Seychelles' own Hedson Mathieu competed for the mens' cycling title in the 2007 Indian Ocean Island Games. Photo courtesy of Gerard Govinden

In August 2011, Seychelles will be on fire. In addition to the usual summer heat and high tourist season, sparks will fly with the kickoff of the eighth official Indian Ocean Island Games, a sports tournament involving athletes from islands in the southwest Indian Ocean. The event is a source of great pride for Seychelles, not only as a second-time host, but also as a medal contender: the last time the archipelago held the event in 1993, the country’s men’s volleyball team took home the gold.

Even now, the tiny capital city of Victoria (on the northeast of Mahe Island), is buzzing with large screens right in from of the post office airing sporting events. Although the screens have already been turned to good use, they were specially installed for people who happen to be in town but without the means to get to a an event. Clearly, the Indian Ocean Island Games are not to be missed.

A Brief History of the Indian Ocean Island Games

The first Indian Ocean Island Games were held in 1979 (on Reunion Island) and were intended for a grouping of African islands in the southern Indian Ocean: Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion Island and Seychelles. (Sri Lanka was also once due to take part, but sadly never has.)

The Games are both a football championship and an event showcasing many sports. Scheduled for 2011 in Seychelles are seven disciplines with both men’s and women’s leagues (badminton, basketball, judo, swimming, table tennis, volleyball and weightlifting), and three for men only (boxing, cycling and football). There is also a sailing event that involves lasers for men and windsurfing for men and women.

Originally, neighbouring Madagascar was the country slated to host these eighth games, but financial constraints proved too much of an obstacle. Seychelles, which had already welcomed the event in 1993, enthusiastically stepped in and is delighted with this second chance to open its doors to the region’s most prestigious sporting event.

Getting Ready to Rumble

August is one of the busiest times in terms of tourist arrivals in Seychelles, and the coming Games will surely turn the months ahead into one of the busiest tourism seasons in recent history. In addition to the 2,000 athletes landing a little before the games’ official opening on the 5th of August, the athletes’ relatives and other sports enthusiasts of the region are expected to touch down on the island’s shores in droves.

At the last Indian Ocean Island Games in Madagascar in 2007, the Seychelles men's basketball team sported national colors. The team has been champion once, but placed third in the Madagascar games. Photo courtesy of Gerard Govinden

In further preparation for this, stadiums and venues have been given a facelift, and additional arrangements have been made to accommodate the athletes. The 2011 Indian Ocean Island Games village will be based at the newly built Ile Perseverance, which is not far from Victoria. In the village, all amenities will be provided to ensure athletes remain in great shape to represent their countries in their chosen sporting field.

In addition, the Seychelles Public Transportation Corporation (SPTC) will provide regular buses to transport the athletes and other members of the delegations to and from sporting venues as well as to take them around Mahe Island when time allows for sightseeing.

Seychelles native and champion swimmer Shrone Austin competed in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Photo courtesy of Gerard Govinden

When all is said and done, this is the perfect time for sports lovers to plan a holiday in Seychelles. Visitors will be witnessing history in the making, but it is advisable to book a room in Seychelles in advance, because space is certain to be limited come August.

Event Highlights

The Indian Ocean Island Games are a great opportunity for Seychelles to show off some if its prized stadiums. The impressive Palais des Sports, where the basketball and volleyball events will be held, resembles a ship and is the best such facility available in the country. The Stade Linité will house the football events and also serve as the venue for the Games’ official opening festivities.

The Seychelles women's volleyball team has been Indian Ocean Island Games champion twice. They were runner up at the 2007 games in Madagascar. Photo courtesy of Gerard Govinden

In true Creole style, the opening ceremony promises to be an exciting event; this will be the time when locals’ friendliness and fun-loving Seychellois spirit will be at an all-time high. If the last Games held in Seychelles are anything to go by, anyone visiting the Seychelles islands during this time will be part of a once-in-a-lifetime occasion of people coming together to support their teams.

All across the country, flags will fly, including over the lovely white beaches for which the islands are famous, and visitors will receive extra smiles beyond the usual exuberant hospitality.

Travellers looking for some help planning their island vacation should contact the experts at Holidays Seychelles, the whl.travel local connection in Seychelles.

In 2010, Kate and William enjoyed a two-week getaway on Desroches Island in the Seychelles. The island is home to only about 50 people and one luxury hotel (the pool of which is pictured above).

Perhaps their decision was influenced by their earlier visit, which went smoothly and resulted in no indecent photos. After all, Desroches Island is an ideal location for keeping intruders at bay, thereby reducing security concerns. For this reason, not to mention incomparable beauty, many destinations in the the Seychelles receive their fair share of celebrities, from tennis stars and footballers to movie stars and, of course, royalty. The rich and famous keep coming back, although the Seychelles is also a destination to be enjoyed by anyone looking for a royal reception.

The Royal Spotlight

Just a short time ago, the world witnessed what has already been called ‘the wedding of the century.’ The prince and his new wife officially invited 1,900 people to the grand occasion, although an estimated 2.5 million spectators were also on hand in London to celebrate, and countries across the globe declared bank holidays so that people could watch it live on television.

With such a huge audience craving information, private details of the wedding were leaked to the public, from the total price of the spectacle to the names on the exclusive guest list. However, until the morning of the royal couple’s arrival in the Seychelles, the honeymoon remained a very private affair.

On Fregate Island in the Seychelles, guests can expect grand views of the coast while dining like royalty

Will it stay that way? In a society where information about the personal lives of celebrities can earn big bucks, there always seems to be someone ready to risk everything for a glimpse behind the curtain. The Duke of Cambridge is no stranger to the intense scrutiny he and the Duchess face in everything they do. Their 10-day honeymoon is no different. Inquiring minds want to know everything: how is the romance going, what they are eating, whether they have argued. What juicy details can be learned?

All the more reason to trust in the security and discretion of the Seychelles, to protect William and Kate from any zoom lenses that might try to disturb their newlywed retreat.

Where in the Seychelles?

Of all the different islands and hidden coves of the Seychelles, where would the honeymooners choose? Major destination include the two largest islands of Mahe and Praslin, as well as La Digue with its famous Anse Source d’Argent beach; but we were always doubtful that the royal couple would visit any of these three high-profile locations.

Instead, E! has reported that the honeymooners did indeed choose to return once more to the lesser island of Desroches, a hideaway with a mix of security, luxury and privacy perfect for a king and queen in the making. Moreover, unlike many Seychelles islands that are rocky and granitic, Desroches is coralline, making it perfect for top-shelf scuba diving!

The resort hotel on Desroches Island in the Seychelles specialises in supreme luxury and intimacy for its honeymooning guests

It’s no wonder that a lover of the outdoors like Prince William chose to bring Kate to Desroches for two weeks in 2010. With only 50 inhabitants and one luxury hotel of 20 rooms on the island, they undoubtedly found the peace and quiet they were looking for. We hope the same spirit of R&R suffuses the royal honeymoon!

Three Other Seychelles Islands Worthy of the Shortlist

The prince and his bride may already have found a perfect refuge, but we hope they will also one day consider visiting other gorgeous and unpopulated Seychelles islands. The three special locations below would certainly help prolong any storybook wedding with the ‘honeymoon of the century.’ All are tiny, privately owned, one-hotel retreats with few inhabitants that provide the perfect combination of isolation and luxury. Even if William and Kate can’t make it, the welcome to all visitors is guaranteed to make anyone feel like royalty.

Denis Island – This sliver of a coral atoll measures just 1.31-square-kilometres. It is one of the first islands in the archipelago to be eco-friendly, carbon neutral and free of rats. Covered in wild and endemic rainforests, Denis Island is a rare ecological wonder. The few human inhabitants are mostly conservationists and manmade structures are limited to a lighthouse, a small chapel, a small airstrip and the island’s one hotel, The Denis Island Resort, with 25 guest chalets. Apart from lazing around on the brilliant white beaches, guests can also sail, wind surf, play tennis, scuba dive and go deep-sea fishing.

The Island of Fregate's Mount Signale rises 125 metres above sea level, creating a throne-like perch for fine dining and sea gazing in the Seychelles

Fregate Island – As one of the granitic Inner Islands of the Seychelles, Fregate is only slightly bigger than Denis, at 2.19–square-kilometres, but its Mount Signale rises to 125 metres. On this island, any couple, royal or not, could explore a virgin rainforest brimming with wildlife. Set in this pristine ecosystem are only 16 villas and one presidential villa. Along the shoreline, the island’s Anse Victorin was voted ‘The World’s Best Beach’ by The Times newspaper. Even a king and queen would be hard pressed to find something more fitting.

North Island – Another granitic Inner Island of 2.01-square-kilometres, North Island is only 27 kilometres north of Mahe. The resort here is part of a larger conservation effort the goals of which are to protect endemic species and eliminate invasive ones. The island’s 11 villas, as well as all other structures on the island, are made of repurposed overgrowth. For any William and Kate interested in making an environmental statement in addition to enjoying total seclusion and luxury, North Island is well worth a visit!

Thinking about a honeymoon in the Seychelles? The Seychelles is a classic destination for both weddings and honeymooners. Resorts are keen to offer special packages to anyone tying the knot- or couples celebrating their honeymoon with royal flair.

Newlyweds Ken and Isabella look to the horizon and contemplate their future at Anse Source d’Argent on la Digue Island in the Seychelles after their wedding

Today, the African archipelagic nation of the Seychelles, already admired the world over for its stance on nature conservation – there are programmes in place to protect everything from the world’s smallest frog to its largest seed – is now indeed being lauded for altogether different reasons.

Let the Sunshine In

The Republic of Seychelles, as it is officially known, was recently named the world’s number one honeymoon destination by sunshine.co.uk, a notable UK-based travel agency. Following an announcement in October, the company now ranks the Seychelles above a number of high profile destinations, with Marrakech (Morocco) coming in second, and Jamaica, Las Vegas and Bulgaria rounding out the top five.

The Seychelles islands are truly breathtaking. With honeymooners now looking for some exotic flavour to add spice to the celebration of their matrimony, the 115 coral islands located in the Indian Ocean northeast of Madagascar are an ideal destination for those who won’t fuss about getting a bit of powdery, white sand in their wedding shoes.

Life in the Seychelles moves at a relaxed pace, one taken to heart by the affable and laidback populace of roughly 87,000. With this in mind, honeymooners have access to a tranquil or dynamic romantic getaway, one gauged to satisfy all tastes and all taking advantage of the country’s translucent waters, pristine nature reserves and gorgeous coral reefs, the most notable of which is the World Heritage Site Aldabra Atoll, home of the world’s largest population of giant tortoises, as well as many varieties of unique flora and fauna.

Enjoy a light fruit breakfast with homemade juices and freshly baked bread at La Reserve Hotel, located on a private beach at Anse Seber and overlooking the Seychelles' Curieuse Marine Park

Open Doors for All

No longer viewed as an exclusive stomping ground for the rich and famous, the Seychelles Islands are now on the radar of travellers of all backgrounds. The islands offer a wide range of Seychelles hotels – everything from simple shoreline bungalows to extravagant and exclusive resorts – and also present a full menu of Seychelles activities, including snorkelling and walking through the Praslin Island Nature Reserve.

As honeymooners frequently opt for a taste of luxury, there is an assortment of honeymoon suites with breathtaking views. Le Duc de Praslin and La Reserve Hotel on Praslin Island provide guests with idyllic lodging at reasonable rates. For a bit more seclusion, Patatran Village sits on a rocky cliff overlooking the crystal blue sea on La Digue Island.

The Seychelles is also the perfect destination for an actual wedding. In the spirit of the country’s relaxed atmosphere, couples can hold their nuptials practically anywhere, with Mahé Island presenting bride and groom with the widest range of ceremony options.

Interested? Then Pascal and the spirited team at Holidays Seychelles, your whl.travel local connection, can help you plan your dream honeymoon, including finding the perfect hotel and island for your romantic holiday and all other aspects of any special holiday. The dedicated Holidays Seychelles wedding coordinator can lend a hand for a more complete Seychelles Wedding or Honeymoon Package.