Seychelles Holidays 2012

Each island of Seychelles will provide you with an unforgettable vacation, but rather than limit yourself to one island why not make it a point to visit as many of them as possible during your stay.

Located just south of the equator Seychelles provides you with some of the best beach going weather year-round, but not all of the beaches are meant for swimmers. Before heading off to any of the beaches you will want to check in with the locals to find out about any coral reefs or undertows that could cause problems.

Places to visit

All of the islands of Seychelles provide you with breathtaking views because of the natural beauty of the island. The best place to start your trip is on the island Mahe, which is the largest of the Seychelles islands. Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, is located on the island and gives every visitor a look into the country rich culture. Two places to visit here include Seychelles Natural Museum of History and the St. Anne National Marine Park.

Other islands that you simply cannot miss include the Praslin and Cousins Islands. On Praslin Island, you want to be sure to stop in at the Vallee de Mai Reserve. The Black Pearl Farms give you insight into pearl making, along with seeing some of the beautiful jewelry that can be made from the pearls and shells of the oyster.

The Cousins Islands provide nature lovers with the best spot for bird watching, including breeding and nesting behaviors during certain times of the year. Aldabra, which offers you an up-close view of tiger sharks and manta rays is something that can’t be passed up. Although all islands offer you the chance to go diving and snorkeling the best location is Shark Bank.

Local Cuisine

Although the island of Seychelles is a beautiful place to visit most people upon arrival find the local cuisine to be the highlight of their stay. While in Seychelles there are so many different local dishes to try that it is often hard to know where to start.

The best place to start is with the Chinese stir-fries and the coconut cream. Some of the most authentic dishes though come directly from the Indian Ocean. Tuna and King Fish steaks, which are grilled and fried in garlic butter, are just the tip of the iceberg. For some truly mouth-watering menu items try out the Shark, which is served as chutney and is flavored with herbs, onions, and bilimbi.

Climate

Located just south of the equator Seychelles has a tropical climate, which makes it a very popular tourist destination. The tropical climate in Seychelles means that the average temperatures through the year are between 77 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. However, during the midday the equatorial sun is very hot so wearing a hat and sunscreen is highly recommended. Even though the seasons are controlled by the Monsoons Seychelles actually lies outside of the Cyclone zone.

Best time to visit

The best time to come to the Seychelles islands is really going to depend on what you want to do rather than the weather. If you plan to do some bird watching, the best time to visit would be during the month of April because of breeding season.

The month of October is also a great time to watch the migrating patterns of the birds. For fishing, you will want to visit between October and April. Outdoor activities that involve walking are best done from May to September because of the beautiful weather. December through February although a popular time to visit is also the wettest time to visit.