La Digue Island, Seychelles © Shutterstock
A scent of nature
By Amandine, Indian Ocean specialist at Etendues Sauvages: “One of my best memories is discovering La Digue by bicycle, in complete freedom. Stopping whenever I pleased on a deserted, sublime beach, then setting off again to have lunch by a silent roadside, tasting a spiny lobster freshly cooked by the local grandmother. Then riding on and swimming at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world: Anse Source d'Argent. A unique, authentic moment. A ‘perfect moment’, as I call them. An unforgettable memory.”
Discover this favouriteNot at all! The Seychelles archipelago is indeed well known for its pristine beaches, but it holds many other riches. The interior of the islands, in particular, is home to lush, well-preserved nature. You can hike through Morne Seychellois National Park on Mahé, or walk through the 20 protected hectares of the Vallée de Mai on Praslin; it’s in this reserve that you’ll find the famous coco de mer, the sea coconut palm that is the emblem of the Seychelles. Explore the charming island of La Digue by bicycle, or visit Victoria’s market on Mahé, small and authentic, and take in the colours, scents and Creole culture.
The reefs are also well known, and can be explored on diving trips or simply with a mask and snorkel while swimming.
Yes, it is in fact the recommended way to do it. A private cruise gives you easy access to the many islands of the Seychelles, discovered from an idyllic vantage point. Travelling privately means sharing unique moments with those close to you — an exclusive journey, at your own pace.
Yes, the Seychelles can be visited year-round, with temperatures ranging between 24° and 31°C. Hard to beat.
The Seychelles is a very green archipelago. Light rain falls almost every month, mostly early-morning showers that won’t disrupt your activities. One period is notably wetter than the rest of the year, from late December to late February, when the vegetation turns lush. Trade winds shape the dry and rainy seasons, and also have a strong influence on seaweed. From May to September, seaweed can wash up on certain beaches along Praslin’s south coast; conversely, from October to April, it tends to wash up on Côte d’Or, on Praslin’s north coast. This seaweed is harmless, and even though it can make swimming a little less pleasant, hoteliers are well aware of the phenomenon and clean the beaches every day.
From May to October, a breeze sets in, just enough to cool things down. Divers, for their part, tend to prefer the period from November to March, when the ocean is calm and visibility much better.