20 Reasons to Visit The Seychelles: Giant Tortoises, Pirate Treasure, and more!

Here are some unique facts about what makes the Seychelles one of the most unique places in the world. From incredible sights in nature, to ghosts with an agenda, there is something for every traveler in the Seychelles. See below for more info!

1. The Seychelles have an area of 176 square miles, or roughly the same size as Tampa, Florida.
2. 200 million years ago, the Seychelles existed as one continent – Gondwana. The result of continuous tectonic movements then created what we know today as the Seychelles and the Indian Ocean that surrounds it.
3. The Seychelles is comprised of 73 coral islands and 42 inner islands, including Mahé and Fregate Island Private, which are formed by granite. 
4. Almost half of the limited landmass in the country is occupied by national parks and reserve to preserve the delicate ecosystem of the Seychelles.
5. The islands were discovered in 1502 by Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama, who also discovered India.
6. The Seychelles were once a pirate hideout and one famous pirate, La Busse, supposedly hid a treasure trove in 1721, avid treasure hunters still are on the hunt for the treasure today.
7. Declared a French colony in the 18th century, the Seychelles changed hands several times between the French and British before gaining independence in 1976. 
8. Many islands in the Seychelles claim some resident ghosts, including those at Moyenne Island who supposedly guard pirate treasure.
9. The breadfruit is recognized as an iconic fruit to the Seychellois people. An extremely versatile fruit, it is enjoyed in croquettes, mash, chips, and many other dishes.
10. James Bond author, Ian Fleming visited the Seychelles in 1958 looking for adventure and inspiration for his book, For Your Eyes Only, which was made into a movie in 1981.
11. Bird Island is home to the heaviest land tortoise living in the wild, Esmeralda, who tips the scales at 670 pounds.
12. The Coco de Mer plant, which is native to the Seychelles, produces the largest seed in the world. The distinctly shaped nut can weigh up to 33 pounds!
13. The Aldabra Atoll is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to the world’s largest population of Giant tortoise, with over 152,000 giant tortoises in residence on the ring-shaped coral island.
14. … and it’s also home to the world’s largest land crab, the coconut crab, and It has one of only two known oceanic breeding sites of flamingos in the world.
15. At 512 acres, Fregate Island Private is about the size of Monaco.
16. Fregate Island Private is the easternmost inner granite island of the Seychelles, and is the closest inhabited island to the “drop-off”, where the sea bed of the Indian Ocean falls thousands of meters.
17. Outside the Aldabra Atoll, Fregate Island Private has one of the largest populations of Aldabra Tortoises in the world with over 4,000 tortoises who freely roam the island.
18. Hundreds of thousands of birds find sanctuary on Fregate Island Private and over 100 species have been spotted on the island, with thirteen species taking up permanent residence.
19. 30 years ago, Fregate Island Private was the only remaining habitat of the Seychelles Magpie Robin and with only fourteen birds remaining, it was the second-rarest bird in the world. After decades of dedicated conservation work, the Seychelles Magpie Robin now numbers over 200.
20. Fregate Island Private also hosts unique small critters including the indigenous giant Tenebrionid Beetle, or the Fregate Beetle, and is found only on the island.