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The Seychelles is an island country located offshore East Africa in the Indian Ocean. Most of the islands at this 115-island archipelago are uninhabited and many of them are protected as nature reserves. The country enjoys a prominent place as a coveted holiday destination for the ones seeking tranquil surroundings, luxury and privacy. Read on to know more about some of the must-visit attractions of the Seychelles.
Morne Seychellois National Park
A visit to Morne Seychellois National Park is a must on a trip to the Seychelles. It is the largest national park in the country sprawling across a massive 20 percent of Mahé, which is the Seychelles’ biggest island. The park is lush with greenery and is full of exotic wildlife, which makes it a perfect retreat for nature lovers. The national park is the home of a mountain chain whose highest point, Morne Seychellois goes as high as 905 metre. You can opt for wonderful hiking expeditions along the well-maintained hiking trails that will take you across exotic villages and picturesque tea plantations. Soak in the scenic views of Mahé’s southwest coast from the mountain slopes and the country’s capital city Victoria from the top of the mountains.
Victoria
A holiday at the Seychelles cannot be complete without a visit to its capital city Victoria. A trip to the major attractions of Victoria will introduce you to the British colonial heritage of this amazing island country. Nature lovers should explore the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens, which is around 15 acres of lush land containing native plants and animals including flying foxes, giant tortoises and one orchid garden. Follow it up with a tour around Freedom Square, visiting its surrounding monuments including the historical clock tower and St Paul’s Cathedral among others. Then, head to the hip shopping destination of Sir Selwyn Clarke Market to pick up local handicrafts from ship models to pearl jewellery and fresh eatables including fish, fruits and vegetables.
Anse Volbert
To have a memorable beach holiday in the Seychelles, visit the picturesque beach of Anse Volbert. The beach, which is popularly called Côte d’Or, is located on the northeast shore of Praslin. It is considered to be one of the most popular beaches of the country due to its spectacular natural beauty, the sunny white sand beaches and the warm, shallow waters. Anse Volbert is a safe destination to indulge in swimming, even for children, and you can explore the vibrant coral reefs located offshore. The beach lies on one of the busy resort areas of the island and you will find a horde of beachfront hotels and restaurants dotted along its entire coast.
Aldabra Atoll
Discover the natural bounties of Aldabra Atoll, which is an UNESCO designated World Heritage Site and the largest raised coral atoll in the world. Visit this amazing destination to see Tiger sharks and manta rays swim around in shallow waters and incredible natural formations including the mushroom-shaped pinnacles called champignons, which are hidden under water and can be seen only when the central lagoon empties. Bird watchers will be in for a treat here – the atoll is inhabited by thousands of exotic birds including Indian Ocean’s sole flightless bird, the white-throated Aldabran rail, frigate birds, red-footed boobies, Aldabra sacred ibis, greater flamingos and Malagasy kestrel.
Ste Anne National Marine Park
Ste Anne National Marine Park is a bag of mixed goodies – it is a great place for enjoying spectacular nature views; you can indulge in adventure activities here; a five star resort is located here; and it offers impressive wildlife spotting opportunities. This huge marine park is spread across six islands offshore Mahé. It offers fantastic facilities for you to enjoy different activities including snorkelling, swimming, scuba diving and glass-bottom boat excursions. Dive in the crystal clear azure waters to explore the coral reefs or go on a tour of the nesting site for hawksbill turtles. One of the best ways to explore the marine park is to go on a nature walk across this park.
Curieuse Island
Marvel at Mother Nature’s creations as you spot numerous giant turtles in their natural habitat at the Curieuse Island. The entire island is actually a site for a breeding program meant to conserve giant tortoises. See these docile creatures roam about freely around sandy coves. Apart from the giant tortoises, Curieuse is the sole place, besides Praslin, to have a natural vegetation of native and exotic coco de mer palm. Explore more of the island by opting for a walking tour of the island, which will take you past the ruins of a leprosarium, a doctor’s house and a well-maintained national monument.