Cruise Specialists Blog

Luxury Cruise News & Reviews

Blog Home / Cruise Destinations / Africa Cruise Reviews

A Natural Playground: Seychelles

Justin Gibson

With a year-round tropical climate and a natural playground made up of 115 islands, including lush forests, dozens of beaches and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it’s easy to see why Seychelles (pronounced “say-shells”) is quickly soaring to the top of travelers’ must-visit lists and showing up on more cruise itineraries.seychelles1Karen Asp shares more of why we’re enamored with this once off the beaten path location. Its remote location east of Africa in the Indian Ocean guarantees an unspoiled escape, while its mix of cultural heritages adds a unique angle (there are three official languages of this paradise—Creole, English and French—although many locals speak Italian and German as well). Those reasons alone make it worth the trip, not to mention that you’ll find a range of accommodations from name-brand luxury resorts to small boutique hotels, including Raffles Resort Praslin and Six Senses Zil Pasyon.

Although Seychelles is made up of dozens of islands, three attract the most attention: Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Mahé is the main island where the international airport and capital city of Victoria are located.

Here, you’ll want to spend time at Anse Intendance, arguably the island’s most beautiful beach. You can also hike through the Morne Seychellois National Park to the top of Morne Blanc for panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.

Then take your taste buds on a culinary experience at Le Jardin Du Roi Spice Garden, where you’ll find spices and other rare plants. Take a walk through the nature trails and enjoy a meal at the restaurant. Another not-to-miss attraction is the colorful Hindu temple, Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar, in Victoria.seychelles3

Should you prefer to visit what many called the Garden of Eden, venture to Praslin, nicknamed because of its vegetation. It’s the home of Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll find about 6,000 coco de mer trees and the endangered Seychelles black parrot. For even more beauty, step foot onto the sands of Anse Lazio, often ranked among the world’s best beaches and a perfect place to swim and snorkel. From here, you can take a day trip to Curieuse Island, where you’ll find green sea turtle breeding grounds, giant tortoises that you can feed and mangrove forests.
seychelles2 Meanwhile, La Digue lies just 30 minutes away, via ferry, from Praslin, and it’s here where you’ll truly step back in time, as the main modes of transportation on this small island are bike and surprisingly, oxcart. Make your way to Anse Source d’Argent, one of the world’s most photographed beaches.

There’s no bad time to visit Seychelles. If hiking, surfing and windsurfing are calling you, May through September bodes the best conditions for those sports. Meanwhile, anglers may want to book their trip between October and April. Got an itch to go diving? Consider going sometime between March and May or September and November. No matter when you arrive, though, Seychelles will reward you with a vacation experience unlike any other.

More from my site

  • Africa Safari with Abercrombie & KentAfrica Safari with Abercrombie & Kent
  • 2018 Grand World Voyage – Mozambique2018 Grand World Voyage – Mozambique
  • 4 Ways to Spend a Memorable Port Day in Cape Town4 Ways to Spend a Memorable Port Day in Cape Town
  • Holland America Line 2023 World Cruise Now Open!Holland America Line 2023 World Cruise Now Open!

Africa Cruise Reviews, Hosted Cruises

SEARCH ARTICLES

Article Categories

  • Cruise Destinations
    • Africa Cruise Reviews
    • Alaska Cruise Reviews
    • Amazon Cruise Reviews
    • Antarctica Cruise Reviews
    • Arctic Cruise Reviews
    • Asia Cruise Reviews
    • Australia/New Zealand
    • Baltic Cruise Reviews
    • Canada/New England Cruise Reviews
    • Caribbean Cruise Reviews
    • Cuba Cruise Reviews
    • Europe Cruise Reviews
    • Galapagos Cruise Reviews
    • Grand Voyages
    • Hawaii Cruise Reviews
    • Iceland/Greenland
    • Mediterranean Cruise Reviews
    • Mexico Cruise Reviews
    • Panama Canal Cruise Reviews
    • Scandinavia and Northern Europe Cruise Reviews
    • South America Cruise Reviews
    • South Pacific Cruise Reviews
    • Transatlantic Cruise Reviews
    • World Cruise Reviews
  • Cruise FAQs
  • Cruise Lines
    • Abercrombie & Kent Reviews
    • AmaWaterways Cruise Reviews
    • American Cruise Line Reviews
    • American Queen Voyages Reviews
    • Aqua Expeditions Reviews
    • Atlas Ocean Voyages Reviews
    • Avalon Cruise Reviews
    • Azamara Cruise Reviews
    • Celebrity Cruise Reviews
    • Celebrity Galapagos Cruise Reviews
    • Cunard Cruise Reviews
    • Cunard World Cruise Reviews
    • Disney Cruise Reviews
    • Explora Journeys Cruise Reviews
    • Holland America Line Cruise Reviews
    • Holland America World Cruise Reviews
    • Hurtigruten Reviews
    • Lindblad/National Geographic Reviews
    • Norwegian Cruise Line Reviews
    • Oceania Cruise Reviews
    • Oceania World Cruise Reviews
    • Paul Gauguin Cruise Reviews
    • Ponant Cruise Reviews
    • Princess Cruise Reviews
    • Quark Expeditions Reviews
    • Regent Cruise Reviews
    • Regent Seven Seas Cruise
    • Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
    • Royal Caribbean Cruise Reviews
    • Scenic Eclipse Discovery Yacht Reviews
    • Scenic River Cruise Reviews
    • Seabourn Cruise Reviews
    • Seabourn Expedition Cruise Reviews
    • Silversea Cruise Reviews
    • Silversea Expedition Cruise Reviews
    • Silversea World Cruise Reviews
    • Star Clippers Cruise Reviews
    • Tauck Cruise and Tauck Land Tour Reviews
    • UnCruise Adventures Reviews
    • Uniworld River Cruise Reviews
    • Viking Cruise Reviews
    • Viking Expedition Cruise Reviews
    • Viking Ocean Cruise Reviews
    • Virgin Voyages
    • Windstar Cruise Reviews
    • Zegrahm Expeditions
  • Cruise News
  • Cruise Ports
  • Cruise Specialists Benefits
  • Expedition Cruises
  • Hosted Cruises
  • Ralph Grizzle
  • River Cruises
  • Ship Reviews
  • Solo Cruising
  • Tom Mullen
  • Tours, Trains & Resorts
    • Palace Resorts Reviews
    • Safari Reviews
    • Shore Excursions
    • Trains

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Maggie Blehert

Her ideal travel day: venturing to a new place, learning something interesting and sharing a smile.
View My Blog Posts

Steve and Wendy Bodenheimer
Cruise Specialists Voyage Hosts reporting on their round the world journeys.
View My Blog Posts

Ralph Grizzle

The Avid Cruiser. Well-traveled and insightful. Helping you make informed cruise decisions.
View My Blog Posts

FOLLOW US ON

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter