The lush tropical islands of Seychelles are idyllic with their glorious white sand beaches and sparkling blue waters.

Rich vegetation includes coconuts, mangoes and bananas and the islands' are a natural habitat for a range of wildlife such as giant tortoises, turtles and rare birds and plants. The spectacular tropical fish make snorkelling and scuba-diving popular activities. The best way to get a true feel of the Seychelles is to island-hop, from Mahe, the main island boasting a coastline of 68 beaches and coves to the tiny island of Curieuse, only 1 sq mile in area.

There's diving too, and from the prehistoric rainforest of Praslin's National Park to the 70 beaches of Mahé, all is beauty and calm. You could take an excursion to Mahé's capital, Victoria, to admire its colonial mansions and meet the giant tortoises at the botanical gardens. You can visit tiny islands such as beautiful La Digue, perhaps joining local fishermen in their boat for a day's angling in the abundant waters. But mainly, you'll simply be lying back on a lounger and sighing in blissful contentment.

Mahe

Although Mahe is the largest of the islands, it is paradoxically the least known. Yet it offers some enriching experiences for those who are able to understand and love it. Even when it rains, there is always some spot in Mahé where it is sunny: usually, all you have to do is cross to the other side of the island to find fine weather.

Praslin

The island of Praslin is famous for its tranquil atmosphere, fabulous unspoilt beaches and the Vallée de Mai. It is also the home of the extraordinary "Coco de Mer", or double coconut…

La Digue

La Digue lies 43 km from Mahe and 6 km from Praslin. It is a superb island with huge pink granite boulders overlooking beautiful beaches of pure white sand. Huts nestle among the trees, rubbing shoulders with a remarkable flora and fauna. It is a destination straight out of a dream for those who want to get away from it all for a few days.

Climate

Seychelles is constantly hot and humid, with an average annual temperature of 84°F (29°C), and the average sea temperature is the same, seldom dropping below 81°F (27°C). The heat is usually tempered by sea breezes. The islands lay outside of the hurricane belt, so storms are rare, but tropical rains fall during January and February. It is easy to escape the showers, though, because it can be sunny on one side of an island while it rains on the other.

Handy Stuff

Time
GMT +4 hours

Currency
Seychelles Rupee (Sre)

Visa Requirements
British citizens do not require a visa.

Language
The official languages are English, French and Creole.

Flight Details
Air Seychelles flights to Mahé depart twice a week from London Heathrow on Fri and Sun.

Flying Time
Approx 11 hours to Mahé.

Flight Upgrades
Pearl Class available from £659 supplement per person each way.