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North Island
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North Island, Seychelles, combines granite beaches, restored forest, giant tortoises and conservation-led island stays within reach of Mahé.

North Island is a small private granite island in the Seychelles, lying in the Indian Ocean about 11 kilometres north-west of Mahé. Its compact size, steep forested interior and dramatic shorelines create a markedly different experience from the busier main island. There is no traditional town or public high street here: the island is managed as a conservation-focused private destination, with visitor access arranged through its resident resort and its own transfer services.
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The island’s landscape is defined by pale granite outcrops, dense tropical vegetation and several beaches of fine sand. Its four principal beaches face different aspects of the island, so conditions and scenery vary with wind and swell. The coast alternates between sheltered bays, reef-fringed shallows and boulder-strewn headlands, while inland paths lead through forest where native and introduced plants grow around granite ridges. Marine life is an important part of the setting, with snorkelling, diving and boating generally shaped by seasonal sea conditions rather than a fixed timetable.
North Island’s modern identity is closely linked to ecological restoration. Former agricultural and plantation activity altered the island’s vegetation, but later conservation work sought to remove invasive species, re-establish indigenous woodland and protect vulnerable wildlife. Giant tortoises, seabirds and sea turtles are central to the island’s environmental story. Turtle nesting activity is seasonal, and visitors are expected to observe wildlife without disturbing animals, nests or coastal vegetation.
The island has a quieter historical layer as well. Earlier settlers used its fertile areas for crops and coconut production, leaving traces of an agricultural past alongside an old cemetery and remnants associated with former habitation. Today, the absence of a permanent village gives North Island an unusually secluded character, although it should not be confused with an untouched wilderness: its landscapes are carefully managed and access is controlled. The result is a destination centred on walking, swimming, conservation, open-water activities and time spent in a highly private island environment, with Mahé serving as the practical gateway for international travel.

When is the best time to visit North Island?

Best: June–August · 29°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January29290
February29230
March29180
April30150
May30120
June (best)29100
July (best)2990
August (best)2990
September29110
October29160
November29190
December29260

Getting to and around North Island

How to get there

International visitors normally fly to Seychelles International Airport on Mahé, which is outside North Island and serves as the country’s principal gateway. The onward journey is arranged privately by the island accommodation, usually by boat or helicopter according to operational and weather conditions. There is no ordinary public ferry service or commercial airport serving North Island, so independent arrival is not generally possible. Build flexibility into the itinerary, particularly during periods of rough seas or unsettled weather.

Transportation

North Island is small enough to explore mainly on foot, using paths between the beaches, forest and granite interiors. Resort-arranged vehicles or electric buggies may assist with luggage and longer internal transfers, but there is no public bus, taxi network or car-hire system on the island. Boats are used for marine excursions and access to particular coastal areas, subject to conditions. Travellers should wear suitable footwear on uneven ground and follow local guidance around reefs, currents and exposed rocks.

Best attractions in North Island

North Island’s attractions are primarily environmental and experiential rather than museum-based. Its four beaches offer different combinations of sheltered swimming, reef views, rock formations and open-ocean scenery, while forest paths lead through a recovering island habitat. Guided walks can introduce visitors to native vegetation, giant tortoises, seabirds and the conservation work undertaken to control invasive plants and protect wildlife. Marine activities, including snorkelling, diving, kayaking and boat trips, depend on visibility, currents and seasonal weather. The island’s compact scale makes it possible to combine a beach morning with an interior walk or a quiet visit to a granite lookout. Historical traces add depth: remnants of earlier cultivation and an old cemetery recall the period when North Island was a working plantation island. There are no conventional galleries, shopping streets or family amusement attractions; the appeal lies in controlled access to beaches, forest, wildlife and sea. Visitors seeking broader cultural or historical sightseeing can use time on Mahé, which is geographically outside North Island, before or after the island stay.

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Best landmarks in North Island

North Island’s most recognisable landmarks are natural: pale granite boulders and ridges rise behind sandy coves, creating a distinctive Seychelles coastline of rounded rock, forest and bright shallow water. The island’s beaches are important visual markers because their orientation gives each a different relationship with wind, swell and afternoon light. Inland, the recovering forest and conservation areas represent a landmark transformation in their own right, showing how a former plantation landscape can be managed for native habitat and wildlife. Giant tortoises are living symbols of the island’s conservation identity, although they are animals rather than fixed monuments and must be observed without interference. An old cemetery and surviving traces of earlier cultivation provide quieter historical landmarks, connecting the private resort landscape with the island’s agricultural past. These places are best understood through guided walks, when the relationship between granite geology, settlement, plantation use and modern restoration becomes clearer.

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Best restaurants in North Island

Dining on North Island is centred on the resident accommodation rather than independent restaurants. Meals typically draw on the wider Seychellois tradition of combining fresh seafood, rice, fruit, vegetables, coconut and aromatic spices, with menus shaped by daily availability and the island’s supply arrangements. Fish and other seafood are natural features of a granite-island setting, while tropical fruit and locally influenced Creole preparations provide a stronger sense of place than imported fine-dining formality alone. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners are generally planned around the guest programme, with beach or outdoor settings possible when weather permits. There are no village cafés, bakeries or farmers’ markets on the island, so dietary requirements and specialist foods should be communicated before arrival. Visitors extending their trip on Mahé will find a much broader range of Creole eateries, takeaways, cafés, hotel restaurants and markets, but that mainland dining scene should not be mistaken for North Island’s deliberately self-contained experience.

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Best bars in North Island

North Island has no nightclub district and no independent late-night bar scene. Evening life is usually concentrated around the resident accommodation, where guests may have drinks with dinner, meet in a lounge or enjoy a low-key outdoor setting when conditions allow. The emphasis is on quiet conversation, the night sky and the natural surroundings rather than loud entertainment. Alcoholic drinks are available through the accommodation, but they are not essential to experiencing the island and should be enjoyed responsibly, particularly before swimming, boating or walking on uneven paths. Live entertainment and special evening activities can vary, so current arrangements should be confirmed directly before travelling. Visitors wanting busier nightlife, more bars or music venues need to spend time on Mahé, outside North Island, where evening activity is concentrated in the capital and larger settled areas.

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Best nightclubs in North Island

North Island has no nightclub district and no independent late-night bar scene. Evening life is usually concentrated around the resident accommodation, where guests may have drinks with dinner, meet in a lounge or enjoy a low-key outdoor setting when conditions allow. The emphasis is on quiet conversation, the night sky and the natural surroundings rather than loud entertainment. Alcoholic drinks are available through the accommodation, but they are not essential to experiencing the island and should be enjoyed responsibly, particularly before swimming, boating or walking on uneven paths. Live entertainment and special evening activities can vary, so current arrangements should be confirmed directly before travelling. Visitors wanting busier nightlife, more bars or music venues need to spend time on Mahé, outside North Island, where evening activity is concentrated in the capital and larger settled areas.

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Best shops in North Island

North Island is not a shopping destination and has no public high street, market or independent retail quarter. Guests should bring medicines, specialist toiletries, reading materials and other personal necessities from Mahé, as the island’s accommodation is not a substitute for everyday shops. Purchases are more likely to consist of items supplied through the resort, such as locally associated food products, crafts or keepsakes, subject to availability. Visitors should avoid buying anything made from coral, protected shells, wildlife products or illegally collected natural materials. For a broader selection of Seychellois crafts, spices, textiles, souvenirs and locally produced foods, plan shopping time on Mahé before or after the North Island stay. The most meaningful souvenirs are generally lightweight, legally sourced products that do not remove material from the island’s beaches, reefs or forest.

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North Island essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the Seychellois rupee, coded SCR, as throughout Seychelles. Cards and electronic payments are normally the practical choice at the island’s accommodation, while expenses arranged through the resort are usually settled as part of the accommodation account. Cash in Seychellois rupees is more useful on Mahé than on North Island, where there are no independent shops or everyday services. Confirm accepted cards and payment arrangements before arrival, particularly for extras and transfers.
Safety
The principal risks on North Island are environmental rather than urban: strong sun, dehydration, slippery granite, changing tides, currents and sudden changes in sea conditions. Swim and snorkel only where staff advise, and take extra care around reef shallows and isolated beaches. Keep doors and food secured as instructed, respect wildlife and use insect protection at dusk. Visitors should also follow guidance for turtle areas and avoid walking alone into unfamiliar coastal terrain after dark.
Emergency Situations
Seychelles uses the national emergency number 999 for urgent police, fire and ambulance assistance. On North Island, contact resort staff immediately, as they coordinate first response, communications, medical assistance and evacuation arrangements. Sea rescue and transfers depend on location and weather, so do not attempt an unsupervised rescue from rocks or open water. Carry appropriate travel insurance covering medical treatment, evacuation and disruptions to private island transfers.
Do's and Don'ts
Do follow marked paths and staff instructions, use reef-conscious sun protection, and keep a respectful distance from giant tortoises, nesting turtles and birds. Do not collect shells, coral, plants or stones, and do not feed wildlife or leave food waste outdoors. Swimwear is appropriate on the beach but more modest clothing is expected in shared dining areas. Tipping is not a legal requirement; ask about the accommodation’s policy rather than assuming that individual gratuities are expected.
Local Tips
Treat North Island as a slow, weather-led destination rather than a place to fill a tight sightseeing schedule. The clearest contrast is between the island’s sheltered beaches, forest paths and open granite headlands, so explore at different times of day. Keep a spare day on Mahé if your international connection is important, and purchase medication, specialist toiletries and other personal supplies before the transfer. Conservation briefings are useful: they explain how the island’s present landscape differs from its plantation past.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloBonzur[bɔ̃zyʊr]
GoodbyeAurevoir[oʁvwaʁ]
YesWi[wi]
NoNon[nɔ̃]
Please/You're welcomeS'il vous plaît[sil vu ple]
Thank youMersi[mɛʁsi]
Excuse me/SorryEskize mwen[ɛskiˈze mɛ̃]
How are you?Kouman ou y?[kuˈmɑ̃ u i]
Fine. And you?Byen. E ou?[bjɛ̃ e u]
Do you speak English?Es ou parle Anglais?[ɛs u paʁl ɑ̃ɡlɛ]
I don't understandMwen pa konprann[mɛ̃ pa kɔ̃pʁɑ̃]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseMwen ti a kontan vwar menu, sil vous plaît[mɛ̃ ti a kɔ̃tɑ̃ vwaʁ meˈny, sil vu ple]
I don't eat meatMwen pa manze vyann[mɛ̃ pa mɑ̃ze vjɑ̃]
Cheers!Santé![sɑ̃te]
I would like to pay, pleaseMwen ti a kontan peye, sil vous plaît[mɛ̃ ti a kɔ̃tɑ̃ peje, sil vu ple]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Ed![ɛd]
Go away!Ale, ale![ale, ale]
Call the Police!Appel Polisi![aˈpɛl poˈlisi]
Call a doctor!Appel en docteur![aˈpɛl ɑ̃ dɔkˈtœʁ]
I'm lostMwen pe perdi[mɛ̃ pe pɛʁdi]
I'm illMwen malad[mɛ̃ maˈlad]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Mwen ti a kontan achte...[mɛ̃ ti a kɔ̃tɑ̃ aʃte]
I'm just lookingMwen zis pe gade[mɛ̃ zis pe ɡaˈde]
How much is it?Ki konbyen sa?[ki kɔ̃bjɛ̃ sa]
That's too expensiveSa tro cher[sa tʁo ʃɛʁ]
Can you lower the price?Es ou kapab desann pri a?[ɛs u kaˈpab deˈsɑ̃ pʁi a]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Ki le sa?[ki le sa]
It's one o'clockI le enn ler[i le ɛ̃ lɛʁ]
Half past (10)Demi apre (10)[dəmi apʁe (10)]
MorningMatin[ma.tɛ̃]
AfternoonApremidi[apʁeˈmidi]
EveningSware[swaʁ]
YesterdayYer[jɛʁ]
TodayAzi[a.zi]
TomorrowDemain[də.mɛ̃]
1Enn[ɛ̃]
2De[de]
3Trois[tʁwa]
4Katre[ka.tʁə]
5Senk[sɛ̃k]
6Sis[sis]
7Set[sɛt]
8Huit[ɥit]
9Nef[nɛf]
10Dix[dis]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Kot enn/sa...?[kɔt ɛ̃/sa]
What's the address?Ki ladrès?[ki laˈdʁɛs]
Can you show me (on the map)?Es ou kapav montre mwen (lo kat)?[ɛs u kaˈpav mɔ̃tʁe mɛ̃ (lo kat)]
When's the next (bus)?Kan sa prochen (buss)?[kɑ̃ sa pʁoʃɛn (bys)]
A ticket (to ....)Enn tiké (pou ....)[ɛ̃ tikɛ (pu ....)]

History of North Island

Granite Island Formation and Early Human Use

North Island is part of the Seychelles inner islands, a group of ancient granitic landforms distinct from coral atolls elsewhere in the archipelago. Its granite ridges, sandy coves and forested slopes were shaped over geological time before human settlement. As on other islands near Mahé, early visitors likely used the coast and sheltered anchorages, although North Island did not develop into a major indigenous urban or political centre. Its small size and isolation helped preserve a landscape in which natural features remained more prominent than permanent architecture.

French and British Colonial Seychelles

The Seychelles became a French possession in the eighteenth century and was transferred to Britain after the Napoleonic Wars. North Island formed part of this wider colonial island economy, in which small islands were drawn into maritime trade and plantation production. The island’s location north of Mahé made it accessible to vessels moving through the inner Seychelles, while its land could support limited cultivation. Colonial administration left its strongest long-term mark through land ownership, agriculture and the movement of workers and goods between islands.

Coconut and Plantation Agriculture

During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, North Island was used for agricultural production, particularly coconut cultivation and related copra processing. Other crops were also grown in the Seychelles, but coconut was especially important to the islands’ export economy. Plantation activity cleared or altered parts of the native vegetation and introduced plants that later complicated ecological restoration. Remnants of earlier settlement and an old cemetery help convey that North Island was once a working agricultural island rather than solely a leisure destination.

Decline of Plantation Use and Island Isolation

As the plantation economy declined and the Seychelles moved towards independence in 1976, North Island became increasingly quiet and lightly populated. Its limited arable land, lack of a substantial settlement and dependence on sea access prevented it from developing into a conventional island community. This period of reduced human activity allowed parts of the landscape to regenerate, though introduced species and the legacy of former cultivation remained significant environmental challenges.

Conservation and Ecological Restoration

Late twentieth-century and early twenty-first-century conservation efforts repositioned North Island as a site of ecological restoration. Management programmes focused on controlling invasive vegetation, encouraging native forest, safeguarding seabirds and supporting the recovery of indigenous wildlife, including giant tortoises. The island’s conservation model reflects a broader Seychelles concern: tourism can place pressure on fragile islands, but carefully managed access can also finance habitat protection. Restoration remains an ongoing process rather than a claim that the island has returned completely to its pre-settlement state.

A Private Conservation-Led Visitor Destination

North Island’s contemporary identity emerged when private investment and conservation management were combined with a small-scale luxury hospitality operation. Rather than growing into a mass-market resort island, it retained controlled access, low visitor numbers and an emphasis on guided nature experiences. Accommodation, transport and activities are organised as an integrated island operation. This arrangement has made North Island internationally recognised among travellers interested in secluded beaches and conservation, while leaving Mahé as the principal administrative, transport and supply centre.

North Island in Photos

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to North Island, Seychelles

Discover North Island with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Plan and book your perfect trip effortlessly!

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More about the Evendo app

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