Seychelles Habitat Guide

Seychelles is located in the Indian Ocean off the East coast of Africa, north of Madagascar. In actuality, the country of Seychelles is an archipelago composed of 42 granitic islands (unique in the mid-ocean region) and numerous coral atolls. The main granitic islands are Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. The largest of the coral atolls, Aldabra, is a UNESCO World Heritage site in recognition of its outstanding flora and fauna. In general, the Seychelles boasts a profusion of lush vegetation – the coco-de-mer endemic to Seychelles, is the world’s heaviest nut, and the national flower is the exotic Tropicbird Orchid. In all, there are 75 plant species endemic to Seychelles. The birdlife is also fabulously rich, with ten species, including the paradise fly-catcher and the black parrot being unique to the island. The coral reef pockets surrounding the islands boast some of the most spectacular marine life on the planet – an explosion of colour and shapes that includes small, exquisite corals to bigger specimens like sharks, barracuda, porpoises and dolphins.