The Seychelles archipelago is synonymous with luxury resorts and idyllic beaches. But beneath this glamorous facade lies a treasure trove of untouched natural beauty waiting to be explored. Venture off the Seychelles’ beaten path and discover lush national parks, hidden coves teeming with marine life, and a sense of serenity that transcends the ordinary.
This guide unveils the Seychelles like never before, leading you on an unforgettable adventure through the islands’ true gems. Constance Lemuria and Constance Ephelia are within reach of the following hotspots, offering excursions to discover Africa’s smallest country that’s rich in natural beauty.
Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve
Known as ‘The true Garden of Eden’, this UNESCO World Heritage Site holds a profound legacy of unspoiled beauty and biodiversity, with its ancient palm forests providing an intimate experience of Seychelles’ primal and untouched ecosystems.
At the core of this remarkable reserve, you’ll find the rare Coco de Mer palms, renowned for bearing the largest seeds of any plant in the world. Their fronds create a high, rippling canopy, making the forest’s atmosphere refreshingly cool and teeming with a vibrant array of bird calls. Try and spot Seychelles Black Parrot – it’s one of the few places in the world where this rare bird can be found.
The reserve’s trails are a joy to explore, guiding visitors on carefully maintained paths through the thick palm forests and revealing the diversity of life at every turn. You’ll be immersed in an array of ferns, orchids, and climbing vines that intertwine with the towering palm trees.
With its well-managed visitor facilities, guided tours bring to life the stories of the forest and its inhabitants. This provides an excellent educational experience for people of all ages, helping everyone gain a deeper understanding and respect of the Seychelles’ rich biodiversity and the importance of preserving it.
Anse Georgette
Known for its pristine white sand, crystalline blue waters, and lush green backdrop, this beach is one of the most stunning in the world. It’s an idyllic, secluded paradise, untouched by the footprints of mass tourism.
The beach itself is a perfect curve of soft, white sand, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. The clear, turquoise waters blend into the shore, inviting visitors to take a dip or enjoy the waves from the beach. With no public roads leading to it, Anse Georgette maintains its serene atmosphere, offering an exclusivity and isolation that’s difficult to find.
One of the unique features of Anse Georgette is its accessibility. It is reached either by a trek through a lush forest or via boat. If you’re staying at our Constance Lemuria Resort, you’re in luck. The resort offers direct access to this hidden gem, making it easily accessible for guests while maintaining its secluded appeal.
At Anse Georgette, there are no shops, no beach bars, and best of all, no crowds – just nature’s pure beauty. It’s an unspoilt corner of the world where you can truly switch off from the everyday and reconnect with nature.
If relaxation is more your style, the beach is ideal for sunbathing, with the warm sand serving as the perfect sunbed, or a shady spot under a palm tree. The ocean and swaying palm fronds are the only sounds you’ll hear in this personal paradise.
For those who enjoy an active journey, the beach’s waters are teeming with colourful coral reefs and a myriad of tropical fish. It’s a true underwater wonderland that invites exploration for snorkellers.
Cousin Island
Recognised as a Special Reserve, Cousin Island is a testament to successful conservation efforts and an important sanctuary for Seychelles’ numerous endemic and endangered species.
Cousin Island is managed by Nature Seychelles, a non-profit organisation dedicated to conservation. Guided tours are available, providing insightful information about the various species, their habitats, and conservation efforts on the island. These tours offer a chance to learn, appreciate, and understand the importance of preserving such unique biodiversity.
This small granitic island is renowned mainly for its bird population. The island is host to a variety of bird species, with bird watchers visiting for a glimpse of rare finds. You can hear the chirps and trills of the Seychelles Warbler, Seychelles Magpie Robin, and Seychelles Fody, among others, as they provide a natural soundtrack to your visit. One of the world’s success stories in avian conservation, Cousin Island has even managed to bring some bird species back from the brink of extinction.
The treasure chest of biodiversity overflows from land into the surrounding waters. Between April and September, the island becomes a nesting site for Hawksbill turtles, giving visitors a unique chance to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Expect to see Seychelles Skinks and Giant Millipedes as well, both of which thrive in this protected environment.
As a designated marine reserve, Cousin Island extends its protection to the marine life surrounding it. Dive in, and you’ll find a colourful underwater world filled with an array of coral species, sea stars, crustaceans, and tropical fish. Snorkelling around the island offers an opportunity to observe these aquatic ecosystems up close.
Anse Marron
Hiding at the southernmost point of La Digue island, Anse Marron is the secret spot for the adventurous. With its secluded location and rugged approach, this hidden beach offers a distinct experience worth seeking out.
Anse Marron’s defining feature is its natural saltwater pool, formed by granite boulders that fringe the beach. This pool offers a unique swimming experience, with the safe waters remaining calm even when the ocean is choppy.
The beach itself is a picturesque expanse of soft, white sand framed by vegetation and granite formations. Unlike many of the easily accessible beaches in Seychelles, Anse Marron remains largely undisturbed by tourists, adding to its sense of untouched beauty.
Finding Anse Marron is a challenge, as the route is neither signposted nor straightforward. The easiest way to reach this paradise is by a guided hike through thick vegetation, across rocks and shallow waters. It’s a challenging terrain that not many will brave, but the opportunity to see untouched nature along the way is priceless.
Aldabra Atoll
Aldabra Atoll is a testament to the untouched beauty of Seychelles, as it’s home to the world’s second-largest coral atoll and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This remote location and inaccessibility has helped preserve its unique ecosystems, offering very few lucky visitors a glimpse of nature at its very best.
Aldabra Atoll is home to a variety of bird species and the largest population of giant tortoises in the world. With an estimated 100,000 giant tortoises roaming the island, it’s not uncommon for visitors to spot these remarkable creatures basking in the sun or slowly making their way across the landscape.
Its lagoon, one of the largest and deepest in the world, plays home to a wealth of marine life. The vibrant coral reefs are teeming with tropical fish, sharks, manta rays, and occasionally visiting green turtles, making it a unique site for snorkelling and diving.
The atoll is also a birder’s paradise, with its large colonies of frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, and the endemic Aldabra rail, among others. The conservation efforts on the island have led to the flourishing of these bird populations, adding to the island’s biodiversity.
Reaching Aldabra Atoll is an adventure in itself. Most visitors arrive via a chartered flight or as part of a specially arranged cruise. With no tourist facilities, most of the island remains untouched by human influence, allowing nature to truly thrive. A trip to Aldabra is an unforgettable experience, a chance to explore one of the last remaining refuges of unspoilt natural beauty in the world.
The real Seychelles awaits beyond the boundaries of the typical tourist hotspots. With Constance Hotels & Resorts, you are invited to step out, explore, and immerse yourself in a magical travel experience that resonates with the untouched, raw beauty of Seychelles. Experience these hidden gems and more, and let Seychelles reveal itself to you in ways you never imagined.
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