Seychelles Activities

While the Seychelles do not boast an abundance of manmade attractions for children, the islands are home to some stunning beaches as well as a number of national parks. Your children will be able to get close to nature and experience new sights and sounds that cannot be found at most theme parks.

Beaches
Seychelles is home to some of the most picturesque beaches in the world. Beaches are uncrowded and pristine, and the perfect place for kids to build sand castles, paddle in the crystal clear waters and enjoy the many activities offered by resorts’ kids clubs. Older children will be able to take advantage of the space with a game of football or enjoy the chance to put on their headphones and drown out the sounds of nagging parents!

The most famous beach, Anse Source d'Argent, can be found on La Digue and is overshadowed by granite rocks which are great fun to climb and jump off into the warm waters. This activity is however only suitable for older children who are confident in the water. Anse Patates lies on the northernmost tip of the La Digue and is close to the Patatran Village, which is great fun to explore. Anse a la Mouche can be found on the southwestern coast of Mahe and offers a number of activities for children such as ball games and water sports.

National Parks
The Seychelles boasts two UNESCO World Heritage sites which are managed by the Seychelles Islands Foundation. They are the islands of Aldabra, the world's largest raised coral reef, and the Vallée de Mai on Praslin Island, which some believe to be the original site of the Garden of Eden. Both of these sites offer a myriad of opportunities for children to learn more about the natural world and see local species close up in their natural territories.

The Cousin Island Special Reserve is a world-famous bird and marine sanctuary which has won a number of conservation and eco-tourism awards. This is a great place to bring the kids. The Seychelles is home to six national marine parks in total including the St Anne National Marine Park which can be found within easy driving distance from the capital, Port Victoria. These marine parks allow children to learn about the deep blue sea first-hand. Nothing can be found in a tank, everything is where it should be in its natural environment.

If you are looking to take part in a sporting activity while you are on holiday, you will not be short of options in the Seychelles, with water sports accounting for the vast majority of options.

The Seychelles is regarded as being one of the world’s top 10 diving spots and offers opportunities to see wrecks and coral gardens which are swarming with tropical fish. It is possible to complete a beginners diving course here and become a qualified diver, but if you prefer to stay on the surface, snorkelling is also a great way to explore the sea and discover the myriad of ocean life. Other water sports available throughout the main islands include waterskiing, windsurfing, sea-kayaking and sailing.

Fishing is a way of life for many locals and the islands hold world records for both fly and game fishing. Daily big game fishing tours are organised in Mahe, Praslin and La Digue.

The Seychelles is famed for its rare land birds, impressive seabird colonies and migrant birds. The top sites for all birdwatchers include the nature reserve islands of Cousin and Aride. The major resort islands of Mahe and Praslin also offer bird watching opportunities.

Golf is very popular in the Seychelles and Praslin is home to the only 18-hole golf course on all of the islands. Green fees do not apply to guests and non–residents are welcome.

The Seychelles offers Creole cuisine which has been influenced by African, Chinese, English, French and Indian cultures. The careful blending of spices is a major feature, as is coconut milk and breadfruit. Breadfruit is prepared in similar ways to potatoes (mashed, boiled and roasted) but is slightly sweeter.

Other locally produced fruits and vegetables include aubergines, calabashes, choux choutes, patoles, papaya, bananas, mangoes, avocados, jackfruits, grapefruits, guavas, lychees and pineapples. Lobster, octopus, pork and chicken are commonly used, whereas beef and lamb is rarely seen as it has to be imported.

Most of the restaurants on the resort islands such as Mahe offer international cuisine as well as regional dishes, as do the top hotels. You will find Italian and Chinese restaurants on Mahe as well as a wide range of wines, spirits and other alcoholic beverages, although it is illegal to drink alcohol on the streets.

National specialities include: coconut curry; soupe de pipis (shellfish soup); bouillon bréde (vegetable soup); salade de palmiste (salad made from the 'heart' of the coconut palm) and daube (made from breadfruit, yams, cassavas and bananas).

A trip to the Seychelles isn’t complete without a trip to the local markets and shops to purchase souvenirs and handicrafts to take home. Local handicrafts include textiles (such as batik), weaved fibres (such as basketware and table mats) and wooded objects (traditional furniture and ornaments). Pottery and paintings are also popular with visitors. If you are looking for something special to take back home, you may want to consider purchasing some local jewellery made from green snail shells or local tea which is grown across many of the islands.

Vanilla is often seen climbing around the base of trees and is cultivated in this way because it can be pollinated by hand. Pods can be bought throughout the resort islands as can cinnamon, which grows wild on every island. Cinnamon can also be turned into oil or quills made from dried bark.

The best place for shopping is the capital, Victoria, where you will find the widest range of goods available. For authentic local produce, head to the many markets held throughout the islands, the busiest and the one offering the most produce can also be found in Victoria, in the heart of the city centre every Saturday.

Shopping hours are generally 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday and 08:00 to 12:00 on Saturdays.