The Seychelles offers a world of perpetual, golden summer where people and nature live in effortless harmony. This magical group of approximately 115 islands is located just off the East African coast in the Indian Ocean, North-East of Madagascar. The islands' capital, Victoria, is situated on the main island of Mahe, a tourist mecca as well as the Seychelles'
administrative and cultural centre. Although Mahe is the most developed and visited island in the Seychelles, its mountainous interior remains largely undisturbed.
Mahe's 75 beaches are spectacular; aside from their uniquely beautiful setting, they also
provide crystal clear water and safe swimming under the shade of palm trees. Some of the beaches are long, unspoilt stretches of white sand, while others are merely a private cove tucked amongst the granite boulders.
Beau Vallon beach is the most famous, and offers a wide range of watersports and a long stretch of beautiful beach. One of Mahe's most exciting sites is the pirate treasure dig at Bel Ombre. Tales are told of a hidden treasure which is believed to have been buried here, on the West coast of the island, by French pirate "La Buse", Olivier le Vasseur. Regardless of the tantalising tales of valuable treasure, nothing has ever been found - except a few silver coins, a shoe buckle and one or two pistols, which is why people still enjoy exploring in the hope of finding further treasures.
Most hotels offer a choice between Creole cuisine and more international dishes. Fish is an important part of their diet, as it is readily available and of exceptional quality. Diving in the Seychelles is world-class and an almost year-round activity.
Fishing is another favourite pastime in the Seychelles. The seas off Cousin and Sainte Anne Marine National Park are off-limits to fishermen, but Grand Anse and Mahe offer good spots for fishing. Other popular watersports are sailing, windsurfing and paragliding at Mahe's Beau Vallon Bay.
The Seychelles government is conservation conscious,and as a result, these magnificent islands are one of the last Edens on earth. In fact, about half of the Seychelles Islands are set aside for conservation and the protection of rare species of plants and birds. Also, the ocean around these islands is a whale sanctuary. Praslin is home to the Coco de Mer - the double coconut seed of the female tree (which is the largest seed in the world) has the shape of a female pelvis. The leaves are also the largest in the world and can reach up to 6 metres in length. This unique palm grows in the World Heritage Site of the Vallee de Mai National Park. Here, too, lives the Seychelles' national bird, the rare black parrot, of which there are only approximately 120 left in the world.
This paradise on Praslin has often been compared to the Garden of Eden. Just off the coast of Praslin is the Curieuse Marine National Park, a land and sea park full of fish and coral in
extraordinary colours.
La Digue is a haven for bird-lovers. It is the habitat of 2 of the world's rarest birds - the Seychelles magpie robin and the Seychelles black paradise flycatcher. In 1968 the Council for Bird Preservation bought the island of Cousin and made the entire island into a nature reserve, home to the brush warbler, which was almost extinct, as well as 7 breeding species of seabird and hawksbill turtles.
Here, even centipedes are protected. The island of Aride, which is, considered to be the Seychelles finest nature reserve, is owned and managed by the Royal Society for Nature.