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This is a most interesting feature of the Seychelles: the granite worn down by the sea, rain, foliage and other erosive forces.It's a good idea to take some time and simply looking for nice rock formations - they are everywhere. In the morning and afternoon it is easier to catch them on film, with the lower and mellower light and nice plays of shadows.The best places are near the sea where the waves keep the rocks clean. Access is also a factor.
Wherever there is a decent reef there will be a local fisherman or woman tending to the fish trap on low tide. This contraption is made out of wowen and tied split bamboo and works on the principle of a cage with a one-way opening. The trap is loaded down with rocks to keep it from tearing and floating away. It is placed in such a way that it blocks a narrow and vey minor reef channel or drain on the outer part of the reef where the fish come over the reef at high tide and swim back out in these channels during the ebbing tide.Ask the fisherman to show you how he emptiesthe trap of the colorful reef fishes. If you accidentally find one while swimming, snorkle about and see how the fish gets caught. Probably it isn't very popular to hang around the traps too long, scaring the fish in the vicinity.Models of the traps (micro-sized to small) can be bought in souvenir shops. You wouldn't try...
The vanilla smell is one of the most attractive I know (tip!!!)... In the Seychelles the vanllia has gone wild and you'll find the vines everywhere the vegetation has been left undisturbed for a while. The vanlilla vines wind their way up threes and boulders streching for light and space. You are lucky to find the flowers and fruit, though; that seems to be chance game. On south Mahe there is an arboretum and spice garden open to visitors, and they try to exhibit vanilla fruits, too. They'll be helpful in showing you.
Where there are no tourists disturbing them huge crabs rummage about on land looking for edibles. At daytime their lairs can be seen as distinct holes in the sandy ground around coconut palm trees. There seems to be two types, one brownish and one much more colorful (red, blue, orange), the latter being the bigger one. They are in a completely different league than the skittish little sand crabs that rush about the sunseekers on the beach during day time.The bigger type I found on Anse Cayman, the brownish one is very common on Anse Source d'Argent.When the beach bummers tuck in for the night the coconut crabs come out in force. Just listening to them rustling in the leaf litter is interesting - they are definitely not of the quiet kind...Bring a torch, and you can see them more clearly.
The easiest way to go fishing is to approach the men who sit and chat at the little shopping stand as you enter the pier area in La Passe, La Digue.They have several boats that can take you out, alone or with a group. We chose to go out with a crew that themselves wanted to go fishing, and so we simply part-took in that.We were given generous time at sea for a price that is about 1/3 less than what the different travel agencies ask.They have all the equipment you need for the type of fishery you'd like to do. Basically there are two choices: 1) bottom fishing or 2) trolling for big game fish (marlin, tuna etc.). I will do this again when I come to the Seychelles. And combine it with snorkelling outside the reef from the boat in a calm spot.
On the cliffs in tidal areas brushed by the sea there are lots of little things jumping into the water if you get too close. They are actually fish called blennies or rockskippers. The ones on the photo are Picture Rockskippers - suits them well!These fishes live off coral of certain types, are territorial and make a nest for theri fry. Why they stay on land so much of the time is still a mystery to me - they did not seem to feed. Suntan???Very funny to look at, in any case, and well worth closer inspection.
Huge fruit-eating bats or flying foxes flap around La Digue. They are very common here and feed on fruit trees. Not at all dangerous to people, even if it is a bit unnerving if you disturb them from their tree at close range late at night. They also feature as a seasonal curry item on the Seychellois menu.The easiest places to see them were in the wooded areas and near fruit plantations on the way to Anse Bananae on the eastern side of the island, and in the trees below the inland road on the western lowlands of La Digue. They seemed to amass there for a chat and a breadfruit...
Out on the sea you may come across whale sharks feeding or just lazying around. These gentle giants enoy being at the surface, and do not seem to mind snorkellers and swimmers quite close. Due to their size they reign supreme.In SW Australia whale shark swimming is an organized activity, and given the popularity there are now certain rules in place not to disturb and hurt the sharks. This is not an organised activity in the Seychelles, even if seeing the sharks would be easy. In any case, if you come across any and jump in, keep some minimum distance of 2-3 meters away from the main body, and do not get that close to the tail. You may get swapped as a fly. Rather unhealthy... The boat should turn off the engine/propeller, and if there are more boats they should keep a distance between them, about 250 m radius. Don't do this thing from a small boat as the sharks like to bump the boat. The...
(see t'logue for a lot more pics!)La Digue Island is an absolute MUST. If you have the chance to go there, stay for a couple of days, hire a bicycle and you'll be able to make excursions to all lovely beaches with their rock formations as well to "inside" places and the beautiful landscapes . You'll absolutely adore it!
The Vallee de Mai is a part of a national park on Praslin island, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site set up to protect the famous Coco de Meer palm. You will find lots of info about this palm and the site on the internet and once you are in the Seychelles.It is a relatively small and narrow valley in central Praslin island, and it's covered in dense jungle; the Coco de Meer and the other 4 endemic palm trees of the Seychelles, The whole place is a bit as out of the Jurassic era, only the dinos are missing. It is not just a boring park with greenery and shadow, it is a wonderful, peaceful walk og good trails in a dense, enchanted jungle, and you can choose to learn as you go, or read up beforehand and snap photos to your heart's delight. Three basic itinerary's are offered in the valley, and the suggested time they are supposed to take seems stupid compared to the kilometres ground...
1 Review and 371 Opinions We stayed here for a week for friends wedding. This hotel is large and our first opinion was, that...
Chateau de Feuilles Praslin
1 Review and 123 Opinions I recommend this hotel to anyone who wants a very romantic and unique honeymoon. You are treated...
Fregate Island Private Victoria
35 Opinions
Reviews and photos of Seychelles attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Seychelles sightseeing.
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Q: That’s our ideal beach accommodation any time we go on holidays. Thailand, Mexico, Goa, each time we stayed in this kind of...
A: Hi there I stayed in almost what you've describe in Beau Vallon on the main island: a simple bungalow with terrace and just a road (with approx 5 cars max a day!) to...
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