 The Seychelles is a paradise for nature lovers. There are three main islands where visitors can stay, and countless others which offer fantastic daytrips. If you are a keen bird watcher, you will find it hard to tear yourself away from the myriad of places where you can spot local species. The main resort islands offer manmade attractions as well as pristine beaches and top-class eateries.
 Aldabra
Aldabra is the world's largest coral reef and listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Visit the island and see the giant land tortoises which are guaranteed to offer hours of fun, just sitting and watching them. The reef is made up of 13 islands, which in total account for about one-third of the Seychelles' total land mass. Aldabra remains under the supervision of the Seychelles Island Foundation and strict conservation rules apply.
 Bird Island
This tiny paradise can be found perched on the edge of the Seychelles continental shelf. It is the most northerly island of the Seychelles archipelago and is located approximately 100kms from the main island of Mahe. A short 30-minute flight from Mahe allows visitors stunning views over the island, which is just 170 acres in total. The island boasts five soft white sand beaches and tropical green vegetation. The east and south sides are surrounded by a protective barrier reef which is home to many varieties of colourful tropical fish and other sea life. The rest of the island is an open beach which offers superb swimming and sunbathing opportunities for the entire family.
 Cousin Island
Two hours by boat from Mahe, Cousin Island is a nature reserve which is managed by the International Council for Bird Protection. Among the rare bird species, you will find the Seychelles toc-toc and the fairy tern. The best time to visit is April or May, when approximately 1.25 million birds nest on the island. All visits to the island must be made as part of an organised tour.
 La Digue
Take a step back in time and visit La Digue, which can be reached in 3 hours by schooner from Mahe or in just 30 minutes from Praslin. There are only 15 cars on the entire island as the ox-cart still remains the principal means of transport here. The island boasts stunning old plantation houses such as Château Saint-Cloud as well as a vanilla plantation, copra factories and superb beaches. The island’s church plays host to one of the biggest festivals of the year, Assumption/La Digue Festival. The Lady of our Assumption Church is 100 years old and sees visitors from Mahe and Praslin throughout the month of August. For adventurous travellers, a climb to the top of the mountain affords spectacular views across the island and beyond.
 Mahe Island
Tours around this resort island can be arranged and offer the chance to visit attractions such as the market, Botanical Gardens (with coco-de-mer, giant tortoises and orchids) and a replica of London's Vauxhall Bridge Tower Clock. There are however many other worthwhile sights to see which include colonial-style mansions, old cinnamon and vanilla plantations and lush green jungles. You will be impressed with the abundance of food available on the island and sampling a traditional Creole dish is simply a must.
 Praslin Island
This is the second-largest island in the Seychelles and offers countless opportunities to enjoy stunning natural scenes and picturesque beaches. The famous Vallée de Mai is a UNESCO World Heritage site and boasts the double-nutted coco-de-mer palm. Black pearls are cultured at the only oyster farm in the Indian Ocean. The farm also features a touch pool and aquarium as well as an on-site jewellery store selling black pearls. Praslin artist, George Camille has works exhibited at his popular studio at Cote d’Or. The island will not fail to delight ornithologists, who can catch glimpses of some of the world's rarest birds such as the black parrot and the fruit pigeon. Several large resort hotels have been built here, but luckily, this has not interfered with the natural beauty of the island. For those who like to get out and about, there are a few villages sprinkled across the island which are home to just a few thousand people, most of whom work in the hotels and resorts.
St Anne Marine National Park
This impressive marine park can be travelled to by glass-bottom from Victoria. The park surrounds the islands of St Anne, Cerf, Long, Round and Moyenne, and is home to hundreds of species of coral and fish. You can spend a day touring these islands and learning about life under the sea.
Top Things to Do
 Bird Watch
Many of the islands offer unrivalled bird-watching opportunities with many rare and native species easy to spot. The islands of Cousin and Aride allow keen bird watchers and orthinologists the chance to see brown and lesser noddies, Seychelles fody, Seychelles warbler, white-tailed tropicbirds, black parrots and greater frigatebirds.
 Catch a Fish
Enjoy deep sea fishing in Denis where you can catch Marlin between October to December. The location of Bird Island, at the edge of the Seychelles continental shelf is also a good destination for fishermen.
Explore the Islands in Style
It is possible to hire a power boat, cabin cruiser or yacht to explore the islands at your own pace. You can book vessels by the day, week or month. For more information, contact www.seychelles.net/mca.
 Get Wet
Take advantage of the crystal clear waters of the Seychelles and partake in a spot of waterskiing, windsurfing, sailing, fishing or scuba-diving. Desroches, the largest of the Amirantes archipelago offers particularly good diving opportunities where you will find sea cliffs, tunnels, caves and a multitude of tropical fish. A favourite location for snorkelling is the St Anne National Marine Park.
Relax on Mahe's Powdery White Beaches
There are almost 70 beaches on Mahe alone and relaxing on one of them while enjoying a good book is the perfect way to unwind. Many of the beaches are surrounded by lush vegetation and plantations of coconut palms and cinnamon which offer exceptional views of neighbouring islands.
 Sample the Nightlife
You will find a multitude of options when it comes to enjoying yourself of an evening. A favourite activity for many tourists is to listen to camtolet music and watch the dancers, who often accompany it, perform. Camtolet music can be enjoyed at venues across the resort islands. Many of the top hotels offer evening barbecues and dinner dances, while theatre productions are often staged (in Creole, English and French) offering visitors the chance to see up and coming artists in a variety of shows. There is one cinema in Victoria which offers Hollywood blockbusters.
| 
