Silhouette Island Escape: Untamed Beauty & Eco-Luxury Defined

Silhouette Island sits about 20 kilometres northwest of Mahé, and getting there already feels like the start of something different. The ferry from Beau Vallon takes roughly 45 minutes, and the moment the island’s granite peak comes into view, you understand why it’s one of the most protected spots in the Seychelles. Designated as a nature reserve, Silhouette covers around 20 square kilometres, and more than 93 percent of it is managed by the Island Conservation Society (ICS). That means the hiking trails, the beaches, and the marine park all operate under a conservation-first approach that keeps development minimal.

This guide covers what it’s like to spend time on Silhouette — the hiking, the snorkelling, the giant tortoises, and the realities of staying on an island where eco-luxury means fewer crowds and more rules. It suits travellers who want a quiet, nature-focused stay rather than a packed itinerary, and families who don’t mind trading nightlife for beach walks and guided forest treks.

Below is a quick overview of the main experiences on the island, so you can see how the days might break down.

Anse Lascare — The Beach That Sets the Tone

Anse Lascare is the main beach in front of the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa, and it’s the kind of spot that makes you slow down immediately. The water stays calm most of the year, and the granite boulders on either end create natural coves that keep the swimming area protected. Snorkellers can see parrotfish, sergeant majors, and the occasional green turtle feeding on the seagrass beds near the rocks.

If you’re short on time, skip the resort pool and spend the morning here instead. The snorkelling is better than any pool, and the kids can wade safely in the shallows. Michael and I took turns swimming out to the rocky point on the north end, where the coral is healthiest, while Lily and Ethan built sandcastles near the tide line.

Mont Dauban Hike — Sweat for the View

The trail to Mont Dauban starts behind the resort and climbs through dense takamaka forest before opening onto a ridge with views across the island and out to Mahé. It’s about 740 metres above sea level, and the round trip takes around three to four hours depending on your pace. The path is well-marked but steep in sections, and the humidity can be intense even in the cooler months.

If you’re travelling with younger kids, this hike is probably too demanding. Ethan managed it at age 12, but Lily would have struggled a few years earlier. A better option for families with smaller children is the guided nature walk through the coastal forest, which takes about an hour and covers the same ecosystem without the elevation gain.

ICS Turtle Monitoring — A Night on the Beach

The Island Conservation Society runs a turtle monitoring programme on Silhouette during the nesting season, which runs roughly from October to March. Guests can join the ICS team on night patrols along Anse Lascare and Anse Mondon to observe nesting hawksbill and green turtles. The patrols are free for resort guests, but spaces are limited to around six people per night.

The patrols don’t run every night — weather, tide, and turtle activity all play a role. If you’re set on this experience, plan your stay between November and February, when nesting peaks. We joined a patrol in early December and watched a hawksbill lay her eggs near the southern end of Anse Lascare. Lily still talks about it more than any other part of the trip.

Grand Barbe Village and the Giant Tortoises

Grand Barbe is the only village on Silhouette, home to around 200 residents. It’s a short walk from the resort along a paved path that runs parallel to the beach. The main reason visitors head this way is the Aldabra giant tortoises that roam freely near the village. These tortoises can live for over 150 years and weigh up to 250 kilograms — about 550 pounds. The hotel and ICS staff care for the juvenile and sub-adult tortoises until they are large enough to defend themselves against predators, while the true giants wander near the village path.

The village itself is small — a few houses, a church, and a shop that stocks basic supplies. It’s not a tourist attraction in the usual sense, and that’s the point. You’re walking through a working community, so keep noise down and respect people’s space. The tortoises are the draw, but the walk there along the coast is equally rewarding, with views across to Mahé on a clear day.

Snorkelling at Anse Mondon

Anse Mondon is a smaller beach on the north side of the resort, accessible via a short coastal path or by kayak. The snorkelling here is widely considered better than at Anse Lascare, with more coral cover and regular turtle sightings. The water stays shallow for about 30 metres out, which makes it a good spot for less confident swimmers.

If you’re deciding between the two beaches for snorkelling, do Anse Mondon first. It’s smaller, so it feels more private, and the coral is in noticeably better condition. The resort provides snorkel gear free of charge, but the masks can be hit-or-miss — bringing your own is a good call if you have room in your luggage.

Practical Section — Getting to Silhouette and Making It Work

Ferry logistics and booking windows

The resort ferry runs twice daily — once in the morning and once in the afternoon. You need to confirm your booking at least 48 hours in advance, and the schedule shifts with the tides, so don’t book a flight out of Mahé on the same day without a generous buffer. The ferry can be cancelled in rough weather, which happens most often during the northwest monsoon from December to February.

What to pack and what to leave behind

There’s no ATM on Silhouette, and the village shop only accepts cash. Bring enough Seychelles rupees for tips, snacks, and any small purchases. The resort accepts credit cards, but the Wi-Fi is patchy, so card machines sometimes fail. Reef-safe sunscreen is mandatory in the marine park, and the resort sells it at a premium — bring your own. A dry bag is useful for the ferry crossing, as spray can soak bags stored on the open deck.

Costs and seasonal timing

Room rates at the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa vary significantly by season. High season runs from November to March, when European winter drives demand, and rates can be roughly double the low-season prices seen in May and June. The turtle nesting season overlaps with high season, so if that’s your priority, you’ll pay more for the privilege. The trade-off is that the weather is generally drier and the sea calmer during those months.

Before You Go: Silhouette Island Questions Answered

Is Silhouette Island worth the extra cost?

If your priority is quiet beaches, guided conservation activities, and hiking without crowds, yes. If you want nightlife, multiple restaurants, or easy day trips to other islands, you’re better off basing yourself on Mahé or Praslin and visiting Silhouette as a day trip.

Can you visit Silhouette without staying at the resort?

Day trips are possible, but they’re limited. The resort allows non-guests to use the ferry if space is available, and you can book a day pass that includes lunch and access to the beach and pool. The pass costs around $100 per adult and needs to be arranged in advance through the resort.

What’s the one thing that disappoints most visitors?

The food. The resort has two restaurants, and the quality is fine, but the menu is limited and prices are high — expect around $40–$60 per person for dinner without drinks. There’s no alternative, so if you’re a food-focused traveller, this will frustrate you.

How many days should you spend on Silhouette?

Three nights is the sweet spot. That gives you two full days — one for hiking and the village, one for snorkelling and beach time — plus a night for the turtle patrol. Any longer and you’ll start to feel the limited dining and activity options.

Is Silhouette suitable for young children?

It depends on the child. The beach is safe for wading, and the resort has a kids’ club, but the hiking trails are too steep for small legs, and the turtle patrol requires quiet patience. Families with kids under eight might find Mahé or Praslin more practical for a full trip.

Why Silhouette Rewards the People Who Show Up Prepared

Silhouette Island doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. It’s a place that works best when you lean into its limitations — the single resort, the set menu, the ferry schedule that won’t bend. The reward is a level of quiet that’s increasingly rare in the Seychelles, where you can walk a beach without seeing another person and watch a turtle nest under a guide’s red torch. That’s the trade, and for the right traveller, it’s a good one.

If you’re still weighing up which islands fit your trip, the Seychelles island-hopping itinerary covering Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue gives you a solid comparison point for how Silhouette stacks up against the more developed islands.

References

Seychelles Travel. “Silhouette Island.” Seychelles Travel, 2025. ↗

Seychelles Travel. “Silhouette Island — Visiting.” Seychelles Travel, 2025. ↗

Seychelles Travel. “Silhouette Island — Activities.” Seychelles Travel, 2025. ↗

Hilton. “Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa.” Hilton, 2025. ↗

If you’re still deciding on the itinerary, the guide to uncrowded beaches and hidden coves across the Seychelles covers quieter alternatives to the main tourist strips. For families weighing costs and logistics, the family activities guide breaks down what works for different age groups without the resort markup.