Seychelles Wildlife Holidays and Tailor-Made Tours

Long renowned as the perfect honeymoon destination, the beautiful Indian Ocean nation of the Seychelles is also a great deal more. With two World Heritage Sites, four far-flung archipelagos, numerous nature reserves and extensive coral reefs, the many diverse islands hold much of interest to lovers of nature, both above and below the sea’s surface.

Warm Indian Ocean waters teeming with fish, nudibranchs, sea turtles, whale sharks and manta rays; rare land and sea birds; endemic flora; skinks, day geckos, giant tortoises and the world’s largest nut, the coco de mer: all find refuge in these extra-special islands. Fascinating wildlife walks, great scuba and snorkelling, safe swimming, fine sailing and simple beachcombing – just some of the ingredients available with which to create a gloriously natural holiday in the Seychelles.

Being outside the cyclonic belt and with benign wildlife, no malaria and safe bathing beaches, the islands of the Seychelles are a haven for families and those desiring a relaxing yet stimulating wildlife and natural history holiday.

Seychelles Highlights

Mahe

At 27km long and 8km wide, Mahe is by far the largest island of the granitic Inner Islands and the Seychelles as a whole. Containing the majority of the country’s population, the charming capital, Victoria, and Morne Seychellois, the islands’ highest mountain at 905m, Mahe also has many small villages, unspoilt beaches and pretty coves … Continued

Seychelles Highlights

Praslin

Second largest of the Seychelles islands and lying 45km from Mahe, granitic Praslin boasts the World Heritage Site of Vallee de Mai, containing the endemic black parrot, Wright’s skink and Seychelles chameleon as well as the unique coco-de-mer palm forest. The curiously pelvis-shaped female nut is the largest on Earth, while the male palm displays … Continued

Seychelles Highlights

La Digue

Anse Source d’Argent, one of the world’s most iconic beaches with its exquisitely eroded boulders and sparkling white sand, can be easily reached on this the fourth largest of the Granitic Group. Lying half an hour’s ferry ride from Praslin, La Digue is reminiscent of a bygone era and so much more relaxed than its … Continued

Seychelles Highlights

Bird Island

Actually a coral island despite being part of the mainly granitic Inner Islands, Bird has only one small lodge but millions of sooty terns and other species, which give the privately-owned island its evocative name. There is also Esmeralda, a (male) giant tortoise of indeterminate age who can be encountered on guided nature walks. One … Continued

Seychelles Highlights

Cousine

Although only 6km west of Praslin, Cousine is a very special and different place, reminding one of how the Seychelles would have been in time long gone. Having never had rats, the island is a precious haven for many species of rare birds such as Seychelles magpie robin and warbler, two species of shearwater, giant … Continued

Seychelles Highlights

Desroches

A little over half an hour’s flight from Mahe and just six km long and one km wide, Desroches has acres of shady coconut palms and native vegetation fringed by 14 km of white sand beaches lapped by crystal clear turquoise waters and sheltered by the encircling reef. The island, the pearl of the remote … Continued

Seychelles Highlights

Denis

Just half an hour’s flight north from Mahe and comprising 375 acres, the privately-owned island of Denis has particularly lush vegetation, white sand beaches and excellent coral reefs. The island’s interior has benefited from a concerted conservation effort to reintroduce native species of flora and fauna which has resulted in the lush, species-rich island habitat … Continued

Seychelles Highlights

Aldabra Atoll

The near-mythical World Heritage Site of Aldabra is the largest raised coral atoll on the planet, covering around 50 square miles. Although extremely remote from Mahe, Aldabra accounts for one third of the Seychelles’ landmass but is uninhabited apart from the warden and staff of the research station. Aldabra contains the largest number of giant … Continued

Travel & Climate

When To Visit Seychelles

Year-round temperatures stay around 29C (84F). There are two distinct seasons. The Southeast Monsoon runs from May -October, drier and cooler with less humidity – western coasts can have rough seas, especially June-August when Praslin’s Grand Anse suffers from seaweed. The Northwest Monsoon lasts from December-March: more rain (especially December and January), quite warm with generally lighter winds and calmer seas. A good time to visit is between monsoons – November and April, when winds change direction – but many other months can be just as pleasant. July and August are the driest, coolest yet windiest months. Dive sites are mostly year round, with some regional differences. Seabirds nest from May-September, and migrate from October.