Discover Praslin’s native flora and fauna in the Vallée de Mai national park before taking a light aircraft flight to the private island of Alphonse for some of the best underwater wildlife experiences around.
What's Included:
3 nights Praslin on half board; 7 nights Alphonse Island full board and selected activities. Includes flights and transfers.
12 days from £7,315pp
who's been there
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On the beach - 3 days
Paradise Sun
With the charm and character of a small, local hotel but many of the facilities of a larger resort, Paradise Sun offers great value for money as well as a superb location on the quiet end of a dazzling beach.
Hidden away at the end of Anse Volbert, one of the Seychelles' most magical strands, Paradise Sun is set between powder-soft sands and jungle-covered hills. It is built with local materials in a time-honoured, rustic style and has an authentic village charm, while inside the decor is cosy and stylishly traditional.
The atmosphere too is relaxed and sociable with evening entertainment on most nights and a large selection of activities to choose from. There's kayaking, windsurfing and snorkelling, a weekly sunset cruise and an on-site dive centre so you can explore the immaculate underwater world. But what makes Paradise Sun really stand out is its unique location, hidden away in peace and tranquillity yet within an easy walk of local bars and restaurants so you have the option to retreat and unwind or get out and explore, a rare find in the Seychelles.
Dark wooden floors, exposed stone walls and large sliding doors leading to spacious decks give the 80 rooms a delightful Creole character. The ten deluxe rooms are slightly larger and ideal for families.
After the beach - 7 days
Alphonse Island
One of the most remote inhabited islands in the Seychelles, Alphonse Island is located just 7° south of the Equator, offering a healthy climate and a wealth of untouched natural beauty. Possessing miles of untouched shorelines, lagoons and sea flats with perfect white sands and dense natural forest dotted with coconut groves, let yourself unwind in this tropical paradise. For wildlife enthusiasts, there is an abundance of rich birdlife to discover and ambling tortoises to meet.
The island sanctuary is home to only a small number of carefully spaced bungalows, suites and villas each with their own ocean views and sense of privacy. The main lodge features a beach bar and lounge, swimming pool, tennis courts, restaurant, spa, and beyond the lodge, the island offers a range of activities. All meals are included for guests at the resort, where you can experience fresh produce straight from the island.
Paradise Sun
80 rooms, 2 restaurants, 1 pool
Description
Paradise Sun is a warm and welcoming boutique hotel tucked in at the end of Cote D’or beach. Set in tropical gardens brimming with palm trees and blooming hibiscus, the low-rise wooden buildings are in-keeping with the traditional Creole style.
The St Pierre Beach Restaurant, located right on the sand, has a relaxed evening atmosphere and a range of local dining options are within easy reach.
The beach is the real highlight here: it’s a seemingly endless stretch of powder-soft white sand lined with palm trees. Water sports are available to make the most of the bathwater-warm water while the resort also offers a large range of activities from volleyball to nature walks.
For families
Paradise Sun welcomes families but please note there are no specific children’s facilities. However, if there are several children in the resort at the same time they often organise activities for them. Babysitting services are available.
Location
Paradise Sun is set on Cote D’Or beach, one of the Seychelles’ best, on the island of Praslin. The long sweep of white sand is ideal for a long stroll and with only a few other resorts scattered along its 2.5 km (1.5 miles), it’s surprisingly quiet. Located at the end of the beach as the bay curves round, the hotel is protected by granite rocks that protrude into the sea.
The airport is a 20-minute drive away, and if you’re island-hopping, the jetty is a 15-minute drive. Just 20 minutes’ walk away there’s a choice of local restaurants and a couple of shops.
Our opinion
Set in a secluded corner of one of the island’s best beaches, Paradise Sun is an excellent choice for those who would like to have local restaurants nearby. The evening entertainment can be heard from a number of the rooms, so this is not a hotel for people who are looking for tranquil evenings, although it usually finishes fairly early.
This small hotel has plenty to offer guests whilst maintaining a sociable atmosphere and a rustic island feel. The long beach is stunningly beautiful and has plenty of sun loungers with palm trees offering shade from the sun. It’s also well priced, and offers good value for money.
Rooms
The 80 rooms are set in two storey, wooden buildings that stretch through the gardens along the beachfront in a semicircle formation. There’s a rustic feel to the decor with reclaimed stone walls, polished wooden floors and hand-made furniture. Locally-sourced artwork graces the walls and each room has traditional wooden shutters that open out onto a balcony or terrace.
Deluxe
At 42 sq m (432 sq ft), the deluxe rooms are larger than the superior rooms, with high, vaulted ceilings. Set close to the beach, they are all set on the ground floor with a terrace that faces the ocean.
Superior
These 32 sq m (331 sq ft) rooms are set on the ground or first floor with a balcony or patio offering sea views. They are equipped with a shower only (no bath).
Pictures of the rooms
Activities, diving & excursions
Paradise Sun offers a wide range of activities and facilities with much more choice than most of the hotels on Praslin. Water sports include snorkelling, body boards, kayaks and paddleboards. In addition there’s also volleyball, swing ball, boules, table tennis and bicycles to hire.
The hotel runs a complimentary sunset cruise weekly for guests which we recommend booking in advance. Twice a week you can take a nature walk around the grounds of the hotel to learn more about the island’s flourishing foliage and abundant birdlife.
The hotel’s on-site dive centre, Whitetip Divers, offers introductory dives in their training pool as well as PADI certification courses. There is a range of dive sites nearby — some just five-minutes’ boat ride away. The scattering of granite boulders and islets offshore make for some interesting dives, with sponges and hard coral clinging to their steep walls.
Food & drink
The hotel’s main restaurant overlooks the swimming pool and serves a buffet breakfast, complimentary afternoon tea and nightly themed buffet dinners. Due to unfortunate tidal damage to the hotel's beachfront, the St Pierre Beach restaurant is closed until further notice whilst the damages are repaired. It's á la carte lunch menu will be provided in the main restaurant during this time.
There's often a live band in the evening, adding to the sociable atmosphere.
Spa Facilities
The small spa is tucked away toward the back of the hotel among the trees. They have two single treatment rooms with a separate outdoor shower area as well as one double room. The therapists are trained in Bali and offer a range of Balinese and traditional massages as well as manicures and pedicures.
Alphonse Island
Location: Alphonse Island
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 4.5 sq km (2 sq miles). It lies on the rim of a circular atoll, which is exposed at low tide, and small boats can only enter the lagoon at high tide, through a deep channel. Alphonse was named after the captain of a French ship that visited the island in 1730. The island is very peaceful and has no proper roads, just tracks through the coconut plantations. The beaches are long and sandy, and there are the most wonderful offshore reefs, rich in marine life.
Alphonse is an exciting island from which to snorkel, dive and fish. It's also possible to take a day trip over to the miniscule islands of Bijoutier and St Francois. Here, you’ll probably be the only soul about, and can enjoy the white sand, and snorkel the reefs with only a few seabirds for company.
Alphonse Island Resort
Accommodation: Alphonse Island Resort
Alphonse Island offers a beautiful private island escape, perfect for nature lovers and fishing enthusiasts. One of the most remote, inhabited islands in the Seychelles, the island is one hour by light aircraft from Mahé, and as you land you will catch glimpses of the stunning beaches, beautiful forests and pretty coral reefs.
This is a destination for those looking for an unspoilt island experience; the resort is the only thing on the island and you can walk, cycle or swim around the island looking out for tiny turtles hatching and the resident giant Aldabra tortoises who roam free.
Participate in a guided nature walk with the resident conservation team and keep an eye out for some of the 130 recorded bird species on the island. Diving and snorkelling is excellent in this area and the hotel can arrange a variety of activities on and in the water, including visits to nearby uninhabited islands. At the end of the day, relax by the pool or the bar and look forward to the fresh cuisine, much of which is created with indigenous fish and produce from the hotel’s garden.
Itinerary
Day by day
Day 1
Today you will board your overnight flight to the Seychelles.
Day 2
On arrival in Mahé you will be met by our representative and shown to the vehicle that will transfer you to the jetty. You will then board the boat over to Praslin which takes around one hour. On arrival you will be transferred to Paradise Sun hotel situated on the Cote D'Or beach.
You will spend the next three nights at Paradise Sun, an excellent location for both exploring the island and relaxing on the beach.
Day 3
Today is your first full day at leisure on Praslin. Cote D'Or Beach is one of the best on the island so you may like to simply relax and enjoy it. However, the sleepy island of Praslin is worth exploring further. Perhaps hire a car to see more at your own pace, stopping at deserted beaches or small local restaurants.
Day 4
The island of Praslin is home to the native coco de mer plant, today you could take a private half-day tour of the Vallee de Mai national park with a guide and then visit Anse Lazio beach for a refreshing fruit juice against the granite boulder and idyllic sea backdrop.
Day 5
This morning you will be collected from your hotel and driven back to the jetty in time for your boat transfer to Mahé. Upon arrival back on the mainland, our representative will then transfer you to the domestic airport for your flight to Alphonse Island where you will stay for seven nights.
The scenic flight to Alphonse takes approximately one hour and will provide views over the atoll and its coral reefs as you fly close to the island.
Day 6
Alphonse Island offers a wealth of activities to keep guests entertained both on land and in the water. Head to the activity centre today to see the island's entertainment schedule and plan your stay or arrange diving lessons with the five-star PADI dive centre.
Day 7
Start your day with a guided cycle tour around the island, learn about the island’s past and its current sustainability efforts, and how it’s run by the team today. Finish the cycle tour at the island's veggie garden Smoothie Cafe and prepare your own fresh fruit drink.
Spend the afternoon relaxing by the main pool or indulge in a treatment at the spa.
Day 8
Before the sun gets too hot, take the guided reef flats expedition to learn about the intricate ecosystem below the shallow waters.
This afternoon you could go on the island’s signature fish ID snorkelling experience. Spend time learning about the marine life before taking to the waters to snorkel among the abundance of marine life.
Day 9
Special activities such as lunch on the reef flats and sundowner drinks at the beach bar are arranged weekly by the team on Alphonse. Make sure to plan these into your schedule for an extra memorable experience.
Day 10
Spend the day exploring the winding paths of the island on your private bicycle. Alternatively, you could grab one of the available kayaks or paddleboards and snorkel equipment to get up close with the marine life.
Day 11
Today is your last day on Alphonse Island. Take a guided boat trip out to the island of Bijoutier, stroll the deserted beaches and depending on the time of year of your visit, you may spot turtles coming to lay their eggs in this hotspot for nesting.
Day 12
After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely morning cycling on your private bicycle around the island before taking the flight back to Mahé. Make sure to have your camera ready as you take off to take some photographs of the island below.
On arrival into Mahé, our representative will meet you and transfer to you to the departure lounge ready for your flight home.
Start planning your trip with Audley
Tailoring your trip
This itinerary is designed to give you a flavour of what is possible.
We can tailor this trip to suit your specific requirements
Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered, from excursions to accommodation
How to book
Contact a Hidden Beach specialist
Whether you wish to plan your trip around this itinerary idea or you have other ideas, please do get in touch by phone or online. If using our online form, a destination specialist will contact you by phone to discuss your requirements.
Discuss your requirements
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Once you are satisfied with all the arrangements, we ask you to complete a booking form and pay a deposit of 15% of the total cost of your trip.
Stay in touch
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