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Silhouette Island

Silhouette Island, Seychelles

The mountainous island is known for its rich biodiversity, 731 meters high Mount Dauban, and natural beauty. Tourists can see a wide variety of birds, eckos, chameleons, turtles, & skinks; explore the caves, or indulge in swimming and snorkeling. Known to be the third-largest granite island in the whole Seychelles region, this island attracts visitors for some quiet time in nature and offers absolute bliss!

The island is mountainous with five peaks over 500 m (1,600 ft) in elevation; Mont Dauban 751 m (2,464 ft), Mont-Pot-a-Eau 621 m (2,037 ft), Gratte Fesse 515 m (1,690 ft), Mont Corgat 502 m (1,647 ft) and Mont Cocos Marrons 500 m (1,600 ft). As such, it has some of the most dramatic scenery of the islands.

From the mid-19th century until 1960, the island was owned by the Dauban family, who were originally from France but had settled in Mauritius in 1830. The Dauban family was responsible for developing extensive plantations on Silhouette.

This is the third-largest island in Seychelles and is located near the north island. You will get to see the Mont Dauban from here if not shrouded by clouds. You will be lucky enough to experience the carnivorous pitcher plants here. The island has a granite structure, but it has volcanic syenite, which was stored here 63 million years ago following a massive eruption. The name of this island is in the name of the minister Étienne de Silhouette.

Silhouette Island is one of the richest biodiversity points in the western Indian Ocean with many endemic and threatened plant and animal species. Among the most important is the Critically Endangered Seychelles sheath-tailed bat.

The French had a Dauban family here and you will get to see the Dauban mausoleum inside the forest as well. The interior portion of this island is a national park and here you will find hundreds of birds, plants, and reptiles. This island also has a breeding station for turtles. If you are willing to spend some days, you will not find any car here, but you have to travel on foot to the nearest hotel. If you love taking walks then there are so many amazing trails in this place like the trek to Grand Barbe a four-hour trek and you will always get the best climate while hiking.

Choose your travel:
15-minute helicopter ride from the airport.
45-minutes by boat from Bel Ombre Jetty.
Contact the concierge for a private boat charter.

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