The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the heart of the Indian Ocean. All the islands are splendid in their own right, each more exotic than the other, yet they share a common denominator: lush tropical vegetation, lined by white sandy beaches running down to crystal clear water in shades from emerald green to dark blue. It is a sight which never fails to impress visitors.
MAHE ISLAND
A ride around Mahe passes tea, vanilla and cinnamon plantations (a very long day of sightseeing). The sunset cruise, which departs Victoria and lasts between two and three hours, is highly recommended. It sails north along the coast, offering a sensational view of the island. Other island activities include excellent deep-sea fishing (wahoo, dogtooth tuna, marlin, bonito and others) and horseback riding. Anse aux Pins (just south of the airport) has a nine-hole golf course, and several hotels offer tennis. There are casinos at Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort (at Beau Vallon) and the Plantation Club (at Baie Lazare).
PRASLIN ISLAND
The main attraction on Praslin is the Vallee de Mai, home to the extremely rare coco-de-mer palms that produce the world's largest nuts—they can weigh as much as 40 lb./18 kg. The nuts got their name—"fruit of the sea"—hundreds of years ago when they washed up on the islands. When its outer shell is removed, the nut looks amazingly like a woman's pelvis, both fore and aft, which explains the nut's status as collector's item. (The "male" part of the tree looks appropriately phallic, leading to predictable iconography to signify ladies' and mens' restrooms.)
Praslin is also home to some of the world's rarest birds, such as the black parrot, fruit pigeon and Seychelles bulbul. Take the self-guided walking trail to tour the Vallee de Mai (in the south-central part of the island), allowing at least two hours for the stroll (it can take a full half-day if you walk every trail).
SILHOUETTE ISLAND
This mountainous island, so spectacular when viewed from Mahe, is a wonderful place for a hike and a view of the sunset. Granite peaks are interspersed with forests, and the whole place is enveloped in bird song and a riot of tropical color. There are no roads on the island, which can only be reached by boat (under optimal conditions, Silhouette is a 2- to 3-hour trip from Mahe). Just north of Silhouette is North Island. 20 mi/35 km northwest of Mahe.
NORTH ISLAND
The development on North Island is unashamedly aimed at providing the very best in privacy, location, accommodation, services, facilities and experience. The Island has only 11 guest Villas – exquisitely designed to celebrate nature and offer an authentic home-from-home ambience. The result is a special destination that touches the lives of its guests and inspires them long after they have left. North Island is a most interesting conservation project. It is very seldom that the opportunity arises to make such a significant and positive impact on a region, a specific area, its wildlife and surrounding environment. On this beautiful island is an exclusive luxury lodge. Where possible, materials reaped from the rehabilitation process have been utilised. In doing so they have paid particular attention to capturing the true essence of North Island, a rare experience in harmony with the environment. North Island is an example of a sustainable ecologically sensitive utilisation of a precious natural treasure.
