Paradise on Earth is what they call the Seychelles. Seemingly forgotten out in the middle of the Indian Ocean, a thousand miles from Africa, this archipelago of more than a hundred islands stretches for hundreds of miles. The warm waters, high standards and friendly people draw many year after year to these Jewels in the Ocean that are the Seychelles.

Island names such as Mahe, Praslin, La Digue, Aldabra and Desroches have enchanted travelers for years. Whichever way you turn, there is a lovely beach and upscale dining. For honeymoons, the romance of the Seychelles has everything else in the world beat, bar none.

Register At CruiseLineFans.com For Free

Mahe

At 59 square miles Mahe is, by far, the largest island, and it is home to the capital, Victoria, the international airport, the fishing and commercial ports, most of the population and many resorts and hotels, plus four casinos.

Its powdery white, idyllic beaches, lush vegetation, plantations of coconut palms and cinnamon rise to forested peaks with unequalled views of the neighboring islands.

Surrounded by coral reefs the clear, calm waters invite relaxation and many water sports. Although it is the nation's economic hub, it has retained all of its natural beauty and charm.

Many tourists decide to stay at (and some never get much farther than) beautiful Beau Vallon Bay...but there is so much more to see and explore. Both island roads and public transportation are quite good and rental cars ubiquitous and fairly easy to manage (although the British driving on the left convention is observed)...making it very, very easy to sightsee the entire island...or you can take an island helicopter tour for a real bird's eye view.

Coach excursions will take the visitor to Mahe's attractions: the markets, the 100 year old Botanical Gardens (with giant land tortoises, coco-de-mer and orchids); the capital, Victoria, with its famous clock tower; the National Museum dedicated to island history, folklore and music; graceful colonial mansions and old plantations; and vibrant green jungles.

Mahe is also the center for craft artisans as well as fine art painters, sculptors and woodworkers. The pirate treasure dig at Bel Ombre has been worked for decades. It is supposedly the site of an 18th Century french pirate's share of the loot from a plundered Portuguese treasure ship. At Jardin du Roi, a renovated and now working plantation and spice garden there are walks, a museum and an excellent restaurant featuring, of course, interestingly spiced cuisine.

Morne Seychellois National Park can be visited and the summit ascended to view one of the most spectacular vistas in the world. Walking is the best way to get the feel of the island; many trails and nature walks are well posted and the capital, itself, is a walker's delight and an excellent chance to experience why the Seychellois are called "the friendliest people on earth." With its incredible amount of daytime activities and lively nightlife, Mahe can truly offer something for everyone.

Register At CruiseLineFans.com For Free

Praslin

This second largest island is 3 hours by boat or 15 minutes by air from Mahe. Praslin is a lot slower, a lot less "rushed" (if you could ever call Mahe "rushed"!); Praslin is like a trip back in time. When first visited by General Gordon (of Khartoum fame) over 100 years ago he believed he had found the original Garden of Eden, particularly on seeing the female pelvis shaped double nut coco-de-mer which instantly conjured Eve in his mind.

Praslin is the universal blueprint for the perfect tropical island. In its limited area, the richness and variety of plant and animal life is astounding. Fantastically shaped huge granite boulders dot the island. Coral reefs teeming with over 900 species of fish, living coral and jewel toned shells paint a living seascape.

Most of the interior is virgin forest and the exquisitely beautiful Vallee de Mai, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, is the only place where the coco-de-mer palm is found in the world. Its nut, the curious female pelvis-shaped fruit, has been successively believed to be the fruit of the tree of knowledge, a powerful aphrodisiac, and the object of a dying emperor's quest (Rudolf II of Hapsburg offered 2 gold florins for a single nut towards the end of his life).

The rare black parrot, Seychelles national bird, inhabits the Vallee de Mai, and if you're very, very fortunate you may catch a glimpse of this elusive creative, but, you'll certainly hear its shrill cry through the thick palm groves.

Besides the black parrot, Praslin is home to 2 other of the world's rarest birds: the Seychelles bulbul and the fruit pigeon. Praslin is famous also for its gorgeous pink granite, and you'll see many examples of it built into the local hotels and restaurants.

And it's an excellent jumping off point to visit other islands.

Register At CruiseLineFans.com For Free

La Digue

If Praslin is several decades in "feel" behind Mahe, then La Digue is several centuries behind Praslin. It is the world's perfect place to do absolutely nothing but enjoy perfect tropical beauty and harmony. Possibly the best mode of transportation on La Digue is bicycles...the roads are somewhat uneven as most are still unpaved...but the glides under shady canopies to reach blissful beach solitude are incomparable. The local population not engaged in tourist services are either fisherman or boat builders, but you won't find a one who won't smile and wave as you bike on by.

This stunning little island is probably the most photographed island in the world. It's 3 hours 15 minutes by schooner from Mahe (currently not running, however) and 30 minutes from Praslin, and is the breeding ground of the rare Black Paradise Flycatcher. The bird watching enthusiast can also spot the Chinese Bittern, Cave Swiftlet and Waxbill. Ox carts are the primary means of transportation, which can take the visitor past old plantation houses, a vanilla plantation, a copra factory and, of course, the incomparable beaches (star of Bacardi ads, swimsuit fashion shoots and countless honeymoon snapshots). These are protected by the surrounding coral reefs together with masses of pink granite rocks which glow red in the setting sun. These wild, deserted beaches are excellent for safe swimming, snorkeling and fishing. Ideal for walking, the island can be comfortably circumnavigated at a leisurely amble. This 4th largest island retains all of the charm and tranquility visitors travel halfway around the world to enjoy.

Register At CruiseLineFans.com For Free

Water Sports

Scuba Diving
Coral reef diving is the main sporting attraction in the islands. Fish are unafraid of divers and spear fishing is absolutely forbidden. The waters are home to more than 900 fish species and over 100 species of coral, and visibility enables perfect underwater photography conditions.

The Seychelles Underwater Centre, a PADI 5 Star IDC Center, operates modern, safe dive boats from the Coral Strand Hotel on Mahe. They also offer introductory scuba lessons as well as complete certification and advanced courses.

Dive Packages.
Dive packages are available at most resorts, particularly the Coral Strand and Sunset Beach Hotel, both on Mahe.

The Indian Ocean Explorer is the first scuba diving liveaboard vessel to stay in Seychellois waters all year round. With a maximum capacity of just 16 divers the Explorer visits all of the prime diving destinations in the country, the Inner Islands, the Amirantes and Aldabra. Four times a year it features 2 week diving trips between Mahe and Aldabra. There are also several Whale Shark Expeditions in August.

The Indian Ocean Explorerhas also pioneered something new for the scuba world: 3 and 4 night options on their Inner Island and Whale Shark Expeditions. This allows divers to get more diving done on limited schedules.

SV Sea Shellhas 6 and 7 night itineraries around the Inner Islands starting every Sunday, with scuba diving being one of their main activities.

Seychelles Odyssey is an 82 foot (25 meter) catamaran which does 6 and 10 night tours around the Inner Islands several times yearly.





SUBIOS. This festival of celebration of Seychelles' underwater world is held over a 1 week period in October or November and attracts worldwide recognized underwater experts in photography, film making and conservation. Local hotels on Mahe and Praslin host evening presentations by these guest experts and there is no charge for admittance. Competitions in photography, video and painting help promote awareness of the fragile beauty of the underwater environment.

Snorkeling
In addition to the excellent scuba diving, there is excellent snorkeling almost everywhere one would look. Many of the snorkeling spots are close to the beach, although the best spots are just off rocky shorelines. Most of the larger hotels on beaches have snorkeling equipment (masks, snorkels and fins) available for rent or complimentary for guests and will be pleased to direct you to the best spots. Day cruises such as those from Water World provide opportunities to charter a power boat and visit remote beaches for snorkeling and beach barbeques. SV Sea Shellsails the waters of the Inner Islands and has plenty of opportunities for snorkeling and diving.

Register At CruiseLineFans.com For Free

.Fishing
Seychelles waters are a paradise for game fishing although it's a relatively new sport in the islands. The flats near St. Francoise and Alphonse have recently been recognized as probably the best saltwater fly fishing area in the world.

Many liveaboard boats are equipped for the sport or a purpose-built vessel from Marine Charter in Victoria can be hired to sample the abundant banks around Mahe, Fregate, Bird and Denis (Denis has the distinction of providing record fighting catches like sailfish or blue marlin). It is recommended that you prebook your fishing because its popularity often leads to disappointment if you don't.

DEEP SEA FISHING.
Trolling brings in red meat fish (tuna, jackfish and dorado); bottom fishing can net giant red snapper, grouper and "Job" -- fish guidebooks are recommended. Note that spear fishing is prohibited in the Seychelles.

Boats are available for charter in Mahe and Praslin primarily, with a few also stationed on Desroches and Denis islands. In the Inner Islands Water World has a selection of boats for day trips and longer.

FLY FISHING.
Fly fishing on the flats is exhilarating, especially with a guide who know the local waters inside and out: so much so that one would think he knew each individual fish by name. Tarpon cannot be taken in Seychelles. Guides in Seychelles are expert and inexpensive. Fishing is either by wading or by small skiff. As an example, a full day of guide services will cost only about $200 (plus any expenses). Contact us for more detailed information. Five day and more fly fishing expeditions to Alphonse are extremely popular as are the yearly trips on the Indian Ocean Explorer operated by Angling Destinations.

Seasons are governed by trade winds: from May to September they blow from the southeast (better for Big Game) and the seas can sometimes be rough; from November to February from the northwest (calmer seas for bottom fishing). October and April are perhaps the most enjoyable with calm seas.

Competitions are scheduled under the representative of the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA). Big Game Fishing tempts serious line class fishermen. Dogtooth tuna has set world records, including the all tackle record. Traditionally, strip bait is used but live bait is available. Tag and Release is encouraged. Bottom Fishing is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike off the numerous banks and submerged granite reefs. Night fishing for barracuda is a special adventure. Bone Fishing is the latest sport with catches plentiful off Alphonse, St. Francoise, Desroches, D'Arros, St. Joseph, Denis, Bird and North Island.

Register At CruiseLineFans.com For Free

Surfing
At Grand Anse on the western coast of Mahe surfing is ideal between November and April as larger than usual waves roll in.

Windsurfing
Excellent almost everywhere!

On Mahe, boards are available for rent at The Plantation Club. On Praslin, the Paradise Sun is the only place.

Each year there is the Mahe/Praslin Windsurfing Competition, usually in September, which starts from Victoria, Mahe and finishes at Maison des Palmes Beach on Praslin.

Other Watersports
Wakeboarding and water skiing are available at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Beach Resort on Mahe (the only place for those activities).

Beaching
Ranking among the best in the world the silver white sands encircle the islands. Crystal clear water invites swimming in the safe, reef-protected waters. Outstanding beaches include Beau Vallon, Anse Intendance, Anse Royale and Anse Takamaka on Mahe; Cote D'Or and Anse Lazio on Praslin; and Anse La Source d'Argent, Grand Anse and Petit Anse on La Digue.

Windsurfers, canoes and sailing dinghies may be hired on the more popular beaches and water skiing and paragliding are offered at the main resort areas.

Register At CruiseLineFans.com For Free

International

Airlines
The national airline is Air Seychelles. They operate 2 Boeing 767/300ERs on international routes and 4 DHC-6 DeHavilland Twin Otters, one Shorts 330 and one Islander on domestic routes. Service to some destinations is via code share on other airlines such as Air Austral, Kenya Airways, and Air Mauritius.

Rates can be somewhat expensive but New Adventures has rates as low as $795 for coach and $2695 for Pearl Class (business class) roundtrip from Europe.

Other airlines serving Seychelles with their own equipment include Emirates, Air Mauritius, Kenya Airways, Aeroflot, Condor, and Air Austral. (photo of S7-AAS courtesy of Sebastien Boutry)

Gateways
Along with schedules, air gateways to Seychelles vary year to year. In 2000 direct flights were available from the following cities with scheduled nonstop flight times indicated as hours:minutes.

Schedules vary considerably over the course of a year, so we recommend contacting us to work out a schedule for your holiday.

Airport
Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) is located 6 miles (10km) south of Victoria on Mahe. Facilities include an international and domestic terminal, duty free shopping, banking and currency exchange (open to meet all flights), vehicle rental, restaurant and lounge. Transportation services to all points on Mahe are available by coach and taxi.

Cruises
The Royal Star of the OdessAmerica Line calls periodically at Seychelles.

Three containerships of the CMBT Line sail every 2-3 weeks from Antwerp to Felixstowe then Rouen, Montoir, Marseille, transit the Suez Canal, Victoria (Seychelles), St. Denis (Reunion), Port Louis (Mauritius), Toamasina (Madagascar), Mombassa, transit the Suez Canal, Port Said, Marseille, Le Havre, Dunkirk and back to Antwerp in 60 days. Each offers five cabins ranging from about $5000 to $6200 roundtrip. As of this writing passage on the freighters is not available.

Legalities
Information about entry visas, passports, customs and departure tax is available at Travelers Information.

Register At CruiseLineFans.com For Free