Sport and Fitness

Cycling
Bicycles are available in abundance on Praslin, Mahé and La Digue. On La Digue the most popular means of transport is the bicycle, making it very easy to get around. In addition to the official bicycle rental businesses most hotels offer bicycles for hire. The prices hardly differ and the bicycles are in good order. They are mainly mountain bikes.

Golf
On Praslin there is an 18-hole championship golf course (Par 70 - 5,556 meters) belonging to the hotel Lemuria. It opened on the first of October 2000 and offers a genuine challenge to both amateurs and professionals alike. The greens border on lovely beaches. The first holes are well shaded by massive palms, and from the 13th Hole the course extends over thickly wooded hills. From here on one can see breath-taking views. The course is available for hotel guests and non-residents. The second golf course on the Seychelles lies south of the airport on Mahé and has 9 holes. This very beautiful course lies in a former coconut plantation. A handicap is required to play. Saturday and Thursday are tournament days.

Deep-sea fishing
The boats are equipped with a large number of strong fishing rods as well as with several firmly fixed seats, on to which the anglers are strapped for their own safety when fighting the fish. You can charter boats on Bird, Denis and Desroches as well as Mahé, mostly accompanied by a regionally experienced skipper as well as one or two helpers. Larger boats have sleeping areas, so that one can remain longer at sea. The catch - Bonito, Tuna, golden mackerel, wahoo, barracuda, sometimes also marlin and sailfish - usually belongs to the boat owner.

Parachuting
Flights with a paraglider, pulled by a motorboat, are on offer at Beau Vallon Bay on Mahé. Information: The Boat House, Tel. 247898.

Riding
Riding is possible on Mahé (Anse aux Poules Bleues) and on La Digue (L'Union Estate). On Mahé the rides are either in the mountains or along the west coast. Guided rides are also available, and are a wonderful experience. It is advisable to bring along sufficient sun lotion and wear riding trousers. The best time for riding is either in the morning or early evening. When riding along the beaches take account of the state of the tide. (high and low tides)

Snorkelling
There are many beautiful snorkelling areas with rich coral and multi-coloured underwater life. However these locations rarely lie right next to the hotel. Generally it's not advised to snorkel in the lagoons, because the water is cloudy and one can't see that much. The reefs are far and away more interesting; however you can only get there by boat and they can be a little dangerous depending on the state of the tide. On the other hand the rocky strips and open sandy bays are more suitable.

Snorkeling areas

• Mahé: the St. Anne National Marine park, Baie Ternay, and Anse Soleil
• Praslin: the coastal region opposite Curieuse Island, the area before Anse La Farine as well as the bay of Anse Lazio
• La Digue: the coastal region within range of the port
  

The coral islands of Denis and Desroches are also recommended.

Swimming
Many holiday-makers are quite content to stay in the swimming pools which some hotels have. Sometimes it is not that easy to find the right place to swim because of the very shallow water in the lagoons along the picturesque coastline. Bathing shoes are advisable to protect against sea-urchins or sharp pieces of coral. There are no such difficulties on sandy beaches without coral reefs offshore, but the sandy bottom can fall away steeply. Depending upon direction of the trade wind the height of the tides can vary. In both the summer or the winter months reasonably high waves can be expected, depending on the orientation of the bay. Take notice of the signs and warnings, which are displayed on many beaches.
The whole of the east cost of Mahé is no good for swimming, with the exception of Anse Royale, where the coral reef lies so far out that the water of the lagoon is deep enough. On the other side of the island there is a large number of beautiful sandy beaches.

Sandy beaches

• Mahé: (from north to south) Carana Beach, Sunset hotel beach, Northholme Hotel beach, Beau Vallon Bay, Grand Anse, Anse à la Mouche, Anse Soleil, Anse Intendance
• Praslin: Anse Lazio, Anse Georgette, Anse Kerlan, Anse Volbert
• La Digue: Grand Anse, Petite Anse, Anse Cocos, Anse Source d´Argent
• Silhouette: Anse Mondon
  

Sailing
Sailing is possible the whole year round.. There is always a light breeze, which can become quite strong at times, when the north or south trade winds get stronger. A sailing trip to the most beautiful islands is considered by many as the high point of a Seychelles vacation.

Diving
This sport is very popular on the islands, and there are over a dozen diving schools, with instructors, where one can book excursions and all the necessary equipment including underwater cameras. A 3-4 mm thick diving suit is recommendable. Most schools can issue internationally valid diving licences. Beginners should bring a medical certificate with them from home for their own well-being. Experienced divers should also bring proof of their under-water experience. April/May and October/November are particularly suitable months, as the sea is generally at its calmest and visibility can be more than 30 m.

Walking
Hiking and climbing on the Seychelles might not be first on everybody's "to do" list, however you would miss a lot by not doing it at all. The unique natural world and magnificent scenery are best experienced on foot. There are plenty of paths and one doesn't have to search for them as the local tourist board has developed a number of them with clear way-marking. The paths are often slippery, so sturdy footwear is recommended, plus additionally a sun hat, mosquito-proof long trousers and long-sleeved shirt. A light backpack with sufficient drinking supplies and rain protection should also be considered. The best time for walking is between the months of May and September (cooler south-east trades!). It's best to start your walks around about dawn where it is a fair bit cooler. Another good reason for an early start is the fact that it gets dark at 6.00 pm on the Seychelles.

Windsurfing
The most favourable conditions for this kind of sport are the southeast trade winds (May-September). The north-west monsoon (December-March) is less ideal, as the wind can be very strong for several days at a time. The transitional period, lasting one month, when there is a little less wind can never be predicted exactly. Surf-boards can be hired at many hotels or at other places on Mahé, but the equipment often doesn't match the aspirations of many windsurfers. If you are travelling to the Seychelles specially to wind-surf then you should think about bringing along your own equipment.