Car Hire Seychelles

Mini guide to Seychelles

Scattered off the East African coast is the Seychelles archipelago, closely resembling a paradise marooned in the Indian Ocean. Unspoilt by tourism, covered in palms and coco de mers and boasting beautiful white-sandy beaches with turquoise water and granite boulders everywhere, this destination is ideal for simply relaxing and escaping.

Victoria is the only significant settlement on the island and is found on the Island of Mahe. Colonial elements are evident in the courthouse and main post office, otherwise the city has been given a modern make over. Apart from several quirky museums and a worthwhile botanical garden, most visitors do their business and head straight for the resorts and beaches.

Mahe has a collection of excellent beaches, the most popular being Beau Vallon, near Victoria. Several other quieter beaches with good swimming and snorkeling are found in the south. Île Souris, on the east coast and Anse Soleil and Anse Petite Police, on the west coast, are extremely secluded. Resorts are found on some, but you may prefer to hire a car and seek out your own private beach.

Several resorts are also found on the island of Praslin, particularly around Anse Lazio. This beach, in the extreme north of the island, has blindingly white sand, tourqouise water and the ever-present rocks that punctuate many beaches on the island, making it ideal for snorkeling. Vallée de Mai is a world heritage site on the island consisting of a prehistoric forest and a dense concentration of the island’s unique coco de mer. An afternoon spent here is a wonderful escape from the beach.

The St Anne Marine National Park consists of six islands lying offshore from Victoria and offers the best snorkeling on the island.

Cousin Island and Silhouette Island are two other curious nature reserves that the more adventurous make day trips to. Cousin island has an incredible forest and is home to several protected species, including seabirds and turtles. Silhoutte island is a more mysterious and eerie affair, with its three granite peaks rising straight out of the water, caves, piracy legends and moody sunsets. Package deal boat trips depart daily to both islands.

People come to Seychelles to relax and enjoy the natural scenery, so entertainment is limited to each of the private resorts that are hidden away throughout the island. French colonial interests have left a good dining influence, blended with local Creole culture.

A variety of airlines fly direct to the Seychelles from Africa, Europe and Australia (via Singapore).