The Seychelles are a popular destination for couples seeking a romantic beach getaway, but the archipelago has so much more to offer than just honeymooners. Beyond the wild sandy beaches, the Seychelles is a showcase of nature, boasting unusual landscapes composed of granite rocks, endemic birds, and dense vegetation with numerous hiking opportunities. Some private islands are points of interest in themselves, with one of them even becoming a small laboratory of self-sufficient life!

And let's not forget about the Seychellois, who exude a relaxed way of life far from the crowds and stresses of the cities, as there are no more than 100,000 inhabitants on the archipelago!

If you're wondering what the Seychelles have to offer beyond the coastline, we've got you covered with Quintrip's Seychelles Packages. Take a look at five must-see experiences below!

Denis Island

Denis Island is a true paradise. Off the beaten track of the main tourist islands, Denis is a private island without paved roads, only accessible by plane from Mahé or helicopter from other islands (an experience in itself!). The 23 cottages are nestled in the vegetation, accessible via flower-lined paths that are pleasant to stroll along. The villas are never far from the beach and offer comfortable accommodations with local decorations and generously sized private outdoor gardens.

The owners of Denis Island have a genuine desire to make the place unique, and they aim to do the most they can in terms of ecology. They have taken the concept quite far! For instance, the island is 75% self-sufficient, a team of fishermen supplies the island with fish, a farm even provides meat, the island houses the largest Seychellois initiative of solar panel installations, and surplus production is sold at a shop in Mahé. Even the furniture in your room is built in the island's carpentry workshop!

The hotel has also signed the UNESCO Sustainable Travel Pledge, a demanding ethical charter that aims to protect the environment and cultures that depend on the tourism industry. On the nature side, non-native predators (especially rats) have been eradicated, and some Seychellois endemic bird species that were critically endangered have been reintroduced to the island (such as the Shama, Tchitrec, and Seychelles Warbler). In other words, at Au Tigre Vanillé, we have seldom seen such energy deployed out of love for nature!

Numerous on-site experiences revolve around this concept: visits to the farm to better understand self-management or a quick tour of the giant tortoise nursery. However, you can also indulge in a whole range of classic beach or island activities such as snorkeling with turtles, fishing at sea, cycling at your own pace along the island's paths, letting go of your worries with a massage, or simply lounging on the beach with a good book!

La Digue Island

Neighboring Praslin, La Digue Island offers a different experience, less solitary but with more varied activity possibilities. The island is not private, but it is also not crossed by major roads... here, the bicycle is truly king! So, hop on your bike and immerse yourself in the island atmosphere of La Digue, in all serenity...

On-site, an "island life" atmosphere will naturally make you adopt the tranquil way of life of the Seychellois. The numerous beach bars create a bohemian ambiance where time flows at a much slower pace than in Switzerland... And to escape the torpor for a few moments, indulge in one of the beautiful hikes to discover les hauteurs de l’île ! Le sommet de la montagne Belle Vue offre un point de vue inoubliable sur l’ensemble de l’île et le parc national de La Digue est un véritable havre de paix pour les amateurs de nature. La faune et la flore y sont incroyablement riches, avec notamment des espèces endémiques telles que le coco de mer ou encore le perroquet noir des Seychelles.

Côté plage, vous pourrez vous détendre sur Anse Source d’Argent, l’une des plus célèbres plages du monde, ou bien vous rendre à Anse Cocos, une plage moins fréquentée mais tout aussi magnifique. Les activités nautiques ne manquent pas non plus, avec la possibilité de faire du snorkeling ou encore de la plongée sous-marine pour découvrir les fonds marins colorés et riches en vie.

Enfin, si vous avez un peu de temps, ne manquez pas l’occasion de visiter l’îlot Coco, situé à quelques encablures de La Digue. Cette petite île inhabité offre un cadre paradisiaque pour une journée de détente et de farniente. Vous pourrez y accéder en bateau depuis La Digue et profiter d’un moment hors du temps, entouré par une nature préservée et sauvage.

Looking for an amazing holiday experience in the Seychelles? Quintrip provides an extensive range of Seychelles holiday packages to choose from, ensuring a memorable vacation.

Silhouette Island: A semi-private paradise

Silhouette Island is one of the largest islands in the Seychelles. Despite its proximity to the main island of Mahé, which is also the most developed in the archipelago, Silhouette has managed to preserve a particularly wild and unspoiled environment. There is only one hotel and a guest house located along the same beach. The rest of Silhouette has been left to nature and becomes, in fact, a true playground for hikers!

Hiking trails will lead you to places with breathtaking views. Visit Pointe La Varangue, Pointe Machabée, or Anse Patates to experience the feeling of being alone on a deserted island. And in the heart of the island, visit Jardin Marron to learn more about the coco de mer, whose female fruit bears the naughty nickname of "coco-fesses"!

Private catamaran cruises

As we have already mentioned, the diversity of the Seychelles islands is astonishing! Some of them could be mistaken for the Maldives with their coral reefs and flat relief, while others are hilly and covered with smooth brown granite masses, eroded over time by the constancy of wind and water. To get a good overview of this diversity, nothing beats renting a catamaran for a private cruise of several days off the islands. Sail where the currents take you, stop along the coasts to enjoy a beach or translucent seas, and let yourself be guided by your present desires without any time pressure.

Understanding the Seychelles Better

The Seychelles is a small archipelago with a low population, and its first significant settlements date back to the 18th century. However, these two centuries have been enough to create a genuine local culture and a distinctive Seychellois way of life.

Experience Mahé with one of our guides for a day and discover the island's capital, Victoria, with its enigmatic Hindu temple, as well as its beaches and other places of interest. In addition to these discoveries, it is a unique opportunity to engage with a Seychellois and learn more about the Seychelles' unseen culture, political system, relations with the great powers from which the Seychelles gained independence, and the island's different faces, mainly manifested by a contrast between a highly urbanized northern part and a wild southern part.

Looking for a beautiful spot on Mahé? We literally fell in love with a small corner of paradise with irresistible charm. The place boasts only three seaside villas around an old mansion built at the beginning of the 20th century. A splendid beach is just a fifteen-minute walk away! The owner welcomed us with such generosity that we didn't want to leave the place. But given the exclusivity of the location, we decided to keep this address as a little secret that we'll only share with our travelers!

If you're on the island on a Sunday, consider attending a church service. The Seychellois religious fervor is strong and beautiful to witness... Lastly, for the most motivated travelers, it is also possible to join Creole dance classes on the island of Praslin or hiking with a botanist and enthusiastic ambassador of Creole culture.

Are you dreaming of a fantastic getaway to the Seychelles? Quintrip offers an array of Seychelles holiday packages to suit your needs and preferences. With Quintrip's Seychelles Packages, you can enjoy a wonderful vacation filled with adventure, relaxation, and exploration.

Related Posts