HOW TO SPEND FIVE INCREDIBLE DAYS IN THE SEYCHELLES
Dulging in the seafood at the Fi s h Trap restaurant. Affordable and large por tions - ideal for the budget traveller!
for the honeymooners and r omantics of the world, sunset horse rides along beaches on La Digue Island are an absolute must. And a photo adventur e around Coco Island cannot be missed, especially when armed with the knowledge that most travel companies and locals use photographs taken on this particular island to pr omote the Seychelles. It’s an instagramers dream!
St. Anne Island is home to some of the best snorkelling, swimming and boutique restaurants in the area. And if you’re lucky enough to be invited, head to the privately owned Grand Sour Island f or a quiet place to enjoy the sun.
Even if you think bird watching isn’t your thing, go to Cousin Island! This bird
watcher’s paradise, home to rar e birds such as bulbul, black parr ot and the fruit pigeon, will change your mind.
As the Seychelles ar e home to the Little Big Ben, the Giant Tortoises and the Coco de Mer, to name a f ew, there are bound to be certain things you’ll be dying to tick off your list. Thankfully, we’ve been there, done it all and prepared this five-day itinerary pack ed with a wealth of cultural highlights and unique experiences.
Monday: Discover the magic of Mahé
Head to the capital, Victoria. The earlier , the better as Victoria’s market opens at 4 am. It is a fantastic way to stock up on local fresh food.
From there, take a str oll ar ound the r est of Victoria (it won ’t take you long) and see some great little museums and monuments—including the famous Clock Tower and the iconic Hindu temple. Victoria is tiny, so this can easily all be managed b y lunch time . T ake a shor t 5 km drive to Eden Island Marina f or lunch. While you’r e ther e you must tr y Bravo, one of the Seychelles’ best r estaurants, for a wide range of meal options and a relaxed casual dining e xperience. Sit looking out into the beautiful Marina with some of the finest yachts and boats in the world. Spend the af ternoon visiting the best shops in the Seychelles or just relaxing and enjoying the views with a drink.
Tuesday: Visit the Giant Tortoises on La Digue
When first discover ed, giant tor toises
There’s a reason the Seychelles are often referred to as the ‘Galapagos of the Indian Ocean’; with many of the outer islands made up of coral atolls, while the inner islands, namely Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, are geological havens for rare birds and giant tortoises. Charles Darwin would have an absolute field day.
were considered extremely delicious and subsequently were overexploited for food. Today, only one t ype of these giant tor toises remains in the Seychelles: the Aldabra giant tor toise. Many of the Seychelles islands contain Aldabra tor toises living in the wild, including Nor th Island, Cousin Island and Curieuse Island. The latter has over 500 of them. You can also find Aldabra tor toises living i n enclosures across the Seychelles, including the Union Estate on La Digue.
And while you won’t find giant tor toises on the menu, it’s cer t ai nl y wor th i n
Wednesday: Explore the natural rainforest of Vallée de Mai
A visit to the Vallée de Mai makes it easy to see why Praslin was originally thought to be the real garden of Eden. A pristine natural rainforest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it really is one not to miss. The Vallée de Mai is famous for the Coco De Mer, the world’s l ar gest nut. Once thought to have grown in an under water forest (hence the name), their old botanical moniker is Lodoicea callipyge, with the callipyge being Greek for ‘ beautiful rump’. That sums up their appearance perfectly! The Vallée de Mai is also home to the Black Parrot and many other i ndigenous species.
Thursday: Discover its under water safari
Af ter you’ve ticked off the most iconic landmarks, take your shoes off, sl i p into something comfor table and dive into the cr ystal clear waters. There is a whole lot to see when going i nt o the ocean, but
snorkeling and scuba diving are undoubtedly two of the most popular water sports in the Seychelles. From beautiful dive-sites to exploring historical shipwrecks, there’s something for everyone. While not particularly known for its surfing, there are surfable waves year round in the Seychelles. There’s a surf school based on Mahé, iSurf that offers surfing and paddleboarding lessons for all abilities, and all lessons include equipment costs.
Friday: Have a drink at the distillery
When you think of the island life, a good rum is probably not too far from your thoughts. The Seychelles have their very own, and a trip to the distillery is well worth your time. Set in an idyllic old plantation-style house, a wander round the grounds alone is well worth a visit. But no one goes to a distillery just for the nice views; there’s a tour of the distillery, which, of course, comes with a tasting session. For an extra reason to visit, the restaurant is without doubt one of the best in the Seychelles, featuring some fantastic rum-inspired dishes and cocktails. Rum not your drink? No problem; there’s still plenty more on offer. With a wonderful history and exquisite food and drink, there really is something for everyone.