Heart of the Seychelles

Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, is a vibrant city on Mahé Island's northeastern side, blending diverse cultures and traditions. Attractions include the bustling stalls of Victoria Market, the Hindu shrine of Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple and the colourful "Jivan Imports" store. The Victoria Botanical Garden features Aldabra giant tortoises and 200 plant species, including unique trees like the coco-de-mer.

Curieuse Marine National Park's captivating landscape is made up of red earth mountains and granite hills. The Coco de Mer palm, which produces the world's largest nuts, grows only here and Praslin. Baie Laraie is home to all seven mangrove species in Seychelles, while the area is also the site of a tortoise sanctuary. Once a leper colony, Curieuse hosts giant Aldabra tortoises and sea turtles. Pointe Rouge offers diving in vibrant coral reefs.

Cousin Island, a land and sea special reserve, is a conservation success story. In 1959, just 26 Seychelles warblers remained, clinging to life in a mangrove swamp. An intensive program cut back coconuts, allowing the warbler's native forest to recover. Cousin's restoration also benefited the endangered Seychelles magpie robin. The island is now a thriving indigenous forest and wetland, attracting birds, giant tortoises, lizards and more.

Praslin has some of the Seychelles' finest beaches, like Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette, with granite boulders dotting the soft sands. Busy Anse Volbert-Côte D’Or offers views of Chauve Souris islet. Inland, Praslin National Park's rugged jungle hosts rare flora and fauna. The Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO site, features a coco de mer forest, one of only two populations of these enormous trees, bearing the world's largest fruit and heaviest seeds.

Forty kilometers (25 miles) northeast of Mahé, Praslin is just a 15-minute flight or 45-minute ferry ride away. Praslin, at 11 km (7 miles) long and 4 km (2.5 miles) wide, is the second-largest island in the Seychelles. First settled as a hideaway by pirates and Arab merchants, the island's original name, Isle de Palmes, bears testament to its reputation as home of the Vallée de Mai UNESCO World Heritage Site: the only place in the world where the famous Coco de Mer, the world's heaviest nut, grows abundantly in the wild. Praslin's endemic palm forests shelter many rare species, and the island is a major bird-watching destination. Surrounded by a coral reef, majestic bays, and gorgeous beaches, Praslin is much quieter and less developed than Mahé. With few real "sights," the pleasures of Praslin largely involve relaxing in or exploring its stunning beaches and fantastical forests.

Grande Soeur, the slightly larger of the Sister Islands, is a peaceful spot known for its granite rocks emerging above palm-fringed beaches, creating stunning landmarks like Table Rock. Grande Soeur East, the most picturesque beach on the island, claims the crown as Seychelles' finest. The island is also one of the archipelago's best snorkelling spots with sea turtles, tropical fish and small reef sharks. Hiking trails lead to panoramic views.

Aride Island, one of Seychelles' finest nature reserves, offers a glimpse into the islands' unspoilt past. The uninhabited granitic island hosts vital seabird colonies, with 10 breeding species, including the world's largest populations of two frigatebird species and the roseate tern subspecies arideensis. Reptile density is among the highest globally. Rare native plants like Wright's Gardenia grow in their natural state only on Aride.

La Digue is renowned for idyllic beaches dotted with granite boulders like Anse Source d'Argent on the west coast. Secluded beaches like Anse Bonnet Carré and Anse Cocos on the east are accessible only on foot, featuring calm, shallow waters. Hikers enjoy the ascent to Nid d'Aigle, the 333-m high island peak, with a restaurant halfway up. The Veuve Nature Reserve protects the rare Seychelles Black Paradise Flycatcher's breeding habitat.

La Digue Island is an island like no other. It is the smallest of the three populated islands in the Seychelles, but the tranquillity will make it feel like you’re the only one there.The stunning surroundings should be soaked up from cycling through the vanilla plantations to lying on the white-sandy beaches, your time on La Digue should be cherished.There is a little more to do on La Digue compared to the smaller, uninhabited islands where you can enjoy full moon tours, surfing and snorkelling with a local.

The tiny Moyenne Island in the inner Seychelles covers just 9 hectares. The 2km shoreline features white sand beaches and granite boulders characteristic of the Seychelles. Despite its size, Moyenne hosts high biodiversity. Moyenne Island National Park, the world's smallest, was established in 2009 by Brendon Grimshaw to preserve the ecosystem. Densely covered in trees and plants, it represents 40 native species, many unique to Moyenne.

Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, is a vibrant city on Mahé Island's northeastern side, blending diverse cultures and traditions. Attractions include the bustling stalls of Victoria Market, the Hindu shrine of Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple and the colourful "Jivan Imports" store. The Victoria Botanical Garden features Aldabra giant tortoises and 200 plant species, including unique trees like the coco-de-mer.