sutikshan
Seychelles
Seychelles officially known as the Republic of Seychelles, is an island nation and archipelagic state comprising 155 islands in the Indian Ocean. Its capital and largest city, Victoria, lies about 1,500 kilometres east of mainland Africa. Neighboring island nations and territories include the Maldives, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, the French overseas departments of Mayotte and Réunion to the south, and the Chagos Archipelago to the east. Seychelles is both the smallest and the least populated sovereign country in Africa, with an estimated population of around 100,600 in 2022.
Geology
The Seychelles Bank rests on a granite basement, a fragment that split from the Indian continental plate during the Palaeocene, around 66 million years ago. This separation was linked to volcanic activity responsible for forming the Mascarene Plateau. The presence of syenite, diorite, and microgranite in the western Seychelles Bank suggests that crustal movement across the northwestern Indian Ocean Ridge may have pushed the Seychelles block southwest, leading to a collision with the northeastern margin of the Mascarene Basin. This collision likely contributed to the formation of the Amirante Trough. The rift development is associated with the Réunion hotspot, which also created Réunion Island and the Deccan Traps in India. Due to its prolonged isolation, Seychelles is home to several unique species, including the coco de mer—a palm bearing the largest seeds of any plant—and the world’s largest population of giant tortoises.
Seychelles Map
Seychelles is an archipelagic island nation in the Somali Sea, part of the Indian Ocean, situated in the Southern and Eastern Hemispheres. It lies about 1,600 km off the eastern coast of Kenya in mainland Africa and northeast of Madagascar, another African island country. Other nearby island nations include Comoros and Mauritius to the south and the Maldives to the east.
Seychelles Islands
Seychelles is a small island nation in the Sea of Zanj, situated east of the African continent and directly north of Madagascar, with Antsiranana as its closest foreign city. Located between roughly 4°S and 10°S latitude and 46°E and 54°E longitude, the country consists of an archipelago of 155 tropical islands, comprising both granite and coral formations. Most of these islands are small and uninhabited. Although the total land area is only 452 km², the islands span an exclusive economic zone of 1,336,559 km². Mahé accounts for roughly one-third of the nation’s land area, while the Aldabra Atoll makes up another third.
Also read- The Ultimate Mount Everest Guide for Thrill-Seekers and Travelers
Granitic Islands
Seychelles consists of two distinct island groups: the granitic islands—the world’s only oceanic islands made of granite—and the coralline outer islands. The granite islands are the oldest oceanic islands on Earth, while the outer islands are mostly much younger. However, the Aldabra group and St. Pierre (part of the Farquhar Group) are unique raised coral islands that have experienced multiple cycles of emergence and submergence throughout their history, with the most recent submergence occurring about 125,000 years ago.
Coralline Islands
The Coralline Islands are predominantly composed of coral and are generally much flatter than the Granitic Islands, with elevations rarely exceeding 10 meters (33 feet) above sea level. This group includes the Aldabra Atoll—the world’s largest atoll and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—renowned for its vast size and expansive lagoon. Unlike the Granitic Islands, the Coralline Islands have very few permanent residents, mainly because of their remote location and low elevation.
Seychelles Hotels
1. Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island
A newly launched, ultra-luxury retreat on a private islet with 50 villas, six on-site restaurants, and rich wildlife encounters (turtles, reefs, lagoons). It’s eco-conscious, with solar power covering up to 95 % of operations.
2. Cheval Blanc Seychelles (Anse Intendance, Mahé)
LVMH’s first “Maison” in Africa — featuring 52 private-pool villas, five restaurants (including Mizumi, a Japanese-Creole blend), a Guerlain spa, gym, and kids’ club. Designed with spectacular views and 24/7 butler service, it’s the pinnacle of luxury.
Located on a more remote, almost wild island, this resort (opened 2021) has 71 villas with private pools, fine dining, a treetop spa, and immersive island-life experiences. It exudes Robinson-Crusoe vibes with modern comforts.
4. Six Senses Zil Pasyon
A serene eco-luxury retreat on a private island, offering exclusive tree-house style villas amidst pristine forest and ocean views. Perfect for rewilding your mind and soul.
5. Raffles Praslin, Seychelles
A high-end resort featuring 86 villas, the largest spa in Seychelles, and the Indian Ocean’s greatest swimming pool (~45 m). Situated on Anse Takamaka beach—great for families and couples alike.
6. Constance Ephelia (Mahé)
A sprawling 5-star resort nestled in lush vegetation, offering multiple restaurants, a spa, and plenty of sports and relaxation facilities. Located near Port Launay Marine National Park.
Flights to Seychelles
To fly from Jabalpur to Seychelles, you’ll first need to connect via a major international hub—typically Mumbai or Delhi—since there are no direct Jabalpur–Seychelles flights. From these hubs, you can book a nonstop flight to Mahé, including options like IndiGo from Mumbai. To compare prices and schedules, check aggregators such as Momondo, Skyscanner, KAYAK, or Booking.com.
