Where are the Seychelles?

Whether you’re coming to the Seychelles for the annual carnival, the beaches, a honeymoon hideaway, celebrity spotting, or just for an exotic getaway, you’re sure to find something on this dreamy group of East African islands to entice and surprise you. Though they’re one of the top luxury island destinations in the world, many people aren’t quite sure where they are. Actually, I wasn’t either until I came here for myself, and now I can answer this one important question, where are the Seychelles?

It’s Carnival time in the Seychelles. And 150 journalists from all over the world are coming to party and drink, I mean, to research the best of what Carnival in the Seychelles, aka Carnaval International de Victoria, has to offer. (150 journalists! It’s enough to twist your mind into a sailor’s knot. Seriously. It’s like the Olympics or something.)

Nice view if you can get it

Paparazzi in the Seychelles

The islands are known as a celebrity hideaway and a romantic honeymoon destination. But where are the Seychelles? Short answer: The Seychelles are somewhere far far away in the Indian Ocean.

Paradise in the Indian Ocean

Snorkelling in the Seychelles

Since so many international journalists will soon be here to write about the Seychelles, in no time everyone will know where they are, and if you make it to the end of this blog post you’ll find out even sooner. So far I’ve only met one other journalist. The giveaway was the big movie camera he was lugging around on a day long snorkel island-hopping excursion with Creole Travel Services. I saw him floating in the sea (not with his camera, obviously. I saw him with it before he got in the water) and because I am extremely nosey I asked if he was a journalist.

“Yes,” he told me. He’s a journalist, his name is Simone, he is staying at the Kempinski Hotel for one night and then the Four Seasons Seychelles. And he only speaks Italian so that was the end of the conversation.

A journalist working hard in the Seychelles

I did consider briefly having an affair with him so that I could stay at the Kempinski and the Four Seasons Seychelles (I’m kidding! I did not consider it even for a second!) I’m not (quite) that desperate to stay at the Four Seasons Seychelles, even though I heard it was amaaazing.

North Island, a celebrity Seychelles hideaway

Now if he’d been staying at North Island where Prince William and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, had their honeymoon I may have given it more thought. (I’m still kidding! Honestly! What kind of writer do you think I am? Besides, you can only get to North Island by private helicopter and then how would I have got to the Carnival?)

Besides, I’m a newlywed. Hi Honey! Kisses!

PS I feel compelled on poor Simone’s part that it wasn’t an option and that we hardly spoke – you know, just telling the truth in the spirit of honest journalism.

Here fishy, fishy

Important questions about the Seychelles

Now let’s get back to that all important question that discerning minds want to know: Where are the Seychelles? Plus: What are the Seychelles? And, an equally vital question: How the heck do you get to the Seychelles?

Where are the Seychelles?

The Seychelles are an archipelago of 115 islands off the east coast of Africa. And when I say off, I mean way off. Like 1600 km off the coast. Seychelles is north of Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion – a group of islands known collectively as the Vanilla Islands. Though really, the Seychelles are a universe (some would say paradise) unto themselves and if 150 journalists can find their way here, so can you.

Swimming with the fishies

How do you get to the Seychelles?

Getting to the Seychelles takes some work so it’s a good thing it’s worth it. My route was through Abu Dhabi, a 13 hour flight from Toronto. And then another 4 hours to the Seychelles. Plus an overnight in Abu Dhabi. You can also go through Dubai, or probably a million other ways, but be forewarned, it’s not going to be quick.

Worth the trip

Facts about the Seychelles, but not too many because I’m not Wikipedia

The main island is Mahe and the capital is Victoria, which is billed as the smallest capital in the world. It was settled by the French in 1770 and Britain snatched it in 1814. There is still a Creole influence evident today.

Three cheers for the beautiful Indian Ocean

I’m very lucky because I was able to come two days before the Seychelles Carnival starts, which means I’ve had a day of wandering around in a jet lagged fog, at least I was in fog until I went in the ocean. OHMYGOD, it’s like a heated pool. It woke me up immediately and that, my friends, is a miracle in itself.

Walk here!

The Seychelles have beaches of your dreams

The water is that gorgeous crystalline turquoise of the tourist brochures, although I did have to swim over a few big seaweed patches, which is kind of icky when you think about it but I just told myself that seaweed is a good source of nutrition, that people harvest it for spa treatments and that wrapping yourself up in it is a good way to treat cellulite.

But let’s talk about the beaches. Oh, sigh. The beaches are the colour you’d get if you mixed sparkly white eyeshadow with the softest shade of taupe, and then whipped it up good and rolled around in it just for fun. Yes, the beaches of the Seychelles are that good.

Now you’re a Seychelles expert

So now that you know where the Seychelles are, and how to get here and how many journalists are on their way, not to mention that this is where Prince Will and Kate honeymooned, and that the Seychelles Carnival is going to be the event of the season, don’t you think you should put it on your wish list? (Stellar beaches guaranteed. Italian journalists optional.)

I’m not the only travel blogger writing about the location of the Seychelles, so if I haven’t answered your question sufficiently check out what World Pursuits has to say about the Seychelles.

Still want more? Read 10 Essential Seychelles Travel Facts.

For more info on the Seychelles check the official tourism site. And check back for more Carnival fun coming soon. And viva la Carnaval!