Seychelles are an isolated island paradise offering fine beaches, turquoise seas and warm weather. Due to their extraordinary history, the Seychelles are also rich in rare plants which flourish nowhere else on earth. Seychelles is also a major attraction for birdwatchers. Located in the Indian Ocean, Seychelles has a population of approximately 82,000 people many of whom are located in Victoria (Mahe) its capital and speak Creole, English and French.



Visitors can make themselves comfortable in one of the full range of accommodation that includes self-catering apartments to 5-star hotels. It's however advisable to confirm reservations with a deposit, particularly during the high season from December to January and July to August. There are recently built hotels of international standard too. The older hotels and guest houses may lack some sophistication, but recommendable for those seeking complete peace and privacy. Thatched-roof chalets and guest houses built in local style are to be found mainly on the outlying islands. Self catering units are also available on the main islands.

Seychelles offers you a myriad of things to do and see. You are free to relax on Mahe's numerous powdery white sandy beaches while enjoying its lush vegetation which affords unparalleled views of neighboring islands; go waterskiing, windsurfing and sailing in Desroches; take to the water in the St Anne National Marine Park, a favorite for snorkeling; go deep sea fishing in Denis which is also the location of Bird island; enjoy perfect underwater photography, attend the Subios underwater festival or hire a powerboat, cabin cruiser or yacht to explore the islands at your pace. Alternatively, board a glass bottomed boat from Victoria to see many species of coral and fish; discover fine displays depicting history of spice cultivation in the National Museum; see giant land tortoises on Aldabra, the world's largest atoll and the black paradise flycatcher, a beautiful little bird prevalent in the Seychelles.

In the midst of all these, make sure you check into a restaurant and taste Seychellois Creole cuisine which carefully blends spices and uses coconut milk and breadfruit a lot. Lobster, octopus, pork and chicken are used more frequently than beef and lamb which must be imported. Most restaurants offer less international cuisine but you could get a wide range of wines, spirits and other alcoholic beverages. National specialties include kat-kat banana, coconut curries, chatini requin, soupe de tectec and bouillon brede while the national drink is seybrew (a German-style larger made locally).

Get local handicrafts which include textiles, pottery, paintings, jewelry, local tea and Cinnamon to take back home with you. You could also grace the night by attending the evening specialty, which is a local camtolet music often accompanied by dancers. Several hotels have evening barbecues and dinner dances. Theater productions are also staged and there is one cinema in Victoria and casinos at Beau Vallon Bay Hotel and the Plantation Club.

Getting to all these places has been enabled by charted flights, employing boats or using buses, car hire, taxi and bicycle hire on road. Visitors are advised that though being a trouble free area they be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks. Beaches and parked cars are favorite targets for petty thieves. All in all, Seychelles is a wonderful place to visit any time of the year with a hospitable reception.