Composed of 115 islands scattered in the Indian Ocean just off the coast of East Africa, the Seychelles are a true tropical paradise. Only a handful of the islands are inhabited by humans, but most of the others are home to an abundance of seabirds, giant tortoises, and other wildlife. Secluded white sand beaches can be found almost everywhere you look; diving and snorkeling are very popular, but there's plenty of space on the beaches for anyone who simply wants to relax in the sun. The Seychelles are the perfect spot for a dream vacation.
Anse La Farine
Sitting right in front of the Emerald Cove Hotel on the island of Praslin, Anse La Farine is a small but beautiful beach that receives few visitors besides those staying at the hotel.
Anse Lazio
Anse Lazio often makes an appearance on lists of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and it's not hard to understand why.
Anse Marron
Hidden away on the southernmost end of La Digue, Anse Marron is almost impossible to find without the assistance of a local guide.
Aride Island Nature Reserve
One of the northernmost island in the Seychelles, the Aride Island Nature Reserve is an untouched natural paradise. More than one million seabirds belonging to over ten species can be found here; five of these species are found only in the Seychelles.
Bicentennial Monument
Created by Italian artist Lorenzo Appiani, the Bicentennial Monument was erected in 1978 in honor of the 200th anniversary of the town of Victoria, which was founded in 1778 by French settler Charles Routier de Romainville.
Cousin Island Special Reserve
Only 2 km away from the much larger island of Praslin, Cousin Island Special Reserve is a 34-hectare granitic island that was declared a special nature reserve in 1975 (Cousin Island Video). More than 300,000 nesting seabirds visit the island every year, and it serves as a year-round home for five species of bird found only in the Seychelles.
Curieuse Marine National Park
Formerly known as Ile Rouge because of its beautiful red soil, Curieuse Marine National Park is one of only two islands where coco de mer palm trees can be found. The trees are one of the Seychelles' iconic cultural symbols, and their unique green leaves are particularly striking when seen against the island's red soil.
Granite Boulder La Digue
The island of La Digue is well known for its rugged beauty and its many eye-catching boulders, but the Granite Boulder at L’Union Estate stands head and shoulders above the rest. Covering approximately an acre of land, the boulder is one of the country's national monuments. The boulder is believed to have been formed 750 million years ago, during the Precambrian era, and was created by the slow cooling of molten rocks.
Ile Cocos Marine National Park
One of the most easily recognized spots in the Seychelles, the Ile Cocos Marine National Park consists of three small islets surrounded by turquoise water and beautiful coral reefs. The park is known as one of the best places in the world to go SCUBA diving and snorkeling; the primary attractions are the large pelagic fish species, the hammerhead sharks, and the abundant colorful coral. Visitors are not permitted to stay on the island overnight, but day trips can easily be arranged with one of the tour companies or taxi boats on Praslin and La Digue.
Kot Man Ya Exotic Flower Garden
Part of the Anse Royale Ecotourism pilot initiative, theKot Man Ya Exotic Flower Garden took 8 years to create and was finally opened to the public in 2008. More than 200 varieties of tropical flowers can be seen in the garden; some are indigenous to the Seychelles, but the rest have been collected from the South Central American rainforest, Southeast Asia, and the South Pacific Islands.
Les Canelles, PO Box 436, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles, Phone: +248 4 32 33 47
L'Union Estate
Formerly a large coconut plantation, L'Union Estate transports visitors back in time to the colonial period. The biggest attraction here is the elegant Old Plantation House, but visitors can also marvel at the traditional copra mill and kiln, stroll through the landscaped grounds and gardens, observe a pen full of giant land tortoises, or visit the cemetery where many of the original settlers of La Digue are buried. The property is also the only point of access for the beautiful Anse Source d'Argent, one of the world's most photographed beaches.
Morne Seychellois National Park
Covering more than 20% of the island of Mahé, the Morne Seychellois National Park is the largest park in the Seychelles. The park also has the honor of being home to the country's tallest mountain, the 2,969-foot Morne Seychellois.
National Museum of History
Established in 1964, the National Museum of History has displays on everything from geology to zoology to the fascinating history of the Seychellois people. Highlights include a map drawn in 1517, a coco de mer nut that weights just over 18 kg, the smallest statue of Queen Victoria in the world, and the Stone of Possession, which was placed at La Poudrière by Nicholas Morphey to symbolize the conquest of the Seychelles by French colonists in 1756. A small admission fee is charged, and most visitors take between 20 and 30 minutes to explore the museum.
National Library Building, Francis Rachel Street, PO Box 720, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles, Phone: +248 4 32 13 33
Sainte Anne Marine National Park
The first national marine park to be established in the Indian Ocean, the Sainte Anne Marine National Park consists of eight small islands. Most of the islands boast at least one luxurious resort or hotel, but several are home to only seabirds, other wildlife, and perhaps a ranger to collect an entrance fee from tourists. The colorful coral gardens in the water surrounding the islands are home to a variety of exotic tropical fish, and they can be explored by SCUBA diving, snorkeling, and glass-bottom boat tour. Several excellent Creole restaurants can be found on Ste Anne, the largest island in the park.
Seychelles Natural History Museum
The Seychelles have a fascinating natural history, and the exhibits in the Seychelles Natural History Museum do an excellent job of presenting valuable information about the geology, fauna, and flora of the various islands.
Vallee de Mai
Believed by some to be the Garden of Eden, the Vallee de Mai is a breathtaking palm forest in the heart of Praslin Island. The lush tropical forest includes six species of palm trees found nowhere else but the Seychelles, including approximately 6,000 coco de mer trees.
