Island vibes: how to book a twin-centre holiday in the Seychelles

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"You cannot put a price on nature,” says turtle manager Robert Matombe, as he leads his daily nature walk from the resort’s ‘eco-kiosk’ along Grand Anse Kerlan, the wide sweep of wild beachfront where dozens of turtles come to nest each year.

“When we started this project in 2015, we had about 40 nests per season, but now we get up to 95. The beach is like a maternity ward with nests everywhere. It’s busy, but it’s worth it.”

Matombe started at Constance Lemuria on Praslin more than 20 years ago, beginning as a casual worker while volunteering with turtle rescue efforts, before studying to become a full-time conservation manager.

He is so dedicated to the area’s flora and fauna that during hawksbill turtle egg-laying season, he often sleeps on the beach to make sure baby turtles are not disturbed as they make their perilous journey to the sea. He starts each morning checking for new tracks that might signify a hatching and ends the day with a beach patrol to make sure the coast is clear.

There are signs asking guests to stay off the sand during key periods, keep light to a minimum and stick to swimming in the smaller, sheltered bay, where you’re more likely to find swaying palms and sunloungers than sea turtles searching for a place to lay their eggs.