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Location:
North Island is one of the forty granitic islands of the Seychelles, which are located around the two main islands of Mahé and Praslin. Because North Island has long been uninhabited, is extremely fertile, and has an abundance of fresh water, the new owners came up with a concept which they have called, "Noah's Ark". The plan is to turn back the island's environmental clock two hundred years through rehabilitation and by re-introducing many of the critically endangered Seychelles species slowly over time, so that visitors are able to enjoy viewing some of this endangered wildlife.
In this same way, North Island is a sanctuary for its guests - those who seek an unspoiled tropical haven of peace and tranquility. With its four beaches, located at each end of the compass, and the small number of guests accommodated at any time, the island ensures a private and wonderful tropical beach and island experience. North Island is outside of the cyclone belt of the Indian Ocean, making it a safe and enjoyable year-round destination.
The "barefoot luxury Robinson Crusoe" development on North Island is unashamedly aimed at providing the very best in privacy, location, accommodation, services and facilities to the most discerning and privileged world travelers. The island is larger than Monte Carlo, yet only has 12 guest villas! Be assured that the staff on North Island will go to every length to pamper you, to enrich you and to rejuvenate your soul. But the essence of North Island remains one of sustainable, ecologically sensitive utilization as a precious, natural treasure.
Accommodation:
For images of North Island, click North Island Photos North Island's architect's, Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens, and a team of craftsmen from Africa, Zanzibar, Bali and the Seychelles, have created a fusion of cultures and architectural styles to produce a "Robinson Crusoe luxury paradise" unlike any other. The extensive facilities include 11 incredible air-conditioned guest villas, each with its own private pool, a central dining room, lounge, kitchenette and library. There is also a beautiful health spa and gym, a breathtakingly lovely swimming pool hewn into a granitic outcrop and a "Tropical Heat" Sunset Bar tucked away on Grande Anse on the western side of the island.
The 11 guest villas have been lovingly handcrafted on the island from wood, local stone and glass, with thatched "alang alang" roofs. With a footprint of over 450 square meters, each villa is completely self-contained and comprises a luxuriously proportioned bedroom, a writing and change-room area with a huge en-suite bathroom, a large marble bath and an outside shower for those who can't get enough of the fresh island air. Air-conditioning, overhead "punkah punkah" fans and fully retracting sliding windows (for 270-degree views) provide a pampering environment for the enjoyment of the balmy ocean breezes.
An additional study or bedroom is equipped with a DVD/CD system, internet access, and can also be arranged to serve as accommodation for children. The kitchen leads off the expansive sun-deck and covered lounge area. Guests can elect to enjoy their meals in their villa or in the Island's main dining area. A private plunge pool and sala completes the exclusive sanctuary within a sanctuary. A full butler service catering for your every need includes in-villa meals or delicious picnics on secluded beaches.
A lounge, dining room and library, scenically located health spa and gym, world-class dive center, and a rim-flow swimming pool are all built into a granitic outcrop. A sunset bar and restaurant are tucked away on the western beach of the island. Activities include mountain biking, gym, guided walks, snorkeling, fishing, boating, sea kayaking, and scuba diving.
Spa and Activities:
Some of the possible activities possible on North Island include swimming and sunbathing on 4 private beaches, excellent snorkeling right off the beaches, and fantastic reef and wall scuba diving with visibility up to 40 meters! Enjoy massage and health therapy in the Spa or in the comfort of your private villa. Visit the gymnasium, take nature walks with the resident ecologist, or go birding with the resident naturalist. Other activities include deep sea fishing, windsurfing, guided sea kayaking, hobie sailing, yacht charters, boating trips to explore neighboring islands, mountain biking, and golf at the 18-hole Lamuria Resort on Praslin Island (a private helicopter charter will be arranged at extra cost).
Dining and Cuisine Besides its exceptional beauty, North Island has long been renowned for its fertility and also for the richness of the fishing grounds wherein it nestles. It is not surprising therefore, that North Island’s lodge should draw upon these exceptional natural resources. The cuisine is based on the very finest natural products lovingly prepared in a sumptuous array of exotic dishes.
The cuisine of North Island is based on the diversity and cultural influences which, in part, make up the Seychellois Creole flavor. Culinary aspects of Seychelles, France and southern Indian spices are combined with the organic resources of North Island and the abundance on offer from the Indian Ocean. Balanced together with simplicity, expect a feast that will awaken all of your senses.
There is a “no menu” concept of dining on North Island and the chef, David Godin, speaks to each guest, explains the North Island cuisine concept, finds out personal food preferences and then develops the menus daily around this information. During your stay on North Island, you can be sure of a memorable culinary experience, complimented by an impressive cellar with some of the world’s great wines and champagnes. Please let us know well in advance of any special dietary requirements.
The
"Noah's Ark" Program
"We bought North Island in recognition of its potential as a Noah's Ark; a sanctuary where natural habitats could be rehabilitated and where critically endangered Seychelles fauna and flora could be reintroduced and given a place to regenerate?. On this beautiful island we built an exclusive luxury lodge and have, where possible, utilized materials reaped from the rehabilitation process. In doing so, we have paid particular attention to capturing the true essence of North Island, a rare experience in harmony with the environment."
Wilderness Safaris initially became involved in the purchase of North Island specifically because of the potential for the island to become a Noah's Ark sanctuary where natural habitats and functioning ecosystems could be restored and where endangered Seychelles fauna and flora could be re-established.
The concept and establishment of an eco-sensitive lodge on the island was preceded by years of research and coordination with government conservation bodies, with all parties committed to ensuring the protection of the natural environment and biodiversity. Ten years down the line, the conscientious pursuit of such policies is now reaping its just rewards. Read more: North Island Rehabilitation Project
After nearly ten years of intensive rehabilitation of North Island all the hard work paid off when 25 Seychelles White-Eyes, a critically endangered bird species, were released on North Island over a two-week period in July 2007. Read more: Seychelles White-Eye Project
North Island runs a Children in the Wilderness programme on a yearly basis, with participants from Mahé. Read more: Children in the Wilderness - Seychelles
Flora
and Fauna
Some 30km from the main island of Mahé, Ile du Nord, or North Island, comprises 210-hectares and is cradled between three granite outcrops with a tropical interior of coconut palms and takamaka trees. After a comprehensive rehabilitation and conservation plan for the island, dubbed 'the Noah's Ark project', North Island is finally beginning to reclaim itself.
Wedge-tailed Shearwaters nest colonially on one of the granite outcrops, while resident Seychelles Kestrel use another, White-tailed Tropicbirds are often seen offshore and the marshland of the central plateau once again plays host to giant tortoises and a variety of waterbirds including a small breeding population of the rare Yellow Bittern. Prehistoric looking Pandanus trees with buttressed roots, cling to the sides of the outcrops and bright green endemic day geckos with almost fluorescent orange markings clamber impossibly over vertical and horizontal surfaces. Large Seychelles fruit bats, the so-called flying fox, are often seen, their impressive 1m wingspan allowing surprising aerial skills and daytime flying displays. More than 200 plant species have been identified in 16 different habitat zones and a number of endemic invertebrates and reptiles thrive on the island. Seychelles Blue Pigeons and Seychelles Sunbirds, rare or absent in 1997, are now relatively common and together with the Seychelles Kestrel, Seychelles Swiftlet and introduced Seychelles White-Eye comprise the five endemic bird species present. Emerging from the ocean to nest on North Island's beaches in growing numbers are green and hawksbill turtles, respectively classified by the IUCN as Critically Endangered and Endangered.
The warm, clear waters surrounding the island are filled
with an abundance of sea life. On the ocean floor hard and
soft corals brighten the depths: dead man's finger, green
tree and staghorn corals, palmate sea fans and a variety of
sponge life. Nudibranches are often seen and hugging the
reefs is an endlessly colorful array of fish such as spotted
eagle rays, parrotfish, round ribbontail rays and white-tip
reef sharks. Many members of the kingfish family, giant
barracuda, wahoo, and sailfish move confidently through the
depths. Whale sharks and giant sleepy sharks are seasonal
and awe-inspiring visitors to the area.
NORTH
ISLAND NOTES:
• Check-in time is 14h00 – if the villa is available on
arrival then an early check-in will be allowed at no
additional cost. Check-out time is 11h00 – if the villa is
still available on departure then a late check-out will be
allowed at no extra cost. However if an early check-in or a
late check-out needs to be guaranteed prior to travel, then
the full nightly rate for the night before or after must be
paid for in order to secure this facility.
• Master
bedroom of Villas is for occupancy of maximum 2 people.
• Second bedroom of Villas is for occupancy of maximum 2
people under the age of 19 years.
• Only children over 5
years are accommodated in Villa 11 (this Villa has 3
different levels which creates a potential safety hazard for
younger children). Please note that the second bedroom in
Villa 11 is being replaced with an in-villa spa and gym
during the above mentioned upliftment period and thereafter
the Villa will accommodate 2 guests only.
HELICOPTER TRANSFER NOTES:
• Prices for helicopter transfers are subject to change
without notice.
• Each helicopter can transfer up to 4
or 6 guests. The maximum weight on the helicopter is
restricted and thus, using standard fuel allowances, the
luggage limits are as follows:
• 2 adults have up to 200
kg’s for their combined baggage (including hand luggage and
camera equipment) and space is not normally limited.
• 2
adults with 2 children under 8 years have up to 100 kg’s for
their combined baggage (including hand luggage and camera
equipment) and space starts to become limited so soft bags
are required.
• 4 adult passengers have up to 40 kg’s
for their combined baggage (including hand luggage and
camera equipment) and space is limited so only soft bags are
allowed.
• Transfer prices quoted are per helicopter.
Accommodation Rates:- From € 2115 per person per night sharing - Please contact us for a quote and suggested itinerary