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The Seychelles is one of the most environmentally pristine places on Earth

EXPERIENCE ANOTHER WORLD THE SEYCHELLES ISLANDS

The Seychelles Islands remain one of the purest, most environmentally pristine destinations on Earth. The island nation offers a great variety of experiences and a truly unique vacation. Certainly, one of Seychelles’ greatest assets is the exotic assortment of its many islands and the variety they offer to visitors. Out of all the islands, only 16 have hotels, and they provide everything from the opulence of world-famous five-star resorts to the inviting charms of smaller hotels. The wonderful variety of Seychelles’ flora and fauna, with a high proportion of endemic species nurtured within one of nature’s last pristine sanctuaries, makes it an exciting destination for naturalists, ornithologists and eco-tourists alike. Nowhere else on Earth can you find unique specimens like the jellyfish tree, with only eight surviving examples; the wondrous coco de mer; the Seychelles paradise flycatcher; and numerous species and subspecies of bird life. The Vallée de Mai, once thought to be the original site of the Garden of Eden, and the legendary Aldabra, the world’s largest raised coral atoll, are both Unesco World Heritage Sites. With 115 diverse islands spread across a vast area of clear, sparkling waters, it’s easy to see why seafarers believe God created Seychelles with the sailor in mind. Chartering a yacht provides the most rewarding way of discovering the hidden treasures of the archipelago at your own pace. The Seychelles also has some of the richest fishing grounds in the world — you do not have to venture far from the shoreline to break fishing records. And the Seychelles boasts one of the most varied catches you’ll find on the planet, ranging from sailfish, wahoo and tuna to barracuda, trevally, streaker and even the mighty marlin. Myriad dive sites promise a marine extravaganza as diverse and vibrant as it is unique. This living aquarium enjoys comfortable year-round temperatures and lies outside the Indian Ocean cyclone belt. Colorful reef fish, octopus, lobster and turtle flash in the shallows surrounding the inner islands, while more adventurous dives offshore include the Ennerdale wreck as well as rocks that are the playground for larger groupers and stingrays. For the weary traveler, fatigued from the stresses and strains of an unrelenting modern lifestyle, the Seychelles wellness experience provides a powerful antidote, offering soothing treatments designed to energize the body, and to nurture and restore the soul. Whether you’re nestled in a dreamy, mountain- side pavilion or gazing at the ocean closer to the shore, Seychelles’ spas offer natural elegance and refinement in pristine and rejuvenating surroundings. To learn more about the Seychelles, please visit seychelles.com

The Seychelles has a wonderful variety of flora and fauna

Photos Paul Turcotte, Torsten Dickmann