Peppered over 455 km² in the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles are a much more dramatic island alternative to their neighbouring archipelagos. Much of this drama is down to the islands’ striking rock formations; a feature of their unique granitic composition.

Such was the impression left on Victorian General Gordon of Khartoum that he ardently proclaimed the Seychelles the undisputed location of the Garden of Eden. While Adam and Eve may have been exiled from the Seychelles some time ago, the Edenic scenery remains. The nation’s 115 islands lie 1000 miles off the coast of Africa, a testament perhaps to why they remain so unspoilt.

The archipelago has come a long way since its notoriety as a haven for 18th century pirates and slave traders. Now, its reputation is more synonymous with honeymooners and holidaymakers alike, seeking a slice of island paradise. Despite this reverence in the tourist community, the Seychelles has skilfully maintained an aura of wilderness, bastioned by verdant jungles, mysterious coves and towering granitic structures.