OTHER INNER ISLANDS

Silhouette, the third largest granitic island, offers hotel accommodation. It is a sheer rock rising out of the sea whose peak often reaches the clouds and is known for its mountain hikes and primitive forests.
Frégate is privately owned and has an exclusive luxury resort. The island is home to the very rare and endemic Magpie Robin and other rare birds, and is one of the very few where tortoises roam free in the forest. It has one of the most beautiful beaches in the Seychelles - Anse Victorin - and shaded paths wandering through the forest and up to Signal Rock, an imposing granite rock standing 125 meters (410 feet) high.
Cousine, Félicité, Anonyme and North Island, the remaining granitic islands, all offer very high standards of luxury, exclusivity, beaches, interest and privacy. Please refer to the hotel guide for details or contact Jarvis Seychelles.


OUTLYING ISLANDS

The outlying islands are all coral atolls and those of note with hotel accommodation are Bird, Denis, Desroches, Alphonse and Darros. Please refer to the hotel descriptions or contact Jarvis Seychelles for details. There are others in the process of developmental consideration.


ALDABRA ATOLL

Special mention should be made of the World Heritage Site of Aldabra Atoll, some 715 miles south west of Mahe. Its lagoon is so large that you cannot see one side from the other; in fact the whole of Mahé could fit inside it. As you approach the island by sea you first know that you are close when you see the green tinge to the base of the clouds ahead. This is the reflection of the lagoon and mangroves below.

Aldabra has five times as many giant land tortoises as Galapagos; by far the worlds greatest population. The last remaining flightless bird of the Indian Ocean can only be found here, together with a large variety of other unique species which includes flamingos. Huge colonies of spectacular frigatebirds and boobies nest in the mangroves which border the northern rim of the lagoon. Along the shore can be found egrets, sacred ibis and hosts of terns. Fish life is prolific and over 2000 green turtles breed here. The extraordinary spinner dolphins can be seen leaping out of the water, spinning in the air. On land can be found giant robber crabs which will climb palms to get the coconuts on which they live.

This is an outstanding place for naturalists; there are no hotels but basic accommodation is available for special groups. Otherwise private visits can only be made by sea with special permission from The Islands Foundation who administer the island group. See the Boat and Yacht Charter section for available boats.