Island living, naturally

Surrounded by the almost iridescent turquoise blues of the Indian Ocean, Seychelles is a hotbed of biodiversity, where endemic species thrive in rainforest and reef. White sand, palm-backed bays abound, but what Seychelles offers is so much more than a barefoot island escape. This is far from a manicured, managed and man-made resort terrain. From hiking the mountain heights of the dramatic inner granitic islands that fan out from the main hub, Mahé, to sailing and snorkeling waters rich in tropical fish in the coral-fringed outer isles, this pristine archipelago, just four degrees south of the equator, offers a natural antidote to the island vacation standard.

The UNESCO-protected Aldabra Atoll is a jewel of global conservation, home to one of the world’s largest land tortoises. An icon of Seychelles endemism, the Aldabra giant tortoise is among some 80 species that exist only here in the Indian Ocean, ranging from these ancient beasts to the tiny, yellow-striped Seychelles frog and rare sheath-tailed bat. Such wild wonders are found across fauna and flora, taking in the carnivorous pitcher plant, jellyfish tree and wild vanilla orchid along with the coco de mer palm, the heavyweight of the plant kingdom whose nut qualifies as the world’s largest seed.

The Seychelles black parrot, paradise flycatcher, scops owl, and sunbird are among the 15 endemic bird species found in the vine-draped trees of the nation’s tropical forests. Climb to the clifftop heights of Aride Island to find the brilliant white fairy tern flitting about like a sprite in the trees. Aride alone is home to 18 native avian species, including the largest colony of seabirds in the inner islands. Devoid of natural predators, birds can be found nesting at ground level here, along with the endemic blue-pigeon and magpie-robin, giddy with the fermented fruits of fig trees.

Ocean blues give way to vibrant greens as surf makes landfall in verdant mangroves. Uninhabited until the 18^th century, Seychelles spent millions of years in isolation, allowing ideal conditions for native and endemic flora now numbering into the hundreds, from tree-clinging orchids to giant waterlilies. With a pledge to protect 100 percent of the islands’ freshwater ecosystems by 2030, the Seychelles government aims to conserve the ecological engine that supports much of the islands’ animal life, from reef fish that nurse deep in the mangroves, to the turtles that feed on seagrass meadows.

Paddling boulder-lined bays fringed with white sands; sailing or diving from a liveaboard boat at a remote coral island: Seychelles is an ocean lover’s paradise. Gently raked coves with warm waters of deepening aquamarine offer swimmers and snorkelers a diver’s showcase of marine life: Giant schools of pelagic fish, rays gliding like birds in the shallows, dolphins, whale sharks, and several species of turtle. La Digue’s picturesque coast is a favorite for paddleboarders to find their feet, while kayakers of all abilities will find ocean adventures in transparent craft revealing colorful reefs in the life-sized aquarium below.

Stars of the sand will compete in Seychelles during the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. The tournament's first Africa region edition will see international competitors battle it out on the beach at Roche Caiman in Mahé’s capital, this May. Beach volleyball, football and basketball are much loved local pastimes, while golfers will find two immaculately landscaped courses: The lush, nine-hole Seychelles Golf Club on a former Mahé coconut plantation, and Praslin’s 18-hole championship course, Lemuria Golf Course with idyllic ocean views. Mahé’s mountains offer a rewarding challenge for cyclists, while on easy-going La Digue, bikes outnumber cars. And out at sea, sailing charters offer sports fishing adventures, while yachtsmen of all abilities can hone their skills.

With an efficient ferry system, a slew of yacht charters and an inter-island air service, Seychelles isn’t a place to simply fly-and-flop. Island-hopping is an easy adventure, each port a gateway to a distinct homegrown culture, where locally run guesthouses and smart hotels cater to all pockets. Spend the day biking with locals on La Digue, stop for a fish curry at a roadside shack; wander through the Vallée de Mai, on Praslin, shaded with towering coco de mer palm; or follow a network of hiking trails through the 7,525-acre (3,045-hectare) Morne Seychellois National Park on Mahé, home to the country’s highest peak.

Local crafts, rum, and home-grown produce are now the pride of old plantation house museums. Dating back to the 1800s, the timber-built French colonial Domaine de Val des Près in Mahé is home to a traditional Creole village, where you can learn about Seychellois life from centuries past and call into kiosks selling hand-painted pottery, textiles, and crafts. Or—at the likes of Takamaka Rum at La Plaine St André, run by local brothers, Richard and Bernard D’Offay—book a distillery tour and tasting to see sugarcane transformed into rum and try inventive cocktails.

These tropical islands offer a bounty of produce: Passion fruit, soursop, and small, jewel-like yellow pineapples; red snapper, silver mackerel and prize tuna; and the saffron, coriander and cinnamon sticks that flavor local curries. A rainbow of fruit, vegetable, spice and seafood stalls line Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market, in the capital Victoria, open from 4am to 5pm, Monday-Saturday. Dating back to 1870, this shady covered market is crowned by a silver-painted clock inspired by Big Ben, and is the beating heart of Mahé, bringing together farmers, fishermen, and artisans from across the islands.

As the sun sinks and the sky blazes in strata of amber, pink, and purple, Seychelles settles into the stillness of night. Devoid of light pollution and set outside the cyclone zone, these tranquil islands are lit with a canopy of sharply defined stars, under which fruit bats and scops owls swoop to life, and teeny translucent ghost crabs scuttle from beachy burrows searching for food. Before the chirrup of cicadas, bronze-eyed gecko, and tree frogs fill the evening air, choose a sensational sunset spot to take it all in—maybe a hike to Anse Georgette on Praslin or secluded Anse Severe on La Digue.