Silhouette Island
A mountainous granite island west of Mahé, almost entirely national park.
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Silhouette rises steeply out of the sea twenty kilometres west of Mahé, its peak reaching 740 metres, and almost the whole island is national park with no roads and a single settlement at La Passe. The forest on it is among the least disturbed in the granitic Seychelles, holding endemic plants and the Seychelles sheath-tailed bat, one of the rarest bats anywhere. Trails cross the island on foot and the coast is walked between beaches.
What you actually see
- The peak - Mont Dauban rising to 740 metres above the forest.
- The forest - among the least disturbed woodland in the granitic islands.
- The sheath-tailed bat - one of the world's rarest bats, surviving here.
- The trail network - foot routes crossing the island, with no roads anywhere.
When to go
April to May and October to November are the calm months between monsoons. December to March brings northwest wind and rain. Crossings can be rough.
Honest expectations
There is one hotel and no independent accommodation, which makes visiting expensive. Trails are steep, muddy and often overgrown. Boat crossings are cancelled in rough conditions.
Nearby
North Island is northeast, and Mahé is east.
What to pack for Silhouette Island
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
