INDIAN OCEAN TRAVEL by TOURISMER
The archipelago is made up of 115 islands, fine sandy beaches interspersed with guesthouses with friendly charm, hotels nestled under the palms of coconut palms, villas with natural materials and impeccable comfort.
A stay in the archipelago guarantees breathtaking nature, suitable for the pleasures of hiking and water sports. With 88,000 inhabitants, the population is small, but it is very welcoming.
The sailors stopped in the Seychelles to stock up on water, wood and tropical fruits. Pirates also frequented the islands. They would have hidden their loot there, especially in Mahé, in the region of Bel Ombre.
The sustainable development of the island revolves around two objectives: to increase the local economy and to promote the sustainable tourism industry. The priority is to encourage residents to participate in tourism development, while preserving heritage and customs.
The islands of the Seychelles face threats including:
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The first to visit the archipelago were probably Arab merchants, but the first written accounts were made in 1501 by the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. The first description of the Seychelles shores, before any human settlement, was written on the spot from January 19 to 30, 1609 by the sailor John Jourdan of the boat.
Entre l’Afrique et l’Asie, les îles furent utilisées par des pirates avant l’arrivée des Français. En novembre 1743.
On the 1st November 1756, Corneille Nicolas Morphey took possession of the islands in the name of the King of France. The main islands of the archipelago which they baptized "Séchelles" in honor of Jean Moreau de Séchelles.
In 1781, the Frenchman Mathurin Barbaron, privateer to the King, and Louise Lorans approached the island of Mahé by the cove which now bears his name. The gardens of the large Barbaron estate are also a reference.
The islands, lost to France in 1811 during the Napoleonic Wars, officially came under British control in 1814.
From 1916, during the First World War, the Seychelles army joined forces with the British by sending an expeditionary force of 796 men, 358 of whom would never see their country again.
Since June 29, 1976, the Seychelles have been an independent state, a member of the Commonwealth and the Francophonie.
Seychelles has three official languages.
76% of the population is Catholic, 6% is Anglican, 2.4% is Hindu and 1.6% is Muslim.
Music and dance in the Seychelles
The sega is a traditional music with a very lively rhythm, it is accompanied by songs during events such as weddings, birthday parties.
The moutia, music and songs of choirs punctuated by drums. It merged with reggae in 1970 to give rise to a musical genre called mouggae.
Bamboo crafts
Pearl and coconut jewelry
Traditional Costumes and Fabrics
The gastronomy of the Seychelles is based on seafood, spices and tropical fruits: coconuts, pineapples, mangos, papayas. It is accompanied by vegetables: eggplant, tomato, pumpkin, ...
Fish plays an important role in the local gastronomy. Very numerous, they are cooked either with steam or over a wood fire, smoked, cooked wrapped in banana leaves or even salted. They are found in curries, soups, stews.
Some emblematic dishes:
"Zourite curry" (octopus)
It looks like a spiced bouillabaisse. The numerous fish are cooked freshly caught: sea bream, captains, old and bourgeois, with soft flesh accompanied by a drizzle of lime. It is accompanied by a chilli sauce, emblematic of the Seychelles archipelago, and presented on the side.
Cari coco
It is a stew of meat or fish simmered in a sauce of spices and coconut milk.
Jam
This semi-ripe papaya jam – Konfitir Papay Zonn – is a slightly crunchy and nutty jam that is made with coarsely grated semi-ripe papaya that is cooked in caramelized brown sugar and flavored with nutmeg and vanilla .
Source: https://www.thecreolemeltingpot.com/semi-ripe-papaya-jam-konfitir-papay-zonn/
Victoria stands like a queen. As proof, you will see in the middle of a crossroads a reproduction of the clock tower of Big Ben! A sure testimony of the English occupation.
Another unusual monument, the Hindu temple of Victoria and its incredible architecture. Then, go to the central market where you can buy freshly caught fish, exotic fruits and local spices and local handicrafts.
On the island of Mahé, the highest peak in the Seychelles. In the middle of a lush forest, a dozen different trails take you to superb viewpoints, in the midst of dense and varied flora and fauna: the Seychelles islands are home to 7 million migratory or sedentary birds!
An essential step during your stay in the Seychelles, with its 2 coves:
Anse Lazio, a mythical beach with all the assets that a beach can offer, with fine sand and water that attracts a crowd of multicolored fish. An excellent spot for snorkeling or admiring the sunset.
Another heavenly beach, the beach Anse Georgette, difficult to access because only a path through the undergrowth provides access, but the spectacle it offers is worth it!
Also worth visiting is the Praslin Ocean Farm aquarium, with vast pools housing the island's aquatic fauna and flora.
A nature reserve listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco, composed mainly of palm trees that can only be found on this island. You will come across many species of birds and will be able to closely observe the famous coconut buttocks, the seed of the coco de mer. This park is the largest plantation in the world of this type of palm tree.
This is Mahé's most famous beach: a huge crescent of 3 kilometers of white sand, the ideal beach to spend the family day The sea is shallow, trees protect you from the sun, and to round off your day, you can admire the magnificent sunset before enjoying a local dinner in one of the restaurants lining the beach.
A real haven of peace with a magnificent view of Anse Royale! We come across parrots, fruit trees (papaya, guava, mango, lemons…) but also many spices such as pepper, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom…, then a stop at the restaurant is a must. to eat totally local cuisine.
A very beautiful garden located on the outskirts of Victoria to admire an extensive collection of exotic plants. You pass through a landscaped rainforest area, beautiful lawns, a spice garden and incredible fruit trees. You'll spot colorful birds and the Aldabra Giant Tortoises, alive!
One of the essentials of the Seychelles with its Anse Source d'Argent beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, a real paradise! In addition to its heavenly beaches, you will find the Union Estate Park in the middle of coconut palms where you can see giant turtles, a vanilla plantation and a beautiful colonial house.
It is the largest national park in the Seychelles. It occupies an area of more than 20% of the island of Mahé. It is also here that the most beautiful hiking trails of the archipelago are found, as well as its highest point: Morne Seychellois.
Perched 600 to 800 meters above sea level, the park is crossed by only one road, which provides access to superb panoramas. Hiking enthusiasts, you will discover marked trails not to be missed, including a 5-hour hike that allows access to the roof of the Seychelles, at more than 900 meters above sea level.
The coral beds of this marine park are remarkably beautiful. A wide variety of tropical fish and multicolored corals occupy these crystal clear waters. Explore this life-size "aquarium". Butterflyfish, trumpetfish, damselfish, pipefish, parrotfish, cardinalfish, picassofish… more than 150 species of fish are found in this marine park!
Abundance of exceptional sites, from peaks to beaches, lead the traveler to discover a tropical nature dominated by mountains and bathed in the transparent waters of the Indian Ocean.
Idyllic place for a trek, the Morne Seychellois National Park is the largest in the archipelago. Its summit, at 906 meters, offers fantastic views of the surrounding islands. The traveler will walk on the hiking trails plunging into an exuberant jungle, discovering the fauna and flora, or along the coast, towards isolated coves with a view of the lagoons with translucent waters.
Among the magnificent beaches that make the reputation of the Seychelles, Mahé is home to some wonders: Anse Major, Anse Royale or Beau Vallon are among the most beautiful, ideal break after hiking.
Off Praslin, The Digue with 2,500 inhabitants, is like a small village, still preserved from tourism. Here, we only move on foot or by bike! Hiking is therefore quite natural on this small island.
Like its neighbors, the reputation of the beaches of La Digue is well established: Grand Anse or Petite Anse, Anse Cocos … but above all Anse Source d’Argent, emblematic of the Seychelles: the famous “glacis”, magnificent pink granite rocks emerging from the turquoise waters, make up a magical setting that will amaze the hiker.
Another hiking classic, the ascent of the Nid d’Aigle, a "summit" perched at 300 meters in the heart of the rainforest, offering spectacular views over the whole island of La Digue and neighboring islands.
Praslin is the second largest island in the Seychelles, less mountainous than Mahé, but with equally extraordinary vegetation.
A true hiking paradise, the May Valley classified as a World Heritage Site and protected by the Seychelles Islands Foundation, is one of the most important ecological reserves in the country.
Hiking on Praslin will inevitably lead you to Anse Lazio, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world: a magical place for a relaxing break and swimming.
Finally, north of Praslin, the"île Curieuse", setting of the Seychelles Marine National Park, is a magnificent discovery: here, giant tortoises live freely and are easily observed.
The bicycle is the ideal solution for getting around the island, unless you prefer the ox cart, the traditional means of transport on the island!
The boat is ideal for inter-island transport, thanks to the Cat Cocos, which makes it possible to reach Praslin and La Digue from Mahé and Cat Rose which connects Praslin and La Digue.
La Digue is a cyclist's paradise and you can hire a bike for around SR150 a day. However, on Mahé and Praslin, the roads do not really lend themselves to this.
The car remains the most practical way to get around Mahé and Praslin. Many agencies have a storefront at the airport when leaving the arrivals terminal.
Find more updated information on Tourism in Seychelles in our Blog Tourismer.io
Nature Seychelles is a leading environmental organization in the Western Indian Ocean. It is the largest and oldest environmental NGO in the Seychelles archipelago, where it is involved in environmental conservation and management.
It is a registered association in the Seychelles with a board of directors and local and international membership since 1998. It is also the partner of BirdLife in Seychelles, a member of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA).
Nature Seychelles manages the world famous Cousin Island Special Reserve, one of the oldest marine protected areas in the Seychelles.
Nature Seychelles employs 15 full-time staff, including biologists, an economist, educators and protected area specialists.
The main objective of Nature Seychelles according to its statutes is toimprove biodiversity conservation through science, management, education and training programs.
