Travel
- March 5, 2009
Seychelles Islands - A Top Destination for Luxury Beach Vacation
The Seychelles Islands are among the leading Africa travel destinations. Situated in the Indian Ocean, the islands consist of 115 coralline and granitic islands. Visitors looking for luxury beach holidays in a serene environment or a perfect honeymoon vacation in Africa find the Seychelles archipelago the ideal destination.
The Islands are placed between 480 and 1600km off the East African coast, about 4 degrees south of the equator. The beaches of Seychelles are some of the most scenic and uncrowded in the world. The most renowned of these include the famous Anse Source d’Argent in La Digue Island, which is surrounded by beautiful granite rocks. Anse Cocos and Anse La Reunion beaches also in La Digue are equally famous, with Anse Cocos being accessible only by foot. Others are Anse a La Mouche in southwest Mahe, Anse Patates in the northern tip of La Digue, Anse Forbans, and Anse Union.
The cultural center of Seychelles is formed by the La Digue, Mahe, and Praslin islands. The many more remaining islands form what is commonly known as the outer islands, which extend in a gleaming arc towards the East Africa coast. The only islands with accommodation facilities among the outer islands are Alphonse and Desroches. Most travelers on Seychelles holiday tours have over the years visited either Praslin, Mahe, or La Digue.
Mahe, measuring 28 km long and 8 km wide, is the principal island of Seychelles and the home to the Mahe International Airport. Praslin is the second popular island in Seychelles, renowned for the legendary Coco-de-mer nut that grow on ancient giant palms in the wondrous Vallee de Mai Forest. Praslin is located 44 km to the north east of Mahe and it features exquisite beaches such as Anse Boudin, Anse Georgette, Anse Lazio, Anse La Farine, Anse Possession, Anse Matelot, Grand Anse, Anse Volbert, Anse Kerlan. On the other hand, time seems to stand still on La Digue where on-carts hold sway on the paths to the dream beach of Anse La Source d’Argent.
The main point of entry for international travel into Seychelles is the Mahe International Airport, the hub of Seychelles Republic’s national airline ” Air Seychelles. The airline conducts weekly scheduled flights between four European capitals and Seychelles, and also connects Seychelles with three other Indian Ocean cities. Air Seychelles also operates internal inter-island flights in Seychelles. Several Seychelles hotels can also arrange special flights upon visitor’s request, though a helicopter flight service is available between Mahe, Silhouette, Fregate, and North Islands.
Seychelles attractions go beyond its world renowned beaches. The legendary Vallee de Mai, the Ile Coco Marine National Park, Aride Island, Curieuse Island, and Aldabra are just some of the attractions visitors can enjoy in the Seychelles Islands. Two of these are UNESCO World Heritage sites i.e. the Vallee de Mai (considered by some people to have been the Garden of Eden), and the Aldabra (the largest raised atoll in the world). Aride Island is a breeding site for seabirds and hosts ten species of endemic birds including Brush Warblers, Magpie Robins, and Fodies. As such, Aride is regarded as one of the most important nature reserves in the world.
Seychelles Islands have a tropical climate. Between the months of October and March, during the North West trade winds, the weather is warm and humid and the sea generally calm. Visitors to the Islands can move around relatively easily with the aid of the self explanatory map of Seychelles.
