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PRASLIN ISLAND - SEYCHELLES - ACTIVITIES

The Seychelles are particularly well geared towards travellers, with a highly developed infrastructure complementing the islands' natural attractions. While this destination is on the pricey side, the quality is exceptionally high. The crime rate is low, and visitors - who make a substantial contribution to the economy - are welcomed everywhere.

Tempting though it may be to do little more than shuttle between hotel bed, brunch, beach and bar, the great outdoors is nowhere greater than in the Seychelles, which offers a plethora of activities that can be either strenuous or not, but are always fun.

Diving in Seychelles
Diving is astounding in the Seychelles. The reefs that encircle many of the islands contain upwards of 300 species of fish and more than 100 varieties of coral: suffice to say that this is a diving Valhalla, with visibility generally exceeding 30 metres and water temperatures reaching 28ºC.

Schools on Mahé, Praslin, La Digue and Desroches cater to both first-timers and advanced divers, and charter operators sail out to the best dive sites, although there are dozens just off the coast of Mahé. Experienced divers will probably not need to be told about the Desroches Drop - a limestone coralline plateau adorned with mysterious caves and canyons. The underwater scenery is similarly superb off Alphonse. The El Nino effect has been felt in the Seychelles, bleaching some hard corals, but the soft corals are already growing back, especially around the Inner Islands reefs.

Snorkeling
For those not quite ready to don tanks and weight belts, snorkelling provides a very acceptable alternative. A mask and flippers, and a T-shirt to guard against sunburn, are all the equipment needed.

Just about anywhere in the Seychelles provides plenty of underwater entertainment, but some sites come especially recommended. Anse Royale on Mahé is enclosed behind a reef, which keeps out the larger fish but there are plenty of smaller ones in the shallow waters; the corals in the Sainte Anne National Marine Park are truly amazing, from white to purple and an array of different sizes; manta rays and hammerhead sharks have been spotted off Sunset Beach on Mahé; strong currents run off Anse Kerlan on Praslin, which are perhaps what attract the veritable academies of fish; and the solitary hawksbill turtle that hangs out by the islet of St Pierre in Curieuse National Marine Park has become something of a tourist attraction.

Should the idea of getting wet at all simply not appeal, there's always the option of taking a glass-bottomed boat out over the reef, and admiring the underwater marine vistas from on board.

Fishing in Seychelles
Fishing - big game and fly - is big business in the Seychelles. Top spot for big game is the edge of the Seychelles Bank, where the ocean floor plunges to 1,800 meters. The nearest islands are Bird and Denis, but charters also sail out from Mahé. Many record-breaking dog-tooth tuna have been snagged here, as well as huge marlin, sail fish and sharks without number. The best catches are usually between November and April.

Praslin Island - Seychelles - Another world - Perfect vacation for everyone