The Seychelles are located 4 Degrees South of the Equator in the Indian Ocean. Often referred to as the 'Jewel of the Indian Ocean', this Archipelago is probably what could be the definition for Paradise!
On the hundred or so islands in the Seychelles, scattered over an area of 400,000 square kilometres of ocean, you can discover primeval mistforests, huge flocks of sea birds and giant tortoises, black parrots and the flightless white-throated rail bird (related to extinct Dodo). There are old plantation houses, ruins of leper hospitals, pirate graves and legends of buried treasure. Then, of course there are the famous beaches - miles of deserted powdery white sands, surrounded by coral reefs and sparkling lagoons.
Praslin the second largest island in the Seychelles,is home to the Vallee de Mai - a primeval rainforest containing the famous coco de mer palms, which have the largest, heaviest and most suggestively shaped nuts in the world.
For tropical charm, La Digue has it all - tumble down plantation houses, with dusty roads used by slow - moving bicycles and ox - carts. The beaches of La Digue are supposedly the most photographed in the world, distinguished by the weathered granite boulders that resemble modern art pieces. Many other smaller islands have been turned into discreet hideaways for the rich and famous or nature reserves for the many examples of rare species found nowhere else on earth.
Nature under the waves is as spectacular as the many unique species on dry land in the Seychelles. The coral reefs that form around many of the islands contain huge numbers of fish and other species and the corals themselves well worth a closer look. Further out to see from the reefs are much larger fish, Tuna, Sailfish, and a variety of Sharks for those divers who wish to experience the thrill of swimming close to the giants of the deep.
The 'Desroches Drop' is a site renowned for the best diving in the Seychelles, if the Indian Ocean. Even if you are not a diver, a snorkle on the reefs around the islands is almost as amazing: if the birds are sometimes lacking in colour, the fish make up for it in a vivid living kaleidoscope. Many of the best sites lie in the national marine parks around mahe and Praslin.
The tropical climate and colourful culture of the Seychellois people make the this unique group of Islands the ultimate paradise.