Private Seychelles Islands

Private Seychelles Islands

For millennia the 115 islands of the Seychelles archipelago were uninhabited and even today, the majority remain free of human habitation. More than half of Seychelles’ islands are protected natural reserves, and many are privately owned – making this isolated archipelago, which is scattered in the Indian Ocean about a 1000km away from Africa, an ideal destination for travellers seeking solitude.

Bird Island, just three degrees south of the equator and a 30-minute flight from Mahé, is the northernmost island in the archipelago. Simplicity is key on this coral cay, which is surrounded by sandy beaches, and accommodation at the eco-lodge’s 24 bungalows is wonderfully comfortable, but not luxurious. While a stay on Bird Island is about really getting away from it all (no television, phone signal or Internet connection) the star attraction is the birds: more than 1-million sooty terns roost on this island between May and September each year. Fairy and lesser noddy terns, white-tailed tropic birds, fodies, wimbrels and plovers also nest here, and offshore hawksbill and green turtles, dolphins, manta rays and occasionally whales can be seen.

Bird’s closest neighbour is Denis, whose coral reefs are an important breeding ground for hawksbill turtles (the snorkelling here is fantastic!). Some of Seychelles’ rarest endemic birds have been translocated to this far-flung island, which is said to be the only place in the world where you can see the Seychelles fody, magpie robin, paradise flycatcher and Seychelles warbler on one morning walk. The 25 cottages and villas on Denis Island are reminiscent of Seychelles’ colonial days, and the open-air bathrooms take full advantage of the tropical setting.

While many would be drawn to Bird and Denis islands for the birdlife, North Island is all about utterly sublime luxury. There are only 11 villas on the island, which is just 30km northwest of Mahé, and for maximum privacy each one is tucked into the tropical vegetation and between granite boulders. Exquisite architecture shows off the tropical surroundings and private beaches; romantic dinners; customised service and experiences (diving, snorkelling, kayaking) – this flawless island offers the ultimate in private barefoot luxury.

Luxury is key, too, on Félicité. The private island, four kilometres east of La Digue, is known for the large, smooth boulders that push up through the jungle and stand like statues on the beaches. The 30 villas of the luxurious Six Senses Zil Pasyon resort are situated between these dramatic boulders and under beautiful palm trees, and each have their own plunge pool, private sundeck and outdoor dining area. Although they cannot come onto the island, it is possible for “outsiders” to snorkel the reefs around Félicité, where eagle rays and hawksbill turtles are often seen.

About 80 hawksbill turtles nest each year on the beach at Fregate Island, which is said to still contain treasure hidden by pirates a few centuries ago. After World War II vegetables, vanilla, coffee, poultry and cinnamon were grown on the island – but from the late 1970s the island’s new owners turned their focus to conservation. While about 80 percent of the food served here is grown on the island, the efforts on Fregate have been to restore the natural environment and successes include saving the Seychelles magpie robin from extinction, and establishing a healthy population of 3000 giant Aldabra tortoises. The large, luxurious villas, all of which have grand infinity pools, offer exceptional views across pristine beaches.