The Best Tropical Islands: The Seychelles

Located off the east coast of Africa, these islands are pure paradise. If anywhere in the world would get someone to give it all up and live in beach hut, The Seychelles would be it. Perfect beaches, perfect water, tons of islands to choose from and all the seclusion you want. This group of 115 islands offers everything a beach lover could ask for. Sadly, these islands are pretty expensive but I guess there is a price to pay for paradise.

Quick Facts About the Seychelles
Capital: Victoria
Population: 82,247
Size: 444 sq. km
Power Outlets: 240V 50Hz
Official Languages: Creole, English, French
Currency: Rupee
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +4
Religion: Christian 93%, Other 7%
Calling Code: +248

When to go to the Seychelles: The best time to visit is during the cool season from May to September, when it rains less.

Cost and Budgeting in the Seychelles
The Seychelles is not a budget destination. Accommodation is regulated by the tourist board and prices are carefully monitored. If you keep to the less expensive guesthouses, avoid most activities and eat lean, you might be able to get by on US$100.00 a day. However, a budget of US$200.00 - US$300.00 a day is more
realistic if you want to do some diving, eat the country’s great seafood, or visit more than one island.

There are complex rules governing foreign exchange in the Seychelles. By law visitors must pay for all accommodation (including meals and drinks), excursions, car hire and transport in a major foreign currency, either in cash or by credit card. Prices for these services are nearly always quoted in Euro, UK pounds and US dollars.

Tipping is welcomed but not obligatory. A 5-10% service charge is added to your bill in hotels and restaurants. In general, there’s a relaxed approach to bargaining. You may get a cheaper price on a tour or excursion but prices in shops are seldom negotiable. Markets are more open to haggling.

Things to Do and See in the Seychelles
Relax on the beaches- With a plethora of beaches and not very many people, most beaches here are deserted. You’ll be able to lounge on beaches that offer clear blue skies and tranquility you won’t find anywhere else.
Scuba Dive/Snorkel- Like all the locations on this list, the Seychelles offers some amazing diving. It’s warm waters are home to an abundant number of different species, including giant turtles. The reefs here are second to none and filled with vibrant colored coral. If diving isn’t your thing, many operators run snorkeling tours as well.
See the Aldabra Atoll- The world’s largest coral atoll stretches 22 miles and encloses a huge tidal lagoon. Aldabra is the original home of the giant land tortoise. It is home to tiger sharks, manta rays and thousands of seabirds. Aldabra is also the original habitat of the giant land tortoise.
Play in the water- The warm Indian Ocean waters makes this place the perfect place to explore on a yacht, boat, catamaran or sailboat. Windsurfing is also popular and the best time for this activity is usually around May and October.
Play on Land- Golf, tennis, squash, badminton, horseback riding, biking and hiking are some of the recreational activities available on the Seychelles Islands. Bike rentals and walking tours are great ways to sightsee since distances are relatively short and the scenery is beautiful.
Bird watch- Bird watching is very popular and the islands are home to many of the worlds most treasured and rare species. The best place to watch is Cousin Island, which is home to more than 300,000 birds.
Shop- Seychelles also contains numerous markets, art galleries and shops, colonial Creole-style plantation houses, and the main island of Mah? has six museums, botanical garden, and several national monuments.
Visit Cousin Island- This little offshore island is home to several endangered species, it is a breeding site for seabirds and turtles. A special reserve for Birdlife Seychelles.
See the Sculpted Granite Rocks- This is a very interesting feature of the Seychelles: the granite worn down by the sea, rain, foliage and other erosive forces. It’s a good idea to take some time and simply looking for nice rock formations - they are everywhere.
Vallee de Mai- The famous Vallee de Mai on the island of Praslin, is the only place in the world where the giant Coco de Mer grows. This lush, tropical valley is the most important national park in The Seychelles. Early explorers thought that this was the Garden of Eden.

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