Seychelles Expedition: Exotic Nature and Perfect Climate

ABOUT THE DESTINATION: Lying in the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles archipelago has passed in four centuries as a haven of pirates to become the destination dreamed by millions of travelers. Its 115 islands - only thirty are inhabited - have everything to love: sun all year round, tropical climate, coral beaches, an endemic flora and a valuable marine life. The essential route through this paradise visits Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, the islands that concentrate more services and also a greater diversity of attractions. The first stage of the voyage is the island of Mahé, the largest and the only island in the Seychelles. Just eleven kilometers away from Victoria, the capital, which offers the first contact with the islanders, friendly people with traits that denote a mixture of African, Chinese, Indian and European origins. This ethnic diversity has bequeathed a culinary, musical, architectural and artistic culture full of nuances and in which abound the legends of pirates. Anyone from the islands tells tourists about the exploits of John Taylor, Jean François Hodoul - the Château Mamelles, from 1804, was one of his two residences in Mahé - and other buccaneers who hid treasures with jewels and gold coins in some Place of the archipelago. The last known treasure is still found near the beach of Bel Ombre in Mahé. Several bus lines travel the island taking the small Victoria station as a starting point and arrival. Riding in these rudimentary vehicles is a great opportunity to share a seat with people coming and going to the Victoria market, local workers and students returning home at the end of the day. A few kilometers of route by bus and the traveler has already learned that it is imperative to shout "devant!" So that the driver stops.

ABOUT THE DESTINATION:

Indian Ocean

At first glance, Mauritius feels like a Caribbean cousin. Around 1,200 miles off Africa’s east coast, the island is edged by 330 kilometres of pristine white beaches, where dolphins are often spotted offshore. The south, west and east coasts are known for standout beaches, including Belle Mare, one of the island’s longest stretches of sand, set beside a coral-protected lagoon. In the north, shallow bays like Balaclava and Calodyne are ideal for snorkelling and kite-surfing.

Rainforests and reefs

Beyond the beaches, Mauritius is rich in natural beauty. The mountainous, forested interior rises to 800 metres and is home to rare wildlife, including geckos and tropical birds in national parks such as Porte Lafayette. Surrounding the island is one of the world’s largest continuous barrier reefs, offering scuba diving that rivals the Maldives.

Kaleidoscopic culture

Over centuries, Mauritius has absorbed a mix of cultures. Creole flavours reflect links with Madagascar, with Grand Baie standing out as the island’s culinary hub. Mahebourg shows strong European influence, while its French heritage lives on in elegant chateaux like the Château de Labourdonnais in the north.