Places to visit in

Seychelles

Silhouette National Park (Silhouette Island and surrounding marine areas) is one of the Seychelles' most important conservation areas. The island is primarily granitic with large tracts of mature, often primary, tropical rainforest and dramatic peaks that shelter a high level of endemic flora and fauna. Its marine fringe supports coral reefs and diverse marine life. The park plays a key role in preserving rare plants, reptiles, birds and marine habitats, and in promoting sustainable eco-tourism and scientific research in the region.

Vallée de Mai (Praslin National Park) is a globally significant remnant of an ancient palm forest and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Seychelles. The park protects the endemic Coco de Mer (Lodoicea maldivica) — the largest seed in the plant kingdom — and preserves rare endemic species of flora and fauna, including the Seychelles black parrot, one of the world's rarest parrots. The site is important both ecologically (unique evolutionary processes and high endemism) and culturally (traditional associations with the coco de mer).

Sainte Anne Marine National Park is one of Seychelles' most important marine protected areas, established to conserve coral reefs, seagrass beds and nearshore island ecosystems close to Mahé. The park protects diverse marine life—sea turtles, reef fish, rays and healthy coral gardens—and supports tourism and local fisheries through sustainable use. It also plays a key role in environmental education and marine conservation programs run by the Seychelles National Parks Authority.

Curieuse Marine National Park (centered on Curieuse Island, close to Praslin) is a protected area created to conserve important coastal, mangrove and coral reef ecosystems of the inner Seychelles. The park is notable for its large population of Aldabra giant tortoises (part of a successful rehabilitation and breeding program), extensive mangrove forests, and rich marine life — including coral gardens, reef fish and sea turtles — making it a flagship site for marine and island conservation in Seychelles.

Port Launay Marine National Park is one of Seychelles' most important marine protected areas, established to conserve rich coral reefs, seagrass beds, and diverse marine life. It plays a critical role in biodiversity conservation, supporting endemic and threatened species and serving as a nursery for commercially important fish. The park helps protect coastal ecosystems that are vital for local fisheries and tourism-driven economies.

Baie Ternay Marine National Park is one of Seychelles' important protected marine areas located off the northwest coast of Mahé. It preserves extensive coral reefs, seagrass beds and granite islets that support rich marine biodiversity, important fish nurseries and breeding grounds for sea turtles and seabirds. The park contributes to local fisheries sustainability, coastal protection and marine science and conservation efforts in the Seychelles.

Protected marine reserve near La Digue, Île Cocos Marine National Park safeguards important coral reef habitats and serves as a popular example of Seychelles' marine conservation efforts. The islet and surrounding reef support diverse reef fish, marine invertebrates and seabirds, and are included in Seychelles' network of protected areas to preserve fragile ecosystems and promote sustainable tourism.

Vallée de Mai (Praslin, Seychelles) is a globally important remnant of a prehistoric palm forest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed 1983). It is the best-preserved example of Seychelles' native palm forest and is internationally renowned for the endemic coco de mer (Lodoicea maldivica) — the palm that produces the largest seed in the plant kingdom. The reserve is key for biodiversity conservation, scientific research, and as a living example of island evolutionary processes.

Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve on La Digue Island (Seychelles) is an important community-managed conservation area that protects remnant native coastal forest and provides habitat for native and endemic species. It showcases how local stewardship can conserve biodiversity while offering low-impact nature tourism. The reserve is valued for its scenic viewpoints over La Digue and neighbouring islands, shaded trails through mature trees, and the opportunity to encounter representative Seychelles flora and fauna.

Declared a Special Reserve in 1968, Cousin Island is one of the Seychelles' most important conservation success stories. The island's native woodland and surrounding marine habitat provide critical breeding and nesting sites for seabirds, endangered land birds and sea turtles. Cousin has been a source population for translocation programmes that helped recover several of the Seychelles' endemic bird species.

Aride Island Nature Reserve is one of the Indian Ocean's most important seabird sanctuaries and a flagship site for island conservation in the Seychelles. It protects large breeding colonies of seabirds and several endemic land-bird species, and preserves native coastal woodland and granite habitats. The island's protection has played a vital role in regional conservation successes and species recovery programmes.

Veuve Nature Reserve on La Digue (Seychelles) protects one of the island’s most important native forest fragments and is the prime refuge for the endemic Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher (locally known as the “Veuve”). The reserve plays a crucial role in conserving rare endemic fauna and flora, maintaining forest habitat connectivity and supporting ongoing recovery programs for threatened species.

Morne Blanc Trail lies within Morne Seychellois National Park on Mahé island and is valued primarily for its natural importance. The trail passes through remnant native forest, granite ridges and contributes to conservation of Seychelles' endemic flora and fauna. It offers a window into the island's montane ecosystems and watershed areas that feed freshwater streams to coastal communities.

Natural landmark on Mahé offering panoramic views of Victoria, Beau Vallon and the surrounding islands; valued for its granite peak, native vegetation and accessibility to visitors seeking a short but rewarding hike.

Anse Major is a small, secluded coastal cove on the north-western coast of Mahé, Seychelles. It forms part of the island's rich natural heritage — a meeting point of granite headlands, granite boulders, coastal forest and coral reef. The trail runs through coastal vegetation and offers views into the ocean and over neighbouring islands, showcasing Seychelles' endemic flora and the island's characteristic granitic coastline. Traditionally the area has been used by local fishers and remains a peaceful example of low-impact coastal living and biodiversity.

Trois Frères Trail is an important natural hiking route on Mahé, Seychelles, located within or adjacent to the Morne Seychellois upland area. The trail showcases the islands' distinctive granitic landscape, native lowland and montane forest habitats, and panoramic coastal views — making it a valuable spot for appreciating Seychelles' unique island ecology and geological heritage.

Nid d’Aigle (Eagle’s Nest) is primarily a natural viewpoint and landmark known for its dramatic granite outcrops and sweeping panoramas of the surrounding islands and Indian Ocean. The site is valued for its scenic importance to Seychelles’ island landscape and as a popular short-hike destination that showcases native coastal vegetation and birdlife.

Morne Seychellois Peak is the highest point in the Republic of Seychelles, rising to 905 m (2,969 ft). It anchors Morne Seychellois National Park on Mahé — the island's largest protected natural area — and preserves significant tracts of native tropical forest, granite peaks, and watersheds that supply freshwater to nearby communities. The park and peak are important for biodiversity conservation, protecting native flora and fauna and offering a living example of Seychelles' unique granite island ecosystems.

Sauzier Waterfall is a small but scenically important waterfall on Mahé island in the Seychelles. Nestled within the island's forested slopes and often associated with the wider Morne Seychellois area, it showcases the islands' lush tropical interior and freshwater habitats that support native flora and birdlife. The site is valued for its natural beauty and as an accessible example of Seychelles' inland landscapes beyond the beaches.

Seychelles National Botanical Gardens (located near Victoria on Mahé) is one of the island nation's most important green spaces — combining historic colonial-era landscaping with living collections that support conservation, education and scientific study. The gardens preserve and showcase native and endemic Seychellois plants alongside introduced tropical species, and play a role in raising awareness about biodiversity and plant conservation in the Indian Ocean.