Overview: a coral island in the Amirantes
Desroches lies 230 kilometres south-west of Mahé and belongs to the Amirantes, a group of islands famous for diving and fishing. It is the largest island in the group and the one closest to the granite islands. Desroches is about five kilometres long but only one to one and a half kilometres wide, covering roughly four square kilometres. A fringing coral reef protects the island, and it is ringed by a total of 14 kilometres of beach, backed on the landward side by coconut palms and casuarinas. The trees of the former plantation give pleasant shade across the whole island. Some of the plantation workers in the small island settlement still make a living from copra, which was once their only source of income. The view from the lighthouse at the eastern end of the island is superb.
Unlike the granite islands such as Mahé, Praslin or La Digue, Desroches is flat and made of coral limestone. About 300 people live on the island, all of them working here. It is administered by the state-owned Islands Development Company (IDC). Since 2009 the Island Conservation Society has been working on Desroches, with support from the resort and the IDC. Part of the electricity comes from a 2.5 megawatt solar plant, which according to media reports is meant to cover around 90 per cent of the resort's needs.
Getting to Desroches
Flight from Mahé
Desroches is served by daily flights from Mahé. They leave from the domestic terminal at Seychelles International Airport and are operated by IDC Aviation. The flight takes about 35 minutes, though 45 minutes to an hour was quoted in the past. The island has its own airstrip, within walking distance of the resort. Helicopters cannot fly the route.
| Detail | Value (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Departure from Mahé | daily at 10:30 am |
| Return flight from Desroches | daily at 11:30 am |
| Additional flight over New Year | 4:00 pm from Mahé and 5:00 pm from Desroches, 21.12.2026 to 10.01.2027 |
| Return flight adult | 633 euros (as of November 2026) |
| Return flight children 2 to 11 years | 541 euros (as of November 2026) |
Getting around and beaches
On Desroches you get around by bicycle. Distances are short and the paths are flat. The resort provides bicycles, and on request guests can also be driven in a buggy. By bike you can head for a different beach every day. The west, where the resort is, is developed, while the east is largely left to nature.
The best beaches for swimming and snorkelling are in the west of the island and on the north-west side near the villas. Some beaches have small service points with a toilet, shower, towels and water. Further east you will find secluded stretches with no facilities at all. Take your own water and sun protection there. We present more beaches in the Seychelles under Dream beaches.
Sights and activities
Nature and conservation
The shoreline of Desroches is important for sea turtles. Green turtles and hawksbill turtles lay their eggs here, and wedge-tailed shearwaters nest on the ground. Many Aldabra giant tortoises live in the east. At the resort's Discovery Centre you can learn more about the island's plants and animals. The Island Conservation Society involves guests in guided nature activities. These include walks, tortoise feeding and, depending on the season, night-time turtle walks. For background, see Flora and fauna and Nature and environmental protection.
Diving and snorkelling
Divers can explore a wide range of unusual dive sites, among them "The Canyon", a veritable maze of underwater caves that keeps on springing surprises. In all, some 14 to 15 dive sites are mentioned. From November to May experienced divers find excellent conditions here, while from May to September diving is only possible in the shallow lagoon. The dive centre in the resort's Castaway Centre offers courses and excursions. If you dive, bring your logbook and certification card. According to tour operators, resort guests can borrow snorkelling equipment free of charge. For general advice see Diving and snorkelling and Dive sites.
Fishing, water sports and land activities
On the water you can windsurf, stand-up paddle and head out to sea by kayak. The fish-rich waters around Desroches are ideal for deep-sea fishing, fly fishing and diving. For fly fishing, trips were also offered to the neighbouring islands of Poivre and St. Joseph, where you find plenty of bonefish and giant trevally. Ask when booking whether these trips are currently running. You can read more under Fishing in the Seychelles.
On land you can play tennis, even in the evening under floodlights, or go on bike rides. Afterwards you can be pampered and relax in the island spa, with treatments at extra cost (Spa and massage). There are hardly any marked hiking trails. The lighthouse in the east is worth a whole bike excursion.
Accommodation and dining
There is only one resort on Desroches: the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island. It replaces the former Desroches Island Resort with its junior suites and villas. According to current information it offers 71 villas, suites and residences, all with a private pool and direct beach access. The accommodation is just a few metres from the sea, amid tropical flowers and palms. Sizes range from one-bedroom villas to residences with several bedrooms. In January 2026 a five-bedroom Royal Villa of around 1,050 m² was added.
The resort has several restaurants and bars, including one right on the beach. The menus focus on fish and regional ingredients. There is a children's programme. On Tripadvisor, room rates are shown from about 1,200 US dollars per night (as of November 2026). Diving, fishing and the spa usually cost extra. You can find rooms and restaurants on the island under Accommodation on Desroches and Restaurants on Desroches. General tips are under Hotel booking and Restaurant recommendations.
Practical information and your stay
A day trip to Desroches is practically impossible. There is only one flight a day in each direction, and the return flight leaves about an hour after you land. Flights are also usually booked through the resort. Plan on several nights so that the price of the flight is worth it. The resort sometimes offers packages for stays of five nights or more, so ask about them.
There are no public shops on the island. For small items, use the resort boutique. You will hardly need cash, and you will find details on payment and exchange rates under Money and Banks. Buy sun protection, medication and a travel first-aid kit in advance on Mahé. For medical care on the island, check the details with the resort before you travel. Emergency numbers and clinics on Mahé are listed under Hospitals, Clinics and Emergency Numbers. To help choose when to go, see the best time to travel, and for packing, see Travel Luggage.
