Cruising the Seychelles Idyllic Islands
The Seychelles is a tropical paradise awaiting discovery. Made up of 115 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean and 900 miles off the East African coast, Seychelles offers something for everyone, from archipelago island exploring to foodies looking to sample the Creole cuisine, to active adventurers who love nothing more than hiking.
Since Seychelles’ granite and coral islands are scattered across a secluded corner of the Indian Ocean, they have served as havens for some of the world’s rarest flora and fauna. So rare that the Vallée de Mai, which grows the legendary coco-de-mer, was formerly believed to be the biblical Garden of Eden’s original location! A virtually untouched archipelago, the Seychelles boasts perfect white-sand beaches, turquoise seas and lush forests. The islands are commonly associated with exquisite natural beauty, wonderful harmony, and a near-perfect climate with temperatures ranging from 26 to 33 degrees Celsius, earning the archipelago the nickname: “land of perpetual summer”
The island country brims with activities for both the adventurous and the laid-back. It is, indeed, the ideal location for doing everything or doing nothing at all! If you enjoy diving, sailing, or fishing, there are opportunities aplenty. Hikers, too, will find both challenging and casual, well-marked trails leading through lush greenery and along granitic coastlines. There’s everything from island-hopping exploring in your yacht and to recharge your batteries, there’s no better place than a luxury spa at a high-end beachfront resort.
Boasting over 491 kilometres of coastline, the most identifiable feature of the Seychelles is its beaches. Visit the popular Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue, which is frequently coined “the most beautiful beach in the world” and the backdrop of major Hollywood films such as Castaway, or live the private island fantasy and visit the hidden gem Anse Major, found on the northwest coast of the most populated island, Mahé. With no roads leading to this haven, you can either hike up or arrive by water taxi to be greeted by dramatic yet tranquil scenes.
50% of Seychelles is a national park or reserve, so there’s ample opportunity for hiking and wildlife spotting. You can hike up Mount Copolia in Mahé Island or more experienced hikers can try hiking up the Morne Blanc trail which is an uphill climb through mist forests and a stunning viewpoint overlooking the coast. Wildlife lovers might encounter any of the 12 endemic species of birds and home to over 7,000 species of animal, plant and fungi. Research and conservation efforts are taking place across the islands to restore and maintain the wildlife of Seychelles such as the elusive Seychelles black parrot, the country’s national bird, or the bare-legged Scops owl, so rare it was thought to be extinct until spotted in 1959. Otherwise, Seychelles is home to over 1,000 species of fish that have been recorded, which is why snorkelling and diving are particularly popular activities.
“The best time to visit the Seychelles is between April-May and October-November, as these months are much less windy than other months”, reports Asia Pacific Superyachts GM, Peter Alvis, adding, “However, as Seychelles is just below the equator all the islands benefit from warm, optimum beach weather all year round. The temperatures rarely drop under 20°C and the Indian Ocean boasts an average temperature of 26°C, meaning a guarantee of a pleasantly warm day on the beach”.