Seychelles, paradise in the Indian Ocean

The Seychelles islands are split into 2 categories, the inner and outer islands. The inner islands are mostly made out of granite and often have a more mountainous look and feel to them. The outer islands are mostly made out of corals and pretty much flat. The largest of the inner islands and second largest of all of the Seychelles, is the main island of Mahé, which also contains the capital city, Victoria. Mahé is home to 80,000 people, which is roughly 90% of the total population of the Seychelles.

Like all islands in the Seychelles, Mahé has a gorgeous natural wildlife, white sandy beaches and pristine waters. Mahé is also home to the Natural History museum, which is definitely worth a visit before you move on to the other islands. The Botanical Gardens are another must visit place for nature lovers. These wonderful gardens are literally a paradise within paradise.

If you’re a big nature lover, Praslin Island is definitely a place you’ll want to visit after Mahé. The Vallée de Mai nature reserve is absolutely stunning. Tropical sea coconut trees, which are the largest nuts in the world, are complimented by gorgeous vanilla orchids and their sweet scent. Praslin island is the second largest island part of the inner islands and home to one of the world’s best beaches: Anse Lazio. There’s no better way to end a day of enjoying the nature resort than by enjoying a sunset at one of the world’s best beaches.

Bird Island, as the name suggests, is home to 100,000′s of birds. While birds and the noise they bring isn’t for everybody, seeing over half a million birds is truly a remarkable sight. The best time to watch these birds is between March and October, but from November to January, many migratory birds can also be found.

Besides the birds, Bird Island is one of the many islands in the Seychelles which are used by turtles to lay their eggs. Between mid October and mid January, plenty of turtles visit the beaches of Bird island to lay their eggs, no matter how many birds there are. Guests of bird island are allowed to watch the turtles and it’s unusual for guests not to see a turtle during a 3-4 night stay.

Bird island isn’t the only island home to such an abundance of animals. Aldabra Atoll, the largest island of the Seychelles and part of the outer islands, is home to over 150,000 giant tortoises, as well as thousands of birds and other animal species.
Although it’s nearly impossible to stay a night on this island, it is possible to visit this miniature jurassic park, though it can be a bit pricey. However, although nothing can compare to seeing 1000′s of giant tortoises together, many of the islands in the Seychelles are home to at least a few giant tortoises, so you won’t have to spend big bucks to see them.

Of course, the Seychelles isn’t just home to amazing wildlife on land and in the air. The pristine waters are among the best in the world and home to plenty of species. The Seychelles are home to over 100 dive sites, most of which are near enough the swimming waters of many larger fish, including dolphins, sharks and the gentle giant: the whale shark. The Seychelles are the best destination to swim with whale sharks, various reef sharks, various types of turtles, squids, octopus, manta rays, sting rays and plenty of reef fish, both big and small.

Besides scuba diving, the Seychelles also offer various other activities. Including snorkeling, sailing, various water sports, hiking, cycling, spa resorts and fishing.
Those interested in fishing will want to visit the Alphonse Atoll and St. François Atoll, which are often considered to be a fisherman’s paradise. Snappers, milkfish, parrot fish, groupers, various trevally species, tuna, sailfish, trigger fish species and bonefish are just some of the fish you can catch in the Seychelles, no matter how experienced you are.