Seychelles What To Know Before You Go by Lucy Tucker

The Seychelles are truly paradise, with extraordinary beaches on almost every island, and they are virtually deserted. The forests are beautifully lush and green, and the underwater sights are amazing with more fish than you could ever dream of, whilst the colors of the sea will leave you spellbound. Another wonderful and man made sight is the lack of high rise hotels, as buildings have to be lower than the palm trees.

In addition if you want to see Green and Hawksbill turtles, then at certain times of the year you can do just that. So if it is nature trails and hiking that fascinates you, then Silhouette Island with no roads, and lots of trails would be perfect for you, especially because the thick vegetation means lots of wildlife.

If fishing, especially fly fishing is your thing, then get yourself to the bonefish flats near Alphonse, where you will catch literally dozens of fish. Add to this the historic and famous coco de mer on Praslin at the Vallee de Mai, and the millions of sooty terns on Bird, and you can see this is a paradise for nature lovers.

On the other hand, if you love beaches, then some of the best beaches in the world are to be found in the Seychelles, and for me it’s a toss up between Anse Lazio on Praslin, Bird Island beach which goes all the way round and is almost deserted, and Anse Victorin on Fregate, which probably wins the vote due to the exclusivity of Fregate, and the white sand, turquoise sea, and the fact it is cut off by rocky headlands on either side. These are just three, and you will realize it is difficult to set them apart when you have been there.

Whilst I personally don’t dive,but I do snorkel, I am reliably informed that the diving at Alphonse is just the best, but Desroches has the coral, and La Digue has the colourful fish, but to be truthful from the moment I walked into the water at Anse Lazio on Praslin and was immediately surrounded in knee deep water by hundreds of brightly coloured fish, I’ve never failed to be astounded by the snorkeling everywhere in the Seychelles.

Where you stay in the Seychelles is very dependent on your budget, and probably the greatest luxury is to be found at the resort on Fregate, home of the best beach too!! Here you stay in a villa with views to die for with your own Jacuzzi overlooking the ocean, it is pure pampered luxury, but it is not the only island with only one resort. Alphonse, Bird, Desroches, and Silhouette are all like this, if you want crowds go to Mahe!!

Praslin, and La Digue are a half way house with affordable hotels, and not many people.

People often ask about the food in the Seychelles, and what it’s like. It is a real fusion of flavours, best described as Creole. It features lots of coriander, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, pepper, and fresh herbs, blended into curries. Fish is in profusion, and seafood, particularly look out for Tuna, red snapper, kingfish, parrotfish, or octopus served raw and thinly sliced.
It's great just book and go!!