Seychelles has several private islands, each run as a single resort or lodge with its own character. North and Fregate are ultra-luxury and known for conservation and free-roaming giant tortoises, Denis and Bird are quieter coral islands famous for fishing and birdlife, and Silhouette is a forested nature island with one resort. They are reached by helicopter or small plane and booked directly, and sit from high-end to top of the market.
The private islands are the Seychelles at its most exclusive and most conservation-minded. Each is given over to a single resort or lodge, so staying on one means having an entire island and its beaches nearly to yourself. They differ a lot in style and price, so this is how to tell them apart and choose.
What a private island means here
On these islands there is one place to stay, no town, no day-trippers, and often a serious conservation project running alongside the resort. That buys total privacy and a strong sense of nature, and it comes at a price, from high-end to the very top of the global market. You book directly with the property and arrive by air or private boat.
The ultra-luxury islands
- North Island. Among the most exclusive resorts in the world, a handful of villas, barefoot luxury and the Noah’s Ark restoration project. A once-in-a-lifetime splurge.
- Fregate Island. Luxury villas, seven beaches including the famous Anse Victorin, and hundreds of free-roaming giant tortoises, plus a celebrated bird-conservation success.
The quieter coral islands
- Denis Island. A relaxed coral-island lodge near the edge of the bank, known for excellent big-game and fly fishing and its conservation work.
- Bird Island. A low-key eco-lodge famous for a huge sooty tern colony from May to October and for Esmeralda, one of the heaviest giant tortoises in the world.
The nature island
Silhouette is different again, a large, steep, forested nature reserve north-west of Mahe with one resort and rare wildlife, ringed by a marine park. It offers seclusion and rainforest rather than a tiny private islet.
How to choose
Match the island to what you want. For the ultimate honeymoon or special occasion, North or Fregate. For fishing and a quiet coral island, Denis. For birds and wildlife on a budget that is still a treat, Bird. For rainforest and nature, Silhouette. All deliver privacy and beauty, the difference is style, wildlife focus and price.
Getting there and what it costs
Access is by helicopter or small plane from Mahe, sometimes by boat, arranged through the resort. Prices vary enormously by island, season and villa, so request current rates directly rather than relying on a fixed figure, and treat the ultra-luxury islands as a special-occasion expense.
How to plan
Many travellers add a few nights on a private island to a wider trip across the main islands to balance the budget and see more. For those stays, browse verified places in our directory, and if a honeymoon or wedding is the reason for the trip, our team can help build it around the island you choose.
Frequently asked questions
What are the private islands of Seychelles?
Islands each run as a single resort or lodge, including the ultra-luxury North and Fregate, the quieter coral islands Denis and Bird, and the forested nature island Silhouette. Each has its own style and price.
Which is the best private island in Seychelles?
It depends on what you want. North or Fregate for ultimate luxury and giant tortoises, Denis for fishing and a quiet coral island, Bird for wildlife at a gentler price, and Silhouette for rainforest and nature.
How do you get to the private islands?
By helicopter or small plane from Mahe, and sometimes by boat, all arranged through the resort. There is no public day access, so you arrive as a staying guest.
How much do the private islands cost?
From high-end to the very top of the global market, depending on the island, season and villa. Request current rates directly from each property and treat the ultra-luxury islands as a special-occasion expense.
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