Seychelles. 1000 treasures. Mon Kontan

Alphonse

Triangular in shape and surrounded by a coral reef, Alphonse lies 400 km southwest of Mahé. In the past, it served as a coconut plantation and a site for guano collection.

Today, Alphonse offers outstanding opportunities for fishing and diving. It is home to one of the finest resorts in the Seychelles, where every visitor can find activities to suit their interests.

Dolphins in the waters of Alphonse

An ideal day on Alphonse Island

St. François Atoll

A flat, V-shaped coral reef, framed by palm trees, St. François is separated from its neighbour – Alphonse Island – by a narrow but deep channel.

The island itself formed relatively recently. Attempts were once made to establish a coconut plantation here, but low yields made this impractical.

Today, the atoll is known for offering some of the best bonefishing in the world.

Travelling to the Seychelles

Types of Travel Experiences

The Seychelles are not a mass-tourism destination. When it comes to these islands, the word “individual” is almost always synonymous with travel itself. What does this mean?

An individual journey is not necessarily expensive. It is simply created differently.

It is built around a careful understanding of travellers’ wishes, a detailed analysis of what the country offers, thoughtful discussion of options, and, ultimately, the refinement of a programme until it fits perfectly – taking into account:

the travel period;

the duration of the trip;

logistics (for example, travellers may depart from Paris, stop in Dubai on the way, and return not to Paris but to Moscow);

the route and accommodation;

additional services, if needed;

the design of an excursion programme within a planned budget – and much more.

The itinerary does not have to be complex. An individual trip may, for example, consist of ten nights in a single four-star hotel. Yet this could be a beautiful boutique property that is not easy to find online, as it is often fully booked four to six months in advance thanks to its outstanding balance of price, quality, style, history, and cuisine.

The hotel’s English-language website may still be under development, the French version modest, and the property may not appear on online booking platforms at all – selling eleven rooms is not difficult.

If one tries to see the bigger picture and systematise the variety of travel options available in the Seychelles, the landscape might look something like this:

1. Budget-friendly trips that offer first-class impressions with minimal expenses.

“Near the shores of Côte d’Or

2. Digital detox journeys – programmes designed to reduce the use of gadgets, ease dependence on them (at least for the duration of the trip), clear the mind of information overload, and relieve the psychological pressure of constant connectivity.

3. Family travel with children. These programmes often include generous discounts on accommodation and meals, as well as carefully planned activities for every family member.

The Seychelles have no dangerous insects, animals, or plants, allowing children to run freely on white-sand beaches, explore tropical forests, swim in clear-water bays, feed birds by hand, ride in ox-drawn carts, meet giant tortoises, and discover the islands without fear.

4. Adults-only travel, to places where children under the age of 8—13 are not accepted. Lovers of peace and seclusion particularly appreciate this format.

5. Programmes for groups of friends or extended families, who prefer travelling together and choosing apartments, villas, bungalows, or chalets instead of hotel rooms.

The Seychelles offer a wide selection of accommodation with two to five bedrooms at reasonable prices.

Grand Anse, La Digue

6. “Tropical Chic” – a programme ideal for curious and active travellers wishing to visit three or more islands during a single trip, staying a few days on each. Despite its richness, the itinerary never feels exhausting.

7. “Black Parrot” – another flagship travel concept combining a classic beach holiday on some of the Seychelles’ finest beaches with exploration of the two main islands: Mahé and Praslin.

8. “Seychelles Fairytale” – a journey for those who want to experience something new but are not entirely sure what that should be. The programme is created around the travellers’ needs and includes pleasant surprises.

9. “Polimni” – a programme designed for those who wish to feel like locals, living on the islands for at least three weeks. During this time, energy is not only restored but has the chance to settle and last. Travellers often say that the effect of such a journey stays with them for a long time.

10. Over 700 variations of honeymoon programmes.

11. Exceptional fishing experiences on the atolls of Alphonse, St. François, Bijoutier, Cosmoledo, Astove, and others. These waters are home to bonefish, milkfish, giant trevally, bluefin trevally, triggerfish, and many other species. Yellowfin tuna, wahoo, sailfish, and marlin can also be caught.

12. Expeditions to Aldabra, discussed in detail in a dedicated chapter.

13. “Aladdin and Allamanda” journeys*, combining the Seychelles with time in the UAE, Qatar, or a stopover in Istanbul, for example.

Allamanda is a Seychellois flower.

14. Cruise variations lasting 4, 7, 8, 11, or other numbers of days.

15. Long-term rentals for extended stays (from two to three months).

16. Coaching programmes, combining rest with work on personal or life goals.

17. Thematic journeys, centred around specific events.

18. Trips for celebrating anniversaries