Finding attractions while on vacation in Africa is nothing short of a mile-long list of things to do. However, Seychelles has everything that you'll need to create the perfect vacation, all in one place. With luxurious beaches, natural attractions, and historical...
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Planning a vacation in the Seychelles next year but aren’t sure where to go? After all, it’s a big place! For your reference, those place of interest will hopefully make the decision a bit easier for you.
Bird island Seychelles
Located 28 miles away from Denis Island and on the edge of the coast of the Seychelles, Bird Island is northernmost island of the Seychelles. During the period of the southeast trade winds (May-September), Bird Island is inhabited by a million sooty terns which lay their eggs on their exclusive territory.
Twenty-four comfortable bungalows, excellent beaches, a reputation for good food and a friendly atmosphere make here become a fabulous spot for diving, deep sea fishing, and observation nature.
Cousin Island Seychelles
Cousin Island is about six kilometers off the west coast of Praslin. This Island gives you an experience of total privacy offered by very few other places on earth. With four individual villas designed in French colonial style, exclusivity is the order of the day as a maximum of only ten people are housed at one point. Cousin Island is a private nature reserve, home to five endemic birds of Seychelles magpie robin as the Seychelles brush warbler, and a variety of endemic wildlife and spectacular marine life.
Denis Island Seychelles
Far from north of Victoria about 85 km, Denis Island is one of the islands is the most northerly of the Seychelles. With its lush vegetation Denis Island is a nice house for roaming turtles and seabirds.
Coming here, you will enjoy the plantation of coconut growing, live in one of 25 charming cottages which are recently renovated. Denis Island is truly perfect for a honeymoon with excellent cuisine.
Denis Island offers an excellent nature for walking and for playing tennis, diving, windsurfing, canoeing and of course the sun on its white sandy beaches.
Fregate Island seychelles
Frégate Island is located about 55 km from Mahé and is furthest from the inner granitic islands. This 2 square mile microcosm island is home to fifty species of birds including the rare Seychelles magpie robin, and other rare species of fauna.
This fertile island has a luxurious five-star lodge which offers optimum comfort and amenities. The fact is that it has become a haven of choice for Hollywood stars with sumptuous luxury villas.
La Digue Seychelles
Being close neighbor with Praslin and its satellite islands of Felicite, Marianne, and the sister islands, La Digue is the fourth largest island in the Seychelles. The warm atmosphere of this island with its intimate languid rhythm of life, traditional architecture and breathtaking beaches as legendary Anse Source d’Argent, it is an absolute must-visit to any traveller.The picturesque islands around are ideal for excursions to snorkeling and diving.
The people of Seychelles are known as Seychellois. There are a number of ethnic races in the Seychelles, most of which come from Africa. There are also significant numbers of Arabs, Indians, French, and Chinese. Others are Polynesian, Indian, and Arcadian. The Seychellois are a beautiful and unique combination of British, Chinese, French, Indian, and African blood. The Seychellois lead simple lives in an earthly paradise. The main languages are Creole, French, and English.
When you meet someone in the Seychelles for the first time, it is customary to shake hands. The Seychellois are friendly and often invite newcomers to their houses openly. When visiting someone’s home in the Seychelles, it is the custom to bring a small gift. Because the Seychelles consist of over 100 islands and only has a population of around 83,000, it has the distinction of being the least crowded country in the world. Population growth in the Seychelles is low, but the average age is quite young. Half the population is under 25. Nearly 70% of the inhabitants of the Seychelles live on Mahe, which is the largest island. Life expectancy in the Seychelles is about 72 years.
Though the Seychellois population is made up of many different ethnic groups, the people get along in harmony and are proud of their republic. The life on the Seychelles is casual, peaceful, and spiritual. Some 90% of Seychellois are Catholic. Other religions include Protestant Christians, Muslims, and Hindu. Most people are quite friendly and are glad to have any reason to have a party.
Music plays an important part of the Seychellois culture. The music is influenced by Polynesian, Arcadian, and Indian music. The two main types of folk music in the Seychelles are the Montea and the Contombley, based on music, and drums respectively. Singing and dancing are important facets of life here. After all, if you lived in this earthly paradise, wouldn’t you feel like singing and dancing? Sports like football, boxing, and volleyball are popular sports.
Though there is no culture indigenous to the Seychelles, many influences from African origins have remained for centuries now. The government created a National School of Music and a National Cultural Troupe to encourage growth and tradition. You can partake of the wonderful Seychellois culture simply by visiting, dining, dancing, and having a great time.
You will find in the Seychelles a lot of shops selling souvenirs and gifts such as local hand crafts, ornaments, and jewelry, many of which are prepared with snail shells. As nightlife goes, the Seychelles are rather quiet, though there are some local music venues and dance performances. Also, some of the larger hotels hold dinner dances and barbecues. In most hotels, men are asked to wear long trousers rather than shorts, but that is about as “formal” as life gets in the Seychelles.
French and African influences are very noticeable in the Seychelles. There are three kinds of music that are associated with the local culture: the sega, which has strong African influence, moutia, a style that originated in slaves, and contredanse, a style of music and dance with French and British origins. Of the contemporary artists, Adams Michael is thought of as the “Gaugin of the Seychelles.” There are also many other artists who live in the Seychelles, including Leon Radegonde, Gerard Devoud, Marc Duc, and George Camille.
The history of the Seychelles before European colonization is almost entirely unknown. Settlers from Borneo, who eventually populated Madagascar may have visited the islands during the third and fourth centuries BCE. Arab navigators traveling the Indian Ocean most likely knew of the islands, though they did not stay there. Arabs traded the enormous coco de mer nuts, found only in the Seychelles, many years before Europeans arrived. Though the Arabs claimed to have found the nuts washed up in the Maldives, it is known that the coco de mer sinks in water, so their account may not be credible.
The Seychelles were uninhabited when the British East India Company arrived on the archipelago in 1609. Thereafter, they became a favorite pirate haven. The French claimed the islands in 1756 and administered them as part of the colony of Mauritius. The British gained control of the islands through the Treaty of Paris (1814) and changed the islands’ name from the French Séchelles to the Anglicized Seychelles.
During this period Seychelles came to know the enlightened policies of administrators such as Pierre Poivre, the brilliant politicking of Governor Queau de Quinssy and, of course, the terrible repercussions of the French Revolution.
Under the British, Seychelles achieved a population of some 7,000 by the year 1825. Important estates were established during this time producing coconut, food crops, cotton and sugar cane. During this period Seychelles also saw the establishment of Victoria as her capital, the exile of numerous and colourful troublemakers from the Empire, the devastation caused by the famous Avalanche of 1862 and the economic repercussions of the abolition of slavery.
Seychelles achieved independence from Britain in 1976 and became a republic within the commonwealth. Following a period of single party rule by the government of Mr. France Albert René, on December 4, 1991, President René announced a return to the multiparty system of government, 1993 saw the first multiparty presidential and legislative elections held under a new constitution in which President René was victorious. President René also won the 1998 and 2003 elections before transferring the Presidency to James Alix Michel in June 2004. In July 2006, Michel won reelection with 53.7% of the vote.
In presidential elections held May 19–21, 2011 incumbent James Michel (People’s Party) won his third term with 55% of the vote against Wavel Ramkalawan’s (Seychelles National Party) 41%. Voter turnout was 84% over a three-day period, which allowed for voters on outlying islands to participate.
Attractions in Seychelles
When it comes to seeking atractions, Seychelles has a wealth of beautiful options. We’ve hand-picked the very most outstanding and beautiful ones in Seychelles to bring you our collection of relaxed romantic retreats– just choose your destination from the list below…
Anse Intendance
Anse is listed as one of the Mahé’s most beautiful beaches. With its frequent big swells and wild waves, this small and secluded crescent of sand on the island’s south coast is a favorite surfing spot. The lack of a protective reef makes swimming a little rough when tradewinds blow from the southeast, but sunbathers, beachcombers, and photographers will enjoy this picturesque, palm-framed strand at any time of year. Turtles nest along the powdery shores here.
Baie Lazare
The pretty village of Baie Lazare was named after 18th-century French explorer Lazare Picault, who landed here when the French government sent him to explore the islands. One of the area’s main tourist attractions is the neo-Gothic Baie Lazare Church, dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, which provides a panoramic view of the area. Luxury resorts fringe the beaches here, and stunning Anse Soleil and Petite Anse are favorites with their striking azure water and dazzling white sand.
MorneSeychellois
Morne Seychellois which is located on the island of Mahé in the Morne Seychellois National Park is the highest peak in Seychelles and covers more than 20 percent of the area of Mahé. The park allows visitors to experience the wonder of the indigenous fauna and flora of Mahé. Parks and trails wind through the park, with marked routes and maps available, and these are probably the best way to experience the Morne Seychellois National Park. Hiking trails ascend into the park from the village of Danzil, passing tea plantations, and offering spectacular views of the southwest coast of Mahé from the mountain slopes.
Victory
Victory which is the only major port in the Seychelles is one of the smallest capital in the world. The most attractions here are a clocktower modelled on that of Vauxhall Clock Tower in London, the Courthouse, the Victory Botanical Gardens, the Sir Selwyn-Clarke Market. The city is also home to the national stadium and a polytechnic institute, while the inner harbour lies east of the town, around which tuna fishing and canning form a major local industry. The most promnient historical structure is the clock tower which was erected in 1903 modelled on Little Ben, a small version of Big Ben in London.
Cousin Island
Cousin Island is considered to belong to birds. Unlike any other granitic islands, on Cousin the wildlife is abundant and close at hand. No matter what time of year you visit, you are sure to see a variety of nesting seabirds, foraging birds of the forest, lizards roaming about in the leaf litter in search of food, and a host of invertebrates such as crabs, spiders, millpedes and termites.
Aldarbra Atoll
Ranked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Aldabra is the world’s largest raised coral atoll. The central lagoon fills and empties twice a day through four channels, revealing mushroom-shaped pinnacles known as champignons. Tiger sharks and manta rays often prowl the shallows, and the atoll is home to thousands of birds, including the white-throated Aldabran rail (the only flightless bird in the Indian Ocean). Also on view are lesser and great frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, dimorphic egrets (found only here and in Madagascar), Aldabra sacred ibis, greater flamingos, and the malagasy kestrel. In addition to its rich avian life, Aldabra is the habitat of 200,000 giant land tortoises – five times as many as theGalapagos.
Having believed as a paradise for lovers with various delicious cuisines, beautiful beaches and excellent services, Seychelles is also a favored destination for whom, those are seeking for abundance of interesting activities. Some out-standing ones will be listed as follows:
Enjoying a hot and humid climate with an average temperature around 29 census degree, Seychelles is considered as a perfect place for visitors who desire an ideal environment for relaxing and resting with various activities. Swimming, boating, and fishing seem to be the mostly recommended activities here. Those should be undertaken in the early morning or under the sunset when you can make the most of tranquility ever find as well as the favorable climate in this “paradise”. Anse Lazio, Parashin, or Beau Valolon beach where are likely to be untouched by human’s influences are among the best choices for those activities.
Exploring some kinds of water sports will impress your mind with incredible experiences including power boat, catamaran or sailboat… Windsurfing would be suggested in the period of time during May and October when the trade wind blows hard.
Scuba diving or snorkeling can be done in almost anywhere in Seychelles, however the Baie Ternay Marine National Park located in Mahe island is most popular because of its fantastic marine life with at least 100 different kinds of fish in many beautiful colors such as tropical fish, sea turtles, eagle rays ….. If luckily, you also see the whale shark when visiting the island on September.
For the adventure seekers, hiking is a challenging activity which requires endurance and resistance. Morne Seychellois National Park in Victoria serves as a perfect path for visitor, who is eager to explore the nature with the luxuriant vegetation of the tropical forest including carpet grass, wooden platforms…, together with creature like snails, slugs, birds…. The hike seems to be more challenge and funnier with some obstacles along the trail when participants were required to navigate through fallen trees, huge tree-trunks lying horizontal, or small water streams as well. Moreover, water falls on the Cassedent Hike is also a wise choice for the journey. Visitor can enjoy the lovely fresh water running through a small cave like a worthy prize for their efforts. The hike should be carried out at the hottest time of the day when you cannot stay on the beaches.
Not only does the Seychelles allure the tourist by its endless line coast, blue water and pretty sunlight, this place also deserves as a special mention with its abundant nature. Seychelles National Botanical garden is the only place where the visitors can eye witness the legendary trees- the coco-de-mer (or double coconut). They must be absolutely delighted with the special appearance of the fruits. Furthermore, you can find out many others strange native creatures such as the fruit bats which have a thriving colony in the garden, the giant tortoises which you can see them up close and feed them, absolutely with a small fee. Besides, Le Jardin Du Roi Spice Garden is also a well worth the visit with abundant spices growing in nature comprising vanilla, peppercorns, cinnamon, or many other fruits.
The capital Vitoria and the city center offer a best place for shopping. Outlets on the island fails to win the major attraction of the visitors, yet, some classic and traditional Seychelles souvenirs handmade by local artists and woodwork or the coco-de-mer ( a nut from a kind of native trees to the islands in the Seychelles) would be the extraordinary gift for your friends.
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