A-Z HOTELS Botswana Kenya Malawi Mozambique Namibia South Africa Swaziland Tanzania Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe SEARCH BY PRICE SAFARI COLLECTION Top Accommodation Southern Africa East Africa Sample Trips CONTACT Safari Enquiry

North Island Location

North Island is most northerly of the inner granitic islands of the Seychelles archipelago. It is located approximately 32 km northwest of the main island, Mahé and five km north of its nearest neighbour Silhouette. The island is about 2.5 km long by 1 km wide - an area of around 210 hectares.

Fly-In Beach Walking Canoeing Honeymoon Fishing Diving Photography Birding Spa Water Sport Price Range - Southern Africa: $800 plus Child Friendly

Marian North, after whom North Island was named, was an internationally renowned botanical illustrator and artist. Her watercolours provide an extensive record of the flora of the Seychelles. Her commitment to her work was legendary and there are many stories of her spending the night on remote islands waiting to capture flowers that only bloomed at dawn.

The 12 guest villas have been lovingly handcrafted on the island from wood, local stone and glass with thatched "ylang-ylang" roofs. With a footprint of over 450 square metres, each villa is completely self-contained and comprises a luxuriously proportioned bedroom; a writing and change-room area with a huge en-suite bathroom with a Balinese marble bath and an outside shower for those who enjoy showering under the stars. Air-conditioning, overhead "punkah punkah" fans and fully retracting sliding windows (for 270 degree views) and mosquito nets provide a cosseting environment for the enjoyment of balmy ocean breezes. An additional study or bedroom is equipped with a DVD/CD system, internet access and can be re-arranged to serve as accommodation for children. The kitchen leads off the expansive sun-deck and covered lounge area. Guests can elect to enjoy their meals in their villa or in our main dining room. A private plunge pool and sala finishes off your private sanctuary. A full butler service catering for your every need includes in-villa meals or delicious picnics on secluded beaches. The lounge and dining areas as well as the pool deck and bar blend harmoniously into the beach and granite outcrops in a sheltered cove at the southern end of Anse d'Est. The cuisine on North Island will only use the freshest ingredients and will be simple and delicious. Vegetables and fruit will be grown on the island. Take an early morning swim in the bay before breakfasting on the deck overlooking the bay. • Relax, read or just stare into space from the deck above the pool built into the rocks above the sea. Behind the pool, a deep cool reservoir, covered in water lilies and overhung with ferns and local tropical vegetation stores water from the granite outcrop above. • Climb the vine clad ladder to a palm fringed sala which overlooks the sea, bay, pool - an "escape within an escape" offering privacy and a vista of rocks, sea and lush, bright green vegetation. • Lunch in the cool, shady, dining room - the tantalising blue of the bay just visible through the giant Takamaka tree. • Walk along the beach en route to dinner. Sink into a deep comfortable couch in the lounge with a drink for some quiet conversation. The rock wall at the back of the room is softly lit and reflected in the water of the still pond that runs the length of the room. Drift down broad wooden steps onto the sand for a candlelight dinner on the beach.

The activities offered on North Island reflect the ethos of rehabilitation and preservation that drives the project. Only activities that have minimal impact on the environment and on other guests will be available. • Walking: a network of paths will link the western and eastern sides of the island. These will permit residents to explore the island by climbing the granite outcrops and crossing the saddle linking the eastern and western plateaux. • Guided Walks: will be led by the resident ecologists and will focus on the restoration process. A key objective on North Island is to restore the island's habitats so that highly endangered species of endemic Seychelles birds (the Magpie Robin, The Seychelles Black Paradise Flycatcher, the Seychelles Warbler) can be re-introduced and allowed to breed up to the island's natural carrying capacity. • Visits to the Research Centre: the research centre will be open during the day and residents are invited to visit, view the exhibits and talk to the research staff. • The North Island Library: an extensive library will be built around the rehabilitation and conservation ethos of North Island. The library (and research centre) will house all the documentation of the history of the island as well as its rehabilitation and the building of the lodge • Slide shows and talks: regular talks and slide shows will be given by resident and guest researchers. These will enable interested guests to learn about North Island as well as a wide range of ecological and conservation-based topics. • Snorkelling: good snorkelling sites have been identified around the island. Masks and fins will be available at the dive centre if you wish to explore these sites, either on your own or in the company of a staff member (depending on your familiarity with snorkelling). • Scuba Diving: the Seychelles is part of the world's longest coral reef system (the Mascarene Plateau) and has some of the world's best scuba diving sites. Numerous dive sites have been identified around North Island and its nearest neighbour Silhouette Island. We intend offering "guided" scuba and our dive masters will not only be experts in scuba practices but also in the world under the sea. • Sea Kayaking: those who wish to explore the island from the sea will be able to do so using sea kayaks. Tuition and guidance will be provided. • Fly Fishing: fly fishing will be an option. • Mind and Body Centre: a state of the art spa, salon and gym offers you the opportunity to enjoy exercise, massages, facials, body wraps, spa baths. The spa and salon will feature marine-based products and therapy. The location of the centre on a granite promontory just above the ocean offers those using the centre the added dimension of spectacular views of the sea. • Sunset Bar: a walk along Grande Anse as the sun sets behind Silhouette Island is an experience not to be missed - especially as the Sunset Bar lies at the end of the walk. This simple, rustic bar is located just above the high water mark on the northern end of Grande Anse, next to one of the best snorkelling and swimming spots on North Island and provides drinks and light snacks for those wanting to enjoy this beach. • The Sala in the Forest: a small, private, intimate sala located in the forest above Sunset Bar and accessed by a quiet path. This sala offers a forest, rather than beach experience and is located in a beautiful patch of indigenous forest. Booking essential! • Turtles: depending on the time of the year guests may be lucky enough to witness the Hawksbill and Green turtles laying their eggs on the eastern and western beaches of North Island. Our researchers will tag the turtles so that their breeding activities can be monitored. Details of the turtle programme will be available in the Research Centre. • Trips to Silhouette Island: located some five kilometres to the south, Silhouette is a soaring granite island, whose peaks are constantly enveloped in clouds. The granite mainly drops sharply into the sea and Silhouette has few beaches and is only accessible through a recently constructed breakwater harbour or by helicopter. Silhouette's attractions include an excellent example of a Seychelles plantation house (built in 1850) and now a museum and the remains of its once thriving copra processing plant. Ron Gerlach is the resident ecologist and runs a breeding programme for the highly endangered Seychelles giant tortoises and terrapin. His immaculate research centre is worth a visit and depending on the time of the year you may see turtle eggs (Hawksbill ad Green turtles) being incubated. For the energetic and fit, Silhouette has some challenging hiking trails. • Other trips could include visits to Mahé and the outer islands. • Children are welcome at North Island. Child-minding facilities will be available as will a range of child-orientated activities.

North Island Children Policy
Children under 3 years free of charge

Nearest City:

Check In Time: 02:00:00 PM

Check Out Time: 11:00:00 AM