Seychelles
Travelling to Seychelles is choosing to live in total harmony with nature and this makes it an ideal place to recalibrate mind, body and soul.
Million years ago…
Seychelles Islands
Millions of years ago, what is now India broke away from the Gondwanaland supercontinent beginning its long drift across the Indian ocean.
It left behind granite formations, a cluster of more than 100 islands scattered across one of the most remote spots on the planet hundreds of miles away from the nearest main-land.
These islands, what we call the Seychelles today, were left to evolve in complete isolation until the first French settlers came in the 18th century.
When the islands were being settled, the settlers found forests of pre-historic trees inhabited by exotic birds, mangroves, wetlands, a vast variety of indigenous flora and fauna, lumbering tortoises, powder white sand beaches fringed by turquoise waters – a virtual paradise on earth.
Sustainability
The Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Foundation (SSTF) actively pushes the sustainable tourism agenda in Seychelles.
It is a locally registered NGO which acts as a connecting platform for tourism stakeholders in Seychelles, facilitating partnerships and joint initiatives for sustainable tourism between public, private sector, academia and NGOs. (Explore Sustainable projects)
SSTF’s action plan is based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) criteria, pursuing a five-year goal for Seychelles to be certified as a sustainable tourism destination by one of the GSTC-recognised bodies, which has also been recognized by the Seychelles Tourism Master Plan.
‘Garden of Eden’
currently the UNESCO listed World Heritage Site of ‘Vallee de Mai’
The first words that may come to a visitor’s mind while holidaying in this island nation will be – it is stunning, unspoilt, another world and when the famous British General Gordon of China and Khartoum fame in 1881 A.D. returned from his trip from Seychelles back to London, he claimed to have found the original site of the ‘Garden of Eden’ currently the UNESCO listed World Heritage Site of ‘Vallee de Mai’ in the island of ‘Praslin’ where a pre-historic palm forest shelters the legendary ‘coco de mer’. Most visitors will tend to agree with the late General because if there is anything close to a paradise on earth - it is Seychelles.
The island nation of Seychelles is a destination of a lifetime with its surreal natural beauty, warm tropical climate all year long that has earned it the sobriquet ‘the land of perpetual summers’, a laid back vibe, mostly calm flat seas offering stunning views and gorgeous beaches - each having its own signature strip of sand and surf that draw hundreds of thousands of visitors like a magnet to its shores each year.
This island paradise also offers many other indulgences like world class diving, fishing, snorkelling, island hopping aboard a private yacht to discover it at a sedate pace, hiking, zip lining, golfing, photographing the unique flora and fauna and most important of all - relaxation.
North Island
Some 30km from the main island of Mahé, North Island enjoys private seclusion within the Inner Islands group of Seychelles. The luminous white beaches surround a tropical interior of palms and forest, cradled between three granite outcrops, and surrounded by the azure ocean.
North Island ecotravel is unashamedly aimed at providing the very best in privacy, location, accommodation, services, facilities, and experience.
Conservation and sustainability are at the core of North Island’s philosophy. The Noah’s Ark project aims to rehabilitate natural habitats so that they can become a sanctuary for the endemic fauna and flora of Seychelles.
North Island
North Island’s Noah’s Ark project aims to provide a sanctuary for the endemic fauna and flora of Seychelles. The island is home to over 100 free-roaming Aldabra Giant Tortoises and is an important nesting ground for the Endangered Green Turtle and Critically Endangered Hawksbill Turtle. Adult nesting females can be observed nesting on the 4 pristine beaches, and hatchlings emerge in the quiet of the night making their way to the water.
North Island is home to four endemic bird species, including the charismatic Seychelles White Eye which was successfully introduced to the island in 2007.
North Island endeavors to not only safeguard the environment it operates in, but also to minimize its impact on that environment from the operations of the resort. The island provides a meaningful opportunity for our guests to interact with, and be part of the conservation story of the island through tailored experiences around the island.
The conservation goals of North Island are at the heart of the island’s philosophy and prove that luxury tourism and conservation can go hand-in-hand.
Sustainability in North Island
The goals of sustainability are incorporated into all aspects of North Island’s operations, from the selection of environmentally friendly hotel amenities and Spa products to the chemicals used on the island for cleaning purposes.
Strict measures are put in place to minimize the consumption of single-use plastics, and to ensure that all waste produced by the island is minimized and placed in the correct recycling streams. Water and energy consumption are also carefully monitored and controlled. In an initiative to remove plastic water bottles from the island, North Island bottles its own water in reusable glass bottles using a Vivreau Water Purification plant.
Get Involved
North Island’s guests can participate in a variety of conservation activities by assisting the island’s environmental team in monitoring the beaches for nesting sea turtles, collecting ocean trash that washes up, assisting with forest rehabilitation through the planting of endemic trees, and recording key marine species on dives using specially designed underwater slates.
North Island has recently erected an Environment Centre where guests can learn about the island’s fauna and flora and enquire about the various conservation projects on the island.
Private Dining Experiencies
North Island offers an unmatched level of personalization and generosity to each guest, particularly with the culinary experience. All menus are designed in collaboration with Michelin starred Chef Akira Back tailored for each venue according to the latest Island harvest with special consideration being given to your favourites along with any dietary requirements.
Yoga and SPA
Complimentary Yoga classes are run by the island’s yoga instructors every morning and private classes can be arranged at the island gym or in the comfort of guests’ villas. The island’s Spa, located on the dramatic granite ledges of Spa Hill provides the perfect opportunity for relaxation and pampering.
Turtle Viewing
Depending on the time of the year, guests may be lucky enough to witness nesting sea turtles or turtle hatchlings under the guidance of the Environment team.
Félicité Island
Seductive seclusion in a world away from the everyday
Félicité Island is the fifth-largest island in the Seychelles archipelago. This privately owned island is run by Six Senses Zil Pasyon resort in close relation with the Seychelles National Park Authority since Félicité Island is part of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) and two-thirds of the island consists of Ramos National Park.
Every aspect of the resort is designed to work in harmony with the environment. The sensitive architecture is matched by intelligent ecological practices, committed to preserving and nurturing our tropical home.
Tourism & People
Six Senses is committed to sustainability and its obligation to the environment and the community. Widely recognized as having established the initial benchmarks for the hospitality industry and that a leisure lifestyle could be successfully embraced by the very top tier of resorts, Six Senses has shown that it is possible to enhance the guest experience by respecting nature.
Six Senses Zil Pasyon has developed programs to conserve energy and invites guests to share the responsibility to offset their carbon footprint. The resort manages its own crystal water refinery to produce water without the footprint and grows organic vegetables in its own garden. Wherever possible, packaging is kept to an absolute minimum or is reusable.The resort works with several NGOs and local communities on conservation projects, including sustainability education, coral restoration, sea turtle monitoring and protection, and reforestation.
Ecological Practices by Six Senses Zil Pasyon
Get in touch.
More information Planing your visit to Saychelles.
My website provides basic information about sustainable destinations and offers you the possibility to book on your own on globally verified booking platforms or directly with the hotel.
Nevertheless, in case you have any questions or special inquiries you would like me to assist you with, please do not doubt to contact me, It will be my pleasure to help you.
From my side, I can assist you in researching special offers, Personalized experiences, contacting local guides, manage your hotel booking or any other particular request you may have regarding your travel preparation.
Every hotel group has its categories, special offers, or rates that can match your needs perfectly: your budget, your expectations or special enquires (secluded area, sea views, surprise for your travel companion, restaurant, or activities bookings in the area during your stay…)
I insist, do not doubt to contact me, I will be pleased to assist you watever your special needs may be.