How to spend time in the Seychelles

There are few better destinations to relax in, and sail around than the Seychelles. Located in East Africa, this idyllic nation is formed of over one hundred islands, stretching out in an archipelago into the Indian Ocean. As such, they are best explored by boat. Camper and Nicholsons, global leaders in luxury yachting, are experts of the area – and have compiled a list of sights and destinations you shouldn’t miss.

Over 1,000 miles from the east coast of Africa, the island of Mahe’s jungle-clad mountains rise from the Indian Ocean. With over 60 beautiful beaches and coves fringing the island, ranging from sweeping bays of white sand to hidden corners, a densely forested interior and small towns with a unique Creole culture, there is much to explore. Mahe may be the biggest and most populated island in the Seychelles, housing roughly 90% of the nation’s 89,000 citizens, but with the majority of people living in and around the capital of Victoria in the north east of the island, it is easy to escape and find your own Robinson Crusoe experience.

The diverse scuba diving in the Seychelles ranges from exquisite coral reefs to wall dives; granite rock formations to wrecks. Drift diving is common due to the stronger currents that occur in the southern islands. The coral is healthy and abundant, with gigantic gorgonian fans and barrel sponges decorating the reefs. Marine life is prolific – divers can see everything from huge whale sharks and manta rays, to colonies of Green Sea Turtles and rare macro life. Reef fish, Grouper, Eels, and Turtles are commonly sighted, with Reef Sharks and schooling Pelagic occasionally visiting the area. Whale Sharks can be seen during the Whale Shark season.

African Banks is the northernmost landfall of the Amirantes group and consists of two islets, north and south that lie 2km apart, close to the edge of the Amirantes bank. Once famous for its seabird eggs, these uninhabited islands are surrounded by fish-rich waters that particularly abound in mackerel, tuna and shark. Both islands are flat and barely three metres above sea level and visible from a distance of 14km by the surf that surges across the nearby reef.

St Joseph was once a thriving coconut plantation, interspersed with such trees as casuarina, Bois Mapu, Cassant, and Bois Blanc. It traditionally housed a small population of contract workers who over the years, have been engaged in the coprah (refined coconut flesh) industry and also in fishing. The atoll’s lagoon is also home to a massive population of sting rays and a healthy number of turtles. Giant Blue Mud Crabs migrate from the depths of the lagoon onto the surrounding flats with the high tides. Bonefish abound as do Grouper, Lobster and several species of coral fish. Oysters grow in profusion on the coral walls and in the weed beds that cover much of the lagoon’s surface. There is a large colony of frigate birds and numbers of Blue Heron, Crested Terns, Wimbrels and Plovers.

The Alphonse group is one of the most famed saltwater fly fishing destinations in the Indian Ocean and is one of the most prolific Bonefish fisheries in the world. This spectacular wilderness has ten thousand acres of hard white sand flats which provide easy wading and world class sight-fishing. The atolls are home to incredibly large populations of not only Bonefish, but also three different types of Triggerfish, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Permit, Parrotfish, eight species of Trevally (including the Giant Trevally), and the incomparable Milkfish. This diversity gives anglers the opportunity to target a myriad of different species during their stay.

Desroches Island is the largest of the Seychelles coralline islands, approximately 4 miles long by 1 mile wide surrounded by extensive white sand beaches and the interior interwoven with an abundance of coconut plantations, meandering tracks and walks. This is a truly fascinating tropical island full of wonderful natural suprises around every corner, not to mention the ponderous giant tortoises that you will meet during your stay.Home of the world famous beach, Source D’Argent, one of the most photographed beaches in the world. La Digue is a quaint island with just ox carts and bicycles providing the means of transport.

Because of the red coloured soil on Curieuse Island, it was named the Red Island. The name was changed to La Curieuse by the French in 1768. The huge giant tortoise population was totally destroyed with the arrival of Europeans. In 1771, thinking it would make harvesting the Coco de Mer nuts easier, sailors set fire to the island. This killed off most of the plants and the remnants of the burned area is still seen today more than 240 years later. There are also more than 500 tortoises walking around the island and eight different species of mangrove trees. Curieuse is a bio-reserve that is managed by the Marine Parks Authority of the Seychelles Centre for Marine Technology.

Bird Island is a true masterpiece of nature, right at the edge of where the Seychelles bank drops to depths of more than 1500 meters. The island is home to a array of birds which may be watched and photographed from arm’s length. Sea Turtles lay their eggs on the white powdery beaches and the world’s oldest land turtle (“Esmeralda”, born in 1771) happily roams the island. During the south-east trade winds, is colonised by a million of Sooty Terns which lay their eggs on their own private square foot of territory.

The beautiful and mountainous island of Silhouette is the third largest in the Seychelles archipelago with Mount Daubon reaching a height of 780 metres. Most of the attractions on Silhouette Island are natural. Silhouette is home to one of only two Seychelles rainforests, administered by the Island Conservation Society. Silhouette is home to many endemic plant and animal species that are protected under the country’s laws. Other imported plant species grow in this tropical paradise too, such as coffee trees, vanillas, limes, bitter oranges, papaya trees, mango trees and small bananas.

Superyacht Silver Angel will be cruising in the Seychelles this winter, and is available from Camper and Nicholsons. Learn more here.

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