Alphonse and its smaller sister islands of Bijoutier and St Francois make up the Alphonse group of islands. Alphonse is the only inhabited island and arriving by plane all three look like tiny castaway islands in the turquoise sea. This group of islands is one of the most remote in the Seychelles and they are ideal for those looking to escape from everything.
Alphonse Island is a sand cay of about 450 hectares. It lies on the rim of a circular atoll, which is exposed at low tide. Small boats can only enter the lagoon at high tide through a deep channel and Alphonse was named after the captain of a French ship that visited the island in 1730. Now the island is very sleepy and has no proper roads, just tracks through the coconut plantations. The beaches are long and sandy and offshore there are the most wonderful reefs, rich in marine life.
Alphonse is an exciting island to snorkel, dive, game-fish and fly-fish from. It is also possible to take a day trip over to the miniscule islands of Bijoutier and St Francois. Here, you'll be the only soul about and can sit on the white sand, snorkel the reefs and have only a few sea birds for company.