Seychelles is a group of 115 islands. It is located in the Indian Ocean, northeast of the island of Madagascar. Seychelles is called the island of love. The islands have a tropical climate and invite tourists to be in peace and serenity on them. Only a few of these islands are inhabited.

The ‘Subious Underwater Festival’ is held in Seychelles and also the ‘Kreol Festival’ which is held every year in October to showcase Creole traditions and heritage. You also have an international sailing event in January. The international fishing contest is held in November.

Seychelles Tourism

Victory

Victoria is the capital city of the Seychelles group of islands. It is on the northeast side of the island of Mahe. Victoria is the port of Seychelles. It is one of the smallest capitals in the world. Victoria is the city where most of the population of Mahe settles. Tourists can shop for some classy traditional souvenirs like seashells, textiles, straw hats, pearl jewelry, woodworking, sewing, crochet items, and paintings made by the locals. Coconut products are abundant in Victoria. So pick up a few items when you’re in this town. There are a number of markets, shops, art galleries where you can buy local products in the city of Victoria. Internally, the visitor can take a bus, a taxi or, like the locals, ride a bike through the city of Victoria.

Victoria Botanical Garden

In these botanical gardens, visitors will find a number of indigenous and exotic plants along with birds, giant tortoises and fruit bats. The total area is 15 acres. Here you will find the famous CoCo de Mer palm, which has twin nuts and grows only in Seychelles.

Museum of Natural History

This museum has a collection of unique Seychelles geological forms and its flora and fauna. Various exhibits show that the government intensively protects the natural environment of the islands. The museum is not big, and an hour or two is enough to get to know the hidden natural treasures of Seychelles.

the king’s garden

Drive 20 minutes from Victoria and you will arrive at the 18th century plantations. As you walk, you see gardens of nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, and citronella. You can also visit the planter’s house. You are free to chew the fruits fallen from the tree. To satisfy your hunger, wait until you reach the open-air restaurant and enjoy a sumptuous helping of grated green papaya, tropical salads and star fruit. You see turtles roaming freely in the gardens.

St. Anne Marine Park

This marine park is best visited from Victoria. The islands of St. Anne, Cerf, Long, Round and Moyenne surround this park. The traveler here can learn a lot about underwater life by taking a day tour. This marine park is one of the favorites for snorkeling.

Night life

Tourists should not miss the nightlife in Victoria. Visit one of its clubs and have fun. There are theatres, discos, cinemas and trendy restaurants to add a touch to the night life. One of the theaters shows Hollywood blockbusters. Tourists throughout the night enjoy the music and dance performances while drinking beer.

Aldabra

This coral reef is the largest in the world and is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The reef itself has 13 islands. Giant land tortoises offer an incredible sight while you watch them.

bird island

This small island is located on the continental shelf of Seychelles. It is about 100 km from Mahé. You could take a flight and get excited as you look down at the incredible views of the island. The duration of the flight is about 30 minutes. This island, though small, has five soft white sand beaches. In addition to the reef area, you can enjoy swimming and sunbathing.

cousin island

To reach this island it takes about 2 hours from Mahe. The island is home to rare birds. Here you will find the Seychelles fairy twist and knock-knock. It is amazing to know that around 1.25 million birds nest on the island. April and May are the best time to visit Cousin Island.

Mahe Island

Beau Vallon is a beach resort on the island of Mahe. This island is the largest of the Seychelles group of islands. It has beautiful beaches and tropical jungles in the middle of the island. On the island there is a market, botanical gardens and a clock tower. Tourists can visit cinnamon and vanilla plantations, lush green jungles, and old colonial mansions. Mahé has about 70 beaches. From here you can enjoy an exceptional view of the neighboring islands. Mahe is also known for its open-air club right next to the ocean.

Beau Vallon beach

This beach is perfect with white sand and coconut trees all around. Here, you can see an indigenous takamaka tree. The beach is ideal for water sports with its crystal clear waters and colorful coral reefs. It is the beach with the gentlest currents on Mahé. When you look across the bay, you see a Silhouette Island. The first Seychelles island to be visited back in 1609 was the North Island, which can also be seen from here.

You will find beaches with few people and surrounded by the bounty of nature. The skies are clear. Just walk for about 2 hours along the coast from Beau Vallon to Anse Major and you will soon come to a beautiful little beach.

Morne Seychelles National Park

Mahe not only has great beaches but also Morne Seychellois, the highest peak in Seychelles. 20 percent of the land on Mahe Island is occupied by the national park. Take a nature tour and see the natural environment at its closest as you pass by plants, coastal mangroves, the Coco de Mer palm, and carnivorous pitcher plants. You can also see the tea factory located in the park. Tea plants grow on the surrounding hills. You can buy tea packets to take home and have a hot cup of tea while you’re there. Nearby are the ruins of a 19th century school.

Praslin Island

Among the Seychelles archipelago, this island is the second largest. It is green, quiet and has one of the most picturesque beaches in the world. The famous Vallee de Mai is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has double walnut palms. Here is an oyster farm in the Indian Ocean where black pearls are grown. Visitors can visit the aquarium, touch pool, and a shop selling black pearl jewelry. Some of the world’s rare birds such as the black parrot and the fruit dove can be observed here. There are a few towns on and around the island.

La Digue Island

This island is known for its tranquility and its serene and peaceful surroundings. It offers a carefree life where you will find ox carts and bicycles for transportation, although automobiles are also available in limited numbers. It takes the visitor 30 minutes to get here from Praslin. From Mahe, it takes 3 hours by gulet. There are plantations on this island and also a church. You can climb a mountain and keep the beauty of the island and the expanse beyond.

Watersports

The waters of the Indian Ocean are warm and therefore make Seychelles a wonderful sports resort. You can go windsurfing around May and then in October. Hop aboard a speedboat, sailboat, yacht or catamaran and explore the Seychelles islands at your leisure.

Seychelles offers the brave heart diving, snorkeling and fishing. You can take a glass bottom boat tour from Beau Vallon beach to Baie Ternay. Snorkel and see a variety of tropical fish, eagle rays, sea turtles and many more.

Land sports

Seychelles doesn’t just cater to water enthusiasts. You will find a number of land sports such as squash, badminton, horse riding, golf, tennis, cycling and hiking in the Seychelles Islands. You can take a walking tour and enjoy the amazing scenery around you as you hike to islands like La Digue and Praslin. Bird watching is also popular, and these islands are home to some of the world’s rare animals.

Miscellaneous

The people of Seychelles speak Creole, the native language, although English and French are also spoken here. Seychelles has a hot and humid climate, but when you are on the beaches, you feel the refreshing sea breeze. From May to September the months are cooler. It is hotter from November to March and at this time the wind is also variable. Seychelles has good schools, colleges, and the University of Seychelles offers a medical degree for Americans, but many higher education students go abroad.

There is a variety that can be found in Seychelles cuisine. Creole cuisine includes a wide variety of seafood dishes and coconut curries. Visitors savor the taste of red snapper fish. You will find in Seychelles guest houses, both small and large, as well as five-star luxury hotels. All accommodation must be reserved in advance or else you will not be able to get through immigration.

You can enter Seychelles by air at the Seychelles International Airport. Seychelles Airline flies to various countries around the world. There are other airlines that serve Seychelles passenger traffic. Visas are not required to enter the Seychelles Islands, regardless of the nationality of the visitor.

Credit card / Access and Visa cards are widely accepted in Seychelles. ATMs are also available to tourists at the major banks on La Digue, Mahe and Praslin. Mahe and Praslin airports also have ATMs. Cash provided to tourists is in the local currency, which is the Seychelles rupee.

Last but not least, to keep fit and enjoy your island vacation, please follow the Seychelles health and safety rules.