North Island Seychelles

Spa

In-villa spa treatments are carried out by an enthusiastic and talented team, allowing guests to relax in their own private space. The treatments are specially derived from island ingredients and, in keeping with the North Island concept of tailor-made service, three different treatments can be chosen from. This ensures that guests receive exactly what they need when they need it. Each guest receives a complimentart 20minute massage on arrival to ease them into their North Island experience.

Activities

The activities on offer on North Island are designed to give guests the opportunity to enjoy the island and its magic either under guidance from one of the hosts, or to give you the complete freedom to move around the island at your own pace, either on foot, on mountain bikes or by island buggy. These activities will have a minimal impact on the environment whilst providing the thrill and enjoyment of entertainment and exercise.

Scuba Diving

Seychelles forms part of the world’s longest coral reef system and has some of the world’s best scuba diving sites. Numerous dive sites have been identified around North Island and its nearest neighbour Silhouette Island. A “guided” scuba experience is available from their dive masters who, not only experts in scuba practices but also in the underwater universe.

Snorkeling

There are good snorkeling sites around North Island and Silhouette Island. Masks and fins are available at the dive centre if you wish to explore these sites, either on your own or in the company of a staff member (depending on your snorkeling skills).

Sea kayaking

Those wishing to explore the Island from the water are able to do so using sea kayaks with all necessary tuition and guidance provided.

North Island Gym

It is air-conditioned and is situated near the main swimming pool.
Island bicycles: are available for guest use and are suitable for getting from one side of the Island to the other with ease.

Fly-fishing

It is an option for any guest. North Island has fishing rods, tackle and flies in stock for guest use. However, we recommend that serious fly-fishermen bring their own rods and tackle.

Boating and island hopping

Boating around North Island or other trips could include visits to Mahé and the outer islands, including the spectacular bird islands, Arid and Cousin, and can be arranged at an extra cost.

Island Buggies

Each Villa has its own dedicated Island Buggie. These specially adapted electric carts look like miniature 4 X 4s that give guests the freedom to move around the Island with ease.

Trips to Silhouette Island

Located some five kilometres to the south, Silhouette Island is a soaring granite island, whose peaks are constantly enveloped in clouds. The granite cliffs drop sharply into the sea. Silhouette Island has few beaches, though there are some wonderful tiny coves with remote beaches that are worth exploring.
Silhouette Island’s attractions include an excellent example of a Seychelles plantation house (built in 1850), now a museum, and the remains of its once thriving copra processing plant. Ron Gerlach is the resident ecologist and runs a breeding programme for the highly endangered Seychelles giant tortoises and terrapin. His immaculate research centre is worth a visit and, depending on the time of the year, you may see turtle eggs (Hawksbill and Green turtles) being incubated. For the energetic and fit, Silhouette Island has some challenging hiking trails.

Childcare

There is no children’s club but North Island will personalise activities and entertainment for children during their stay. Activities include sand castle building, treasure hunts, bead making, basket weaving (traditionally Seychelles), board games, and kids’ movies set up in the library on the “big screen” or on a second TV/DVD facility in the second bedroom. Activities focusing on the environment, including talks, walks. Children’s bikes, snorkel equipment, body boards, blow-up pool toys and the offer “bubble maker” courses for 8- to 10-year-olds and “scuba diving” courses for 10-year-olds and upwards.

A special “kids’ menu” can be adapted by discussing it with the chef. Baby-sitters are also provided if parents wish to dine alone.

The 11 villas, each a massive 450㎡;, are located one of the island’s pristine beaches. The philosophy behind them was that you could spread out and truly feel at home and not need to leave your villa if you wished.

Each villa has been individually handcrafted by Seychellois and African craftsmen with wood, local stone and glass. Each villa is completely self-contained, raised a metre off the ground to catch the cooling island breezes.

Each villa has two bedrooms, a main bedroom and a second bedroom. Whereas the villa is primarily occupied by one or two guests, they may require the second bedroom for children nineteen years and younger. This is available at an additional cost. Alternatively, the second bedroom can be converted into a study for guests staying in the master bedroom.

A luxuriously proportioned master bedroom with a changing room and writing area leads into a large en-suite bathroom with a marble bath and two showers, one indoor and one outdoor. The bedrooms are air-conditioned and all rooms have overhead “punkah punkah” fans. The fully retracting sliding doors allow for uninterrupted views onto the lawns and the turquoise seas in front of each villa. There is satellite television, a DVD/CD system and Internet access. The kitchen leads off the lounge/dining area. A private plunge pool and sala are the finishing touches in this private sanctuary.

In situating the villas, we placed villas 1 to 9 discreetly in the tree-line, facing onto the beach. Villas 10 and 11 are completely unique in their location. Their layout has been designed to accommodate the incline along the extreme northern side of the An se d’ est beach and they are secretly tucked away in the Takamaka forest. The beach views from these villas are truly spectacular from every angle of these units. Together with the unique manipulation of the design, these two remarkable villas are seperated from the rest. Villas 10 and 11 are referred to as Villa Royale and Villa North Island respectively.

Besides its exceptional beauty, North Island has long been renowned for its fertility and also for the richness of the fishing grounds wherein it nestles. It is not surprising therefore, that North Island’s lodge should draw upon these exceptional natural resources. The cuisine is based on the very finest natural products lovingly prepared in a sumptuous array of exotic dishes.

The cuisine of North Island is based on the diversity and cultural influences which, in part, make up the Seychellois Creole flavour. Culinary aspects of Seychelles, France and southern Indian spices are combined with the organic resources of North Island and the abundance on offer from the Indian Ocean. Balanced together with simplicity, expect a feast that will awaken all of your senses.

There is a “no menu” concept of dining on North Island and the chef, David Godin, speaks to each guest, explains the North Island cuisine concept, finds out personal food preferences and then develops the menus daily around this information.

During your stay on North Island, you can be sure of a memorable culinary experience, complimented by an impressive cellar with some of the world’s great wines and champagnes. Please let us know well in advance of any special dietary requirements.

North Island Seychelles

PO Box 1176, Victoria,
Mahé, Seychelles
Telephone: +248 4 293 100
Facsimile: +248 4 293 150
Email: info@north-island.com