Seychelles Travel Packages
"A Garden of Eden on Earth"
Mahé
Mahé, Seychelles’ main island, is home to the capital, Victoria, the majority of the population, the international airport, and the hub of the islands’ tourism infrastructure. Mahé’s virgin forests cascade down lush mountainsides to more than 60 beaches where, often, the only footprints you will find will be your own. With its bustling port, Mahé is Seychelles’ commercial centre and home to most retail outlets and tourism facilities. Many are concentrated towards the north of the island, while the south, with its picturesque villages, proposes a quieter pace of life.
Victoria is full of history, Creole character, and delightful nooks and crannies like the busy market, two cathedrals, Botanical Gardens, and Esplanade, where you are sure to find that local souvenir. Despite its timeless charm, Mahé possesses a modern yet discreet infrastructure, such as at Eden Island, with its elegant marina and mall, casino, bars, choice of restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. Mahé offers a wide choice of accommodation options in luxurious, international 5-star resorts, boutique hotels, well-appointed villas, and attractive guesthouses and self-catering options, offering great value for money. These are your stepping stones to a holiday experience of a lifetime.
La Digue
La Digue, lying forty kilometres (25 miles) from Mahé and 7 km (3.5 miles) from Praslin, is the fourth largest island in the Seychelles after Silhouette. This granite island receives its visitors mainly by boat at the quaint jetty at La Passe and is a popular destination for holidaymakers wishing for a taste of the traditional. This is a place where the bicycle still holds sway and where hotels on La Digue are, for the most part, situated along its west coast while its east coast tends to have a wilder aspect.
Anse la Source d'Argent is among the island's most famous beaches, celebrated for its granite boulders that seem to have been sculpted by a divine hand to adorn a beach of breathtaking beauty. At the Union Estate, visitors will have the chance to view some of the traditional local industries of times past. Nature lovers will have the opportunity to seek out the rare black paradise flycatcher, once thought to be extinct but now protected in the La Digue Vev Special Reserve, which is also home to two rare species of terrapin. La Digue is also an ideal stepping stone for the nearby island attractions of Grande and Petit Soeur, Félicité, Coco, and Marianne.
Praslin
Praslin, Seychelles' second largest island, lies 45 kilometres (24 miles) north-east of Mahé and is accessible by Air Seychelles domestic flights in 15 minutes. It is ideally situated for holidaymakers wishing to island hop to a handful of nearby exotic destinations such as Chauve Souris, Cousin, Curieuse, St. Pierre, La Digue, and the Aride bird reserve. It is also a haven for nature lovers seeking rare endemic species such as the black parrot, for which Praslin is the last habitat, or wishing to explore the island's network of footpaths.
Praslin's original name of 'Isle de Palme' bears eloquent testament to its reputation as home to the Vallée de Mai UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of only two places in the world where the famous Coco-de-mer grows wild on palms 40 meters tall and some 200 years old. So impressive is this forest, even today, that it once led General Gordon (of Khartoum) to state his conviction that this was the site of the original Garden of Eden.
The island is divided by a ridge of hills running from east to west, intersected by a road that leads through the Vallée de Mai and possesses some of the most striking beaches of the archipelago, such as Anse Lazio, widely acclaimed to be the most beautiful beach on earth. Praslin, location of one of Seychelles’ most prestigious hotels, the five-star Lémuria Resort at Anse Kerlan with its 18-hole golf course, stands at the forefront of Praslin’s tourism industry with its rich assortment of hotels and guesthouses.
What to do
Activities
Seychelles is a haven for world-class activities. Its safe and pristine environment is just the place to treat your family to a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. First and foremost, Seychelles is not only a playground for lovers of the ocean but also a treasure trove for every sailor, diver, and fisherman, offering diverse opportunities for enjoyment both above and beneath the waves. There are numerous diving, sailing, and fishing operators offering tailor-made day trip packages and excursions on boats and yachts.
Water Sports and Beaches
The spectacular Beau Vallon beach is perfect for an activity-packed day by the sea. It is home to a number of water sports, which is a wonderful way to enjoy the ocean and explore the hidden nooks and crannies of the coastline. There is also always a chance to participate in a game of football or volleyball on the beach too.
Flora and Fauna
Once believed to be the original site of Eden, Seychelles boasts an incredible diversity of flora and fauna that includes some of the rarest species found anywhere on earth. With surrounds of tropical indigenous forests and home to free-roaming giant land tortoises, hundreds of thousands of tropical birds, and a haven for nesting Hawksbill turtles, these nature sanctuaries offer experiences and activities that are once-in-a-lifetime dreams. Conservation-oriented and ethically driven, guests are offered the chance to snorkel with sea turtles, enjoy some close proximity bird watching, witness the hatchlings of hawksbill turtles make their epic journey to the sea, and appreciate the protection of gorgeous unspoiled abodes.
Cultural and Nightlife Experiences
Being a melting pot of traditions from all over the world, from its national heritage monuments, museums, and natural wonders to the diversity of its arts and other cultural activities, Seychelles offers an Aladdin’s cave of rich experiences for visitors to enjoy. Dotted with nightclubs and casinos, the nightlife on the three main islands of Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue will never disappoint the free-spirited looking for magical nights out.
Relaxation and Golf
The idea of rejuvenating the body, mind, and soul may differ from one person to another. So for those who are looking for the perfect pampering experience, the spas in Seychelles are beautifully crafted. Otherwise, for those who find golf relaxing, they can play their most memorable and picturesque games of golf beneath the swaying palm trees on visually stunning golf courses with dazzling beaches as backdrops.
Conclusion
Whatever your tastes and preferences for activities, Seychelles is a treasure chest of varied escapades just waiting to be discovered, including boat charters, rum distilleries, snorkelling, and nature tours.
When you should go
The ideal time to visit Seychelles is during the cooler, drier months of April, May, October, and November. These months bridge the two trade wind seasons and offer calm seas and optimal weather for outdoor activities.
