Bird Island Lodge

Bird Island is the most northerly of the Seychelles, a (twice-weekly) 30-minute flight from Mahé. White sand beaches at the edge of gin- clear waters border this 170-acre coral cay. Where better to be a castaway?

The island is on the edge of the Seychelles Bank, where marine life is prolific. Hawksbill and Green turtles nest on the beach and, from May to September, there is the spectacle of a million+ sooty terns breeding on the island. (Best time to see the terns is June-August; the last youngsters fledge by October). These are joined by some white (fairy) terns and some 90 pairs of white-tailed tropic-birds. There are some 22 Aldabra giant tortoises on Bird Island. There is also a reintroduction programme for the seychelles sunbird.

Bird Island Lodge is an award-winning, delightful retreat of 24 spacious (68m2) garden cottages set among palm and casuarinas trees, just steps from the ocean. Each has a king-size four-poster bed, lounge area and private patio. The restaurant has a reputation for its cooking, which is based on fresh, local ingredients.

There are no twin beds in the lodge, but there are 2 small sofa beds for kids. Private bathrooms are equipped with solar-heated shower. Rooms have fan and there is WiFi.

Chalets have a private, outdoors, shaded kitchen-bar-lounge area (36 m²); the fully equipped kitchen comes with refrigerator, oven, microwave, stovetop kettle, water dispenser with free refills; crockery and cutlery. (There is a small shop for guests keen on the self-catering option).

Please be aware that there is no air-conditioning at the lodge and there are no telephones or television sets.