Silhouette Island Holidays

There aren’t many run-of-the-mill things to do on Silhouette Island – but the extraordinary experiences here more than compensate. With no fewer than five tall peaks, the isle boasts one of the most dramatic and mountainous landscapes in the Seychelles. It comes with a rainforest and cloud forest, too, as well as roosting caves for rare Sheath-Tailed Bats. And if that isn’t exploring potential enough, Silhouette also happens to be one of the most bio-diverse areas in the Western Indian Ocean.

Drop in at the island eco-centre. Take a fascinating nature walk with local guides. Or you could head off on your own and see where the day takes you. Don’t miss a visit to Grann Kaz – this restored plantation house once belonged to the wealthy Dauban family, and is now an interesting museum, cultural centre and restaurant.

A holiday to Silhouette island is perfect for a bit of escapism – but it’s also well placed for exploring the rest of the Seychelles. Mahé, the county’s largest island, lies to the south. Set sail and visit the charming capital city, Victoria, or go trekking through the lush greenery of Morne Seychellois National Park. And don’t miss a visit to Domaine de Val des Près Craft Village, where you can see local artisans fashioning their creations.

Pretty Praslin is the place to go for UNESCO-protected Vallée de Mai, the largest Coco de Mer plantation on the planet. Alternatively, you could sail to La Digue and admire French colonial architecture, see traditional boat building up close, go kayaking across crystal-clear waters and laze on the gorgeous sands of Anse Source d’Argent. Or you could simply spend a day cruising aimlessly across the Indian Ocean and admire the beautiful Marine National Park, which sprawls in every direction from Silhouette Island.

You’ll never be bored on your holiday to Silhouette Island. The gorgeous, dynamic landscape doubles up as a thrilling natural adventure park, and even the beautiful beaches invite you to do more than simply lie in the sun. You can make the most of the National Marine Park’s pristine waters by going diving, snorkelling, kayaking or catamaran sailing. And make sure you spend a day out on the water with an island-hopping boat trip. You’ll be able to admire the Seychelles from the ocean, and discover a variety of hidden beaches.

To de-stress from everyday life, take a yoga class on the beach, and then unwind even further at the glorious and green eForea eco-spa. If you’d prefer to keep busy, why not go on a hike across the island with expert local guides? And don’t worry about sleepy Silhouette’s lack of shops. Instead of stocking up on souvenirs, join a Creole cooking class and take some delicious recipes – and new skills – back home with you.

It’s warm on Silhouette Island throughout the year, with temperatures barely moving below 27°C. But, because rainforest and mountains cover almost the entire island, humidity is also fairly high, especially in the wetter months between November and February. Dramatic afternoon storms are frequent at this time of year, and it can be slightly cooler in the evenings during the wet season – but daytime temperatures still sit around 29°C.

March, April and May are the hottest months of the year, and this is the best time to visit Silhouette Island if you’re a keen bird-watcher, as you’ll be able to see creatures like the Seychelles Blue Pigeon and Seychelles Kestrel. It’s also a great time to for snorkelling, sailing and diving. But the most blissful beach weather rolls in at the end of June and holds until late September. At this time of year, you can look forward to clear skies and plenty of sun, low rainfall, and cooling sea breezes to keep you comfortable on your sun lounger.