The Seychelles is a great luxury destination, but is there anything to do outside of the hotel? Janine Kelso finds out
Part one of this feature looks at luxury holidays in the Seychelles.
Part two: activities
Whether it’s all about swanky hotels or not, British travellers aren’t bothered – visitor numbers went up 6% in 2007.
Although August was the most popular month for UK visitors, figures remain constant as year-round temperatures hover around 28C.
But if you get bored of sunning yourself, there is plenty to keep wildlife lovers entertained. Bird Island is home to 750,000 breeding pairs of sooty terns as well as the world’s largest tortoise, Esmeralda, who weighs 400kg and is said to be 200 years old.
The rare black parrot can be spotted in Vallee de Mai forest in the heart of Praslin, the second-largest island in the Seychelles.
Many operators, such as Elite Vacations and Travel 2, recommend island-hopping by scheduled or charter flight, or boat. This usually involves visiting two or three of the destination’s 33 inhabited islands – there are 115 in total. Travel 2 also offers a five-day sailing tour.
Elite Vacations managing director Peter Jackson said: “There might not be any ancient ruins in the Seychelles but it’s a tropical paradise, perfect for island hopping. It would be a shame to visit just one island; in a two-week holiday, it’s feasible to visit five.
“Even in Mahe, the largest of the Seychelles islands, you can hire a car and find deserted beaches where the only footprint in the sand is yours.”
Diving enthusiasts love the dramatic underwater scenery of the granite islands where giant boulders provide a home for eagle rays and giant stingrays. The reefs surrounding the coral islands also merit exploration for their range of exotic fish, such as butterfly fish, parrot fish and sea turtles.
Non-motorised water sports are offered on all islands, while Mahe offers motorised water sports such as water skiing and parasailing.
Seychelles sample packages
Cox and Kings offers a 10-night Boutique Seychelles tour, which explores the islands of Mahe, Praslin and Desroches, for £3,695 per person between April 14 and July 15, including flights, transfers, breakfast and most meals.
Hayes and Jarvis has seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the five-star Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort and Spa at Beau-Vallon Bay, Mahe, for £1,749 per person departing June 3, including flights.
Travel 2 offers the five-day Sail the Seychelles tour for £2,972 per person, including flights, transfers, pre and post-tour accommodation in Mahe and a sailing tour. The price applies for departures between March 21 and July 16 and December 1-16 and December 25-31.
Kuoni offers seven nights’ full-board at Bird Island Lodge Seychelles for £1,817 per person in July, including flights and transfers.
The alternative: Sri Lanka
For culture, wildlife and great beaches, consider Sri Lanka.
Visit tea plantations, temples with ancient Buddha statues or one of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Sigiriya Rock or the Tooth Relic temple in Kandy.
There are 17 national parks, some of which can be explored safari-style where visitors can get up close to elephants, birds and leopards.
One of the country’s must-see sights is the Pinnawella elephant orphanage where you can watch the baby elephants being fed. Turtle hatcheries line the coast in Unawatuna and it’s possible to snorkel alongside the creatures around Hikkaduwa.
Although terrorist attacks have become more frequent in Sri Lanka this year, most tourist areas in the south are unaffected. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against travel to the north and east of the country.
