Epic Places in Seychelles That'll Give You Wanderlust

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Tucked away in the grounds of the 5-star Constance Lémuria resort, Anse Georgette is a beach that is truly not to be missed – the colors alone of this beach really have to be seen to be believed. The best thing about Anse Georgette, however, is how different the water can be throughout the year. It can be crystal clear and ultra-inviting on one day, and stormy and intimidating the next. Whatever the weather, the beach is always breathtakingly beautiful, with natural shade provided by the trees.

Curieuse Island is most easily reached from Praslin Island, via a very short boat trip. A former leper colony, there’s fascinating history along with fantastic nature. Take a boat over to Curieuse island with a barbecue included. For the barbecue, there’s a big covered area set back from the beach with benches – it’s a great experience and you’ll get some simple but delicious creole food. Take the trail from the remains of the leper colony across the island to Baie Laraie. On the way, you’ll experience paths covered in winding, knotted tree roots, stunning panoramic ocean views, and bridges over a mangrove forest. When you arrive at Baie Laraie, you’ll find loads of free-roaming Aldabra giant tortoises and an enclosure for their babies.

Arrive by plane in an adventure-style landing on the grass airstrip. The island itself is only 250 acres (100 hectares) and boasts over 5 kilometers (3 miles) of beautiful, white sand beaches. Located 104 kilometers (65 miles) away from Mahe Island, look out and you’ll have endless ocean views, no land in sight! Bird Island is also home to more than 20 Aldabra giant tortoises, including Esmerlada, the world’s largest giant tortoise, while there’s also stunning marine and bird life here too.

Endemic to the Seychelles and known locally as bwa mediz, the jellyfish tree is critically endangered, with less than 100 mature specimens left. It can only be found on Mahe Island and, looking at its fruit, it’s easy see where the tree gets its name from. One of the spots to find it is Mont Copolia, which also happens to be one of the best hikes in Seychelles, so combine a great hike and a hunt for one of the rarest plants in the world.

Aldabra Atoll is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with ‘outstanding universal value.’ Despite this, it’s one of the least visited places on the planet. It’s not easy to get there, and visiting was impossible for a time due to the high risk of piracy, making it all the more desirable to many! There’s no accommodation on the atoll, trips require approval by the Seychelles Islands Foundation, and visitors must be accompanied by rangers. Aldabra Atoll is anything but a typical tourist destination, it is however a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.

While Vallee de Mai is the most famous nature reserve on Praslin, Fond Ferdinand is a spot not to be overlooked. You can feel well and truly off the beaten path here. There are well over 800 Coco de Mer trees in the reserve and you may also spot the black parrot, found only on Praslin Island. It’s estimated that there are less than 1000 black parrots left, so to spot one is very special. Walks are guided – the guides are fantastic and very knowledgeable – and the hike up to the top viewpoint will give unforgettable views.

The Anse Major trail is one of the best hikes in Seychelles – with some insane panoramic views. With the beach being accessible only through the trail or by boat, you can be sure of a seriously uncrowded beach, which also happens to be one of the best in Seychelles.

Taking the inter-island flight is a wild experience in and of itself. The flights are accommodated by tiny, noisy propeller planes and, while the ride can certainly be a bit bumpy, it’s ever so exciting. You’ll get fantastic views over the ocean and of your upcoming destination!

There are countless fantastic diving sites in Seychelles and the water is warm year round. If you’re looking for something a bit different, you’ve got to try the wreck dives. The wrecks are teeming with life, including several species of shark. Wreck diving sites in Seychelles are most easily reached from Mahe Island.

This tiny little island is so perfect. It’s uninhabited (by humans anyway) and you’ll find no accommodation, so it’s beautiful to spend a few hours there. The area surrounding the island itself is a marine park, so the waters are fully protected (no fishing), making it a fantastic snorkeling spot. Climb the giant granitic boulders to find Seychelles fruit bats swinging from the trees – you can get a rare, close-up glimpse of them.

Step outside on a clear night to be greeted by the most perfect of night skies. Seychelles is so remote, light pollution has very minimal effect on the view of the stars. For the ultimate stargazing experience, head to one of the private island resorts. You’ll get the lowest light pollution and, of course, romantic 5-star dinners under the stars!