The Vallée de Mai on Praslin is a remnant palm forest of coco de mer — the palm bearing the largest seed of any plant on Earth, shaped unmistakably and found wild only in the Seychelles. Trails run through the valley in deep shade, and it is the best place to find the Seychelles black parrot, the national bird, along with bulbuls and blue pigeons.

Aride Island holds the Seychelles' greatest seabird concentrations — lesser noddies, sooty terns and the world's largest colony of tropical shearwaters — along with several endemic landbirds. Landings are limited to certain days and are cancelled in swell, which makes reaching it a matter of luck as well as booking.

Cousin Island is a conservation success story: bought to save the Seychelles warbler when the world population had fallen to about 26 birds on this one island, it now holds thriving populations of several endemics and important hawksbill turtle nesting. Guided walks are the only access.

The beaches and shallow reefs throughout hold hawksbill and green turtles, with nesting on Cousin and elsewhere from around October to February.

Practicalities

Praslin is reached by ferry or short flight from Mahé; boat trips to Aride and Cousin run from Praslin with authorised operators only, and both islands charge landing fees that fund their conservation work.

Landings depend entirely on sea conditions and both islands are closed on certain days — build flexibility in. The Vallée de Mai charges entry and is easily done in a half day; go early before the tour groups and the heat.