YOUR FIRST VISIT TO SEYCHELLES

Seychelles is more than just a beautiful destination with world-class beaches, clear azure waters and amazing ecology. Discover the many faces of the archipelago!

If you just want to relax and unwind, the Seychelles offer everything you need! On Mahé alone there are 65 beaches to choose from; some of them ancient granite cliffs - others lined with palm trees, some in the heart of the tourist centres - most of them wonderfully quiet and deserted. Enjoy the invigorating tropical sun, or join one of the many exciting excursions and activities and experience the Seychelles with all your senses!

On the main island of Mahé, the international Airport and Victoria, the smallest capital in the world. Victoria is the cultural and economic heart of the Seychelles. It is also home to the main tourism infrastructure: the largest selection of accommodation, cultural and ecotourism hotspots, great restaurants, bars, cafés and casinos, as well as diving centres, car rental, fishing and sailing boat hire and hiking and nature trails.

But Mahé is only one of many islands, for the Seychelles are an archipelago of 115 small island jewels in the Indian Ocean. Each has its own character, secrets and history. Island hopping between the 16 islands that currently offer accommodation is straightforward with regular flights and ferries that can be combined with almost any itinerary. No matter what you choose; whether it's the luxury of a 5-star resort, the charm of a small hotel, self-catering flats or picturesque Creole guesthouse, you're assured of courteous service and a friendly smile wherever you go!

Your first stop may be Praslin, the second largest island in the Seychelles. With its stunning flora, people once truly believed they had found the Garden of Eden here. Just a few steps into this unique forest known as Vallée de Mai will show you why. Here, in this primeval setting, amidst giant palm trees, grows the unique Coco-de-Mer palm, whose fruit resembles the curves of a woman's pelvis. Listen to the sounds of nature, take in the surroundings and perhaps, at dusk, you will even spot one of the rarest birds in the world, the Seychelles vasa parrot. After a short hike through this clearing, you can visit one of the most beautiful beaches in the Seychelles. But Anse Lazio is not the only beach where it is wonderful to swim. As on many other beaches, you can enjoy typical Creole cuisine here in peace and quiet, with a view of the sea and your feet in the sand in a cosy atmosphere.

The island of La Digue is just 30 minutes by boat from Praslin. The leisurely passing ox carts and the bicycle are the main means of transport on the island. Here it almost seems as if time has stopped here. Still deeply rooted in its traditions, La Digue is one of the most popular places to enjoy the incomparable island life with its unhurried rhythm.