Information
City: Outer IslandsCountry: Seychelles
Continent: Africa
Outer Islands, Seychelles, Africa
Overview
The Outer Islands of the Seychelles are the scattered atolls and islets lying far past Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue, where the sea deepens to a rich, endless blue.These islands belong to the Seychelles archipelago, a place of clear turquoise waters, rare wildlife, and ecosystems found nowhere else.These islands are usually less developed than the ones closer in, which makes them perfect for eco-tourists, nature lovers, and anyone craving a quiet escape where you might hear nothing but wind in the palms.The Outer Islands include both coral and granite isles, many of them protected nature reserves where seabirds wheel overhead and rare species find refuge.These islands shelter rare plants and animals-endemic birds with bright calls, marine creatures gliding through clear water, and slow-moving tortoises-and some serve as vital breeding grounds for seabirds.Here’s one key island in the Seychelles’ Outer Islands: 1.Aride Island, about 10 km (6 miles) north of Praslin, is a protected haven where more than a million seabirds wheel and cry above the rocky shore.Endemic species live here, including the bright-yellow Seychelles fody and the slender, quick-winged Seychelles warbler.Home to massive Aldabra tortoises, it’s a vital spot for conservation.About 30 km north of Mahé lies Bird Island, a private sanctuary where clouds of sooty terns wheel and cry above the shore.The island runs a giant tortoise breeding program and shelters the rare Seychelles warbler, whose song carries softly through the trees.About 55 km (34 miles) east of Mahé, Fregate Island blends luxury with nature, offering a tranquil eco-tourism escape where sea turtles nest on soft white sand and guests stay in elegant villas surrounded by vibrant wildlife.The island shelters the bright yellow Seychelles fody and the slow, hulking Fregate giant tortoises.The island’s ecosystem thrives under careful conservation, from replanting native trees to safeguarding nesting sea turtles.About 400 km (249 miles) southwest of Mahé, Alphonse Atoll waits-a secluded coral gem with powdery white beaches, reefs teeming with color, and fishing that draws anglers from around the world.Snorkelers, divers, and fly fishers all flock here, drawn by clear blue water and the flash of silver fish just below the surface.The island runs conservation programs aimed at safeguarding marine life, especially its mangrove forests, where herons stalk the shallows and countless species find shelter.Cosmoledo Atoll, part of the Aldabra Group, sits about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) from Mahé.On this far‑flung atoll, bright fish dart through the reefs while seabirds crowd the cliffs in noisy colonies.Almost no one lives there, yet it’s a vital place for conservation and scientific study, where seabirds wheel over untouched cliffs.Cosmoledo is home to a striking variety of birds, from the glossy black-and-white Seychelles magpie-robin to clouds of sooty terns wheeling overhead.About 230 km (143 miles) southwest of Mahé lies Desroches Island, part of the Amirantes group.The area’s famous for its luxury resorts, shimmering blue waters, and coral reefs that glow like gardens beneath the waves.The island serves as a nesting ground for turtles, with conservation work focused on safeguarding its marine life and keeping tourism sustainable.Providence Atoll, part of the remote Outer Islands, lies about 500 kilometers (310 miles) from Mahé.This remote coral atoll lies empty, its white-sand beaches untouched-a quiet haven for anyone craving solitude.Like many of the Outer Islands, Providence plays a vital role in supporting marine life, especially in safeguarding its coral reefs teeming with bright reef fish and other wildlife.About 700 km (435 miles) from Mahé lies Farquhar Atoll, a remote cluster of islands famed for its rich biodiversity and its thriving seabird sanctuary.Rare and endangered creatures live here, including the elusive Farquhar warbler with its quick, silvery trill.The atoll draws divers and fishermen alike, with coral gardens and clear, quiet waters that feel almost untouched.In the Outer Islands, you’ll find a wealth of biodiversity-endemic land birds, rare marine life, and giant tortoises roaming under the sun.Many of the islands shelter vital nesting grounds for seabirds and serve as breeding sites for turtles, where you might spot fresh tracks winding across the sand.Pristine ecosystems still thrive on the islands, where human footprints are rare and bright green iguanas bask undisturbed in the sun.A few of these islands are set aside as protected areas or nature reserves, where seabirds nest among the rocks.Many of the Outer Islands help protect rare wildlife and draw visitors eager to explore their untouched beaches, making them key to both conservation and ecotourism.People are working hard to shield the islands’ plants and wildlife from invasive species, while also keeping marine life healthy and safeguarding endangered creatures like the bright-eyed Seychelles warbler, giant Aldabra tortoises, and slow-moving sea turtles.Tucked away in the Outer Islands, you’ll find secluded, eco-friendly stays where solar lights glow at dusk and every detail is built around sustainability.These islands draw eco‑tourists who want a closer connection to nature, whether they’re gliding over coral reefs with a snorkel, diving into clear blue depths, or watching seabirds wheel overhead.On the Outer Islands, you can spot some of the Seychelles’ most spectacular birds-frigatebirds wheeling overhead, terns skimming the turquoise water.Visitors might spot flocks of sooty terns wheeling over the waves, brown noddies perched on sun-bleached rocks, and white-tailed tropicbirds slicing through the air, along with rare island treasures like the Seychelles fody and the Seychelles warbler.Snorkeling or diving here reveals coral reefs alive with movement-bright fish dart between swaying sea fans all around the Outer Islands.You can snorkel, scuba dive, or snap underwater photos, and if you’re lucky, you might spot a sea turtle gliding past, a ray drifting by, or a flash of bright tropical fish.Fishing’s a big draw in the Outer Islands, with spots like Alphonse Atoll and Farquhar Atoll offering everything from world-class fly casting in clear shallows to thrilling deep-sea battles far offshore.Turtle watching here is special-hawksbill and green turtles return each year to nest, especially on Fregate and Bird Island, where tracks trail across the pale sand.Island Hopping and Nature Tours: Hop aboard a guided trip to uncover the raw beauty of these far-off islands, with quiet trails under swaying palms and the chance to spot bright tropical birds along the way.On many of the Outer Islands, eco-tourism thrives, with guides leading visitors through quiet mangrove trails and working hard to protect the fragile balance of local ecosystems.In conclusion, the Outer Islands of the Seychelles boast some of the world’s most secluded, awe‑inspiring landscapes, where turquoise water laps quietly against untouched white sand.From powdery white beaches to dazzling coral gardens alive with fish, they embody Seychelles’ dedication to protecting nature and keeping tourism sustainable.These islands are perfect for travelers chasing a rare, untouched tropical escape, where palm fronds rustle in the warm breeze.
Landmarks in outer-islands
