Paradise found in the Seychelles

With its pristine beaches and cobalt blue waters, it’s no wonder the Seychelles has caught the imagination of the Middle East market. Monika Grzesik went island hopping to discover more about this Indian Ocean paradise.

We’ve all dreamed about it – jetting off to an island paradise of deserted, powdery white beaches, turquoise blue waters, and a blissed-out island vibe. And the Seychelles; an archipelago of 115 islands scattered in the Indian Ocean certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Demand for the destination from Middle East travellers has started to take off in the past two years, and it’s no wonder.

A mere four and-a-half hour hop from the Gulf, with a beautiful year-round climate, no time difference, and some stunningly located hotel properties, the Seychelles is an ideal short-break destination for switching off and getting away from it all; while the dream-like setting has made it a top choice for honeymooners too.

Last year, the Seychelles received 6,370 arrivals from the Middle East, but Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) predicts that this figure will at least double over the next two years.

Increasing flight links from the region mean the Middle East now has the most connections to the Seychelles out of any market. Qatar Airways flies four times a week, Emirates has just increased capacity to one flight daily and there are imminent plans for Etihad to launch route too.

Recent years have seen major Middle East investment into the Seychelles (currently estimated at around US $1.4 billion) in new hotel projects such as Emirates Cap Terney Resort, Kempinski, Raffles and Four Seasons.

Ties between the Gulf leaders and the Seychelles are solidifying too. In fact, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa, president of the UAE has chosen the mainland of Mahé for his holiday home – the eight-storey palace, is perched on the highest mountain in Mahé and will offer the Sheikh breathtaking views of the islands and the sparkling waters below.

What to do
The Seychelles has earned a reputation as a frontrunner in ecotourism – almost half of the landmass has been granted protected status as nature reserves.

Inland, there are jungle trails to explore and swathes of wilderness housing rare birds and giant tortoises in their natural habitat, as well as some incredible plant life such as the famous ‘Coco de Mer’ – the world’s biggest nut, found only on the Seychelles.

And that’s not even to mention the vast underwater world which makes it a top spot for scuba divers and snorkelling.

To capitalise on these natural wonders, STB has launched a new ‘Seychelles brand’ campaign, highlighting its natural attributes.

“An increasing number of tourists are no longer content to just ‘flop and drop’ when on holiday, but are in search of genuine experiences to take home,” explains Alain St.Ange, CEO, STB.

“Seychelles is becoming an increasingly attractive holiday option on account of its unprocessed nature. While other destinatinatons have rushed ahead of themselves in catering for tourists and lost much of their identity in doing so, Seychelles has grown its tourism at a gentler pace, and today still reflects much that is traditional and authentic of the age-old island way of living.”

Island-hopping is of course high on the agenda. Many visitors choose a two or three-stop holiday, flying into the mainland of Mahé before heading off to explore one of the larger islands Praslin or La Digue, before ending up on a isolated, one-resort hideaway for that ultimate Robinson Crusoe experience.

In terms of getting about, there are few destinations in the world where travelling from one place to another is quite as exhilarating as the Seychelles.

Closer islands to Mahé can be reached by speedboat, while to get to those further afield you can take the inter-island plane transfer on Air Seychelles. Jetting off the mainland and seeing the tiny islands speckled across the turquoise waters below is an experience not to be missed.

From Mahe I flew to Praslin Island, just a 15 minute plane hop away; and then returned to take a boat to Cerf Island – a tiny speck in the Indian Ocean and home to only two hotels.

Where to stay
There are 16 islands to choose from, all differing in character, including 12 island retreats with just a single hotel. Recent development in the hotel sector means there are some idyllic five-star properties to choose including big names like Le Méridien, Banyan Tree and Hilton.

For the ultimate in privacy and exclusivity, guests can head to one of the privately-owned islands, run as resorts. At the top-end of the market are Fregate Island and North Island (David Beckham and his wife Victoria recently hired out the whole of North Island for their 10th wedding anniversary).

How to sell Seychelles
When to go:
Seychelles enjoys a pleasant tropical climate all year round. The islands lie outside the cyclone belt and there are no extremes of weather. The temperature seldom drops below 24 degrees or rises above 33 degrees Celsius.Short-lived tropical downpours can occur at any time of the year.

Visas:
There are no visa requirements to enter the Seychelles. Documents required for immigration clearance are a passport valid for more than six months; return or onward ticket; proof of accommodation; sufficient funds for the duration of your stay.

Getting there:
Emirates flies daily from Dubai. Qatar Airways has four flights a week from Doha.

Getting around:
Island-hopping between the 16 islands can be done by scheduled plane and ferry services. A new catamaran service makes the Mahe-Praslin trip in 45 minutes. Private islands tend to charter their own aircraft to transfer guests.

Health:
There is no risk of contracting malaria or yellow fever in the Seychelles.

Tour Operator:
Mason’s Travel, Mahe, Seychelles
Tel: (+248) 28 88 88
Email: info@masonstravel.com
Web: www.masonstravel.com

Languages:
Creole, English and French are the three official languages.

Useful Contact:
Seychelles Tourist Middle East office: Seychelles@stome.ae

Mahé Island
Mahé is the mainland, the transport hub and largest and most developed of all the islands so it’s the perfect place to get a real feel for what life on Seychelles is all about.

About 90% of the Seychelles population live here. It has the highest mountain ranges in the country plus the world’s smallest capital city, Victoria. This charming town has a lively market, some attractive colonial buildings and ‘Little Ben’, a mini replica of London’s Big Ben, and is definately worth paying a visit.

You can also take a drive into the mountains to see the tea plantations; or visit Domaine Val de Pres, a craft village with workshops selling local crafts. The coast is dotted with deep bays and rocky islets ideal for sailing, snorkelling or diving around.

Where to stay
Constance Ephelia Resort
This brand new resort is situated on Mahe’s most stunning bay, overlooking the Marine park. The ultra-luxury hotel has all the bells and whistles including five top-notch restaurants and a spa.

There’s a wide range of exclusive accommodation, from junior suites to family villas to some knock-out hillside villas with private infinity pools overlooking the bay where the view is so stunning it will quite literally take your breath away.
www.epheliaresort.com

Praslin Island
The second-largest island in the Seychelles is a 15-minute plane hop from Mahé. With its laid-back, island tempo, Praslin is the perfect option for those seeking something in between the relative hustle and bustle of Mahé but with a bit more life than the sleepier island retreats.

On Praslin you can glimpse peaceful Seychellois village life as well as stunning forests, waterfalls and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

The most famous Praslin attraction is the Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO heritage site and the only place in the world where the mysterious Coco de Mer nut grows in the wild.

As well as a string of stunning beaches and tangled jungles you’ve got the only 18-hole championship golf course in the Seychelles to keep you entertained. This beautiful, unspoilt island can be explored by car, foot or bicycle.

Where to stay
La Reserve Hotel
This family-owned property offers 40 spacious, sea-facing rooms located just metres from the stunning Anse Petit Cour beach. La Reserve is perfectly positioned in a Marine National Park, so the waters around the hotel are teaming with marine life and it’s the ideal spot for snorkelling and swimming.

While the property is four-star, the location, quality of the food, amazing service and attentiveness of the predominently Seychellois staff are certainly five-star – making it the friendliest resort in Praslin. Another major bonus is the pool, which is one of the largest in the Seychelles.
www.lareserve.sc

L’Archipel Hotel
The hugely charming L’Archipel Hotel features 23 spacious bungalows nestled into the hillside in the grounds of a tropical garden. The bungalows all feature huge wooden terraces, where you can while away an evening looking out onto the sparkling waters of the secluded bay below.

For an ultimately romantic evening, the hotel restaurant serves up delicious Creole-style food in a candle-lit setting directly on the beach, while a live singer croons away in background.
www.larchipel.com

Cerf Island
Just a ten minute boat ride away, Cerf Island is Mahé’s closest neighbour. Just a tiny speck in the Indian Ocean, Cerf Island offers up a minature paradise, featuring just a couple of hotels, deserted beaches and excellent swimming and snorkeling possibilities.

With absolutely nothing to do on Cerf apart from relax and unwind on the powdery-white coral beaches; go swimming in the clear-blue water that rings the island; sunbathe, and then do it all over again – a few nights here at the end of an itinerary provides the ultimate chill-out.

Where to stay
Cerf Island Resort is the ultimate private hideaway. The stunning boutique property offers up just 12 luxury villas and a spa nestled into the hillside, with wooden decks featuring awe-inspiring views of the ocean below. Peace, quiet and total relaxation is the name of the game here, with just the sounds of nature for company.

The villas even feature outdoor bathrooms so you can really feel at one with the great outdoors. This is the place to really get away from it all.
www.cerf-resort.com

Hotel Watch!
The Seychelles is all abuzz with the news that some exciting new properties are set to open in the coming year.

Raffles Seychelles Resort and Residence:
The North point of Praslin Island is gearing up to welcome the brand new Raffles Seychelles Resort and Residence, the first Raffles property in the Seychelles.

The super-luxury resort and residential development will open in the first quarter of 2011. The resort will feature 86 villas all with private plunge pools, an outdoor pavilion and round the clock butler service. Villas are built on gentle slopes, ensuring stunning views of the Indian Ocean below. The resort will also feature the Raffles Spa.

Round Island Resort
Highly anticipated as one of the most exciting new resort openings in the Seychelles, Round Island Resort will open later this year. A 15 minute boat transfer from Mahe, the super-luxury island resort will be one of the most exclusive in the Seychelles with just 10 secluded ocean-front beach villas all with private infinity pools, just steps away from the beach.

The property will feature the Serena Round Island Spa offering guests a ‘personal wellness experience’. The property will be managed by Jebel Ali International.

The other Islands:
There are two catagories of island: the granitic ‘inner’ islands that cluster around Mahe, Praslin and La Digue featuring mountains and jungles, where the majority of the Seychelles population live. And the ‘outer’ islands: a sparkling array of flat, coral atolls that remain barely touched by man.

La Digue
Lying 45 kilomotres from Mahe, La Digue is the fourth largest island. It features one of the Seychelles most breathtaking beaches Anse Source D’Argent. There are no cars on this island, transport is still by traditional ox-cart or bicycle, and the island-style accommodation is authentic.

Alphonse
A coral atoll sheltered by crystalline waters of a tropical lagoon, this is an exclusive island resort offering just 25 thatched chalets.

Bird
The most northerly island in the Seychelles here you can have an eco-experience amidst the gardens of a coconut plantation, a bird sanctuary and a nesting site for turtles.

Cousin
This island offers a degree of privacy found in very few places on earth. There are just four individual French-style colonial villas and only ten guests can be accommodated at once. Exclusivity is the order of the day.

Fregate
The ultimate private-island experience, there are only 16 villas, seven stunning beaches and some of the rarest flora and fauna on earth.

Top Tip!
Clients visting Praslin should pay a visit to Bonbon Plume restaurant on Anse Lazio beach. This palm-thatched restaurant serves up a delicious selection of fresh seafood and Creole dishes right on the water’s edge of what is commonly touted as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. it’s a culinary experience not to be missed.