New flights, no phone signal: 14 reasons why you should visit the Seychelles

55668376
Paradise awaits on this Indian Ocean archipelago Credit: Getty

With BA’s direct flights to the Seychelles resuming in March after a 14-year hiatus, now is the time to start planning a trip.

You’ll struggle to find a reason not to visit this exquisite corner of the earth, but for the sake of argument, here are 14 reasons you should…

 

1. There are direct flights

Below is the new aircraft BA will use when it resumes Seychelles flights in March, after a 14-year gap. Non-stop twice-weekly departures (from £699) mean no more bleary-eyed change of planes in Middle Eastern airports for seekers of paradise on these 115 Indian Ocean islands just below the equator.

ba-direct-flights-seychelles
Fly direct: no layover required Credit: Getty

2. Your phone won’t work

Which might be a good thing. Unapologetically rustic, Bird Island remains one of the best-value resorts in the islands. A million terns, noddies and frigate birds do all the chattering as mobile phones don’t work here.

bird-island-seyschelles
No phone signal on Bird Island, but plenty of feathered friends Credit: Bird Island

3. The sealife is exceptional

Desrcohes Island in the Amirantes offers great scuba diving and fishing and has been totally revamped. Book by December 31 and qualify for a 30 per cent discount in 2018. Don’t expect to economise on anything else. The Four Seasons is opening a resort there early next year.

scuba-diving-seychelles
A diver's paradise Credit: Getty

4 … but you don’t have to get wet

Sometimes you want to see reef fish but don’t want to get wet. Creole Travel has imported a mini-hydrofoil glass-bottomed boat to add a Jules Verne touch to its tours. One for aspiring mini-Cousteaus.

5. You can hike and sail on the same day

You can now combine a leisurely hike on a coastal path in Morne Seychellois National Park with a catamaran cruise to the marine park at Baie Ternay. Snorkels provided, but don’t forget the sunscreen. Visit Masons Travel.

morne-seychellois-national-park
The Morne Seychellois National Park Credit: David C Tomlinson/David C Tomlinson

6. The views are ridiculous

In a good way. The tiny Treasure Cove hotel at Bel Ombre hides a terraced restaurant with one of the best views in the whole of the Seychelles. Ignore the kitsch illuminated outdoor sign and focus on the good-value Creole food and the amazing sunsets.

sunset-seychelles
Sunset in the Seychelles Credit: Getty

7. There’s an (affordable) new spa

The Boat House restaurant on Beau Vallon Bay is a local institution, and it has just opened a day spa next door. Friendly and affordable, it’s a mere stone’s throw from a stunning beach. 00248 424 7466.

8. … and a brilliant art gallery

Who needs Gauguin? Nobody captures tropical colour and light like Michael Adams, whose charming west coast home is the best art gallery in the Seychelles. He’s famously shy, but ask to meet him if he’s home.

9. It hosts a hidden spice plantation

One of the last authentic plantation houses on Mahé sits in a hidden valley above Anse Royale. Run by the doughty Micheline Georges – Le Jardin du Roi a heavenly spot in which to sniff vanilla, nutmeg and cloves.

10. You can play the mogul

Release your inner megalomaniac with a flight over the islands by luxury helicopter and pretend you’re en route to your own private island. Fluffy white cat, cigarette holder and glamorous companion not included.

zilair-helicopter-tour-seychelles
Treat yourself to a helicopter tour Credit: Zilair

11. … and marvel at the world’s largest seed

Coco de mer, from a type of palm tree, is the largest seed in the world and can weigh up to 44lb – and the Vallée de Mai, on Praslin island, is the place to find them. Walk among the whispering palms and spot giant geckoes and black parrots.

coco-de-mer-seed-seychelles
This giant seed can weigh up to 44lb Credit: Getty

12. They have flying foxes

The Seychelles’ best free treat is watching giant fruit bats cruising above the forest at sunset. Choose the mysterious Silhouette Island if you have a thing for flying mammals. La Belle Tortue guesthouse is a gem.

flying-fox-seychelles
The flying fox is the largest bat in the world Credit: Getty

13. It’s a honeymoon hit

It’s hard to beat the newly redesigned Denis Island (tip: say Denis the French way, like the Blondie hit, not as in Denis Thatcher), a 25-villa resort with fabulous organic food which is already a firm favourite with honeymooners.

14. With six-star hotels

Six Senses Zil Pasyon awards itself six stars – and we won’t quibble. The resort offers enormous pool villas, restaurant menus with an emphasis on sustainability, and easy access via a short boat ride from traffic-free La Digue. A proportion of the cost of your holiday goes towards habitat restoration, too.

License this content