A playground for the rich and the famous, Seychelles is a breathtaking archipelago consisting of 115 islands. Untouched by man for most of its history, the island nation boasts stretches of unspoiled beaches, forests teeming with frolicking wildlife and clear sparkling waters filled with vibrant communities of aquatic playmates.
The islands of the Seychelles are diverse and rich in their own ways, with granite islands, coral sand cays and coral islands. The variety of terrains and the surreal beauty of the Seychelles make it a paradise for hikers and divers alike.
Since opening its international airport in the 1970s, the Seychelles has welcomed tourists from all over the world to marvel at its bounty of natural attractions. With azure skies, pristine waters and heartbreaking sunsets, it’s clear why the Seychelles is a world-famous holiday destination.
STAY
Travellers looking for accommodation in the Seychelles will be spoiled for choice with the variety of options. For an unforgettable stay experience, Le Chateau De Feuilles ranks highly on every traveller’s wish list. Surrounded by exquisite beaches, the hotel offers unmatched 180 to 300-degree views of the stunning seascape. The postcard-perfect Anse Marie-Louise Beach is conveniently close by for visitors looking to enjoy water activities.
For a unique tropical take on luxury accommodation, look no further than Four Seasons Resort Seychelles. Set in a lush natural jungle setting, Four Seasons offers guests a range of exclusive treehouse villas overlooking the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean lapping gently at the pristine white-sand beaches. Each villa comes with a private infinity pool for guests to enjoy the picturesque setting. A range of amenities is available including private yoga classes, 24-hour in-villa dining, in-villa spa treatments and activities such as coral reef restoration.
Visitors looking for an authentic local experience can look to the range of boutique villas and family-run guesthouses that are available. A stay with the locals is an eye-opening experience, with friendly hosts known to give guests an impromptu tour of local sights, delicacies and customs, ending with a pit stop at a local drinking hole, regaling guests with colourful political opinions and a long-winded history of the Seychelles.
SEE
The Seychelles’ wealth of natural beauty is incredible. Expect swathes of verdant forest and green rolling hills, beaches with perfect white sand and pristine waters and colourful coral reefs in which tropical fish swim freely.
The stratified environmental conditions on the 115 islands have given rise to a wonderful variety of exotic flora and fauna. Visitors can find sea turtles nesting on the pearlescent sands of the islands’ beaches, spot Aldabra tortoises lazing in the shade of coco de mer palms (nicknamed the love nut for the unique double coconut shape), chase indigenous freshwater crab in the seaside shallows or try their luck finding the elusive black paradise flycatcher in La Digue.
Brew aficionados can make their way to Takamaka Bay distillery and learn the history behind the islands’ most regarded distillery and its fascinating rum-making process. Visitors are highly encouraged to pick up a bottle or two of the beautiful elixir, and possibly stay for dinner at the distillery’s casual bar-restaurant.
DINING
For tourists a little peckish after all the hiking, snorkelling and sightseeing, the Seychelles offers a myriad of culinary delights to choose from, from fine-dining restaurants at the islands’ resorts to warm taverns by the sea serving cultural epicurean delights.
Surrounded on all sides by the sea, the cuisine of the Seychelles incorporates plenty of seafood, freshly caught and prepared on the very same day. Visit Victoria Market for a truly local experience, with fishmongers cajoling visitors with a mind-boggling variety of seafood, from barracudas and monkfish to octopus. The locals usually simply grill seafood over a charcoal fire, seasoned generously with garlic, ginger and chilli and served with piping hot white rice. Adventurous visitors should try the shark chutney. A uniquely Seychelles dish, a shark is skinned, boiled and finely mashed before being cooked with blimbi juice and lime, finished with fried onion and spices. Another local staple for Seychellois is the banana. Seychelles is home to more than 20 different banana species, from small sweet bananas to giant plantains. Fried with sugar and butter, baked with coconut milk and sugar or flambéed with rum or brandy, the locals are crazy over their bananas! An indigenous fruit that visitors should try is the breadfruit. A remarkably versatile ingredient, it can be boiled, baked or deep fried. Try the traditional way of eating it – bake the whole fruit over charcoal fire, crack it open to reveal the tantalising steamy white flesh, season with lard and salt and dig in.
