Seychelles offers breathtaking scenery for a holiday that goes beyond the usual. This island destination is a true treasure isle, with its wealth of marine life and unspoilt beaches. Snorkel in crystalline waters, climb ancient volcanoes and check out an amazing bird life found nowhere else in the world, this is Seychelles for you. Scattered over the Indian Ocean, Seychelles is an archipelago of about 115 islands. It lies off the south eastern coast of the African mainland and is often referred to as the ‘Jewel of Africa’ due to its paramount natural beauty. Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue are some of the most prominent islands of Seychelles. The surface of the landscape is basically granite-based and is mountainous. While most of the islands of Seychelles archipelago have narrow coastal strips and are hilly, some of them possess elevated coral reefs and a flat terrain.
The Arab traders are believed to be the first visitor to the once uninhibited islands of Seychelles followed by the Portuguese and British East India Company. The French claimed the islands in 1756 and included them as part of the Mauritius colony. This ensured nearly a century long power struggle between French and British forces and eventually the latter got hold of it. The islands of Seychelles became self-governing in 1975 and gained independence on June 29, 1976. Today it is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

A white-sand beach on Fregate Island