Thursday, October 27, 2022

Seychelles

Seychelles Flag


Why visit Seychelles?
Ideal for the luxury traveler seeking to enjoy art, birdwatching, fishing, folk musicgranite rock formations, hiking, natural scenery, rare birds, sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, water sports, white-sand beaches, and windsurfing.



Photo Credit: Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke/Pixabay 

 
At a Glance
  • Souvenirs to Buy: Batiks, gold  jewelry, liqueur, paintings, pearl jewelry, perfumes, pottery, rum, sarongs, spices,  stamps, tea, and woven coconut palm goods. 
  • Local Cuisine to Try: Bouyon Bred (fish soup). Breadfruit Chips (snack). Bringel (fired eggplant). Caris Masala (creole). Kari Sousouri bat curry). Kat-Kat Banane (fish dish). Ladob (dessert). Poison ek Diri (fish dish). Salade de Palmiste (salad). Santini (salad). Shark Chutney (delectable). Tru lu lu Crabs (crabs).
  • Local Drink to Try: Bakka (rum). Eku (beer). Kala (coconut juice). Kalou (wine). SeyBrew (beer).

Fun Facts
  • Consists of of 115 islands (Indian Ocean).
  • Mahé Island is the largest. 
  • Three largest islands are La Digue, Mahe, and Praslin.
  • Sainte-Anne Marine National Park (Moyenne Island) is known for buried treasure and ghosts. 
  • No hotel or resort may be taller than the palm trees.
  • Divided into 26 regions.
  • Home to the protected and rare Seychelles Black Parrot. 
  • Eight districts make up the capital of Seychelles and referred to as Greater Victoria. 
  • Most popular sport is basketball. 

A Closer Look of the Islands...

Aldabra Island "Living Natural-History Museum"
  • Second-largest coral atoll in the world.
  • Where giant tortoises are naturally found.
  • Home to the rare white-throated rail.
  • Offers no tourist facilities.
  • According to the Island's Warden, any shorings must be accompanied by an Expedition Leader.
Aride Island
  • Offers no tourist facilities.
  • Overnight stays not permitted.
  • Home to a seabird breeding colony.
  • Scheduled Tour Boats depart from Praslin Island Monday - Friday.
  • Leased and managed by the Island Conservation Society of Seychelles. Formerly purchased (1973) by the lateChristopher Cadbury (1908 - 1995), English Conservationist & Chocolate-Manufacturing Company, Cadbury Brothers.
Cousin Island
  • Formerly a coconut plantation.
  • Nature Reserve protected under Seychelles Law as a Special Reserve (1975).
  • Southern coast area is rocky.
  • Has 3 small freshwater swamps.
  • Where Green and Hawksbill Turtles nest.
  • One of 4 islands home to the Seychelles Fody (bird).
  • Often used by international research organizations as a research base.
  • Ecotourism Program won several awards, the Condé Nast Ecotourism Award and Tomorrow Award.
  • Accessible by sea from Praslin Island in the mornings, Monday - Friday. Closed on holidays and weekends.
Curieuse Island
  • Home to the famous Coco de Mer tree.
  • Offers red colored soil.
  • Home to over 300 Aldabra Giant Tortoise.
  • Second island to find the rare Seychelles Black Parrot.
  • Satellite Camp for Global Vision International, a volunteer group focused on conservation.
  • Accessible by sea from Praslin Island.
Denis Island
  • 375 acre private island owned by Kathy & Micky Mason.
  • Accessible by sea from Praslin Island.
  • Offers 25 guest chalets.
  • Along the northern edge stands a lighthouse (1910).
  • Chapel St Denis is prefect for Destination Weddings or Vow Renewals.
  • A nature retreat without cellular connectivity or television.
  • Family friendly.
  • Ideal for birdwatching, fishing, open air spa services, relaxation, snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing.  
Fregate Island
  • Known for the Oetker Collection's secluded private luxury resort (5 Stars).
  • Reopening in 2024.
  • Oetker Collection funds conservation and environmental programs.
  • Voted "The World's Best Beach" (Anse Victorin) by The Times
  • Where Green and Hawksbill Turtles nest.
  • Central west highest point, Mount Signal (410 feet).
  • Renowned for scuba diving and snorkeling.
  • Island can privately host up to 79 guests.
  • Island means of transportation is by bicycle, foot, or golf cart.
  • Has its own harbor.
  • Boat are required to present a Rat Free License to access.
  • Has as a helicopter landing pad.
  • Dirt runway, Frégate Island Airport (FRK).
La Digue Island
  • Third most populated island. Population of approximately 2,800.
  • Known for their beaches.
  • Granite boulders are along the west coast.
  • Anse Bonnet Carré Beach & Anse Cocos Beach are only accessible by foot.
  • Most visited beaches are Anse Source d'Argent and Grand Anse.
  • Accessible by sea from Praslin Island.
  • Island means of transportation is by bicycle, foot, or ox-cart.
  • Heaviest rainfall is from October - March.
  • Most healthcare services are on Praslin Island or Victoria Island.
  • Home to the rare bird, Black Paradise Flycatcher.
  • Tallest peak (980 ft), Belle Vue (Eagle's Nest Mountain).
  • Popular for guided hikes, scuba diving, and snorkeling.
  • Ferry Pier offer bicycle rentals.
  • Majority of vehicles are owned and operated by hotel/resort companies. 
Mahe Island
  • Capital city is Victoria. 
  • One of the world's smallest capitals (Victoria).
  • Was largely a plantation owned by the Frichot Family.
  • Largest and most populated of the islands.
  • Seychelles Golf Club (Anse Aux Pins) offers a nine-course golfing.
  • Tallest peak (2,969 ft), Morne Seychellois (Morne Seychellois National Park).
  • Home to tuna fishing and canning industry (Port of Victoria).
  • Known for art galleries, beaches, hiking, Hindu temple, open-air market, snorkeling, and tourist facilities.
  • Great fishing for bonito, dogtooth tuna, marlin and/or wahoo.
  • Snorkeling is best at Port Launay Marine National Park (Cap Ternay).
  • Offers Tour Boat Tours to/from Cerf Island, Long Island, Moyenne Island, Round Island, and Sainte Anne Island.
  • Casinos are found at the  Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort (Beau Vallon) and Plantation Club (Baie Lazare).
North Island
  • Purchased (1997) for $5USD million by Wilderness Holdings Limited. 
  • A luxury private island resort.
  • Offers 11 private villas.
  • Has 4 beaches; Dive Beach, East Beach, Honeymoon Cove, and West Beach (aka: Grande Anse).
  • Where the Duke (Prince William) & Duchess (Catherine) of Cambridge spent their honeymoon (May 2011) after their Westminster Abbey nuptials (4/29/11).
  • Permanent staff reside near the island's center.
  • Popular activities include: deep sea fishing, kayaking, mountain biking, and scuba diving.
  • Upon arrival, the Resort Chef discusses guests' likes and dislikes further basing available ingredients.
  • All food is either caught fresh from the sea, grown in an organic vegetable gardens, or reared on the island.
Praslin Island
  • Formerly a hideaway for Pirates (1744).
  • Second largest island.
  • While Anse Volbert-Côte D’Or is their main beach, Anse Lazio is the best beach.
  • A cruise ship port stop.
  • Known for their unique coco de mer and vanilla orchids
Silhouette Island
  • Third largest granitic island.
  • Consists of 3 villages.
  • Estimated population of 200.
  • Mountainous island with 5 peaks.
  • Offers 5 Star lodging, Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa.



Photo Credit: pascal OHLMANN/Pixabay 



Special Holidays/Occasions
  • Annual Events: (February) Seychelles Eco-Friendly Marathon, Seychelles International Carnival of Victoria, (March) International Deep-Sea Fishing Competition, International Game Fishing Association (IGFA), Semaine de la Francophonie, (April) Carnaval International de Victoria, National Fishing Competition, (May) Festival of Underwater Images, FetAfrik, Seychelles Arts Festival, (June) Festival of Classical Music, (July) Seychelles Fashion Week, (August) Beau Vallon Regatta, Festival de la Digue, Festival of the Assumption, La Digue Island, Round Table Beau Vallon Regatta, (September) Praslin Culinary & Arts Fiesta, Windsurfing Race, (October) Creole Festival, SUBIOS Underwater Festival, (November) World Championship of Fishing, and (December) Seychelles Ocean Festival.
  • Holidays: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Liberation Day, Independence Day, Festival of the Assumption, All Saints, Immaculate Conception, and Christmas Day.

Good to Know
  • VISA not required but a Visitor’s Permit is obtained upon arrival.
  • Seychelles is not for budget conscious travelers.
  • Popular place for destination wedding, honeymoon, romance, and vow renewal.
  • Credit cards are not necessarily widely accepted.
  • Most visited beaches are: Anse Georgette (Praslin Island), Anse Intendance (Mahé Island), Anse Lazio (Praslin Island), Anse Soleil (Mahé Island),  Anse Source d'Argent (La Digue Island), Anse Takamaka (Mahé Island), and Petite Anse Kerlan (Praslin Island).
  • Topless sunbathing is tolerated on resort beaches. Nudism is not permitted.
  • Rainy Season is November - January.
  • Prevalent Diseases include: Chikungunya. Dengue Fever, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies, and Typhoid.
  • Snorkeling is best from April - May and October - November due to water clarity.
  • Local Customs require Permits for alcohol, fruits, pharmaceuticals, radio equipment, tobacco, and/or vegetables.
  • Most islands lie outside the Cyclone Belt, Season is May - November.
  • Turtles nesting is from October - April. 
  • International Driving Permit required.
  • Bus Services are crowded and infrequent.
  • Vehicles drive on the left side of the road.
  • Bird watching is popular from April - October.
  • Spear fishing is illegal.
  • Scuba Diving is best between March - May and September - November.
  • Ferry Service connects the islands of La Digue, Mahe, and Praslin.
  • Well known for barracuda, bone fishing, marlin, milkfish, pompano, sailfish, swordfish, trevally, tuna, and wahoo.
  • Have minimal street lights.
  • Fishing Season is ideal from September - May.
  • Amongst the Islands there's only one 18-hole golf course Praslin Island (Constance Lemuria Resort).
  • Be aware of strong currents and rip tides.
  • The Anse Major Trail at Morne Seychellois National Park (Mahé Island) is popular for picturesque hiking.
  • Sun is very strong.
  • Flash photography at the Special Reserve (Cousin Island) is forbidden.

This international destination requires:
  • A valid passport and one blank page for entry stamp.
  • Required Vaccination from select countries. 
  • Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000USD.


Photo Credit:Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke/Pixabay 


  • Best Time to Visit: May - November
  • Coolest Months: July - August 
  • Hottest Months: December - April
  • Peak Season: May - August & December - January


Your Must-See & Do
  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Aldabra and Vallée de Mai.


Eden Island, SeychellesPhoto Credit: Devadasu Gorrela/Pixabay 




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                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.   

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