Off the east coast of Africa lies an isolated paradise. Seychelles is an exquisite archipelago of 115 islands with white beaches, turquoise waters, and an abundance of life protected from human impact. A flawless arrangement of Mother Nature’s generosity, it’s the closest thing to a utopia.
In Seychelles, the pursuit of island-hopping is an essential experience that exposes travellers to each island’s topography and variety of fauna and flora. The inner islands are mountainous and granitic, while the outer islands remain largely untouched. Mahé is the main and largest island of Seychelles, with features such as the Sauzier Waterfall on its west coast. Other islands such as Praslin and La Digue are a boat ride away. On Praslin, take a hike through Vallée de Mai park and marvel at its verdant vegetation. A Christian voyager first stumbled across the region in the 18th century and believed it to be the Garden of Eden. Today, the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its endemic coco de mer palm tree, which produces the biggest and heaviest seeds in the world.
The Aldabra atoll is also a World Heritage Site, home to an expansive raised coral reef. At 125 000 years old, the atoll draws marine photographers and scuba divers from around the globe. The preserved environment hosts sharks, sea turtles, and a diversity of fish. Aldabra is home to 152 000 giant tortoises, making it the world’s largest population of the Aldabra tortoise species.
At La Digue, discover an impressive acre-long boulder classified as a national monument. The granite monolith was sculpted more than 750 million years ago by cooling magma. La Digue’s largest beach is Seychelles’ most famous. Anse Source d'Argent has water as clear as crystal that flows beneath the towering rocks.
With an abundance of natural wonders, pristine beaches, and preserved biodiversity, Seychelles is unparalleled. Whether exploring its inner islands or adventuring to its unspoilt ecosystems, expect a sensory overload.
Please sign in to leave a comment