The 115 or so islands that make up the Seychelles Island chain are home to some of the rarest species of flora & fauna on the planet. It’s legendary beauty is found in its rolling green peaks, powder white sand beaches, and green turquoise water. Seychelles is the smallest and least populated country in Africa with a total population around 100,000.
Seychelles also has 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Vallée de Mai and the Aldabra Atoll (and its tortoises which are the world’s largest and oldest). Additionally, the islands boast 13 species and 17 sub-species of birdlife which are found only throughout these unique islands. Much of Seychelles’ extraordinary biodiversity may be discovered on its extensive network of guided walks and trails as well as in its National Parks. For those who are more adventurous, you can also sail around the islands.
We flew in from Mauritius which was a 2 1/2 hour flight. However, there is more than one way to reach this paradise. There are regular flights from UAE, Sri Lanka, South Africa and India to name a few.
Mahe Island
As the largest and most developed island in the Seychelles archipelago, Mahe is not only the gateway to this tropical paradise but is also home to the Seychelles’ capital city. 90% of the country’s population lives on this island and mostly in Victoria. Mahe submits to the towering granite peaks of the Morne Seychellois National Park. This Park wraps around the island bays and sandy beaches. It also provides breathtaking views of the verdant and lush mountains, and the the rocky cliffs along its sides that tower over the villages and coastline.
Wherever you go on Mahe, be it on the coast or high up in the mountains, you almost always run the risk of being caught in a tropical downpour. Due to its rugged topography, Mahe receives more rain than the other islands. Showers don’t usually last long, and without them, Mahe would not be the emerald jewel in the middle of the Indian Ocean that it is.
Flora of Mahe Island
Thanks to their remote location, the Seychelles islands were uninhabited up to 250 years ago, ensuring that many plant species have survived here where they haven’t in the rest of the world. The islands are also home to numerous unique, endemic plant species.
While the Seychelles’ beaches are referred to as some of the most-beautiful in the world, another standout feature of this country is the colourful vegetation. The flora in Seychelles is a stand out and you don’t have to hike very far to find exquisite flowers. They are ubiquitous! Seychelles is literally are a certifiable treasure-trove for plant lovers!
Pitcher plants are carnivorous plants! They achieve this by trapping insects using modified leaves (called pitfall traps) which are vase-shaped and filled with nectar. The nectar will draw the insects in but also act as a digestive fluid. Once the prey is drawn into the pitcher traps, it is subsequently digested by the plant’s enzymes.
The thief palm is endemic to the Seychelles. This is a species that likes dry eroded areas. It can withstand full sunlight and periods of drought and can easily establish itself into other different habitats. Overall, It is fairly widespread all over the Seychelles.
Food and Beverage
Besides a plethora of fresh fruit readily available just about anywhere, Seychelles prepares some of the tastiest and visually appealing food I have ever seen:) The smoked marlin on a bed of cheesy scrambled eggs was particularly delicious as was the fresh avocado toast on rye bread! My husband loved the crepes with fresh whipped cream and blueberry compote.
Creole food in these islands have staples like curry flavored things as well as seafood and samosas. You can get samosas just about anywhere and expect to pay between 25 and 75 cents or 7.5 Seychelles Rupees for them. Samosas come in a variety of flavors like veggie (my favorite), seafood and chicken. They will be flavorful, spicy and loaded with goodness. I am a huge fan!
Smoked fish salad (be it Marlin, Tuna or Salmon) is definitely a delectable treat when visiting The Seychelles. I am a fan of raw fish and even more of a fan of smoked fish so this dish was right up my alley. There aren’t a lot of competing flavors in this dish as the main dressing is freshly squeezed lemon juice and a tad of oil and vinegar.
These gentle Island people love their lager beer. SeyBrew is an all occasion beer and it happens to be the flagship beer of the Seychelles and its most popular. It can be exceptionally inviting at the end of a hot day. Bottles are available cold at all liquor-licensed stores and are reasonably priced considering how expensive these islands can be. Fun fact: SeyBrew was awarded a Gold Medal in Brussels in 2016!
A refreshing and non-alcoholic beverage is the Bashews sparking fruit drinks! I really enjoyed the pineapple and the raspberry flavored ones.
Praslin Island
Although Praslin is the second-largest island in the Seychelles, its population is quite small. This island is to home to one of the country’s World UNESCO sites: Vallée de Mai. There are 2 options to get to and from this gorgeous getaway: a 15 mins flight and the 1 hour and 15mins ferry ride.
Upon arriving on Praslin, jungle-covered mountain ridges adorn the shoreline. This classic tropical island is a mix is of sun, sea and sand however, the botanical gems, rare birdlife and the gentle pace of traditional Seychellois island life is pretty appealing as well.
We took the ferry and it was a brutal ride. This time of year is known for poor weather conditions making the sea state tumultuous. 3/4 of the passengers were sick on the ride over and unfortunately the entire vessel smelled of vomit for the better part of the trip. Having spent time in the Navy, I earned my sea legs early on in my career and I don’t ever get sea sick anymore. However, the way in which I can describe sea sickness to those who have never had the displeasure of experiencing it is a carnival ride you just can’t get off of. It starts with beaded sweat and progresses to gut wrenching vomiting and an inability for all of this to stop until there is no more sea state. It really is the worst!
Praslin was once a port for Arab merchants and later as a pirate hideout! Today, nestled amongst the lush greenery are quaint coastal villages with tiny little shops selling anything from fresh bread to smoked sailfish. You can also find seashells, handcrafted items like agendas, purses and clothing.
The beaches on Praslin are some of the prettiest I’ve ever seen. The greenish water color in juxtaposition with the white sand beaches decorated with peaking rocks along its shores are unique. The sound of the ocean gently crashing against the boulders is soothing and soft on the eyes.
A really cool aspect and forward thinking part of this culture’s island lifestyle is the random outdoor gym equipment located along beachfronts. The equipment is free of charge and well-maintained given the temperamental climate of the islands. It encourages people to stay in shape and to enjoy their peaceful surroundings at the same time:)
Vallée de Mai
The “Heart of Praslin” is home to remnants of the original palm jungles of the Seychelles. Given it’s secluded geographical locale that adds to its air of mystique, the Vallée de Mai has often been described as a “Garden of Eden”.
In 1996, the park was placed under protection as far back as 1966. Today there are well over 1,400 trees of the legendary Coco de Mer which fall under the protection of the Seychelles Government due to their uniqueness and their remote location.
A particularly quirky and “cheeky” phenomenon that is unique to this country is the Coco de Mer. It is by far the most famous of the Seychelles’ six endemic plant species! The Coco de Mer possesses the largest seed of any plant in the world. True story!!!! The tree is endemic to Praslin and Curieuse Islands only. This coconut basically looks like 2 bum cheeks lol. Believe it or not, these huge coconuts are heavy.
The oldest specimen of the Coco de Mer tree is around 300 years old and 27 meters in height. The female tree produces a heart-shaped fruit of up to 25 kg, the largest and heaviest seeds in the world. It is so large and heavy that it cannot be carried by animals. Therefore, if it falls in water, it is both spoiled, and it sinks.
The Coco de Mer palm is now endangered and on the World Conservation Union’s (IUCN) Red List, with numbers falling around 30% in the last 50 years alone. It is particularly in high demand throughout Asia and traded illegally. The fruit’s flesh is prepared and used as an aphrodisiac. Poaching is bad, don’t do it!!!
While on our hike we saw a baby tenrec gathering leaves and digging for bugs (they are omnivores). They are usually nocturnal so we counted ourselves lucky to have seen one out during daylight hours. Tenrecs are a small mammal endemic to Madagascar and Seychelles.
Despite looking like a variety of other small mammals, like opossums and hedgehogs, tenrecs actually aren’t closely related to them. Instead, the tenrec is most closely related to the golden mole. However, they are also related to elephants and sea cows!
There are numerous giant palm trees with equally impressive leaves affecting the light inside the park. The crackling noise of the leaves while the trees crack as well is a pretty delightful experience. One can easily spend several hours in this jungle and have plenty to explore.
Curieuse Island
Once a leper colony and now a sanctuary for flora and fauna, Curieuse Marine National Park, brings you up close and personal with nature. On this relatively small island there is an intriguing biodiversity that is both captivating and delightful. Curieuse Island is home to a sizable collection of Seychelles’ endemic species like the Aldabra tortoises, several species of birds and to the world’s biggest nut (no, not me lol)…..the legendary Coco de Mer.
One of the most interesting areas of the island is the mangrove swamp bordering Baie Laraie. Here, six of the seven species of mangroves known to Seychelles are found. A boardwalk built on piling goes through the swamp, allowing people to access the mangrove habitat even at high tide.
Curieuse is home to hundreds of Giant Tortoises which can live up 150 years. Giant tortoises feed on low lying vegetation such as grasses, shrubs and leaves of trees with low hanging branches.
What’s particularly peculiar about this species is that they have developed the ability to drink water through their nostrils. The reason they have adapted over time to do this is because during periods of low rainfall they can drink from shallow pools where limited water accumulates.
Giant tortoises, like many tortoise species, are more active in the early morning and late afternoon, seeking shelter in shrubs or shallow pools during the midday heat. Aldabra tortoises LOVE to be pet and massaged. They will give you their legs and feet in an attempt for you to spend a little time ironing out the kinks. They also love to be scratched under their chins:)
The island also has spectacular granite formations, with surfaces sculpted over millions of years. Be impressed by the red and blue granite and range of granite edifices that form natural archways around the coast.
Just a 5-minute boat ride from Curieuse Island is St. Pierre Islet, which offers wonderful snorkeling and diving experiences. We found this area to be very relaxing!
Worth the visit or not: WORTH
Each island of the Seychelles is surrounded by a stunning coastal landscape consisting of warm, turquoise water, powdery-fine white sand, and of course palm trees. The beaches are plentiful and you can walk from one to the next without much effort. Each beach and bay will enchant you with its unique features. From imposing boulders to secluded natural beach spots where you will feel like you’re on a desert island, the variety of unique beaches on offer here is almost unmatched by anywhere else in the world!
The majestic vegetation of the Seychelles can be found on the beaches and in its nature parks. The lush greenery of the Seychelles will make you feel as if you are in a whole new world, with huge trees, exotic flowers and bushes, and a wide range of tropical birds.
The local souvenir shops and kiosks are absolutely full of a variety of locally hand-made items. Many of these have been crafted with wood, coconut husks, shells, and other natural elements. From beautifully crafted pieces of jewellery to hand-painted figures and wondrously scented soaps and candles, picking only a few items is likely going to be extremely hard.
Stress and unrest are not words that apply to the Seychelles, and the relaxed pace of life under the tropical sun is the perfect antidote! Here, you can forget the stress of daily life and you can focus on relaxing and enjoying your holiday in paradise to its fullest extent!
Happy Travels 🙂
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