Table of Contents

Introduction vi
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION 1
Chapter 1 Background Information 3
Geography 3, Climate 10, History 11, Economy 19, People 21, Language 22, Religion 22, Education 23, Culture 23
Chapter 2 Biodiversity 27
Plants 27, Invertebrates 33, Amphibians 33, Reptiles 34, Mammals 37, Birds 37, Coral reefs 41, Marine invertebrates 43, Fishes 45
Chapter 3 Practical Information 49
When to visit 49, Highlights 49, Suggested itineraries 50, Tour operators 51, Seychelles tourist offices 52, Red tape 52, Embassies and consulates 53, Getting there and away 54, Health 57, Safety 60, What to take 60, Money 61, Budgeting 62, Getting around 62, Accommodation 63, Eating and drinking 64, Public holidays and festivals 66, Shopping 67, Arts and entertainment 67, Media and communications 67, Sports and recreation 68, Buying property 72, Travelling positively 73
PART TWO THE ISLANDS 75
Chapter 4 Mahé 77
Getting there and away 80, Getting around 81, Inter-island travel 82, Tourist information 83, Where to stay 83, Where to eat 88, Victoria 91, Discovering Victoria 95, Discovering Mahé 101, Independent tours for cruise-ship passengers 112, Walks on Mahé 114, Excursions to satellite islands 115
Chapter 5 Praslin 117
Getting there and away 119, Getting around 120, Tourist information 121, Where to stay 121, Where to eat 124, Other practicalities 125, Discovering Praslin 125, Excursions to satellite islands 134
Chapter 6 La Digue 137
Getting there and away 137, Getting around 138, Tourist information 138, Where to stay 138, Where to eat 140, Discovering La Digue 141, Excursions from La Digue 147
Chapter 7 Other Inner Islands 149
Silhouette 149, North Island 152, Mamelles 153, Frégate 154, Aride 156, Cousin 159, Cousine 161, Curieuse 162, Ile St Pierre 165, Félicité, Les Soeurs, Ile Cocos and Marianne 165, Denis 166, Bird 167
Chapter 8 Outer Coralline Islands 171
The Amirantes 171, The Alphonse group 175, The Farquhar group 177, Plat 179, Coëtivy 179
Chapter 9 The Aldabra Group 181
Assumption 181, Astove 182, Cosmoledo 182, Aldabra 185
Appendix 1 Language 192
Appendix 2 Further Information 193
Index 198

About the Author

Lyn Mair, an expert on Indian Ocean ornithology and nature, has lectured on board cruise and expedition ships and has worked on environmental projects for World Heritage in the Seychelles. Lynnath Beckley is a marine scientist who writes papers for international journals and magazines and was a former editor of the South African Journal of Marine Science.

Reviews

There's a vast amount of information here...A brief, well-described and fascinating history of the islands' explorers, pirates and settlers is an added bonus. There's also a fascinating introduction to the islands' extraordinary biodiversity, from birds and coral reefs to nature reserves and conservation projects.' Conde Nast Traveller Magazine