Sights in Seychelles
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
La Digue
La Digue is home to Anse Source d'Argent, the iconic image of emerald waters, sugar-white sands and sea-smoothed granite rocks. It's also the least developed of the main islands and life here still moves at the pace of an ox cart. It's the sort of place you won't want to leave.
reviewed
-
Aldabra Atoll
Aldabra is one of the world's largest raised coral atolls, stretching 34km (21mi) east to west and enclosing a huge tidal lagoon, which is home to tiger sharks, manta rays and thousands of seabirds. Aldabra is also the original habitat of the giant land tortoise.
The only people who live on Aldabra are scientists. Anyone wishing to visit must first get written permission from the Seychelles Island Foundation (SIF), based in Victoria, which manages the island. There is accommodation for about eight visitors. The nearest airport is on Assomption Island, about 27km (17mi) south of Aldabra. From there, the Indian Ocean Explorer runs one-week cruises round the atoll.
reviewed
-
Vallée de Mai
Vallée de Mai is one of only two places in the world where you can see the weird and wonderful coco de mer palm growing in their natural state - the other is nearby Curieuse Island. This valley's Eden-like forest is World Heritage listed and the very sight of sunlight filtering through its fronds will make you go all poetic.
You'll see several varieties of screw pine and latanier plams, and, if you're very lucky, the Seychelles black parrot. If you're going to visit the park, keep to the tracks, don't take anything away and don't leave anything behind - this is an incredibly fragile forest.
reviewed
-
Anse Lazio
The best beach on Praslin - in fact, one of the best in the country - is Anse Lazio, in the far north of the island. It’s picture-postcard everywhere you look. Here, the long, broad pale-sand beach has lapis lazuli waters on one side and a thick fringe of palm and takamaka trees on the other, and it’s framed by a series of granite boulders at each extremity. There's even a terrific restaurant right on the sand.
reviewed
-
Vallée de Mai
Praslin's World Heritage–listed Vallée de Mai is one of only two places in the world where you can see the rare coco de mer palms growing in their natural state (the other being nearby Curieuse Island) – not to mention more than 50 other indigenous plants and trees. If the entry price seems steep, remember this is a unique chance to experience a slice of Eden. Five hiking trails lead through this primeval, emerald-tinged forest, which remained totally untouched until the 1930s. The shortest is about 1km and the longest is 2km – perfect for families. As you walk amid the forest, the atmosphere is eerie, with the monstrous leaves of the coco de mer soaring 30m to a…
reviewed
-
Cousin Island
This is bird watching made easy - over 300,000 birds on an island just 1km (0.6mi) in diameter. Seven species of sea bird nest here, including fairy terns, white-tailed tropic birds and two varities of shearwater, and it's also home to the rare Seychelles warbler and magpie robin. Hawksbill turtles nest here in season.
Organised tours depart from Praslin from Tuesday through Friday.
reviewed
-
A
Veuve Reserve
La Digue is the last refuge of the black paradise flycatcher, which locals call the veuve (widow). This small forest reserve has been set aside to protect its natural habitat. At the time of writing there were 14 pairs within the reserve. The male has long black tail feathers. The ranger claims that sightings are guaranteed if she goes on a small tour with you – we confirm. Other species include terrapins, fruit bats and moorhens. Several walking trails punctuated with interpretive panels about flora have been set up. Entry is free. There's a small information centre.
reviewed
-
B
Nid d'Aigle
Ready to huff and puff? Tackle Nid d'Aigle, the highest point on La Digue (333m). It commands such spectacular views of La Digue and neighbouring islands that you'll think you're watching a movie.
reviewed
-
C
Tea Factory
reviewed
-
D
Old Courthouse
reviewed
Advertisement
-
E
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is worth a quick visit to learn about the islands' curious creatures, such as the Seychelles crocodile and the giant tortoise, both now sadly vanished from the main islands.
reviewed
-
F
Mosque
reviewed
-
G
Market
When it first opened, the revamped covered market was something of a tourist gimmick, but over the years it's evolved into quite a lively, bustling place. Early morning is the best time to come, when fishmongers display an astonishing variety of seafood, from parrot fish to barracuda.
reviewed
-
H
Le Jardin du Roi
reviewed
-
La Passe
A visit to tiny La Passe almost feels like stepping back in time, so perfectly does it capture the image of a sleepy tropical port. Virtually no cars clog the streets. Men and women talk shop on the jetty while waiting for the schooner to arrive. Children ride bicycles on the tree-lined roads. Come Saturday night, most islanders head to Tarosa for some serious dancing and drinking.
Check out the few souvenir shops near the jetty, sign up for a boat excursion or hire a bicycle and just peddle around a bit.
reviewed
-
I
Hindu Temple
reviewed
-
J
Giant Tortoise Farm
reviewed
-
K
Domaine de Val des Prés
reviewed
-
L
Cathedral
reviewed
-
M
Botanical Gardens
For respite, the manicured botanical gardens, full of streams and birdsong, are about 10 minutes' walk south of the centre. This is a good place to mug up on native plant life before venturing further afield. Star attractions are the coco de mer palms lining the main alley. There's also a spice grove, a pen of giant tortoises, a patch of rainforest complete with fruit bats, and a cafeteria.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
N
Anse st José Doctor's House
reviewed
-
O
Anglican Church
reviewed