In 1730, on the island of Réunion, the French pirate Olivier Levasseur — known as La Buse, “The Buzzard” — was led to the gallows. According to accounts that have since become legend, he pulled a necklace from his neck, threw it into the crowd, and shouted a cryptic message: a cipher that supposedly revealed the location of a vast treasure buried somewhere in the Seychelles. No one has ever found it.
The story of pirates in the Seychelles is not a simple tale of swashbuckling adventure. It is a contested history, layered with colonial records, oral traditions, and modern treasure hunts that have yielded more questions than gold. For the curious traveler, the question isn’t just “where is the treasure?” but rather: what did pirates actually do here, and how has their presence shaped the islands’ culture and identity? This article investigates the historical record, the enduring legends, and the sites you can visit today.
The Seychelles were a genuine pirate haven in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, used for repairs, resupply, and staging attacks on Indian Ocean trade routes. The most famous figure, Olivier Levasseur, likely did hide treasure — but the scale and location remain unproven. The real legacy is cultural: place names, folklore, and a tourism industry built around the mystery.
The table below compares the major pirates associated with the Seychelles, based on available historical records.
| Pirate | Period Active | Connection to Seychelles | Evidence | Treasure Claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olivier Levasseur (La Buse) | c. 1688–1730 | Used Seychelles as a base; rumored treasure on Mahé | Historical records confirm his presence in the Indian Ocean; treasure claim is legend | Cryptic cipher; worth estimated at over $4 billion by some modern sources |
| Thomas Tew | c. 1690–1695 | Ships passed through Seychelles waters during Indian Ocean campaigns | Documented privateer; direct Seychelles presence debated | None specific to Seychelles |
| Henry Every | c. 1690–1696 | Associated with piracy near Seychelles; ships believed to have navigated these waters | Historical records; direct involvement in Seychelles debated | None specific to Seychelles |
| William Kidd | c. 1695–1701 | Rumored links to Seychelles; ships may have passed through | Historical records; direct Seychelles presence unconfirmed | None specific to Seychelles |
The Buzzard’s Cipher: Olivier Levasseur and the Unfound Treasure
Olivier Levasseur is the central figure in Seychelles pirate lore. Born in Calais, France, he turned to piracy after the War of the Spanish Succession ended in 1714, leaving many privateers unemployed. He targeted merchant ships across the Indian Ocean, amassing a fortune that, by some estimates, would be worth over $4 billion today. His nickname, La Buse, means “The Buzzard” — a reference to his scavenging tactics.
At his execution in 1730, Levasseur is said to have thrown a necklace with a 17-line cryptogram into the crowd, shouting that whoever could decipher it would find his treasure. The cipher has been studied by cryptographers and treasure hunters for centuries. Some claim it points to a location on Mahé, the largest island in the Seychelles. Others argue it is a hoax or a misdirection. No verified discovery has ever been made.
Modern expeditions have used ground-penetrating radar and underwater scanners on Mahé and surrounding islands. Small artifacts — fragments of coins, weathered tools, naval fittings — have been recovered, but nothing that conclusively points to a major cache. The mystery sustains books, documentaries, and a steady stream of visitors hoping to be the one who finally cracks the code.
The most common misconception is that Levasseur’s treasure is a single, massive hoard waiting to be dug up. Many historians believe the treasure, if it existed, was likely divided among his crew, spent, or lost at sea. The cipher may be a legend that grew after his death, not a genuine map.
Pirates as Settlers: How Buccaneers Shaped Early Seychelles
Before the French formally colonized the Seychelles in the 1750s, pirates were among the first Europeans to use the islands regularly. The archipelago’s 115 scattered landmasses, hidden coves, lagoons, and dense jungle made it ideal for ambushing merchant ships and evading naval patrols. Pirates used coves like Anse Forbans, Bel Ombre, and Côte d’Or for ship repairs, anchorage, and staging attacks on routes linking Africa and Asia.
These pirate camps evolved into early settlements. Pirates built crude shelters, dug wells for freshwater, and repaired docks. When they left or were captured, these structures were often taken over by later settlers. The place names that survive — Anse Forbans (Pirates’ Cove), Bel Ombre (Beautiful Shade) — are direct echoes of this period.
Pirates also inadvertently opened trade routes. They sold stolen goods and supplies to passing ships and local communities, laying foundations for commerce that continued under French rule. Some local communities collaborated with pirates, benefiting from trade or protection. This relationship is complex and often romanticized; the historical record suggests it was pragmatic rather than friendly.
Folklore and Identity: Pirates in Seychellois Culture
Pirate stories are not just historical footnotes in the Seychelles; they are a living part of Creole culture. Elders recount tales of buried gold and ghost ships around bonfires. These stories blend history and myth, often incorporating elements from African, Malagasy, and European traditions that make up Seychellois heritage.
The figure of the pirate appears in local art, sculpture, song, and storytelling. Annual events and tours celebrate pirate history, particularly on Mahé and Praslin. The Seychelles Creole culture has absorbed the pirate as a trickster figure — clever, dangerous, and ultimately elusive. This is a marked contrast to the European romanticization of pirates as noble outlaws.
If you visit Mahé, ask at the Anse Forbans area for local guides who tell the oral versions of pirate stories. These accounts often differ from the written histories and include details about specific families who claim descent from pirates.
The legend of Levasseur’s treasure has also inspired a small industry of treasure hunting. Victorian-era adventurers brought copies of the cipher to the Seychelles. Some claimed to have found small artifacts; none found the main cache. Modern expeditions use advanced technology, but the results remain inconclusive. The mystery is part of the appeal.
Context and Comparison: Pirate Havens Across the Indian Ocean
The Seychelles were not the only pirate haven in the Indian Ocean. Comparing them with other locations reveals what made the archipelago distinctive.
| Location | Key Advantage | Notable Pirate | Legacy Today |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seychelles | 115 islands, hidden coves, dense jungle | Olivier Levasseur | Place names, folklore, tourism |
| Madagascar | Large island, established pirate settlements (e.g., Libertalia) | Captain Misson, Thomas Tew | Historical ruins, oral traditions |
| Réunion | French colonial base, proximity to trade routes | Olivier Levasseur (executed here) | Museums, historical records |
| Mauritius | Natural harbors, French colonial presence | Various privateers | Historical sites, maritime museums |
The Seychelles’ advantage was its isolation. Unlike Madagascar, which had established pirate settlements like Libertalia, the Seychelles were largely uninhabited before the pirates arrived. This meant fewer conflicts with local populations and less attention from colonial authorities. The downside was limited resources: pirates had to bring everything with them or take it from passing ships.
The pirate haven of Libertalia, on Madagascar, was a short-lived experiment in egalitarian pirate governance. Some historians argue it never existed as described, but the idea influenced later pirate mythology. The Seychelles never had a comparable settlement; pirate presence was more transient and practical.
- The Seychelles were a genuine pirate base, not just a legend — but the scale of treasure is unproven.
- Pirates contributed to early infrastructure and trade routes, shaping later colonial development.
- Pirate folklore is a living part of Seychellois Creole culture, distinct from European romanticization.
- Modern treasure hunting continues, but no major discovery has been verified.
Questions Readers Ask
Did pirates really bury treasure in the Seychelles?
Some almost certainly did. The practice of burying loot was common among pirates who needed to travel light or avoid capture. The question is whether Levasseur’s treasure — the most famous — was real or a legend that grew after his death. No verified discovery has been made.
Can I visit pirate sites in the Seychelles?
Yes. Key sites include Anse Forbans and Bel Ombre on Mahé, and Côte d’Or on Praslin. The Bel Ombre area has a small museum with artifacts. Most sites are public beaches with no entrance fees, but guided tours offer more context.
Is the Levasseur cipher real?
A physical cipher exists — a 17-line cryptogram that has been studied by experts. Its authenticity is debated. Some believe it is a genuine 18th-century document; others argue it is a later forgery. The Historic Mysteries article provides a detailed analysis of the cipher’s history.
Were there female pirates in the Seychelles?
Historical records do not name any female pirates specifically associated with the Seychelles. However, women did serve on pirate ships in the Indian Ocean, often disguised as men. The absence of records may reflect the biases of colonial documentation rather than actual absence.
What happened to the pirates after the 1730s?
European naval patrols increased in the Indian Ocean after 1730, making piracy riskier. Many pirates were captured, executed, or retired. Some integrated into local communities in the Seychelles and Madagascar. The decline of piracy coincided with the formal French colonization of the Seychelles in the 1750s.
The Real Treasure: What the Pirate Legacy Reveals
The enduring fascination with Seychelles pirates tells us more about our own desires than about the 18th century. We want the treasure to be real, the cipher to be solvable, the map to lead somewhere. But the real legacy of piracy in the Seychelles is not gold — it is the place names on the map, the stories told by elders, and the infrastructure that later settlers inherited. The pirates were not romantic figures; they were violent opportunists who happened to leave a cultural mark that outlasted their crimes.
For a deeper look at how these stories fit into the broader cultural landscape, read our guide to Seychelles traditional boat building, which traces the maritime skills that pirates and settlers alike relied on.
Sources and further reading
Historic Mysteries. “Olivier Levasseur: The Pirate’s Code and Buried Treasure.” 🔗
Discovery UK. “Olivier Levasseur: The Pirate’s Code and Buried Treasure.” 🔗
Story Seychelles. “The Enigma of the Seychelles Mermaid.” 🔗
ExplorersWeb. “Exploration Mysteries: Treasure of Olivier Levasseur.” 🔗
Related reading on IslandHopperGuides
Seychelles Religious Landscape — how faith and folklore coexist in the islands.
Seychelles Architecture — the built legacy of colonial and pirate-era structures.
Seychelles Independence — how the islands moved from colonial rule to nationhood.
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