Seychelles: Private Island - Denis Island ****

Typo3 by Cytracon

Latest Itineraries

Itinerary > Seychelles > Seychelles Beach Holidays - PRivate Islands

<- Back to: Request

Seychelles: Private Island - Denis Island ****

Denis Island is a destination for only the chosen few.... a private island sanctuary where simplicity, comfort, pleasure and relaxation co-exist equally and in perfect harmony. An exclusive paradise where tranquillity prevails and man enjoys a unique opportunity to live, once again, according to the timeless rhythms of nature.

Denis Island is named after a French explorer, Denis de Trobriant, who first sighted her from the vessel L'Etoile on 12 August, 1773, although the early Arab seafarers who were plying their trade in the Indian Ocean from as early as the 9th century would almost certainly have come across the island at a far earlier date. The same can undoubtedly be said of the pirates who haunted the area during the 17th and 18th centuries. De Trobriant, who landed on the fertile island, found it to be a haven for a diverse assortment of birds as well as turtles and possibly even sea cows or, at least, seals. In his log he mentions that, in the name of the King of France, he buried a bottle containing the Act of Possession that, to this day, has never been found. As Mahe became settled, it so happened that several of her satellite islands, including Denis, became inhabited in turn by early French settlers who introduced various crops, including sugar.

From the 1850onwards, copra, the dried flesh of the coconut, became an important export for Seychelles and a plantation of coconut trees was duly planted on the island which also had many of its guano deposits excavated. The year 1881 saw the building of a 70 ft lighthouse on Denis that still stands today on its imposing metal tripod as a reminder of the hazard to shipping the island once posed. In 1908 there followed the construction of the only ecumenical chapel in the archipelago.

Accommodation:
Share in an authentic private island experience in one of Denis Island's elegant cottages, each nestling near the ocean shore amid lush tropical gardens where comfort and a natural Creole flair go hand in hand to provide you with an unforgettable stay.

The island boasts 23 Deluxe, air-conditioned cottages of 90m² each offering a high standard of comfort within tasteful surrounds. Cottages have their own private sea-facing verandas and courtyards dotted between casuarinas and coconut trees to ensure your total privacy. 2 children under 15 years can share with parents.

The spacious (169m²) air conditioned Family Villa known as the "Villa Prince Noir", recommended for families, offers a separate bedroom with a lounge that can accommodate 2 children under 15 years of age.

The air conditioned Executive Villa, known as the "Bois D'Argent", with a generous 325m² of living space, features lounge, veranda and outside patio and private outside courtyard. Ideal for couples, Guests of this villa will enjoy full bathroom facilities with twin jet shower as well as a mini bar and an overall standard of comfort entirely appropriate to such a stylish ambiance.

All rooms offer the following amenities:
- Air Conditioning
- Ceiling Fan
- Double Vanity
- Twin Jet Shower
- Outside private Courtyard
- Alfresco Shower
- Bath, WC, Bidet
- Tea and coffee Making Facilities
- Mini Bar
- Iron/ Ironing Board
- Hair Drier

Activities:
If you are seeking to do more than just soak up the sun on any one of Denis' magnificent beaches, the island boasts numerous activities to give you a memorable touch of adventure in paradise.

Fishing aficionados the world over are familiar with Denis Island's reputation as enjoying year-round fishing in an area of the Indian ocean that yields an abundance of fish.

Experience the thrill of a fishing charter on either our Mako 44ft Striker or 27ft Commodore that operate on request and on a daily basis with experienced crews using state-of-the-art equipment. The local art of bottom-fishing or 'palangrotte' is a firm favourite with bone-fishing off the island's flats also increasing in popularity.

The resort enjoys the facility of a small, professional, on-site dive centre with PADI accreditation offering courses for novice and advanced divers alike and where both diving and snorkelling equipment is available. The protected underwater World around Denis ranks as one of the finest areas for diving in Seychelles and features a number of dive sites allowing sightings of turtles, sharks, sting rays, sailfish, tuna and dolphins with whale sharks and manta rays often sighted from September to November.

Sailing, windsurfing and canoeing in the sparkling waters surrounding the island are also possible while those with a preference for terrestrial activities will enjoy visits to the farm, hiking the island's meandering pathways and also our guided nature walks that explore the island's rich flora and fauna.

Restaurant & Bar:
An imposing L-shaped building located on the Island's western promontory houses the lodge's administration and also its spacious bar and restaurant areas that propose an inviting and authentic atmosphere of languid, island-style living.

The bar is the natural place for a reunion after a fulfilling day, whether with friends or in intimate tete a tete over one of the island's delicious cocktails.

The restaurant, with an already enviable reputation for some of the finest cuisine in Seychelles, offers clients a sumptuous breakfast buffet of local fruits, freshly squeezed juices, farm eggs, fresh croissants and danish pastries.

Lunches present a choice of three buffets: Salad; a variety of hot dishes complemented by an open grill preparing fish or meat and, finally, a table of desserts.
Dinner features a table d'hote 5 days a week with a delicious Creole Buffet served on Thursdays and Saturdays under the stars.

Enjoy a read in the informal 'Bigorno' lounge that manages to capture a perfect atmosphere of island quiet or perhaps a game of billiards or one of the many board games available to guests. There is also a floodlit tennis court, a choice of non-motorized water sports and the delights of the nature or jogging trails to discover.

There is also an island boutique that stocks casual wear, beachwear, toiletries, souvenirs and other useful items.

Conservation:
Denis' 143 hectares is covered with lush vegetation and by a spread of native trees, affording ample shade through which meander scenic pathways and tracks, inviting personal voyages of discovery. Here you will find such historic landmarks as the old village with houses dating back to 1935, the hospital, a picturesque chapel, the famous lighthouse and the island cemetery. Today, Denis island is as much as ever a haven for bird life, providing a sanctuary for such species as noddies, terns, plovers, whimbrels, tropic birds and frigates to name but a few.

Having already conducted one effective campaign to eradicate rats and another to replant trees, the island is proud to have played host to the recent translocation of a population of 47 rare Seychelles Fodies or Toktoks a project expected to lead to the removal of the Fody from the IUCN Globally Threatened Birds list.

Denis is also home to numerous sea turtles who return time and again to lay their eggs on her protected shoreline where they are monitored and tagged, providing valuable information to conservationists in their efforts to assist in the protection of the species.

In deference to island tradition and in an effort to achieve a degree of self sufficiency, the Denis island farm contains pigs, cows, chickens and quails and also features an ancient vanilla plantation, harking back to the days when the original 'ilois' or islanders were very much reliant on what they could grow themselves.

Other services:

Baby Sitting: A baby-sitter, who charges on an hourly basis, may be arranged through reception giving 24 hour advance notice.
Banking facilities: Travellers cheques and foreign currency may be changed at reception. Regrettably, Denis is not in a position to change local currency into foreign currency.
Birthdays/Anniversaries and Parties: Whatever your special occasion may be, the dedicated staff will be there to ensure that it meets your highest expectations.
Business assistance: Denis will be pleased to help you conduct your business during your stay with us by assisting you with any faxing, typing, duplicating or e-mail requirements and also with international phone calls.
Communications: There is no signal for mobile phones on Denis Island. The hotel receptionist will be pleased to help you with any local or international calls.

Please note:

Credit cards: All major credit cards accepted.
Dress Code: Although the hotel prides itself on an informal atmosphere, gentlemen are requested to wear a shirt and long trousers for dinner
A minimum stay of 5 nights is mandatory during peak season (27DEC 2007 - 03JAN 2008)
Charter flights (twin otter charter or helicopter) available on request
Baggage allowance 15 kg per passenger. Soft luggage is compulsory. Excess luggage will be charged at EUR 5 per kg. Secure left luggage facilities are available at Mahè International airport.
Cancellation fees for high season bookings 27DEC-03JAN 100% of total booking if cancelled 33 days prior to departure!
Christmas and New Year's Eve supplements are included in our prices.
Minimum stay is 5 nights during high season 27DEC-03JAN.

Scheduled Flights (flight time 30 minutes)

Mahe to Denis 11h45/12h15
Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
Denis to Mahe 12h30/13h00
Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

Mahe to Denis 11h00/11h30
Thursday
Denis to Mahe 11h45/12h15
Thursday

Itinerary: 7 nights

DAY 1: Fly from Johannesburg to Mahe, Seychelles biggest island. Meet and greet on arrival and transfer to the Wharf Hotel & Marina (B&B).
DAY 2: Transfer to the airport and check in for your flight to Denis Island. Transfer to Denis Island Lodge where you will be staying for 5 nights on a full board basis.
DAY 7: Flight back to Mahe and transfer to the Wharf Hotel & Marina for the last night (B&B).
DAY 8: Transfer to the airport and flight back to Mahe. Check in for your flight back to Johannesburg.

Prices include:

International flights (departure from Johannesburg), internal flights Mahe - Denis Island return, hotel accommodation and meals as indicated and all airport-hotel transfers

Not included:

Meals not indicated, drinks, tips, personal expenses, travel insurance and airport taxes

Below is an approximate price per person sharing (October 2008):

USD 4434; EUR 2827; ZAR 32 574 (Deluxe Cottage, Full Board)

Specials

Honeymoon special: valid 04JAN-31OCT 2008
Minimum stay is 3 nights. Special discount on the accommodation and on domestic flights Mahe-Denis return for the bride. A private dinner on the beach (weather permitting), a bottle of champagne. A wedding certificate not older then 9 months has to be presented.
Long stay special: valid 04JAN-31OCT 2008
Pay for 3 and stay for 4 nights or pay for 8 and stay for 10 nights. Meals with be charged at a special rate for the free nights
Special offers cannot be combined
Honeymoon specials on Air Seychelles - 25% discount on the bride's ticket.