Satellite islands of Praslin and La Digue
Chauve Souris
Chauve Souris, once known as Jeanette Island, is a private island only a few hundred metres from the dream beach of Côte d’Or at Anse Volbert on Praslin, which at low tide is merely a walk away.
The Chauve Souris Club is the ideal place for an intimate and secluded vacation, with five luxury rooms suspended between sea and sky amid granite rocks and lush tropical vegetation.
 |
Saint Pierre
St. Pierre lies approximately 1.5km from Pte. Zanguilles on Praslin's fabulous Côte d'Or beach. It is a firm favourite with swimmers, snorkellers and yachtsmen. |
Saint Pierre Island © STB
Round Island Praslin
Standing on the coral reef at the entrance to Baie Ste. Anne (Praslin), Round Island possesses few beaches but waters renowned for the excellent snorkeling.
This lush granite isle is now home to a private and exclusive boutique resort, which comprises three luxurious and private two-bedroom villas. A spacious, traditional three-bedroom island mansion, set apart in its own grounds, is available for those seeking even greater privacy.
Aride
Aride, perhaps the most unspoiled of all the islands, is situated 10km north of Praslin and is known as the ‘seabird citadel’ of the Indian Ocean.
The island became protected as a reserve in 1967, and since 1973 when it was purchased by Christopher Cadbury for what is now the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, seabird numbers have multiplied.
In 2004, management was passed to the Island Conversation Society (ICS), which opened a new conservation centre to support some of the longest continuous scientific monitoring programs in Seychelles.
No accommodation is available, but Aride is open to day visitors 3 days a week (Sun, Mon, Wed). Excursions can be booked through Praslin hotels, boat owners and ground handling operators.
Cousin
Cousin lies just off the southwest coast of its close neighbour Praslin, just next to its island neighbour Cousine. Cousin is a special nature reserve home to some of Seychelles’ rarest birds, such as the Seychelles bush warbler and the Seychelles magpie robin.
In 1975 it was declared a special reserve by the Seychelles government, first managed by Birdlife International and now by local environment group Nature Seychelles.
Cousin is one of nature's treasure troves where every year 250,000 birds nest, among them the Seychelles sunbird, red turtle dove and moor hen.
There is a population of geckoes on the island, giant tortoises introduced from Aldabra and Cousin is also a favourite nesting site for hawksbill turtles.
Cousin is a popular venue with visitors for day trips that offer guided tours of this magnificent island sanctuary. Visits are organised from 0930hrs to 1200hrs, from Mondays to Fridays (closed on weekends and public holidays).
Cousine
Cousin’s close neighbour, Cousine is situated approximately 6 km off the west coast of Praslin and offers an exclusive island experience with complete privacy found in very few other places on earth.
With four individual old French colonial style villas, exclusivity is the order of the day as a maximum of only ten guests are accommodated at any one time. Cousine is home to five of Seychelles’ endemic birds as well as a variety of other endemic fauna and spectacular marine life.
Curieuse
Curieuse lies just off the north-western coast of its close neighbour Praslin and is now a reserve managed by the Seychelles Centre for Marine Technology - Marine Parks Authority.
Once known as Ile Rouge on account of its red earth, Curieuse was eventually named after one of explorer Marion Dufresne's vessels which explored the islands of the Praslin group in 1768.
This rugged island was once home to a leper colony situated at Anse St. Joseph, and whose resident doctor's house dating back to the 1870's has recently been converted into an eco-museum and visitors centre.
Aside from Praslin, Curieuse is the only other island where the Coco-der-mer grows naturally, and also boasts an endemic vine and eight different species of mangrove.
Today Curieuse is home to an exciting giant land tortoise rearing project. The island is also an important nesting site for hawksbill turtles.
No accommodation is offered on this island, but excursions can be arranged through local ground handling operators.
Ile Cocos
Ile Cocos lies in close proximity to La Digue. It has been a marine park since 1996 and is a spectacular spot for snorkelling and diving and a popular venue for day excursions from both Praslin and La Digue.
Grande Soeur and Petite Soeur (Sister Islands)
Situated 6km northeast of neighbouring La Digue, these two islands are a popular venue for excursions on account of their spectacular ocean panoramas and the excellent opportunities they offer for trekking and picnicking.
These islands are also famous for snorkelling and diving in waters where the marine life is prolific. The hotel Château de Feuilles on Praslin manages the islands.
Félicité
Félicité is a private island located 4 km from its neighbour La Digue. This picturesque and steep granitic island was a coconut plantation up to the 1970s and supported a population of some 50 people. In the late 19th century, Félicité was home to the Sultan of Perak, one of Seychelles’ most colourful exiles, who spent five years on the island before moving to Mahé.
Now, Per Aquum, the internationally renowned resort and spa company is launching a project on the island which will feature 35 ocean-facing villas, the world’s only rock wine cave, spa and wide choice of restaurants, bars and boutiques. Some hilltop residences will also be for sale on the island.
Back to
Seychelles Islands Main Page
Seychelles travel guide Homepage