Seychelles

The Seychelles

The Seychelles are a group of about 115 islands, a thousand miles east of Mombasa, in the Indian Ocean. They feature in many travel articles of the 'holiday in paradise - with prices to match' variety. In fact, many of the islands more than live up to the glossy brochure images. According to Lonely Planet Mauritius, Reunion and Seychelles:

"...however seductive the images, they simply can't compete with the real-life dazzling beaches and crystal-clear waters of Praslin and La Digue, or the cathedral-like palm forests of the Vallee de Mai. There are more shades of blue and green in the Seychelles than it is possible to imagine."

90% of the archipelago's population live in Mahé which is 27 km (17 miles) long and 8 km (5 miles) wide. The name of the capital, Victoria, indicates its colonial origins. Mahé is also the location of most of the hotels. The main islands are composed of granite, but there are some 60 coral islands in the group, including Aldabra which has the world's largest lagoon.

The islands also provide some superb snorkelling and diving and the bird life is a twitcher's dream. Because of the relatively recent human settlement (1770) the Seychelles have lost fewer of their native bird species than other islands such as Mauritius. The aptly named nature reserve of Bird Island is home to several species of Terns, Brown and Lesser Noddies, Turnstones, Barred Ground Doves, Frigatebirds and many more. There is a lodge with 24 individual bungalows along the whitest of beaches.

Peak seasons are December-January and July-August when hotel prices are boosted accordingly. The best months from a weather perspective (when accommodation costs are also moderated) are March-April and October-November as the trade winds are changing direction and seas are calmer.

• Mauritius
• History of Mauritius

More about the Indian Ocean islands