Exploring the Pristine Beauty of the Seychelles

Figure 1.  Anse Source d'Argent (Seychelles)

The Seychelles lie east of Kenya, near the equator. People around the world aren't alone in loving the remote beauty of this African nation: Prince William and Kate Middleton, and Victoria and David Beckham spent their honeymoons on the North Island of The Seychelles.

Getting there: Air France, Air Seychelles, and Turkish Airlines have regular flights that connect to Seychelles International Airport (SEZ), just south of the capital of Victoria.

Stunning and unspoiled, the Seychelles star in countless tropical island fantasies. Beautiful boulder-strewn beaches, virgin jungles, thriving coral reefs, and UNESCO-listed nature reserves are just some of the many attractions of the archipelago's 115 coral and granite islands, which are the peaks of a vast underwater plateau.

Popular things to do in the Seychelles include hiking the mountain trails, basking on the ravishing beaches, rock climbing, photographing the unique flora and fauna, and dining on mouthwatering Créole cuisine.

Aquatic pursuits abound in the clear, azure water. Diving, snorkeling, surfing, and sailing are all world class, and the Seychelles encompass some of the richest fishing grounds in the world.^[7]

In fact, the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai is so transcendently beautiful many locals believe it to be the true site of the Garden of Eden.

1986: ILE MOYENNE - Grimshaw's Private Island (YouTube link)

Where to Visit

The Seychelles islands are often referred to in two separate groups. Most travelers limit their exploration to the 43 Inner Islands, basing themselves on one of the group's three main isles:^[2]

1. Mahé
• Is the largest, home to the Seychellois capital, Victoria, as well as the famed Anse Intendance beach. 
2. Praslin
• Is the second largest of the primary islands, also boasts several acclaimed shorelines, not to mention Vallée de Mai. 
3. La Digue
• A quiet island where bicycles reign supreme and the sands of Anse Source d'Argent beach remain unspoiled. 
4. Moyenne Island
• Moyenne Island, the world's smallest national park, was transformed from a neglected wasteland into a paradisiacal eco-reserve by Brendon Grimshaw.^[11] Located in the Seychelles, the 0.099 square kilometer island features lush vegetation, walking paths, and giant Aldabra tortoises, preserving the natural beauty of the Seychelles before tourism.

Charter a private yacht further out to sea and you'll likely stumble across one of the 72 Outer Islands, low-lying, sandy cays ruled by wildlife. It doesn't get more remote than that.

Anse Source d'Argent

La Digue is a haven for nature lovers. It's also a great place to visit for anyone seeking a glimpse of traditional island life - bicycles and oxcarts are popular modes of transport.

Stunning white-sand beaches and granite rock outcrops rim the coast, and beach connoisseurs will find one of the planet's most picturesque stretches of sand and sea here: Anse Source d'Argent. You do need to pay to access the beach at the nearby L'Union Estate, where your admission includes a tour through this old copra factory and vanilla plantation.

Another sightseeing attraction is the Veuve Nature Reserve, home to the endangered black paradise flycatcher, also called "the widow" because of its streaming black tail feathers.

Diving and rock climbing are also popular things to do on the island, and hikers will enjoy La Pass to Grand Anse Trail, which threads past French colonial houses through woodlands and marsh areas to gorgeous Grand Anse beach.

Video 1.  Bird Island, Seychelles (YouTube link)

Bird Island

Bird Island is named in honor of its spectacular colony of around 700,000 pairs of sooty tern that nest on the island. The birds arrive from late March, laying eggs in May and remaining until October before leaving the island.  Birders and photographers can climb raised observation platforms for clear views of the nests.

Other species on the island include fairy and noddy terns, cardinals, ground doves, mynas, crested terns, and plovers. Giant land tortoises are also in residence, and the nearby Seychelles Bank is renowned for its big-game fishing.

Weather

During the coolest months, July and August, the average low is about 24 °C (75 °F). The southeast trade winds blow regularly from May to November, and this is the most pleasant time of the year. The hot months are from December to April, with higher humidity (80%). March and April are the hottest months, but the temperature seldom exceeds 31 °C (88 °F). Most of the islands lie outside the cyclone belt, so high winds are rare.

Video 2.  Most beautiful beach in the world: Anse Source D'Argent (Seychelles; YouTube link)

Where to Stay

The below hotels are the ones recommended in the  TV series—RAKUEN The Secret of Paradise (Amazon link):

• Bird Island Lodge Seychelles
• Raffles Praslin Seychelles

You can also read [7] for its suggestions on where to stay at the16 tourist attractions in Seychelles.

References

1. THE PRETTIEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD
2. Seychelles Travel Guide
3. Seychelles Tourist Office
4. Aldabra Atoll (whc.unesco.org)
5. The Best Islands in the World: 2020 Readers' Choice Awards
6. RAKUEN The Secret of Paradise
7. 16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in the Seychelles
8. RAKUEN The Secret of Paradise
9. Sri Lanka Travel—Visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites
10. UAE Travel—Visiting Desert Resort
11. Moyenne Island: The world's smallest national park