Cruise to the Seychelles

Looking for an island cruise that’s off the usual path? The Republic of Seychelles, Africa’s smallest nation, is an archipelago of 115 beautiful, rustic, unspoiled islands in the Indian Ocean. Lying about 950 miles off the east coast of Africa, visitors tend to describe the islands with one word: paradise.

The islands may have been visited by ancient peoples and certainly by long-ago pirates, but were uninhabited by humans until they were settled by the French in the mid-1700s. Seychelles became a British colony in 1814 and remained so until declaring independence in 1976. Since then, the islands have been thriving with a culture that melds French, British, Indian, and African traditions. Most of the population lives on the three largest islands: Mahé, La Digue, and Praslin.

The islands are made of granite or coral, surrounded by water in gorgeous shades of blue. The granite islands have central mountains draped in lush green forests and beaches of soft white sand, sometimes dotted with granite boulders smoothed by time and weather. Praslin features rare and impressive coco de mer palm trees; up to 100 feet tall, they produce the world’s largest seeds, which look something like double coconuts and can weigh as much as 55 pounds.

The low-lying coral islands are ringed by mangroves and coral reefs that are alive with sea life. The warm water makes swimming and snorkeling a delight. You might see some rare giant tortoises, too; native to the Seychelles island of Aldabra, they now roam many of the islands.

Cruise ships that visit the Seychelles usually dock at Praslin or Mahé, but visitors are not limited to those islands. A boat ride to Cousin Island reveals a protected reserve where hawksbill turtles and Seychelles warblers nest and raise their young. With few visitors, the wild inhabitants of this and other outlying islands have little fear of humans: they may let visitors get close for memorable photos and videos.

Anse Source d’Argent, a beautiful beach on La Digue, was a filming location for the 2000 movie “Castaway.” And on the island of Moyenne, visitors learn about Brendon Grimshaw. He purchased the island in 1962 and lived there for more than 40 years, enhancing its beauty and turning it into Moyenne Island National Park.

For more information about cruising to the magical Seychelles – whether on a dedicated, regional, or world cruise – talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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