Travel Guide

Bird Island
With the rustling of a million wings the sooty terns take flight at the human intrusion into their world.

Image of nesting Sooty Terns

Located about 50 miles northeast of Mahe and only 30 minutes by air and about 8 hours by boat, Bird Island certainly lives up to its name and is without question, an ornithologists wildest dream come true.  Between April and November, a couple of million sooty terns come to breed on the island.  Other species, such as fairy and noddy  terns and the Madagascar fody also come to breed here.  Esmeralda, one of the islands two resident giant tortoises, is reputed to be 150 years old.  It was recently discovered that SHE was in reality a HE.  Perhaps a name change to Quasimodo is in order?  The island is situated on the edge of the Seychelles Bank where the seabed drops straight down into depths of more than 1800 meters.  Deep sea fishing and snorkeling can be arranged through the BIRD ISLAND LODGE, a typical island hotel with thatched-roof cottages and rooms with twin beds.

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