Chauve Souris

The island is tiny: it measures a good 150 metres in length and about 50 metres across, and its highest point is around 10 metres. Figures for the distance to the coast vary between 200 and 400 metres, depending on the source. According to the Seychelles Tourism Board, the name refers to the flying fox. In the 1960s a count leased the island from the state, and it was also once known as Jeanette Island.

Between the granite blocks grow mainly exotic ornamental shrubs. There is hardly any wildlife: skinks and geckos, plus a few birds that mostly use the island as a roosting place. Do not confuse it with the island of the same name off the west coast of Mahé. This page covers the island near Praslin.

First you head to Praslin. From Mahé you can fly in around 20 minutes (see domestic flights) or take the fast ferry (see Cat Cocos ferry) to the jetty at Baie Sainte Anne. The Côte d’Or is on the north-east coast, and from there the island and the lodge are only a few minutes away.

Guests are collected from the beach by boat and brought back again. The meeting point on the Côte d’Or beach can change, so confirm it before you travel. If you would rather not organise the journey yourself, book an airport transfer as far as the Côte d’Or. For orientation: one tour operator gives around 20 minutes from Praslin airport and around 15 minutes from the Baie Sainte Anne jetty. You can also reach the Côte d’Or by hire car or bus; the bus runs regularly during the day but gets sparse in the late afternoon.

The water off the Côte d’Or is shallow and warm, without strong currents. The area between the beach and the island is suitable for snorkelling. According to guest reports, the side with the rocks and steps is often choppy, and sea urchins sit just below the surface. It is calmer on the side of the small jetty, although visibility can be poor when waves stir up the sand. At low tide a small sandy beach appears there. Which months are calmest is covered on our page on the best time to travel. If you want to go deeper into the subject, see diving and snorkelling.

Immediately to the north lies St. Pierre. Excursions to Curieuse, Cousin and Aride start from the Côte d’Or and Anse Volbert, as do ferries and boats to La Digue. You will find an overview under boat trips. Along the Côte d’Or promenade there are supermarkets, restaurants and bureaux de change.

The lodge is a natural stone building with a lounge, a dining room and a jetty with sun loungers. According to a tour operator’s documents, there are suites and rooms, some with their own whirlpool, and one of the suites has an outdoor pool. Room names and facilities can change, so ask about the current situation before booking. In total the island has space for ten guests at most. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner with fish and seafood, regional and international cuisine, including vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. Guests report that dinner is ordered at breakfast.

You will find all accommodation in the area under holidays on Chauve Souris, and restaurants under eating and drinking. For couples, a stay here fits well with the theme of a romantic holiday.

The island is not intended as a day trip: it is private and has no public facilities. If you want to experience the area without staying overnight, you are better off on the Côte d’Or and in Anse Volbert, with a beach, shops and departure points for boat trips. An overnight stay is worthwhile if you are looking for peace and appreciate seclusion. Do not expect a beach holiday in the classic sense, as the island consists almost entirely of rock, garden and jetty.

For shopping and cash, visitors say the lodge takes guests to the mainland free of charge on the island boat, where a shop sells drinks and snacks. For information on cash and banks, see money and banks. For medical questions, the notes under hospital, clinics and emergency numbers will help. You will find more islands nearby on the page islands of the Seychelles.