The Seychelles boasts over 115 islands and magical Mahe is the largest. Draped in palms, powder soft beaches, boulders, and unparalleled natural beauty, Mahe is a purely tropical mood. For those who want to soak up the best beach in Mahe, be sure to head over to the eastern side where Beau Vallon tempts with its incredibly clear waters and warm sunlit sands. Mahe is also spilling over with sublime hiking trails, so for those who love a wonderful walk, you can duck into the cool interior and wander through fragrant cloud forests. Beyond the beach and the forests, Mahe also boasts plenty of local encounters and culture. From buzzing market scenes to the lively capital of Victoria, there’s plenty of creole color to keep you wined, dined, and wonderfully entertained.
Despite being the Seychelles' second-largest island, Praslin has a small population. When you arrive here, you'll see a jungle-covered mountain ridge rising from the ocean, with a few low-rise houses and a tiny jetty. The typical tropical-island triad of sun, sea, and sand is a major draw, but there are also botanical wonders, amazing birdlife, and the slow speed of traditional Seychellois island life to be found.
With fiery red soil and a natural coco del mar forest, Curieuse is a curious little island stashed away in the Seychelles. The smallest of the 115 islands that make up the Seychelles, Curieuse is less than 3 square meters but has so much history and beauty already swaddled in its name. Between 1829 and 1965, it was a leper colony and you can still see a collection of stone buildings used to house residents.
These days it is home to ongoing conservation work dedicated to protecting the fragile ecosystem of the natural coco forests and the colony of giant tortoises. On the nearby island of Praslin you will find one of the world's best beaches at Anse Lazio. Boulders, Takamaka trees, a beachside restaurant, and blue and white shades set the scene for sandy days laced with saltwater.
For those charter guests who dream of swimming alongside sea turtles, the Iles Cocos & Felicite are a must. This small selection of islets sit a few miles north of La Digue in the sweet Seychelles Archipelago. Iles Cocos is a first class spot for snorkeling. With crystal clear waters and hundreds of turtles, it’s a dream locale for dropping anchor and plunging into the perfect shades of blue. A little further along and you find Felicite Island. A vision of forest and granite, this island was once a coconut plantation but has now been turned into an intimate resort. As part of the protected marine park you can snorkel and dive in pristine surroundings with just a few boats for company as fellow sailors find themselves smitten by the wealth of water life and the native turtles.
The smaller Seychelles island of La Digue is the laid-back sibling to the larger Seychelles islands of Mahé and Praslin. Window boxes and plant pots overflow with flowers as Creole houses nestle under papaya trees. As wooden pirogues float across the bay, fishermen saunter along the road with sticks hung with fish. This is where authentic Seychellois island life can be found.
Cousin Island Special Reserve is a granitic island covering 29 hectares and lies approximately 2km from Praslin island. It became the world’s first internationally owned-reserve when it was purchased in 1968 by the International Council for the Protection of Birds (ICBP), now Birdlife International. The objective was to save the last remaining population of the Seychelles warblers.
First made into a Nature Reserve in 1968 it was afforded further protection when it was designated a Special Reserve in 1974. It is not only significant for sea birds and endemic land birds but is also the most important breeding site for Hawksbill turtles in the Western Indian Ocean. The reserve is managed solely by local staff and benefits local communities on the neighboring Praslin island through eco-tourism.
Looking around Cousin today, it is hard to believe that this vibrant and diverse island ecosystem was once a coconut plantation. When the island was first settled in the early 1900's, the original vegetation on the plateau was cleared to make way for profitable coconut trees as well as a small garden. Cousin has been successfully restored to its original vegetation, creating homes for many endemic species of land birds and important beeding sites for seabirds.
Today, Cousin is managed by Nature Seychelles. Conservation activities include monitoring of the island's biodiversity, research, re-introduction of endangered species such as the Seychelles Magpie Robin, ecotourism and education.
Cousin has received international awards for its conservation and ecotourism efforts by Conde Nast Traveler and Bristish Airways.