# The treasures of the Indian ocean , The Seychelles Islands..

The many islands to be found in the Indian Ocean are undoubtedly dream destinations … The water is always clear and warm, the secluded beaches and the glorious sunshine are waiting for you (of course this only applies if you choose the correct season 😉 When it comes to deciding where to put down your suitcase between these idyllic destinations in paradise : the Seychelles, the Maldives, Zanzibar or even the south of Bali, you have a very difficult choice to make … So today I am going to be sharing with you a little trip to the Indian Ocean, the discoveries that I made and my experiences in one of the world’s most beautiful places …

The Seychelles

The Seychelles Islands are located in the Indian Ocean, to the North-east of Madagascar. The journey to reach paradise is a little bit long ; expect 10 to 12 hours with a direct flight from Paris to Mahé but the reward is well worth it. The best time to visit is normally from the end of April to the end of June, or mid-September to mid-November but you can go during the rest of the year also, you might experience some rain and high winds, according to the time of year/season.That being said, we’ve been there in december and the weather was just fine.. just a few showers but nothing else..

Besides the turquoise blue water, sandy beaches, and coconut palms, The Seychelles can be distinguished by their raw and wild side, their nature reserves and their magnificent granite rocks … There are so many things to do and to see in the archipelago with its 115 islands … If you want to follow a classic itinerary, you can spend a few days on Mahé . It is the main island, and is also the largest of the Seychelles. Rent a car to explore the beautiful creeks in the South, visit Victoria, the smallest capital in the world , with its famous colorful market, before heading to Praslin, for example. (Transfers between islands are made by plane or by ferry)

The island of Praslin offers a really authentic experience, with its flower-bedecked villages and beaches, lined with coconut palms, for example, Anse Lazio. This island is ideal for hiking in the wilderness, or as a starting point for excursions to nearby islands. Do not forget to stop off at the island of La Digue to see its main source of income, the famous granite rocks, and its magnificent white sandy beaches. You can stay in hotels, guest houses or even shared housing for a cheaper alternative.The cruises by catamaran or the “special scuba-diving” cruises, present a wonderful option for a journey, allowing you to discover another side to the archipelago and to explore its secret, remote creeks and sea beds…

For holiday makers or newly-weds on their honeymoon, there are also special hotel-islands, similar to those you find in the Maldives, allowing you to relax and do nothing but enjoy your vacation in the glorious sunshine. There is a choice of sublime, if expensive, hotel-islands. There is Denis Island, Desroche Island, and the simply stunning North Island, which is situated opposite Silhouette island which is much more affordable and where you can find “The Hilton Labriz”hôtel.There is also the extremely wild and isolated “Bird Island”, with its authentic eco-lodge accommodation, its white sandy beaches and its exotic wildlife, which is home to tortoises and thousands of birds , which are carefully protected. You can observe them all closely in their natural habitat. Full story about my beloved Bird Island => Here ..

=> Rates for a trip to Bird Island : around 5000 euros for 2 persons on Marco Vasco.fr for example.. this package includes the international flights, the local flight from Mahé to Bird island and the accomodation (full board). For this, it’s always better to book through a travel agent, rather than to book yourself, because the flight from Mahé to Bird island alone costs at least 400 euros..

My experience : I had the amazing opportunity to spend 10 days on Silhouette Island in the “Hilton Labriz”, which is located 45 minutes by speed boat from Mahé, and I absolutely LOVED it… obviously …. Of course I could have taken advantage of moving around and traveling from island to island, as I so often enjoy doing, but this time I decided to stay for the duration, in the same spot.

Silhouette Island is a pretty mix between Praslin, with is beaches and coconut trees, The Digue, with its impressive volcanoes, and the tropical vegetation that covers the mountains, reminds me of Mahé…The hotel is very pleasant indeed. The villas (that come with private pools) are roomy, and we feel at home there. I was very impressed by the beauty of the nature and wildlife, the exquisite landscapes, which were reminiscent of postcards. There is an abundance of flowers and creatures in The Seychelles and the water is turquoise, and so clear. The granite rocks are also sensational to behold. .. As opposed to the Maldives, you are not short of space, and when you want to go for a long walk into the jungle, or cross the island without retracing your steps, you are able to, without feeling as though you are on a tiny stone in the middle of the ocean… The “hotel-island” is a fun concept, because you can go everywhere and visit everything on foot. There are very few guests, which creates the impression that you are completely and utterly alone ; a castaway on an exotic island…

The best part : relaxing and resting under the palm trees in a hammock, in love, on a beach that is completely deserted, looking out towards the horizon over the turquoise water that stretches as far as the eye can see. The Seychelles is truly paradise …

But I have to be objective, because there are unfortunately some disadvantages to mention concerning the Seychelles:

– The tide … contrary to the Maldives, the Seychelles have a tide which turns every 6 hours, which makes swimming impossible.. Not a big deal when you are in exploring mode, and go hiking or visit a town until the water returns, but on a hotel island, 6 hours is a long time…

The sea life … when using a mask and snorkel, visibility is not very good, maybe due to the waves? In any case there is not much to see. This is not the same with the Maldives for example, which wins this round easily. Where scuba diving is concerned, there is a lot more to see and it is both interesting and more varied.

The price … this type of destination, as you can imagine, is expensive, OK, very expensive … you need to be prepared to spend 2000 euros per person for flights + hotel for a week-long stay .. but it’s actually what you have to add on to this initial price that really makes a difference and makes it so expensive (this is also applicable to the Maldives.) For example : the cost of transfers from island to island, meals, drinks not included in the package deal, excursions, scuba diving, massages, and all the extras. So if I were you, be careful, you don’t want a unpleasant surprise at the end of your vacation. Set aside an emergency fund, just in case.

To sum up :

The Seychelles, in its green setting, is one of the many islands that remain rather wild and un-spoilt. It is this aspect of nature in the raw that intrigues and attracts backpackers, friends traveling together or alone, and couples. Families can choose the cruise options or settle down on a hotel-island to sunbathe and do nothing but enjoy their vacation with their loved ones. There are a wide range of activities for all tastes and even if it breaks the bank coming here and the sea bed is a little disappointing compared to that of the Maldives, the sheer beauty of the island makes you forget these small drawbacks…