Explore Silhouette Island in the Seychelles: Full Guide

Hello again! As promised, I’m continuing my series of shorter articles about the Seychelles, a tropical destination that seems to be particularly popular with you, judging by the feedback I receive. This time, I’d like to take you on a journey to discover Silhouette Island in the Seychelles. Admittedly, this remote island is not the best known in the archipelago. However, it is the third-largest island in the Seychelles, out of a total of 115. Not a bad ranking, is it? This unspoiled island paradise, with its coconut palms, black rocks and cliffs, white-sand beaches, hiking trails, breathtaking scenery, tropical vegetation and turquoise lagoon, is well worth discovering. What’s more, it lies just 30 km northwest of Mahé, the main island.

As you can imagine, the purpose of this article is to introduce you to this little corner of paradise: Silhouette Island. This secluded and beautiful island is well worth including in your trip to the Seychelles. I have done my research to find all the activities travelers can enjoy on this island paradise, including hiking, kayaking, cycling, snorkeling and scuba diving, which offers the chance to discover marine life and coral reefs. You can also sunbathe on pristine beaches and admire beautiful sunsets over the Indian Ocean. And let’s not forget the convenience of staying at the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa, one of the island’s finest hotel options. By the end of this article, Silhouette Island’s coastline will hold no secrets for you!

If you are looking for an exclusive, off-the-beaten-path experience combining luxury and tropical nature, Silhouette Island makes a wonderful stop during your trip to the Seychelles. Its long sandy beaches are reminiscent of Anse Source d’Argent, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, on La Digue Island. What’s more, you can enjoy a peaceful stay on this tropical island, far from the hustle and bustle of mass tourism. The island is also home to remarkable biodiversity, as its natural environment remains particularly well preserved. From the famous coco de mer, sometimes known as coco fesse, to giant tortoises, there is plenty to discover.

Silhouette Island is much more than just a paradise island. It also has a fascinating history, which you can explore in the village and port of La Passe. So, are you convinced that Silhouette Island deserves a place on your Seychelles itinerary? As I mentioned earlier, it lies only 30 km from Mahé Island, making it relatively easy to reach. In short, Silhouette Island is an ideal destination for a luxurious and, above all, exclusive experience.

A special mention for hiking enthusiasts: this is quite simply one of the must-do activities on Silhouette Island. Rest assured, there are exotic tropical trails for every level, from easy to moderate and challenging. These trails allow you to discover breathtaking scenery and immerse yourself in the island’s lush vegetation. Here are just a few of the hikes you can take to explore its natural treasures:

• Mont Dauban: quite simply THE must-do hike. As its name suggests, the trail leads to the famous Mont Dauban, located at an elevation of 740 meters in the heart of the island. Once you reach the top, imagine the breathtaking views overlooking the Indian Ocean!
• Grand Barbe: a hike combining history, tropical landscapes, black rocks and cliffs, leading to the island’s west coast and the fishing village of Grand Barbe. Along the way, you can discover endemic Seychellois birds and even medicinal plants. It is an enjoyable hike with some breathtaking views.
• Anse Lascars: head to the north of this tropical island paradise on one of the easiest walks, leading to the white-sand beach of Anse Lascars. Along the way, you can enjoy beautiful scenery between the turquoise waters and the mountains. After the effort comes the reward! Once you arrive, you can swim in the crystal-clear water or simply relax on one of the island’s most beautiful beaches, surrounded by palm and coconut trees. It is exactly the kind of authentic, peaceful and heavenly place I love discovering.

A quick tip: if you would like to learn more about the local flora and fauna, I recommend hiring a local guide to accompany you on your hikes. In my opinion, the experience will be even more rewarding, and you will be less likely to miss anything. For water sports enthusiasts, there are plenty of other activities available as well. You can go paddleboarding to explore the island’s beautiful coastline or snorkel in the clear turquoise waters and admire the coral reefs. Silhouette Island’s peaceful, unspoiled environment makes it a genuine paradise for nature lovers.

Here is another must-do activity on Silhouette Island. Taking a boat trip around this tropical island allows you to enjoy beautiful panoramic views, admire the changing shades of blue in the lagoon and, most importantly, reach some of the island’s finest spots. By that, I mean the beautiful white-sand beaches of Anse Patates, Anse Lascars and Anse La Passe, as well as Pointe Grand Barbe, Pointe Zeng Zeng, Pointe Ramasse Tout (with the old Cimetière), Pointe Machabee and many more. I can assure you that places such as Pointe Varangue, Pointe Jardin and Coco dans Trou are easier to reach by boat than on foot. So why not make the most of these beautiful locations? You can also stop for snorkeling along the way to explore the underwater world and coral reefs. One final tip: continue the excursion until sunset to enjoy the most beautiful colors.

Silhouette Island is an ideal destination for water sports such as snorkeling and scuba diving. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or experienced diver, this is your opportunity to enter the water and discover coral reefs and marine life, including sharks, colorful tropical fish, coral, sea turtles and much more. The turquoise waters surrounding this unspoiled island are particularly rich in marine life. You are in for a real treat!

For scuba diving, the Eco Center is well known on the island. It offers several options depending on your level and what you are looking for, all in a friendly atmosphere. In my opinion, you are likely to have a wonderful time. For independent snorkeling with just a mask and snorkel, the beautiful white-sand beaches of Anse Mondon and La Passe are ideal, so be sure to keep them in mind.

Let me reassure you: getting there is much easier than you might think. You have two options for reaching Silhouette Island:

• By boat: this is the most popular way to reach Silhouette Island from Mahé. The crossing from Bel Ombre, in northwestern Mahé, takes only 45 minutes. Pretty quick and convenient, don’t you think?
• By helicopter: this option offers an exceptional experience and the chance to discover Silhouette Island from the air. For the record, I once had the opportunity to take a seaplane flight over Bora Bora in Polynesia, and I can tell you that it was simply magical. Of course, this is the more expensive option, but it will be far more than just a transfer between two islands. It will be a memorable 15-minute experience. Please note that the flight departs from Mahé International Airport.

The choice is yours. Either way, Silhouette Island is less than an hour from the main island of the Seychelles. You no longer have any excuse not to include it in your Seychelles vacation, haha! I am sure this dream getaway will not disappoint you.

For a stay on Silhouette Island, you can choose between two high-end hotels:

• Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa: a luxurious hotel in an idyllic, postcard-perfect setting. The property offers high-end villas with excellent amenities and, above all, beautiful views of the Indian Ocean. This hotel has an excellent reputation on the island. You will find everything you need for a dream stay in the Seychelles, including an upscale spa, seven restaurants, a bar that is ideal for an end-of-day cocktail, a fitness center, two swimming pools and much more.
• Hôtel La Belle Tortue: although it is more modest than the Hilton, this is a charming, high-quality and very comfortable hotel. Located in a picturesque bay with one of the island’s most beautiful private beaches, it is the kind of place where you quickly feel at home. You can enjoy the surroundings in complete peace, in a beautiful setting with a welcoming and authentic atmosphere.

As your trip to the Seychelles will inevitably take you through the main island, I also recommend reading our article about accommodation on Mahé.

I know this is a topic that interests many readers, so I had to mention the restaurants worth trying on Silhouette Island. Several are part of the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa, including Café Dauban, Grann Kaz and Sakura. Last but not least, I also came across the restaurant at the upscale Hôtel La Belle Tortue, which receives very positive reviews. These local restaurants give you the opportunity to try traditional Creole dishes and take your taste buds on a journey through the Seychelles thanks to the culinary experiences they offer.

Getting around Silhouette Island is relatively easy:

• On foot: especially for the hikes mentioned above. What’s more, most of the trails are signposted, so you should not get lost, haha!
• By bike: cycle around this dream island and discover some beautiful, lesser-visited places. Some luxury resort hotels even provide bicycles, making this a very convenient way to explore Silhouette Island.

That brings my dream getaway to Silhouette Island in the Seychelles to an end. I hope this article has inspired you to add Silhouette Island to your Seychelles itinerary. You can look forward to a unique, tropical and luxurious experience surrounded by heavenly white-sand beaches, a turquoise lagoon, black sand and tropical forests. It truly feels like paradise on earth. You know me by now: this is exactly the kind of secluded, unspoiled island I love discovering.

For anyone hoping to make the most of a stay in this dream destination, I recommend reading our article about the tropical island of Praslin. What’s more, it was written by Aurélie, who was lucky enough to discover the island during her honeymoon.

If you are planning a day trip, do not forget to bring your snorkeling gear. You might be lucky enough to see a turtle swimming nearby. Silhouette Island’s coastline offers beautiful ocean views, and you can relax on one of its many beaches.

See you soon for another dream vacation,

Written by Sylvain PONS

In this article, I'd like to introduce you to the wonders of the Seychelles archipelago, a paradise lost in the middle of the Indian Ocean, perfect for relaxing, having a good time and simply enjoying yourself!

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