Listly by Joanna James
The 115 islands that make up Seychelles are unspoiled and abundant with beautiful beaches and jungles. This tiny nation of atolls lies just off the coast of Kenya and most of its land is protected by nature reserves. There a ton of things to do in Seychelles if you're an outdoors type.
When travelling to Mahe' definitely consider staying at Avani Barbarons Seychelles Resort. You could say it is unlike any other resort in Seychelles and comes highly recommended. Anse Intendance is easily one of Mahe's most picturesque beaches. It's a great surf spot but the swells maybe a bit too much for swimming. Turtles are often seen on this stretch of beach.
Even though you have to hike over a hill to reach this stunning beach it is totally worth it. The water is clear blue and the sand golden yellow. Takamaka and Palm groves line the shore providing great shaded chilling spots.
Named after the 18th-century French explorer Lazare Picault the area has a deep history and a neo-gothic style church which is one of its most popular attractions: the Bai Lazare Church. Anse Soleil and Petite Anse are two of Bai Lazare's most famous beaches.
La Digue is the fourth largest island in the archipelago and is a place where you can catch a glimpse of traditional island life. Veuve Nature Reserve is one of the island's most popular attractions as it is home to the endangered Black Paradise Flycatcher.
This island was once a leper colony and still ruins of the old leprosarium can be seen. Today, the island is primarily used for a breeding program for giant tortoises of which many can be seen roaming the beaches.
This is the largest national park in Seychelles and covers a quarter of the total area of Mahe'. The highest point in the park is named Morne Seychellois and reaches 905m high offering a great vantage to view the capital Victoria at its base.
This marine park was the first in the Indian Ocean; first being declared open in 1973. The park encompasses 6 islands and is an important nesting site for Hawksbill Turtles. St. Anne Island was also the first in Seychelles to be settled by the French way back in 1770.
This beach is famous among families as the sea around it is very calm. Visitors have their choice of water sports to pick from including; jet skiing and water skiing. This stretch of sand is very popular for evening barbeques and the beach always has lifeguards on duty.
A warm, shallow and very safe beach that lies on the north-east coast of Praslin; Anse Volbert is easily one of the most famous beaches in Seychelles. There are many pubs and restaurants along this shoreline.
Vallee de Mai National Park has been named a UNESCO world heritage site and is home to a pre-historic forest with over 4000 giant coco de mer fruit palms which are endemic to Seychelles. Other species found here include Vanilla Orchids, Palmiste and Latanier.