Fishing
Game fishing is a relatively new sport in the Seychelles. The abundance of fish has made the islands already popular with expert and novice fishermen alike. There are more than 280 species of fish that can be caught with rod and reel, of which around 100 are listed by the International Game Fishing Assosiation for record purposes.
Blue and striped marlin, sailfish, yellow fish, wahoo and barracuda are just a few of the fighting fish found in the tropical waters of the Seychelles. Beside strip bait, live bait is also used, an acitve tag and release policy is encouraged.
Fishing in the Seychelles is governed by the weather. The trade winds blow from south-east from May to September and from north-west from November to February. The best time for enjoyable fishing is between October and April. During these months the ocean sometimes appears like an enormous calm lake, which offers good conditions for bottom fishing, including the giant red snapper, grouper and jobfish. Trolling results in redmeat fish like tuna, dorado and jackfish. Deep sea fishing excursions are available within 15 minutes transfer from the hotel.
Golfing
The Seychelles offer great opportunities for golfing. The Seychelles’ first and only 18-hole golf course is located close to the hotel at the end of Anse Kerlan. This golf course is a challenge for professional players and amateurs alike. Characterised by scenic lakeshores, attractive rairways and greens, this course blends harmonically with its natural surroundings and borders the beautiful beaches of Petite Anse Kerlan and Anse Kerlan.
The first 12 holes are shaded by palm trees. From hole 13 onwards, the course stretches across densely forested hills with panoramic views from the top! The golf course – also known as Golf of Gods – is part of the Lémuria Resort and one of the craziest in the world: Hole 15 is located deep in a valley, so that the ball must be played steeply upwards to land on the green. If any course ever had a signature hole, this must be it!
Golfers can enjoy arresting views from the tees located high up on the rocks. The ball is hit an unbelievable 50 metres down a small valley, where the white sandy beach Anse Georgette and the crystal clear ocean awaits the player. Two well known American golf course architects, Marc Antoine Farry and Rodney Wrights, designed this 5,751 metres, par 70 course.
Sailing
The waters of the Seychelles are an all year round sailing destination. The Seychelles archipelago consists of 115 islands with an ocean area twice the size of France. Due to the fact that the islands are located outside the Indian Ocean cyclone belt, there is no better way to explore the beaches, lagoons and other secluded hideaways than by boat. Yachting is not only available to the experienced sailor, a catamaran with a competent sailing crew can be hired for fishing, snorkelling or leisurely exploration.The ideal travel period depends on the monsoon season. During the dry season from middle of May to middle of October the winds of the south-east monsoon reach up to 25 knots. Although the sea can be quiet rough and the waves large, sailing between the islands of Silhouette, Praslin and Mahé is quick and unproblematic. The north-west monsoon from middle of October until middle of May is the wet season. Rainfalls are more frequent but not as long lasting and less windy with temperatures above 30°C. The sailing distances within the Inner Islands are limited to 25 or 35 nautical miles. The Outer Islands are located further away and sometimes can be sailed within three weeks. Due to many offshore reefs it is necessary to study the map before sailing. Various bays offer mooring buoys, however permanent pier positions are limited.
Scuba diving
The Seychelles offer plenty of activities, especially in terms of scuba diving and snorkelling. The crystal clear waters around the islands and atolls are a haven for more than 900 species of fish, as well as 100 types of coral.Diving is possible all year round, but with seasonal changes in waves, visibility and water temperature. The best time for diving is April/May and October/November. The sea is then much calmer, with visibility up to 40 metres and a water temperature around 29°C. Although the underwater visibility is lower during the rest of the year, other attractions, such as the regular visits of the whale sharks, guarantee a great diving experience. Except for in sheltered bays, the sea can be rough during the south-east monsoon from June to September.
Trekking
To explore the natural paradise by foot, guided walking tours will introduce the islands exotic flora and fauna and can be organised by the hotel, a local tour operator or by your own. There are clearly marked trails on Praslin, leading through tropical forests with enchanting views of the island. It is advisable to start walking during the cooler morning hours and to bring plenty of water, because it can get very hot throughout the day. During the rainy season, especially from December to February, mountain paths can be slippery. The best time for trekking on Praslin is between May and September.
Bird watching
Bird watchers arrive from all over the world in the hope of spotting some of the rarest birds on earth, amongst the 15 endemic species found only in the Seychelles. Several new species have been discovered by visiting bird watchers. The best birdwatching time is in April and May, which is the beginning of the breeding season for most seabirds. October is the best period to observe migrant birds.Virtually all endemic birds in the Seychelles are forest species and can be found on granitic islands, such as Praslin and Mahé. Some of these birds include the Seychelles Kestrel, Seychelles Blue-pigeon, Black Parrot, Seychelles Scops-owl, Seychelles Swiftlet, Seychelles Bulbul, Seychelles Magpie Robin, Seychelles Warbler, Seychelles Paradise-flycatcher, Seychelles White-eye, Seychelles Sunbird and the Seychelles Fody.
