Seychelles

The Inner Islands are mostly granite and clustered around the main islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue whose verdant peaks climb skywards from virgin forests and immaculate beaches. The Outer Islands are made up of flat coral cays and atolls, many of which remain largely untouched by man and can only be reached by air.

Mahe is the largest island and home to about 90% of the Seychelles’ population. In the north lies the tiny capital Victoria which is the cultural heart of the Seychelles and the popular beach resort of Beau Vallon. The south is quieter and less inhabited with secluded beaches to discover. Morne Seychellois National Park at the heart of the island encompasses 20% of Mahe’s land mass and is a paradise for hiking and walking.

Praslin is the second largest island and easy to explore by car in a couple of hours. It has some of the Seychelles’ most exquisite beaches including the famous Anse Georgette and Anse Lazio which regularly appear in the top 10 list of the world’s best beaches! It is also home to the Vallee de Mai, a UNESCO world heritage site which is famous for its abundance of ‘Coco de Mer’ palms creating a special Eden. Praslin serves as a great base for excursions to neighbouring islands such as La Digue, Curieuse and Cousin.

A popular hop from Praslin is La Digue, an island where time stands still and more traditional modes of transport such as bicycles and ox-carts still hold sway enabling you to reach beaches of breath-taking beauty such as Anse Souce D’Argent – one of the most photographed in the world! This sleepy island also boasts a wealth of flora and fauna and is home to Seychelles’ black paradise flycatcher, one of the rarest birds on earth.

The Inner Islands are connected by frequent ferries making it easy to island hop and many visitors choose to stay on 2 or more islands. But however you choose to spend your holiday, you will be ensured of powder soft sand beaches, lush emerald-green forests and wonderful wildlife including the world’s largest population of giant tortoise! Unsurprisingly the ocean is teeming with marine life, including the 40-foot whale shark, turtles and dolphins, creating exceptional snorkelling, diving and deep-sea fishing opportunities particularly from the Outer Islands.