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 Inner Islands. Once almost deserted, the beach is now a major tourist draw with a small restaurant, two juice bars and some stalls selling … Continued

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

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

The most northerly of the granitic islands, Aride is a strict nature reserve of 68 hectares where over 112 bird species have been recorded, including the most breeding species of any other island in the Seychelles. These include frigatebirds, wedge-tailed and tropical shearwater, white-tailed and red-tailed tropicbird, brown and lesser noddy, and sooty, fairy, roseate … Continued

A strict reserve which saved the Seychelles warbler from extinction

The coco de mer is the world’s largest seed, the fruit of a rare, endemic palm found only on Praslin and Curieuse. The nut, which has a curious shape resembling human anatomy, is highly prized and its sale is strictly regulated with permits required for its removal from the Seychelles. It was once believed to … Continued

A granite islet off Praslin, popular with snorkellers

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

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

A former leper colony home to many endemic species and giant tortoises

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