Anonyme, the ghost island of the Seychelles
Good to know about Anonyme island
Anonyme is just a stone's throw from the international airport on the main island of Mahé. It lies off the east coast, roughly level with the runway. If you look out of the window as you land, you will see it below you.
It is hard to believe that such a small island has given rise to so many different ghost stories and legends about fabulous treasure supposedly buried here. Even today Anonyme plays a lively part in Seychellois folklore. You can find more about the tales and the country's past under Culture and History of the Seychelles.
History: a settler family and the building of the airport
The island once belonged to the St. Jorre family, one of the first settler families in the Seychelles. Thanks to its proximity to Mahé, Anonyme was destined from the start to play an important role in the construction of the first international airport in the Seychelles.
The main store for the explosives needed for the project was set up here. That an explosives depot should be located on an island with a reputation for ghosts fits well with the stories that persist to this day.
Plants and animals
Despite a land area of only 9.6 ha, the flora and fauna are lush and varied. The island is home to rare tree species such as the Bois Noire and the magnificent banyan tree (a subspecies of Urostigma), said to be over 100 years old.
Anonyme is rich in bird species, fruit bats and giant tortoises. For more on the wildlife of the islands in general, see Flora and fauna of the Seychelles.
Getting there and access
Location and distance
Anonyme lies so close to Mahé that the crossing by boat is short. There is no bridge and no scheduled service that you can simply book, as you can with the ferry between the main islands. For an overview of all connections, see Getting around the Seychelles.
Who can visit the island
Anonyme is privately owned. Booking portals list a small resort with seven rooms under the name Anonyme Island Resort. Some of the entries there are very old, and the most recent reviews date from 2006. We have not been able to confirm reliably whether, and in what form, the island takes guests today.
So do not plan a spontaneous visit. Ask the operator beforehand, or a provider of boat trips, whether a landing is possible. Most excursion boats from Mahé head for the islands in the nearby marine national park, not Anonyme.
Getting around
At 9.6 ha, the island can be explored on foot in a short time. There are no hire cars, buses or taxis there. On Mahé you can reach the shore opposite by bus, hire car or airport transfer.
Nature, snorkelling and neighbouring islands
Snorkelling and views
The island is surrounded by waters that are ideal for snorkelling, and it offers lovely views of the east coast of Mahé and the neighbouring islands.
Mahé's east coast is only sheltered from the wind for part of the year. During the south-east trade wind season, roughly from May to October, the water here is usually choppier and cloudier. The sea is generally calmer in the transitional months, around April and May and again in October and November. The fact box also shows you the calmer months. For general information on wind and rain, see Climate and Weather, and for equipment tips, see Diving and Snorkelling.
Neighbouring islands as an alternative
If you cannot set foot on Anonyme, you will find comparable destinations nearby that are open to visitors:
| Island | What visitors will find there |
|---|---|
| Moyenne | Small nature island with walking trails and tortoises |
| Sainte Anne | Gives its name to the marine national park, with snorkelling and excursion boats |
| Cerf | Inhabited island with accommodation and restaurants |
| Eden Island | Artificial island with a marina, shops and restaurants |
Accommodation and food
Most visitors stay on Mahé and only see Anonyme from the plane or from the shore. You can find suitable accommodation in the area under Holidays on Anonyme and in the overview on the Hotel Booking page. The restaurant list for Anonyme shows you restaurants nearby, and you will find more recommendations under Restaurant Recommendations.
If Anonyme Island Resort is currently taking guests, bookings are made directly with the operator. Ask them about the boat transfer too, and whether day visitors are allowed to come for a meal.
Practical tips and day trips
Day trip or overnight stay
Realistically, Anonyme is a half-day destination, and only by arrangement. An overnight stay depends on whether the resort is open. The most reliable approach is to plan from Mahé and combine it with a trip nearby, for example to Moyenne or the marine national park. You can see more destinations under Islands of the Seychelles.
