Cocos Keeling
West Island West Island is an ideal size to explore by pushbike or, for the less energetic, by hire vehicle. There's plenty to do: explore Bob's Folly with its majestic stand of Calophyllum trees and native hibiscus, or take a plunge into the turquoise Indian Ocean at Trannies Beach, one of the island's most popular swimming beaches.
Home Island
Located across the lagoon and just a short ferry ride away, this unique part of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands is a must-see for visitors. Home of the Cocos Malay people, the island offers a complete contrast to West Island.
Direction Island
This picture-perfect tropical island offers exquisite white sandy beaches, shady shelters, wood-fired BBQs, eco toilets and walking trails.
The island is a favourite anchorage for visiting round-the-world yachts, many of whom have left calling card paraphernalia and other memorabilia on the palm trees.
Prison Island
Situated between Home and Direction Islands, Pulu Beras ('rice island') as it is known in Malay, used to be twice its present size and with a hill that was almost the highest point on the islands. The now tiny island housed a prison in the early days of settlement, though little remains of this today except the name.
Rodrigues
Mauritius
Mauritius, a sparkling crystal in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, will fascinate you. The contrast of colours, cultures and tastes makes the island so charming that the scene is set for an unforgettable holiday. Here, you have the opportunity to experience unparalleled luxury: a level of refinement that is head and shoulders above that on offer in other tropical holiday destinations. Here, you will discover the true meaning of ‘beauty’ – a realisation that will compel you to return to Mauritius’ shores time and again.
Mauritius’ white beaches are protected by a coral reef barrier that encircles almost all of the coastline, with the exception of the southern end, where it falls away and where wilder waters and dramatic cliffs can be observed. From the northern plains, the land rises to a central plateau dotted by lakes and extinct volcanic craters. A few uninhabited islets area are scattered around the main island.
Réunion
Madagascar
A tropical island which stands out from a large coral shelf in the Mozambique Canal. It’s surrounded by several enchanting islands close by. Nosy Be is both a starting point for excursions on the sea and a place for a relaxing vacation. You will realize why the Malagasy people call it the Scented Island (Nosy Manitra). An inebriating scent of spices wrap the visitor with the perfume of the ’ylang ylang flower, coffee , pepper, drying vanilla, cinnamon and sugar cane.
The most interesting places in the island are “The sacred tree”, a gigantic ‘ficus bengalensis’ whose branches and aerial roots form a cathedral with a diameter of more than 50 metres. Ampasindava Falls , the typical village of Ambatoloaka where the ‘life’ of Nosy Be is concentrated: restaurants, hotels, Casino, discos, boats bikes and motorbike to rent, boutiques, diving and fishing centres.
Mayotte
Comores
Seychelles
Seychelles’ 115 islands fall into two distinct groups, the granitic Inner Islands and the low-lying coralline Outer Islands.
The Inner Islands cluster for the most part around the principal islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue and together form the cultural hub of Seychelles, as well as the centre of the tourism industry.
The Outer Islands, less visitied than their granatic cousins due to their relative remoteness, these pristine miniature worlds offer the ultimate in untouched habitats for many species of wildlife. Alphonse and Desroches boast unparralled opportunities for sailing, fishing and diving in places where few have gone before.
In addition to the enticing beauty of our world famous beaches, warm turquoise waters and excellent opportunities for island hopping, there are a host of special attractions to visit. These include the legendary Vallée de Mai, national monuments, wonderful examples of Creole architecture, artists’ studios, marine parks and other natural wonders above and beneath the waves.
Maldives
A string of pearls scattered over the deep blue Indian Ocean – The first glimpse you get of this fascinating atoll- formation confirms two unique aspects of the Republic of Maldives. Not only does it consist of the most beautiful tropical islands, but 99% of its 90.000 km² is covered by the sea. 1190 islands are spread over 26 atolls, ringlike coral formations enclosing a lagoon, which gives the Maldives its unique paradise-like appearance. They stretch for about 820 km from North to South and do not exceed an altitude of 2 meter above sea level. No more than 200 islands are inhabited, the rest includes the 87 tourist resorts and uninhabited islands.
Sun, sand and sea, a thousand ‘Robinson Crusoe’ islands, massive lagoons with different depths and infinite shades of blue and turquoise, dazzling underwater coral gardens; a perfect natural combination for the ideal tropical holiday destination. However there is more to the Maldives than just that.
Yemen
Socotra, perhaps the most extraordinary and least damaged island in the Indian Ocean, is situated 500 kilometers from the Yemeni coast in the Arabian Sea. Socotra is a unique island, which has only recently become open to visitors. The island offers a surprising variety of natural beauties: mountains overlooking the sea, plains coveres with palm trees and cane-brakes, beaches, limestone plateaux and deep ravines. On the island, visitors can find unique animal and vegetables species that give Socotra a primordial look. The island of Socotra is a real Eden for sea lovers. The waters are suitable for snorkelling, due to the numerous fish and corals in clear shallow water.