Chilling in the Seychelles

In these stressful times wouldn’t it be great to zoom off to the Seychelles islands for photogenic beaches, bright sun and time in nature?

The Seychelles are a group of 115 volcanic islands in the Indian Ocean off of the east coast of Africa. The capital, Victoria, is located on the main island of Mahé and is one of the smallest capitals in the world. Although on the radar for centuries, the Seychelles were uninhabited until 1770. The first group of settlers was comprised of Africans, Europeans and Indians. Seychellois Creole, the French-based native language of the Seychelles, was created as a way for these different races to communicate.

Have you ever seen more inviting water?

In 1976, the Seychelles gained their independence from Britain and is now known officially as the Republic of Seychelles.

Of the 115 islands, Mahé, Praslin, La Digue and Silhouette are the most popularly visited, although there are many more to explore. With so many beautiful options, it may be hard to pick which beaches to enjoy! Here are my favourites:

The Seychelles rocks!

Petit Anse on Mahé Island – The best way to have full access to this beach is to stay at the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles. If you are not staying with the Four Seasons, arrive early and plan for a small foot hike to the beach.  

Anse Lazio on Praslin Island – This palm tree shaded beach is home to many different marine animals and coral reefs.

Here’s a Pro-Tip: Anse Lazio is one of the best beaches for SCUBA diving and snorkelling. Try to arrive early to beat any crowds!

Anse La Passe on Silhouette Island – This pristine beach is part of the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa and is an ideal location for a quiet beach experience.

Although Seychelles holidays are known for relaxing on the beach, there is plenty of other activities to do around the islands. Here are my top recommendations:

• Birdwatching – There are over 250 species of birds that have been recorded around the islands.
• Watch Turtles Hatch –Turtles can be spotted between the months of October to April around the full moon. Make sure to practice responsible viewing!
• Water, Land and Air Activities – Parasailing, snorkelling, ziplining and rock climbing are readily available at multiple locations throughout the islands. Helicopter rides are also an exciting way to see the islands.

The world’s heaviest tortoise lives on Bird Island

• Nature Hikes – Bring your hiking shoes, because the natural beauty of the Seychelles islands is purely stunning and not to be missed! Some of the best hikes are Glacis Trois Freres Trail, Morne Blanc Trail, and Cassedent Trail.

Seychelles with an Italian twist!

Creole is the main cuisine of the Seychelles. My favourite creole spot is Marie Antoinette. It is well known for the traditional menu and longstanding structure. La Plaine St. Andre and La Scala are also delicious options on Mahé. Praslin’s, Les Rochers offers fresh seafood while Bonbon Plume, on the beautiful beach of Anse Lazio, has fresh sea views! Street food is also available and very tasty.

Flights to the Seychelles arrive in Seychelles International Airport. It is about a 20 minute drive to Victoria city centre from the airport. Taxis and shuttles can be pre-booked at the airport, or the local bus departs about 2 to 3 times per hour. Once in the city, walking or taxi are the best options. To travel from island to island, boats or the Cat Cocos ferry are available.

Accommodations can be quite lavish on this tropical island paradise. North Island in Victoria is a lovely collection of 11 beachfront villas with unbeatable views. H Resort Beau Vallon is another location on Mahé with a luxurious atmosphere. Raffles Praslin and the alluring Hotel Le Duc de Praslin on Praslin are my top picks for the area. Airbnb is also an excellent option, especially for something more economical.

The nightlife in the Seychelles is fairly tame, island hopping is much more common than bar hopping. Bars like The Boardwalk Bar and Grill on Eden and Chill Out Tapas Bar on Praslin provide a relaxing atmosphere. The local beer, Seybrew, can be found almost anywhere and most restaurants have a selection of wine available as well.

Here’s another Pro-Tip: The East coast of Mahé produces some of the highest ranked rum on the Indian Ocean, Takamaka Bay. Take a distillery tours for samples, taste their sugarcane and while you’re at it, try the featured restaurant, La Grande Maison.

The Sir Selwyn Clarke Market, or more commonly known as the Victoria Market, is the best place to shop around for local produce such as vanilla, cinnamon and sweet potatoes. You can also find Coco De Mer, the largest seed in the world! Make sure to only purchase the ones with official permits! The Coco De Mer is featured on the arrival and departure stamps at Immigration. You can also find plenty of other stunning artefacts around the market.

Sail away to this beautiful paradise!

Here’s a final Pro-Tip: Seychellois Rupee is the official currency of the Seychelles, although in some places Euros and U.S. Dollars are accepted. The exchange rate is about 14 Seychelle Rupees (SCR) to the US Dollar, 15 SCR to the Euro and 16 SCR to the Pound.

Relaxing is a top priority of the Seychelles and you are sure to feel it! Take the time to return to nature and unwind so that you can re-emerge serene, centred and tan!

Love,

Isabella