Jacques' Archive

Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems on our planet and provide critical habitats for many species of marine life, including corals themselves. Approximately 25% of the ocean's fish depend on healthy coral reefs. There are over 1900 different types of coral, making it one of the most diverse groups in the animal kingdom. These animals build their homes out of calcium carbonate (limestone). This limestone provides a rigid structure that protects them from predators while providing shelter for many other species. Additionally, healthy coral reefs aren’t just vital for a healthy ocean ecosystem. Still, humans do benefit through being able to sustain subsistence and commercial fisheries, and they ensure the longevity of businesses and jobs through recreation and tourism. Coral reefs are home to a fantastic diversity of marine animals Coral reefs are home to a fantastic diversity of marine animals. A single coral reef can have more than 4,000 species of fish and other s...

When it comes to a luxury yacht charter, you want to make the most of your time in paradise, ensuring that the experience is unforgettable. You’ve already made the decision to treat yourself to an unforgettable vacation − now it’s time for a little bit of planning! Below are ten ideas that can help ensure that everyone has an amazing time on their Seychelles yacht charter: Plan a luxury yacht charter in the Seychelles Start your planning by choosing your destination, the size of yacht, and the date you would want to visit the Seychelles. Also, when you are considering the destination, you can narrow your choices down to either the Inner Islands or the Outer Islands. The Inner Islands of the Seychelles include all the islands and atolls near Mahé. Some of the most popular of the 43 inner islands are Aride Island, Bird Island and Denis Island, Curieuse Island, Cousine Island and Cousin Island, Satellite Islands and Silhouette Island. The inner islands are more accessible than the outer i...

The Seychelles is a group of 115 magical islands off the coast of East Africa, in the Indian Ocean. The Seychelles oozes tropical romance and is the perfect honeymooning destination for couples looking for a real escape from their everyday world. Prince William and Kate Middleton honeymooned on North Island after their wedding in 2011, leading to a surge in popularity for the islands as a honeymoon destination. There is plenty to do on the Seychelles. You can snorkel, hike, swim with turtles, and much more − but what makes it so perfect for your honeymoon is how relaxed it all is. There are beaches everywhere, but with fewer people than you might expect, so you can ‘chill’ in your own private paradise. As well as being home to some excellent hotels and villas, Mahé also offers stunning scenery including lush gardens overlooking Baie Ternay beach. Here there are plenty of places to enjoy afternoon tea or dinner under an umbrella at your table as waves crash on rocks below (make sure ...

The Aldabra giant tortoise ( Aldabrachelys gigantea ) is native to the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles archipelago group. The giant tortoise shares a common ancestry with both the Madagascar radiated tortoise and the extinct Pinta Island tortoise from the Galapagos Islands. In the past, the giant tortoise was also found on Mahé, Silhouette, Glorieuse, Coëtivy, and other islands of the Seychelles. Today it has been reintroduced to two islands in the Seychelles. A subspecies is found on Madagascar, but this has now been assigned to a separate genus−the Madagascar flat-shelled tortoise ( Astrochelys yniphora ). The largest known specimen of this species weighed 249 kilograms (550 lb) and measured 1.3 metres long (4 ft 3 in). Shells of this species are smooth. High-domed individuals are somewhat variable in appearance, with different populations having distinct characteristics. However, human poaching and the destruction of their natural habitat have made these gentle giants highly vulnera...

  Island hopping is one of the most exciting ways of exploring Seychelles, whether it’s your first visit or whether you’re a frequent visitor to this destination. The archipelago’s unique ecosystem provides diverse landscapes and habitats for an abundance of birds, fish, and marine life. You’ll also find beautiful beaches and dazzling waterfalls in every corner. So which island should you visit?   Here are our top 5 choices: Mahé Island More than half of Seychelles’ population lives on the main island of Seychelles. This island has many resorts overlooking the blue waters of the Indian Ocean, white sandy beaches, lush rainforests, and an abundance of wildlife. Mahé is an Indian Ocean island with a tropical climate that is warm year-round. The average temperature ranges from 24 degrees Celsius (75 Fahrenheit) in December to 31 degrees Celsius (88 Fahrenheit) in April. Rainfall isn’t too common on Mahé, but it does sometimes get windy during winter months. Mahé has som...

The Amirante Islands, which is part of the group of atolls and coral islands that belong to the Outer Islands of the archipelago of the Seychelles, off the East Coast of Africa, are both isolated and teeming with extraordinary pelagic species. A worthy challenge for any fly fisherman worth his or her salt. With the most popular, are the wadeable flats, shallow clear lagoons, and sheer drop-offs which create exhilarating saltwater fly-fishing experiences. The team at Beyond the Reef is supported by fly fishing experts of Alphonse Fishing Co., which has their base on Alphonse Island. The team is equipped with expert guides and skippers, superior boats, top-of-the-range equipment, and a strict catch-and-release policy, the team also guarantees professional game fishing like no other. Largely protected, Seychelles’ outer islands are home to some of the most exquisite and aggressive predatory fish species of the oceans. Giant trevally (Caranx Ignobilis) A super predator that is found ...

The Seychelles is a group of islands in the Indian Ocean, east of Africa. It’s home to many endemic species, some of which have made their way onto lists of endangered birds and animals. In fact, you can spot around 220 different types of birds on the various islands and atolls of the Seychelles archipelago. However, only 12 of these species are native to the Seychelles. Moreover, of the 12, 10 species of birds are subject to various degrees of vulnerability. Below are some of these endangered species: Seychelles Warbler The Seychelles Warbler ( Acrocephalus sechellensis ), also known as the Seychelles brush warbler, is a small bird living on the Seychelles islands. It can be found in forests and woodlands, where it nests in trees. The warbler has a brown back, a light underside, and a distinctive dark eye stripe. Its diet consists mainly of insects and other invertebrates that it finds by probing into the soil or pouncing upon prey from low bushes or branches. It defends itself ag...