Seychelles Highlights
Mahé
The largest (154 sq km) and most densely populated island in Seychelles, home to 90 percent of Seychellois. Mahé, which can be easily covered in a day, has its charms. Visit the quaint capital of Victoria with its Botanical Gardens, then take a leisurely circle-island tour, stopping by at white sand beaches and deserted coves with azure waters, charming Creole restaurants and artists' studios, and various places of interest, including Morne Seychellois National Park.
Ste Anne Marine National Park
The islands that make up Ste Anne Marine Park (Ste Anne, Round, Moyenne and Cerf) to Mahé's east is an easy day trip if you are staying on Mahé. The corals are a shadow of their former selves, due in part to siltation from land reclamation around Victoria. However, the fish life is still prolific and the short journey to the marine park, combined with lunch on one of the charming and peaceful islands which have restaurants, is still a very pleasant way to spend a day.
Silhouette
The third-largest island of the granitic group lies 20 km northwest of Mahé. The island's topography and limited development means an exceptional diversity of plants and animals has been preserved. In fact, conservationists regard Silhouette as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the Indian Ocean. Silhouette has no roads, so its thick virgin forests remain largely untrodden. The beaches on the east coast are sheltered by a coral reef and are perfect for swimming and snorkelling, and the forest trails, while not always easy going, take you through beautiful, dense vegetation.
Praslin
Praslin is the second-largest island and lies 45 km northeast of Mahé. Its sheltered valleys harbour primeval palm forest, and away from the shadows of the forest, there are many superb beaches and first-rate hotels. The island's popularity stems from the dreamy stretches of soft white sand and crystal waters which have been declared the best in the world by many travel writers. The jewel of Praslin is the World Heritage Site of the Vallée de Mai, where the strange coco de mer grows.
Cousin
Cousin island, which is easily visited from Praslin, being just 2 km away, is the final refuge place of the Seychelles bush warbler. The island, dedicated as a protected nature reserve for this rare species, is also home to other bird species like Seychelles fody, Malagasy turtle dove, lesser noddy, and fairy terns). From October to March, there is also a chance to spot rare hawksbill turtles as Cousin is one of a handful of breeding sites in the world for this rare species.
Aride
Lying about 10 km north of Praslin, Aride is the most northerly of the granitic isles and arguably the most unspoilt island of the Indian Ocean. Owned and managed by the Royal Society for Nature Conservation (RSNC), 68-hectare Aride is the finest nature reserve of the granitic Seychelles and a conservationist's paradise. It has more breeding species of seabirds than the other 38 granite islands combined, plants found nowhere else on earth and rare endemic land birds.
La Digue
The fourth-largest island of the granitic group, and only a 30-minute ferry ride away from Praslin, La Digue is generally considered to be one of the most beautiful of the Seychelles islands and should not be missed. The spectacular coast, with its huge boulders towering over perfect beaches, has been used as a backdrop for many a film and fashion shoot. Cycling around the island is an excellent way of taking in the sights.
Bird
Bird is a flat, coralline island 98 km northwest of Mahé, and only accessible by plane from Mahé. A colony of a million sooty terns present from April-October make Bird a worthwhile island to visit. The beaches are pristine and there is excellent swimming and snorkelling. For bird-watchers, October is the best month, combining the spectacle of the tern colony with the chance of seeing rare migrants. Non-twitchers can simply enjoy the feeling of remoteness and the wild beauty of the island.
Desroaches
Desroches is the exposed rim of a submerged atoll, the only island of the Amirantes Group - lying 230km southwest of the granitic islands - to have air links with Mahé. The Desroches Island Resort is situated at one extremity of the island which is 6 km long and 1 km wide. There are stunning beaches, superb diving and other watersports. Diving is best during October-April when you can explore the Drop, an atoll wall.
Alphonse
This is the ultimate "get away from it" all island, lying 400 km southwest of Mahé. Shaped like an arrow head, with skeins of white sand trailing away from the leading tip, Alphonse is the largest island of the group, which also bears its name. The group also includes the islands of Bijoutier and St Francois. The beaches are splendid, the diving spectacular, while watersports include the best fly fishing in the Indian Ocean.