Desroches

Desroches forms part of the Amirantes group of islands (a remote coral atoll), 230km south-west of Mahe in the Seychelles.

Strewn with coconut trees, Desroches Island is approximately 6 km long and 1 km wide and boasts 14km of immaculate white soft sandy beaches and crystal blue waters. This exclusive island is one of the most beautiful in the Indian Ocean.

The island has only one luxurious resort with 20 Beach Suites and 28 Villas (29 Villas by February 2011), all with sea-views and just a few steps from the beach.

Located only 5° south of the equator Desroches is blessed with one of the world’s healthiest, malaria free climates.

Indulge . . .

Experience decadent flavours from around the world and traditional seafood barbeques at Le Ve Loutier Restaurant. Relax under the trees at the Pizzeria for scrumptious lunches all complemented with an extensive international beverage and wine list.

L’Amirantes Bar serves a variety of freshly mixed cocktails. One can enjoy a cold Seybrew beer after cycling around the island or ‘Indulge’ at sunset with one of our speciality cocktails.

Desroches offers an alternative relaxed ‘Takamaka’ bar at the activity centre, open during the day for a ‘toes-in-the-sand’ cold beer or delicious local rum cocktail.

PRIVATE DINING ARRANGEMENTS

In addition to the restaurants, private dining arrangements can be made to enjoy your meal on the terrace of your room or villa, or on a special spot on the beach. The balmy weather and beach activity will improve your appetite, so make the most of the glorious outdoors to create a special mood for that romantic dinner or gathering of family and friends.

Unwind. . .

Desroches Island Spa is run by experienced and fully trained Balinese masseuses who offer a range of soothing and energising spa treatments.

Enjoy a relaxing and refreshing massage treatment at either the Spa centre, your own Suite, on the beach or under the tropical palm trees!

Treatments have been designed to relieve stress, detoxify, cleanse and purify, refresh and rejuvenate mind, body and soul.

PLAY. . .

• Cycling tours

• Tennis court

• Children’s programmes

• Guided nature walks

• Scuba diving

• Deep sea diving

• Snorkelling

• Specialised fishing

• Neighbouring island trips

• Sea kayaks

• Hydro bikes

• Surfing

• Sunset cruises

Cycling tours of the island’s jungle (on your own personal bike), or explorations to the northern point and deserted beaches allow you to lose yourself in this island paradise. For a more relaxing option, enjoy sensuous spa treatments or catered picnics either on the beach or under the tropical palm trees, and private sunset cruises which offer stunning views of the island from a different angle.

Tennis court - The flood lit tennis court is a super way to do a little exercise once the sun has set and the temperature has dropped a little, or for something a little less strenuous try a game of table tennis, pool or a round of darts.

Children ’s programmes - Designed to educate and entertain children in a safe environment offered during peak periods. In-room babysitting is available on request so parents can fully relax and enjoy adult facilities. Desroches is a family adventure Island, safe to explore and enjoy.

Guided nature walks - The resident conservation team offer guided informative nature walks around the island where guests can learn about current research projects and the endangered fauna and flora species on the island.

 

Down Under . . .

Scuba diving with friendly and attentive professionals, exploring the 14 classified sites, including the mysterious underwater caves and columns. PADI & NAUI diving courses (in English or French) are offered at the hotels dive centre.

Deep sea diving off the world renowned Desroches ‘drop-off’. Guided snorkelling trips with opportunities to view turtles gliding between shoals of multicoloured fish.

TOP 5 DIVE SITES

Canyon: This is a formation of big stone blocks with some very nice swim troughs and a real canyon (long and narrow) where lots of soft corals and gorgonian fan corals grow. The fish life is remarkable on this dive site: big shoals of snappers and fusiliers, sweetlips, sleeping stingrays and especially nurse sharks enjoy this spot for a little nap underneath the big rocks.

Big Cave : The challenge for every experienced diver – it is deep and dark. The long tunnel is 6m wide and goes straight into the reef wall – ending after 60m in a big round room. Sometimes we come across sleeping nurse sharks here or turtles that were searching for a quiet place to rest. The best part is on the way back when you see the entrance again – a blue hole with terrific light showing your way back to reality.

Airport Reef: A large overhang is the main part to explore on this dive site. Come across one of the famous sea grass pipefish living together with napoleons and bumphead parrotfish. Grey reef sharks and turtles may also swim your way. The rest of the wall is completely covered with many colourful soft corals.

Secret Passage : Away from the main reef we find a huge rock with a secret passage that leads as a tunnel from 24m up to 18m inside. It is home to many lionfish, lobsters and glassfish. Once outside again, the water is full of fusiliers, snappers and young barracudas.

Mini Wall : While drifting along this beautiful wall explore the larger and smaller overhangs which are full of soft corals and gorgonian fan corals. Spot special kinds of nudibranches or snails as well as a variety of moray eels. In the open water eagle rays, turtles and napoleons are often encountered.

Scuba diving and snorkelling is also offered to the nearby St Josephs atoll as well as Poivre. The boat ride across to these islands is around 1 hour and one usually get’s to see spectacular jumps from the many spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and the odd whale on the ride across.

Fish. . .

BIG GAME FISHING

Desroches offers outstanding big game fishing with hard-fighting adversaries such as Wahoo, Kingfish, Tuna, Sailfish, Marlin, Dorado, Bonefish, Giant and Bluefin Trevally, Green and Rosy Jobfish and a large variety of Grouper.

SALT WATER FLY-FISHING

Some of the best fly fishing in the world can be enjoyed on the outer islands, with an abundance of Bone-fish, Permit and Trevally species to target on fly while you simply get ‘lost’ in the utter beauty of the extensive shoreline surroundings.

Fly Fishing is operated by the Internationally renowned ‘Untamed Angling’ team. The Fishing season on Desroches Island runs from Mid October to the end of April.

The island lies outside the cyclone belt. The weather is tropical, and March and April are the hottest months but shade temperature seldom exceeds 30°C. Tropical diseases such as malaria and yellow fever are unknown.

The guides are all professionals and have a comprehensive knowledge of the areas in which they operate, having worked there for several seasons. The joy of fly fishing is that one can explore our neighbouring islands especially Poivre and St Joseph where the best fly fishing experiences be told.

Neighbouring Island Trips

Visit neighbouring islands of Poivre and St Josephs, day trips allow you to explore the outer islands of the Amirantes Archipelago, some of the most pristine, untouched islands in the world only 45mins – 1hour 15mins away from Desroches

GETTING THERE

Located 230 kilometres south-west of Mahe, Desroches Island is linked to the core infrastructure network of Mahe by schedule flights (approx. 40 minutes) and private charter flights.

Mahé - Desroches departures:

Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sun – 11:00 Sat – 12:30

Desroches - Mahé departures:

Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sun – 12:00 Sat – 13:30

Private charters can be arranged.