tours, excursions; Adventure Seychelles will make your everyday stay worthwhile.
Adventure Seychelles provide ideas, all being completely flexible with regards to date and duration. Our agents are all experienced in this domain of trading and are here with a wealth of helpful information.
Fishing safaris
Fishing in Seychelles is one of the most exciting activities for sea lovers. For those on their thighs, the holiday plan can take this activity and still stay within budget while having fun. Budget Fishing is either a full or half-day group activity.
Victoria city tour
Stay on Mahe Island and visit the Victoria; Capital of Seychelles and the smallest capital on the whole. This is a half-day Shared tour ideal for a person starting from 2 years onwards.