Mark shares his personal experience after staying on this magical island

Discovering Alphonse Island in the Seychelles

Lying 7 degrees south of the Equator, the Alphonse Atoll is home to three islands, Alphonse itself, and two smaller islands, St Francois and Bijoutier. Alphonse Island is the largest of the three islands and is arguably the best and most unique single-resort island experience in the Seychelles, offering a range of activities and luxury holiday experiences like none other.

Getting to the Island

Flights to Alphonse depart from Mahé domestic terminal on a Saturday and Wednesday. Between November and April, there may be additional flights throughout the week, subject to availability. The flight out of Mahé is a morning flight, so it's best to stay overnight in Mahé the night before you depart for the island. Flight time is 60 minutes, with a strict 15kg luggage allowance in a soft bag preferably, and 5kgs of hand luggage. 

The Resort

Simple luxury in the heart of the Indian Ocean best describes the resort. Alphonse Island is home to just 29 Bungalows and Villas, which all have stunning beachfront locations. 

The 22 Beach Bungalows are set on stilts and have ensuite bathrooms with baths and outdoor showers. A spacious patio with a day bed completes the Beach Bungalow offering. For a little more luxury, the five spacious Beach Villas have their own pool deck, ample lounge area, open plan bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers, and a separate guest toilet. For the ultimate stay, the two 4-bedroom Beach Retreats offer some of the best accommodation in the Seychelles. The four rooms lead to an extensive lounge/entertainment area. There's a plunge pool and garden which takes you directly to the beach.

The Beach Bungalows and the Beach Villas come with bikes, while the Retreats come with golf carts and bikes. The bikes are perfect for getting you around the island and allowing you to explore as you wish.

Things to do

The endless activities at Alphonse Island offer you the chance to relax or be as active as you wish. Quiet, secluded beaches are there to be explored, where sightings of turtles and rays from the beach are almost guaranteed. There's a PADI dive centre, fantastic snorkelling, kayaks and paddle boards, sunset trips, and ocean safaris where you get the chance to see spinner dolphins, manta rays or snorkel with sailfish.

There's the chance to join the resident biologists on turtle hatching walks, do a cycle tour of the island, visit the amazing farm or explore the Atolls, two smaller islands of St Francois and Bijoutier. A tennis court and massage team are also on-site if you want to get pampered and rejuvenated.

For the avid fisherman, Alphonse offers world-renowned fly fishing, with Bonefish, Giant Trevally, Milkfish, Triggerfish and others found on the expansive flats surrounding Alphonse. Deep sea fishing is also available, but fly fishing is the main attraction here. A fully equipped fishing shop with fly rod and reel hire available is an added convenience.

Unique experiences

Alphonse offers guests a few treats throughout the week, the best two being the Flats Lunch and sundowners at the Beach Bar. The Flats lunch, in particular, is a truly special experience with a BBQ on one of the Atolls' expansive sand flats.

Family holidays at Alphonse Island

Families are well catered for at Alphonse Island with suitable accommodation options, complimentary child care for the younger ones, a main pool and a paradise island to explore and discover. And that’s not forgetting all the fantastic activities on offer for all the family.

In conclusion

Alphonse is not a cheap option, but the friendly staff, secluded island, delicious cuisine, stunning beaches and plentiful activities make this the best kept luxury secret in the Seychelles. The island simply will not disappoint.