The best islands of the Seychelles: from the most popular to the exclusive

An exotic distant archipelago washed by the Indian Ocean - a realm of rare plants and amazing animals. Giant coconuts and turtles living for 200-300 years - this is just about the Seychelles. What is interesting about the islands of the archipelago and where should you go first of all when visiting the Seychelles?

The Seychelles archipelago consists of 115 islands. They are all beautiful, but some islands have their own characteristics. Usually, when mentioning the Seychelles, we are talking about 42 so-called "internal" granite islands. But the territory of the Seychelles archipelago is simply huge and also includes “outer”, coral islands.

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Mahe Island

Mahe Island ranks 1st in the list of the most beautiful Seychelles. This island is often referred to as the main island of the Seychelles. Mahe is the largest island in the archipelago and one of the most visited places. It has 65 beaches and a wide variety of flora and fauna, dense forests and the highest mountain ranges in the archipelago. The island is known for numerous tourist attractions, including the city of Victoria, one of the smallest capital cities in the world. And the most famous beach of the island is Beau Vallon. The island includes the Morne Seychelles, home to rare flora and fauna.

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Praslin Island

This is the land of the largest coconuts in the world! Coco de mer, or sea coconuts, have a very exotic shape. And the palm trees themselves are simply huge: their leaves seem to cover the sky! Such a miracle can only be seen on Praslin! The Vallee de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the abundant coconuts have made the island famous. It is one of the most beautiful places in the Seychelles. And the island is also home to unusual black parrots.

But this is not the only reason why you should go to Praslin. The exotic island is a real paradise with many excellent resorts, hotels and 5-star all-inclusive suites. This is one of the best Seychelles for family holidays.

Praslin is the second largest island in the inner group of islands and the second most populated. However, he is quieter than Mahe. In addition, its magnificent beaches such as Côte d'Or, Anse Georgette and Anse Lazio are a must see when visiting the Seychelles.

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La Digue Island

La Digue Island occupies one of the leading places in the list of the most beautiful islands of the Seychelles. This is a business card of the Seychelles: its images can often be seen in advertisements. The beaches of the island are considered among the most beautiful in the world. Most visitors come to see stunning granite boulders, wind-blown rocks, and calm, shallow lagoons. There are many coral reefs around the island where you can go snorkeling and get acquainted with aquatic life.

It is the fourth largest island in the Seychelles after Mahe, Praslin and Silhouette Island. Its population is about 3 thousand. As there is no airport on La Digue, visitors from other countries must travel to Victoria and then by ferry, usually via Praslin.

The magnificent beaches of the island, such as Anse Source D'Argent, are adorned with granite boulders. The island is small and practically devoid of public transport. It is customary to move around on bicycles and in wagons pulled by oxen. And there are very few cars on the island.

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Silhouette Island

If you are lucky enough to be on the beach of Mahe Beau Vallon, you will notice a steep silhouette that goes deep into the clouds. This is how the island got its name. Silhouette Island is a magnificent place. There are many birds, chameleons, turtles and even carnivorous "jugs" on the island. Explore caves, go swimming and snorkeling. From here you will be able to see Mont-Dauban if it is not shrouded in clouds. The island also has a turtle breeding station.

The mountainous island has 5 peaks over 500 meters high. This is where some of the most impressive landscapes open up. Although the island appears to be identical to other parts of the archipelago, it is much younger than its counterparts. And volcanic ash in the Seychelles can be found between Point Ramasse Taut and Point Zeng Zeng.

Life here is simple and traditional: it is inhabited by only 200 people! The people of Silhouette continue to use the same ancient farming methods they did hundreds of years ago!

Silhouette Island is wild and remote. The island's main hotel is the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa. This stunning 5-star beachfront resort features private plunge pools and tropical gardens. The mountain scenery is breathtaking. Be sure to visit the main beach of the island of Anse la Passe!

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Curiosity Island

The small island of Curiosity is located off the northern coast of Praslin Island. The island is notable for its landscape interspersed with unique coconut trees, one of the symbols of the Seychelles. They grow exclusively on the two nearby islands.

This is one of the best islands in the Seychelles for day trips. Just here you can see the giant tortoise Aldabra up close.

When you see this beauty, it's hard to believe that once a magical island was a colony of lepers. Now it has turned into the world's largest turtle reserve: giant beauties calmly walk around the island to the great delight of vacationers!

Beautiful beaches like Anse Sainte José as well as great nature trails through the jungle and native mangroves make the island unique. Curiosity Island is a nature reserve, so you can’t stay on it. The best way to get here is to take a day snorkeling cruise from Praslin. This boat trip is one of the most popular in the Seychelles and also the most budget friendly way to see the wonderful island. The afternoon tour includes a classic Creole lunch with fresh grilled fish and fruit.

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Aldabra Island

One of the most remote atolls of the Seychelles, which gave its name to the famous giant tortoises. Aldabra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the home of tiger sharks, manta rays, white herons, sacred ibis and those very giant tortoises, which are considered one of the largest in the world. Just imagine that the diameter of the shell reaches 120 cm, and the weight of the turtles is 250 kg. A giant tortoise can stretch its neck almost a meter, so it is able to get food at a decent height.

Unfortunately, for a long time turtles were eaten by sailors, who considered them a source of fresh meat. And the turtles were practically exterminated. Interestingly, Aldabra tortoises were even kept as pets and given names. In the 1960s, the US decided to build an air base in the archipelago. This endangered the biodiversity of the island and sparked protests in the Seychelles. As a result, the islands were turned into a national park. Now the inhabitants of the archipelago are 150 thousand turtles. This is the holy of holies: only scientists are allowed to step on the local shores, and boats and boats with tourists can only approach certain areas.

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Aride Island

This is one of the most protected corners of the Seychelles, a marine reserve with many birds. It will delight you with the flowering of coconut palms and Turtle Beach, where two species of turtles come out in winter to lay their eggs. One of the most curious plants is Wright's gardenia, which grows only here. It blooms several times a year. Each time after the flower dies, an inedible lemon fruit appears, which attracts nesting birds.

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Saint Pierre Island

Saint Pierre, off the coast of Praslin, is a tiny granite island adorned with coconut palms. It belongs to the group of outer islands. The coast is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs and crystal clear blue ocean. This is one of the best Seychelles for snorkeling and scuba diving. Yachts often moor to it: this is a great place to contemplate the stunning Seychelles sunsets.

The small island has become a symbol of the classic Seychelles, which appears in various advertising campaigns. By the way, the sixth episode of the American reality show The Amazing Race 16 was filmed on the island.

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Coconut Islands

Three small islands Ile Platte, Ile Aux Cocos, Ile La Fouche under the general name Cocos Islands are a unique place in the archipelago. If you visit the Seychelles, then you simply must go snorkeling! Cocos Islands are ideal for exploring underwater life. The tiny islands are located 7 km north of La Digue. Since 1996 they have been part of the marine park. It is a great place for snorkeling and diving, and a popular day trip location from Praslin and La Digue.

There is no housing on this island. Its remote location has made it home to marine life that is disturbed only by curious tourists. If you're lucky, you might even see green turtles and hawksbill turtles swimming by!

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Cousin Island

A small granite island in the Seychelles is located just 6 kilometers west of Praslin Island. This luxurious resort has been a wildlife reserve since 1992. The island has become home to endangered species of birds and animals. These include the Seychellois warbler, hawk turtle, Seychellois magpie robin, Seychellois turtledove and wedge-tailed petrel. The island should not be confused with Cousin Island, a small neighboring island.

Cousin is the home of seabirds and giant tortoises. The island is actively engaged in landscaping, planting local flora, removing alien species. Just here, in the shadow of the tropics, is the resort complex Cousine Island Resort Villas. It's perfect for a romantic honeymoon, with French colonial-style private villas and a one-minute walk from the beach.

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Moyenne Island

Moyenne Island (Ile Moyenne) is one of the most interesting islands of the Seychelles, part of the Sainte-Anne National Marine Park off the coast of Mahe. Since the 1970s, it has become a nature reserve, so it surprises with untouched flora and fauna. The island has an unusual history. He was made famous by Mr. Brandon Grimshaw, editor of a British newspaper. He fell in love with the Seychelles and bought Moyenne for £10,000 in the 1960s. He lived on the island until his death: until 2012 he was its only inhabitant. During his tenure, Brandon Grimshaw, like a real Robinson Crusoe, transformed the island, planting many fruit trees and local vegetation.

Now it is one of the must-see places in the Seychelles. The island is especially popular because of its marine biodiversity. Divers go here to meet stingrays and sharks.

The tiny island is known for its beaches, especially Anse Creole Travel Services. It is also shrouded in legends about pirates who hid their treasures here.

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Bird Island

This is an unspoiled corner of the Seychelles, where you can relax in secluded bungalows. It rises 100 kilometers northeast of Mahe. From May to September, a huge colony of birds comes here to nest. Giant tortoises used to live here.

Now the main star of the island is "Esmeralda": the largest giant land tortoise. Its weight is 300 kg, and its age is over 200 years.

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Frigate Island

One of the most popular places for snorkeling, diving, yachting. Shrouded in pirate legends, the tropical island got its name because of the abundance of frigates and other birds. And Anse Victorin beach was named the best beach in the world by the Times. This tropical paradise is private, but since the 90s the owner has been hosting guests. No more than 40 people can be on the island at the same time.

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North Island

Ile du Nord is one of the 42 inland Seychelles. This rocky islet is one of the country's most exclusive private islands, with just 11 homes built along pristine beaches. Since this is a private island, an apartment reservation is required to visit it. Despite its small size, the island has a fantastic spa and many upscale restaurants on the beach.

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Holidays in the exotic Seychelles is an educational adventure that allows you to discover the incredible biodiversity of nature.