Inner Islands of Seychelles
Leave the bustle behind and island hop; green and palm-fringed islets, bird havens or private paradise…
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Leave the bustle behind and island hop; green and palm-fringed islets, bird havens or private paradise…
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A boat trip away from Praslin are the Seychelles Inner Islands. Within relatively short distances, you move between very different settings from laid-back island life to protected nature reserves and exclusive private retreats.
These islands include La Digue, Denis, Silhouette, Sainte Anne, Fregate and North Island, along with smaller conservation islands such as Cousin, Curieuse and Aride. Together, they offer a balance of accessibility and seclusion that defines much of the Seychelles’ appeal.
La Digue boasts some of the world’s most photogenic beaches, and is often the highlight of the inner islands. They come complete with sculptural granite boulders and tropical palms at the water’s edge. (If you’ve seen those impossibly beautiful photos of the Seychelles, they were more than likely taken on La Digue!) But inland the woods are full of rare and exotic plants, which in turn attracts a diversity of birdlife. La Digue is the only nesting place of the rare Black Paradise Flycatcher.
Here traditional Seychellois life continues with bicycles and ox carts frequenting the dusty roads. So we suggest you join them for an easy cycle round the island. Visit the beaches, perhaps stopping for a fruit smoothie at a roadside stall. Through the lush roadside foliage, you'll also get an occasional glimpse of picturesque plantation houses.
La Digue is accessible by 30 minute boat trip or helicopter from Praslin. Or it can be visited for the day from one of the luxurious resorts on Praslin.
Maybe you want greater levels of remoteness? With zero cell-phone coverage and deep blue water separating you from the noise and bustle of the real world? Nothing beats a private island retreat.
If you have the right budget, a private island offers you the best of all worlds. Miles of powdery white sand and crystal clear warm water. Rich marine life all backed by virgin bush. If you ever wanted to know how it feels to have your own tropical island, this is the best way to find out….
Choose between the away-from-it-all island retreats of Denis, Silhouette, Sainte Anne, Fregate, and of course, the superb North Island….
A coral island to the north of Praslin, Denis Island is best known for its phenomenal diving, snorkelling and deep sea fishing. But this flat coral island is also covered with tropical bush. Within which a myriad of hiking and running trails lead to deserted beaches.
Denis Island is one of the most northern of the inner islands. Just beyond the island, the Seychelles ocean shelf drops away suddenly. Here sailfish, marlin and tuna prowl the deeper waters. So it's a mecca for keen fishermen.
North-west of Mahé is the third largest island of the Seychelles. This is the virtually undeveloped Silhouette Island. Home to approximately 200 residents and no roads. Silhouette is one of the bio-diversity hotspots in the Indian Ocean. Here you get virgin rainforests and exotic orchids, the curious pitcher plants and incense trees. And its beaches are sheltered by coral reefs. These offer superb snorkelling and swimming with big game fishing beyond.
Only a short boat ride away from Mahé is Sainte Anne Island, the largest island in the Sainte Anne Marine National Park. This protected reserve ensures stunning marine life for divers and snorkelers. Its white beaches are also a favoured spot for nesting turtles.
But if you are looking for the ultimate in private islands. And if you feel like pushing the boat out budget-wise, then head to North Island. North Island is many people’s idea of the perfect tropical island. Here three mountain peaks covered by lush forest rise up out of the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Indeed North Island offers the ultimate in luxury and pampering. Spacious villas, private pools, personal butlers providing unobtrusive and immaculate service and candlelit dinners on your private deck are the order of the day here. But it comes with a price tag to match.
Back to the main Seychelles pages.
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