A large number of reefs within the inner granitic islands of the archipelago of Seychelles could be entirely lost, unless concerted action is taken soon to control crown of thorns, warns Dr. Udo Englhardt, the expert on on the management of crown of thorns in a...
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Moyenne Island was purchased in 1962 by a British national and newspaper editor Brendon Grimshaw for around £10,000. Grimshaw lived alone on the island until 2012 when he died aged 87. After Grimshaw purchased the island, he and a local youth René Antoine Lafortune planted sixteen thousand trees, built 4.8 kilometers of nature paths, and brought and bred Aldabra giant tortoises, intending to create an island of extraordinary beauty. Apart from a wide variety of plant and bird life, the island is home to around 120 giant tortoises. In 2012, according to Grimshaw, the eldest was 76 and was named Desmond, after his godson.
He permanently moved to the island in 1972. He then set up a water supply, electricity, and a phone line on the island. Many thought he might turn the island into a resort but he wanted to build a nature reserve.
Grimshaw invited his father to live with him after his mother’s death and he did. According to Grimshaw, “They became best of friends.” His father passed away 5 years later. However, Lafortune also used to live on the island and they allowed people to visit the island during the day for a small fee. In 2007 when Lafortune also passed away.
Grimshaw, who was 81, knew that he had little time left to decide the fate of the island. He set up a trust and signed an agreement with Seychelles’ Ministry of Environment. It became Moyenne Island National Park, known as the world’s smallest national park.
During his time there he turned down an offer of £24 million to buy the island and instead developed Moyenne into a nature sanctuary. He also ensured its status as a nature reserve in its own right and further development has been prohibited.
In 1996, Grimshaw wrote a book about himself and the island, entitled A Grain of Sand. In 2009, a documentary film was produced about Grimshaw and the island, also called, A Grain of Sand. Lafortune died in 2007 and Grimshaw died in Victoria, Mahé, in July 2012 when he was 86. He was buried next to his father on the island. His tombstone reads, “Moyenne taught him to open his eyes to the beauty around him and say thank you to God.”
Moyenne Island is owned by Terrestrial National Park and managed by the Moyenne Foundation Society. The island is now known as the Moyenne Island National Park. In 2013, after the island received its own national park status, a new hut was built and a warden was posted on the island, collecting the entrance fee from tourists.
Moyenne is one of the smallest of Seychelles’ inner islands: it measures just 0.4km long and barely 0.3km wide, and its coastline runs for less than 2km. Its highest point rises to an altitude of just 61m above the water’s edge. It is in the Sainte Anne Marine National Park off the north coast of Mahé, Seychelles
Moyenne Island Beach is one of the least crowded beaches in the Seychelles. Even during peak tourist season, there are rarely more than 50 visitors on the island at any one time, and never more than 300 over the course of a day. You can have a private spot of your own on the beach.
The Jolly Roger, a restaurant, founded by Grimshaw and his longtime partner, Rene Antoine Lafortune, serves local dishes like grilled fish and seafood curries in a red Creole sauce.
There is also a small museum dedicated to Grimshaw’s life and two nurseries for giant tortoise hatchlings. Apart from these Moyenne remains undeveloped. The island has no jetty and arriving here you wade ashore, barefoot, through the shallows.
On the island, there are 16,000 trees – mahogany, palm, mango, pawpaw – planted by Grimshaw. By one estimate, Moyenne has more plant species per sq m than any other national park in the world.
Every now and then, you may find your path blocked by one of Moyenne’s nearly 50 free-range giant Aldabra tortoises. They’re in no hurry, and nor should you be as you watch them pass. Back in the shallows and by the beaches at Pirate’s Cove, watch for hawksbill turtles that often come ashore to nest.
Seychelles, popular for its exquisite beaches and turquoise-colored waters, is getting more and more attention as a golf destination. There are two golf clubs in Seychelles. The Seychelles Golf Club is located on the main island of Mahe. The other, The Lemuria Golf Course is located on the second-most populated island of Praslin.
The 9-hole golf course was founded in 1972. It is located at Anse Aux Pins on the southeastern side of the main island of Mahe. It is only around 10 minutes from the Seychelles International Airport at Pointe Larue. The club is surrounded by luxuriant green hills. It is spread over 50 acres of what was once a mangrove swamp together with a coconut plantation.
The course is open daily from 8.00 a.m. No bookings are required except on Thursdays and Saturdays. The entry fee for 9 holes is SCR 300 (USD 23) and for 18 holes is SCR 500 (USD 37). The club allows temporary memberships (one to four weeks). The club has a bar that has DSTV cable channels, a pool table, a cafeteria restaurant that serves snacks, fast food, and full meals, tennis courts, and a swimming pool.
Being a 9-hole golf course you are able to play as an 18-hole, but the front 9 and back 9 are played from different tee boxes, in total, the course measures 4559 meters if played as an 18-hole course. The tight fairways with a lack of roll gained on tee shots and small greens could make the par 67 quite a challenge for the unsuspecting visitor.
This golf course, operated by the Constance Lemuria Resort, located in the island of Praslin, was designed by renowned American architect Rodney Wright under the influence of the French champion Marc Antoine Farry. It takes a 25-minute flight or a 2-hour boat ride from Mahe to reach the golf course. It was opened in 2000 and was renovated in 2016.
It is the only 18-hole course in Seychelles. The first 12 holes sit over the sweeping greens of the Grand Anse Kerlan, leaving the last six holes elevated offering breathtaking views. From hole 13 onward the sport becomes challenging which is an uphill par four and a lake towards the right side. Enthusiasts can also get lessons from professionals. The course is 5556 m (70 par) long and is a part of the luxurious 101-hectare spread of the Constance Lemuria on Praslin Island.
The course opens at 8:30 AM. The lowest green prices on weekdays are SCR 1850 and on weekends SCR 1750. The highest green fee is SCR 2180. It pays to stay in Constance Lemuria Resort as entry is free for hotel guests. Four restaurants and five bars in the Constance Lemuria Resort are open to golf course visitors. Trollies and Caddies are available on request. Car services are compulsory and payable.
This is a 5* deluxe resort hotel, where golf, spa, leisure, and relaxation are fused in the most beautiful natural environment, and one that is surely the equal of any other worldwide luxury golf holiday delight. Constance Lemuria is a 5-minute drive from Praslin Airport.
There are four restaurants and five bars and free WiFi access. The restaurants offer a variety of local and international dishes, with both buffet and á la carte options. The bars allow guests to choose among different atmospheres and scenarios to have some entertainment during the day or simply relax after dinner.
All rooms have private bathrooms with bathtubs and a hairdryer. They all include a safe, a satellite TV with a DVD player, and a telephone. The spa at Constance offers a variety of massages and treatments to relax surrounded by bamboo and palm trees. Sports facilities include an 18-hole golf course, 2 tennis courts, snorkeling trips, and windsurfing.
Petite Anse (meaning ‘little cove’), also known as Anse La Liberte, is in the territory of the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles. Entrance to the beach is free for all hotel guests. Outsiders wishing to go to the beach need to get approval in advance from the resort management by phone but the entrance is still free. A second option is to ask at the entrance of the Four Seasons Hotel to get to the beach. Near the western entrance to the beach, locals sell fresh coconuts and juices.
The coastline is 200 meters long and 20 meters wide with powder-soft white sand and turquoise waters. Along the perimeter of the beach, there are high granite rocks, which offer scenic views of the bay, boulders, and astoundingly dense tropical vegetation.
Petite Anse beach is only 5 meters away from Four Seasons Resort Seychelles.
The beach is suitable for beach games, sunbathing, windsurfing, surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and picnicking. The beach is suitable for families, as it has lifeguards around the clock, and the wind is light because there are huge rocky cliffs around the beach that prevent the wind from passing through, and therefore the waves are calm. The best time for swimming, diving, and snorkeling is October and November, as well as the period from February to May. For surfing and sailing, it is advisable to set out from October to March.
This is a well-developed beach and has dozens of modern facilities, including luxury hotels, clean toilets, washrooms, restaurants, and cafes that serve the most delicious local and European dishes. Visitors can use the hotel’s beach restaurant for food and drinks.
If you have booked the Four Seasons Hotel there are enough sun-chairs under palm-thatched umbrellas that don´t even disturb the look of the beach.
However, if you are not staying at Four Seasons you should plan to arrive early to find a spot at the parking place. Once the vehicle is parked, be ready to hike 20 minutes down the trail to reach Petite Anse. Do not forget that a more exhausting uphill journey back to the parking spot is more difficult than walking down to the beach.
Although Four Seasons is convenient, not all can afford it. There are many cheaper options available nearby. A couple of them are given here.
Maison Soleil is a three-star guest house within 15 minutes of walking distance from Anse Soleil Beach and Petite Anse Beach. The guest house offers free self-parking, and in-room kitchens, and free WiFi. Other amenities include a snack bar, deli, and laundry facilities. There’s also the convenience of an airport shuttle. Club Liberté Casino is only a stone’s throw away from this property,
Anse Soleil Resort Self Catering is within 15 minutes of walking distance from Anse Soleil Beach and Petite Anse Beach. There are four villas. All villas are equipped with a coffee maker, refrigerator, microwave, stove top, shower head, and safe. WiFi is available in all public areas. Limited housekeeping is also provided.
This is a five-star luxury property that is about 3 kilometers away from Anse Petite beach. It received the prestigious Conde Nast Hot List award in 2022.
Mango House is the former family home of Milanese fashion photographer Gian Paolo Barbieri. Today, it’s a 41-key boutique resort under LXR Hotels & Resorts—Hilton’s indie luxury collection brand.
Each morning cooked-to-order complimentary breakfast is served. There are three restaurants and three swimming pools. The restaurant, Muse, serves Italian cuisine and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Kokoye is the hotel’s own bar.
Anse Major Beach
Anse Major is one of Mahe Island’s most beautiful beaches. Anse Major beach is a pristine, white sand beach with crystal clear, deep, turquoise water. It is located on the northwestern end of Mahe Island in the Seychelles. It’s one of the most remote beaches on the island and it is not accessible via road transport. You have to get there hiking. If you are not comfortable doing the hike yourself, you may book a guided tour.
The Anse Major trail picks up at the end of Bel Ombre Road near the village of Bel Ombre. “Calm Sorento” on Google Maps, is very close to where the Anse Major trailhead begins. To get here, you’ll need to either get a taxi or jump on the bus that runs nearly all the way to the end of Bel Ombre Road from Beau Vallon. If you tell the bus driver you want to hike to Anse Major, he will know where to drop you off. If you are going by car, you should note that there are only 5 parking lots available.Those who are staying at Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort, can just walk the length of Bel Ombre Road to the start of the trail. You can also get to Anse Major beach by boat. You can book a boat through the travel agents or your hotel.
The trail is very well marked and easy to follow. Most of the trail is completely exposed to the sun after about 10am, but there are a few points where it passes through tree cover which gives you some relief. There are lots of mosquitos along the trail, so be equipped with some form of insect repellent. Much of the trail has stunning views down to the ocean below and over to Silhouette Island. As you get closer to the beach, there is a fantastic view point where you can see Anse Major down below. The moderately challenging trail will take about 45 minutes to one hour.
You can enter the water anywhere along the sandy beach sheltered by the little bay. At either end of the beach, bedecked with granite rocks, there are excellent opportunities for snorkeling. As you move away from the beach, the water level rises progressively, while the sea bed slopes gently downwards. The water level reaches 12 to 20 feet (4 to 6 meters) in the central part of the area, but is shallower along the rocky areas encircling the bay.
Anse Major reefs are made of well-preserved corals, and full of fish. You might come across emperor, three spot and semicircle angelfish, which count among the most colorful fish species living around Mahé.
The small beach is definitely beautiful, with a few palm trees and lots of vegetation all around. The beach is 200m long and covered with fine white sand. Granite cliffs divide the territory into two parts. In the West, the width of the beach reaches 30 m, the Eastern section with a length of about 60 m narrows to 10 m. Close to the shore on three sides, rises a dense tropical forest. The sea bottom is sandy and quite shallow. Cliffs and the forest protect the shore from winds and waves. The beach is perfect for calm rest, swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling. The beach is equipped with a canopy and a toilet.
The northeastern monsoon season is from December to April when it will be quite hot and humid. The southeast monsoon is from June to October and the humidity decreases significantly, the temperature will be + 27-29 °C. The best time for swimming, diving, snorkeling is October and November, as well as the period from February to May. For surfing and sailing, it is advisable to set out from October to March.
Belle Vacance is a 2-star guest house located in Grand Anse. Belle Vacance provides concierge services, clean rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, free WiFi and a garden. Featuring family rooms, this property also provides guests with a grill. The property has room service, a tour desk and currency exchange for guests. The air-conditioned rooms come with a desk, an electric tea pot, a fridge, an oven, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a terrace and a private bathroom with a shower. The kitchen is equipped with a microwave, a stove top and a toaster.
Breakfast is available daily, and includes à la carte, continental and Asian options.
Diamond Plaza is located in Grand Anse, only a few steps from Grand Anse Praslin Beach, The property has a terrace, free private parking, a restaurant and a bar. The rooms have a balcony, air conditioning, a minibar and a flat-screen TV. Some rooms have a sea view. An à la carte breakfast is available daily at the accommodation.
Casadani Luxury Apartment is located in Grand Anse, 2.1 km from Anse Kerlan Beach. Free private parking available on site and free WiFi. The apartment has a balcony, 1 bedroom, a living room and a well-equipped kitchen with a fridge and an oven. A TV is available. A continental breakfast is available every morning at the apartment. A paid airport shuttle service is available at this apartment. This property can accommodate up to 4 guests in each unit. Whole Foods Cafe is a 10-minute walk from the apartment.
Casadani Hotel is located close to Anse Major Trail and Beau Vallon Beach. Casadani Hotel provides free breakfast (local cuisine), a round trip airport shuttle, free self-parking and a terrace. It also serves local and international cuisine at the onsite restaurant. All 23 rooms offer comforts such as furnished balconies, free WiFi , air conditioning, in-room refrigerator and separate sitting areas. From the restaurant-terrace you get an amazing view of Silhouette and North Island and also the famous beach of Beau Vallon. This property does not have elevators. There is a casino in the vicinity and also live bands and a discotheque. The hotel has 25 double rooms.
There are three shopping malls in Anse Major: Kanna Mall, Abarna Shopping Centre and Oj Mall.
Anse Nord d’Est is a collection of smaller beaches in the north-east of the Seychelles’ largest island, Mahé. The beach is renowned for its pristine white sand, crystal clear turquoise waters and lush green vegetation that stretches along the shoreline.
This long stretch of coast is different from other beaches in Mahé. This beach has higher, choppier waves, suitable for experienced swimmers only. The area is excellent for surfing precisely because of these same waves.
This two-kilometer stretch is really a collection of smaller bays, and each is slightly different from the other. Therefore, anyone looking for a lot of variety in the same place will find Anse Nord d’Est to be a great addition to their Seychelles holiday.
North East Point beach nourishment project is the first of its kind to be undertaken here, to protect the beach from coastal erosion. Some 923 tons of sand has already been filled in the 360-metre stretch of beach just opposite the Kreolfleurage Parfums. The pilot project falls under Seychelles’ cooperation with the Japanese government and it is being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica).
Punto Nord Est provides plenty of activities to enjoy such as swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and fishing.
This stretch of coast is about a 10-minute drive from Victoria There are some areas of parking at the roadside, so you can arrive here by hired car. There is also a bus stop near to the beach, ensuring that even those without a rental car can enjoy this area of the Seychelles’ largest island.
Opposite the beach there is KreolFleurage Perfumes where fragrances are produced on the basis of essential oils from the produces from the region.
Le Bonheur Villa, rated 3 star, is located 1 minute walk from the beach. Featuring free WiFi, a year-round outdoor pool and a barbecue, Le Bonheur Villa offers accommodation in Victoria. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar. Free private parking is available on site.
Certain rooms include views of the sea or pool. Extras include free toiletries and a hair dryer. A flat-screen TV is provided.
The villa offers creole and international dishes.The Chef will discuss with you individual needs with recommendations.
Villa Koket is just 20 m from the beach in North East Point. It offers modern self-catering apartments. Each air-conditioned apartment includes an open-plan lounge area with cable TV and a kitchen with stove, microwave and fridge. The private bathroom comes with a shower. The villa also offers a breakfast service that can be booked on-site.Other Accommodations
Augueste Holiday Recidence and Phoenix Self Catering Luxury Apartments are two other accommodation facilities nearby. There are homes and houses also available for short stay.
There are some shops for your basic needs. As Mahe is a small island you can try numerous restaurants couple of kilometers away, offering local seafood dishes and other international cuisine.
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