The white sandy beaches, crystal clear water and idyllic life… you think you’ve seen it before, but let me tell you now… you haven’t. The islands of the Seychelles throws it all out the window. This place changes everything you thought you knew about the ultimate beach destination.
Mahe is the largest island, with Victoria as the capital. Beau Vallon is the most famous beach, with amazing clear water and coral reef. Due to this, the waters of Beau Vallon are prized for swimming and snorkeling. Grand Anse is one of the longest beaches.
Check out Sir Selwyn Clarke Market, the biggest and oldest fruit, vegetable and fish market. There are also craft and souvenir stalls in the market.
For the best views, La Louise viewpoint offers a panoramic view of Victoria on the left, Eden Island, St. Anne Island Marine Park and some other inner islands with the eastern district of Pointe Larue on the far right.
We enjoyed our visit to the Jardin du Roi, with its orchards and spice gardens. Take a guided tour to know about all the plants. The guide showed us a lipstick tree, if you open the furry red covering, you will get a bright red pigment inside! There is a small cafe where you can get a great view, as it is up in the hills.
Praslin is the second biggest island, a 1-hour ferry ride from Mahe. Anse Lazio beach is the most famous here.
The Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve is a nature park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Coco de Mer palm grows here. What’s so special about it? Well, for one, it only grows in the Praslin and some other smaller islands in the Seychelles, nowhere else on the planet. The seed of the tree is the largest and heaviest in the world – it looks like a double coconut. This bum-shaped seed is famous for its aphrodisiac qualities!
Take another 15 minute ferry to La Digue, one of the smallest islands of the Seychelles archipelago. It is less developed and more exclusive than other islands. La Digue is a scene right out of Castaway or Robinson Crusoe. Towering pink and grey granite boulders stand guard amongst the dense green foliage, contrasting with the azure blue waves breaking across impossibly white sand. Life here is very slow and ‘off-the beaten path’, and quickly rubs off onto tourists.
Wide white smiles, colourful clothes and merry personalities characterize the locals. They lead very simple lives as farmers or fisherman. They speak Creole, but most people know French and even English. Most houses on the island don’t have locks on the doors! Cars and motor vehicles are rare on La Digue island. Most of the locals travel on foot or bicycle, and you find numerous ox-carts. You can even ride a horse down the shores.
La Digue is all about the beaches – miles of unspoilt nature and sublime sands. The golden shores of Grand Anse are one of the most stunning beaches in Seychelles. Its coastlines are pounded by powerful waves, which attract many surfers.
For some toes-in-the-sand dining, Loutier Coco restaurant on Grand Anse beach offers a tasty Creole buffet with freshly barbecued fish. The raw mango salad is spectacular; the sweet and sour combination is perfectly complements the hot tropical sun. Don’t forget to try the local Takamaka rum!
And of course, there is Anse Source d’Argent. Reputed to be the world’s best beach, and definitely the most picturesque beach on the planet. Frequented by photographers from all over the globe, this beach has featured on the covers of most travel magazines, and has also probably been your desktop wallpaper.
Located in the L’Union estate, you need to pay an entry fee to access the beach, but it’s well worth it. Prepare to walk into a picture postcard. Sandy crescent coves studded by smooth pinkish-grey boulders provide many isolated beaches along the same stretch. If you’re done soaking up the sun, the sparkling warm saltwater promises excellent snorkeling. Or follow the twisting pathways in the foliage to discover hidden caves, separated by towering boulders off the beaches. This is one place you really, really need a camera.
The L’Union estate is also home to some of the Seychelles Aldabra giant tortoises. Now an endangered species, these ancient creatures live upto a hundred years or more, and weigh more than 250 kilos! Another well-known island inhabitant is the Paradise Flycatcher. Called ‘Vev’ by the locals, it is also critically endangered and is endemic to the Seychelles. Today, all of the remaining birds live on the one island of La Digue.
La Digue is an island where time stands still, a dream destination for those who want to get away from it all for a few days. Despite being small enough to explore in a day, it offers the perfect chance for a little rest and relaxation in an unparalleled tropical retreat.
Seychelles is visa on arrival for Indians! Air Seychelles also flies direct from India to Mahe thrice a week…. only 4 hours from Mumbai!
Gypsea Trip 