Inner Islands


Granite Islands(42)

Coralline Islands (2)

 

 
Fourty-two of the islands are made up of different types of granite; brown on Mahé, pink on Praslin and La Digue. The rocks of Sihouette have a unique syenite formation (granite without quartz). To the north of the central granite group are two coralline islands, Denis and Bird.
Geologically, the existence of the granite islands has been explained by the theory of Continental Drift. In the Primary Era, 150 million years ago, it is thought that South America, Africa, India and Australia were a single super continent, known as Gondwanaland. By 100 million years ago all the continental masses of Gondwanaland, including Madagascar, had separated and geologists estimate that the inner islands of Seychelles were formed as Madagascar and India broke loose from one another.
THE INNER CIRCLE ISLANDS

Mahé
Mahé is the largest of the granitic islands in the Seychelles group. The island covers an area of 152 square kilometres; it is 27 kilometres long and 12 kilometres wide. 90% of the population resides on this island. The highest mountain is the Morne Seychellois (903m).

Praslin
Seychelles' second largest island, Praslin, lies 40 kilometers northeast of Mahé and is accessible by Air Seychelles domestic flights in 15 minutes or by catamaran ferry in 45 minutes.
Praslin's original name "Isle de Palme" bears eloquent testament to its reputation as home to the Vallee de Mai UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the famous Coco-de-mer grows wild on palms 40 meters tall and some 200 years old. So impressive is this forest that it led General Gordon (of Khartoum) to state his conviction that this was the site of the original Garden of Eden.

Praslin possess some of Seychelles' most striking beaches such as Anse Lazio, widely acclaimed to be the most beautiful beach on the earth.

Featuring the only 18-hole championship golf course in Seychelles and a luxurious casino, Praslin also has a rich assortment of hotels and guesthouses whose strong tradition of Creole hospitality over the years has proved a strong favorite with visitors.
The island is ideally situated for holidaymakers wishing to island hop to a handful of nearby exotic destinations such as La Digue, Chauve Souris, Curieuse, St. Pierre, Cousine and the island bird reserves of Cousin and Aride. It is also a haven for nature lovers seeking rare endemic species or for those wishing to explore the island's network of footpaths.

LaDigue
La Digue, lying 45 kilometers from Mahé and seven kilometers from Praslin is the fourth largest island in Seychelles, celebrated for its granite boulders that seem to have been sculpted by a divine hand to adorn beaches of breathtaking beauty such as Anse la Source d'Argent. The island, where more traditional modes of transport such as bicycles and ox-carts still hold sway, is accessible mainly by traditional ferry arriving and departing from the quaint jetty of La
Passe. La Digue's authentic island-style accommodation is mainly situated on the west

coast while the east remains more or less untouched.
At the L'Union Estate, visitors will have the chance to view some of the traditional local industries of times past while nature lovers will have the opportunity to seek out the rare Black Paradise Flycatcher (Veuve), once feared to be close to extinction but now protected in the La Digue Veuve Reserve which is also home to two extremely rare species of Terrapin.
The island serves as an ideal stepping-stone to the nearby islands of Grande Sœur and Petite Sœur, Felicite, Coco and Marianne.

South Mahé on the contrary, gives a more pure and natural sense, with beautiful beaches and graphic villages, easily accessible by car.
This fertile island of granite with the dense forests, the high hills and the 65 deserted beaches, enjoys diversified flora and fauna and endemic species waiting to be discovered with organised excursions or nature walks. The many hidden gulfs and bays give great incentives for exploration and snorkelling.
Silhouette
The exotic, forgotten world of Silhouette offers 12 spacious, refined and fully equipped timber bungalows in surrounds of unspoiled beauty and within a rustic, relaxed atmosphere. The Silhouette Island Lodge invites guests to enjoy scuba diving, fishing, boating excursions and snorkeling and particularly to explore the magical world of Silhouettes primeval forests, untouched since the dawn of time.
Cousin
The island belongs to the Protection Organization named 'Nature Seychelles', which has undoubtedly saved the last years many animal and bird species from extinction. A paradise for nature lovers where every year more than 250,000 birds nest on the island. The best months to visit the island are April and May.
Cousine
Approximately six kilometers off the west coast of Praslin, Cousine island offers a tropical island holiday experience with a degree of privacy found in very few places on earth. With four individual old French colonial style villas, exclusivity is the order of the day as a maximum of only ten guests are accommodated at any one time. Each villa nestles amid the natural vegetation and is positioned to ensure maximum privacy. A private nature reserve, Cousine is home to five of Seychelles' endemic birds as well as to a variety of other endemic fauna and spectacular marine life.
Frégate
This idyllic tropical hideaway is the most easterly of the granitic islands and offers the ultimate private island experience. Featuring only 16 luxurious villas, seven outstanding beaches and some of the rarest flora and fauna on earth, Frégate offers refinement and elegance, breathtaking natural beauty, exquisite gourmet cuisine as well as a complete range of water sports and recreational activities.
Felicite
This private island off La Digue caters for 16 guests in two luxury bungalows and four chalets set against a backdrop of lush vegetation and spectacular, steep granite outcrops and allow you to experience total 'island ownership', privacy and comfort throughout your stay.
Anonyme
Privately owned Anonyme island is a granitic island situated only a stone's throw from Mahé where six chalets have been conceived to offer privacy, elegance and luxury. The island offers excellent personalized service combined with fine cuisine and a scenic setting that commands spectacular views of the other Inner Islands and the breathtaking tropical sunrises.
Bird
Bird is the most northerly coral island, surrounded by sparkling white beaches and crystal blue waters. 24 individual beachfront bungalows offer a 'back to nature' experience amid the gardens of an ancient coconut plantation, a bird sanctuary, a nesting site for turtles and the informal atmosphere of authentic island life, enriched by the presence of the world's largest giant tortoise, 'Esmeralda'.
Cerf
Mahé's closest neighbor, situated a mere kilometer or so away, lies at the heart of the Ste. Anne Marine Park and is renowned for offering good swimming and snorkeling opportunities as well as several excellent beaches. Home to a population of well-established settlers most of whom commute to Mahé, Cerf now boasts two accommodation establishments that highlight the many charms of this quaintly traditional island.

Denis island lies north of Mahé and comprises of 25 distinctive, well-appointed cottages. The gentle, romantic ambience of this island at the edge of the world makes it ideal for honeymooners, while its glimmering beaches are just made for soaking up the tropical sun and azure sea. An excellent cuisine, inspired by

Denis
fresh harvest from the ocean and the homegrown produce of the island farm will please the palate of the most exacting gourmet. Situated on the edge of the Seychelles bank, Denis Island is also an ideal base for thrilling deep-sea fishing expeditions.
Sainte Anne
Saint Anne, situated in the National Marine Park features 79 luxurious sea-facing villas nestling in an exceptional property spread over more than a kilometer along the island's two main beaches and offering total intimacy.
An unmatched gourmet experience within refined yet relaxed surroundings combined with a world - class spa promises the ultimate indulgence of mind, body and soul.
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North
North Island provides an eco-friendly island experience where a philosophy of 'barefoot luxury' aims to provide the very best in seclusion, location and accommodation.
There are eleven villas, each one handcrafted from natural elements to an astonishing degree of perfection and further complimented by individual plunge pools and a health spa commanding breath taking views of one of the islands stunning beaches and the surrounding verdant hillsides.
Top
On the north-east side of the island, the capital of Seychelles 'Victoria' is situated. Victoria, one of the tiniest capitals in the world, has managed to retain much of its original charm and character with outstanding examples of traditional architecture, a busy market, shops, boutiques and service providers.
The city attractions consist of the Historical Museum in Independence Avenue, the Clock Tower or Little Ben (a miniature copy of London's famous Big Ben), the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the Roman Catholic Mission, the National Library and the Trianon.
The International airport is situated only 12 kilometres from the city.
North Mahé, home to famous Beau Vallon beach, tends to be more populous than other regions of the island, and discreetly features a range of hotels of all sizes, guesthouses and villas.