Introduction

If asked to imagine the perfect tropical hideaway where crystal clear water laps against pristine white sandy beaches, then the Seychelles must surely spring to mind.

Although only a handful of the 115 islands that make up the Seychelles are open to tourism, together they give the Seychelles its most famous attraction: impossibly beautiful secluded beaches, several of which are always featured in the annual compilations of ‘the world’s top ten beaches’. And with an average year-round temperature of 30 degrees Celsius, there is no ‘wrong’ time of year to visit.

The numerous small coves, formed by huge granite boulders, mean that honeymooners can seek out their own ‘private’ beach, especially on the smaller islands, and have made this destination one of the most popular romantic getaways for the past two decades.

However there is more to ogle than each other: many of the islands and the waters around them are designated nature reserves and are home to awesome numbers of birds, rare giant tortoises and other tropical flora and fauna. Island hopping is the key to a diverse and rewarding holiday in the Seychelles.