The isolated, pure coral islands of the Amirantes and Alphonse group
can be reached in 45 minutes by plane from the main island of Mahé. The islands
were named by the great Portuguese seafarer Vasco da Gama, who discovered the
sea route from Europe to India in the 15th century.
The 174 ha triangular coral island of Alphonse lies 500 km
south of Mahé. Its coastline is 3,6 km long and stretches around
a turquoise-coloured lagoon protected by a reef. You can walk along the island
along small paths in about an hour and a half and gain an insight into the
tropical vegetation.
Shipwrecks on the seabed of the island's two pointed foothills are ideal for
excursions. On one side of the island, the remnants of the French steamship
Doile, which sank on the way to Réunion in November 1873, can be explored
at a low tide. This is quite an adventurous tour. The Tamatave which ran
aground on the other side 30 years later is one of the island's diving spots
today. The Abyss, a site with black coral, an intact coral reef and a variety
of underwater fauna, including sea turtles, sharks and Parrot fish is a source
of fascination for divers.
Rooms/Accommodation:
The island was opened to tourists in spring of 2000. They can select between
one of the 25 Bungalows or one of the 5 Deluxe Villas or one Presidential Villa. While the South African
designer Florence Masson chose a rather typical island-style for the Bungalows -
on stilts and with a thatched roof - the ground-level Deluxe Villas are in
more of a modern bungalow-style. All holiday lodgings stand on the edge
of the lagoon, nestled in tropical vegetation. An extensive coconut-palm
forest borders the lodge.
The rooms are very spacious and equipped with ceiling fan and air-conditioning.
All Bungalows and Villas have a veranda that provides an incomparable view
at any time of day. Each Bungalow has a king-sized bed, a large bathroom
with Jacuzzi and an open-air shower which, naturally, is built to ensure
privacy. Holidaymakers are given full board in the excellent island restaurant;
the menu is based mainly on the daily fishing catch and fresh vegetables from
the island-farm.
Activities:
Rental of watersports equipment such as canoes, surfboards and snorkelling-gear
and bicycles are included in the price. Diving with professional services and
trips to the neighbouring islands of Bijoutier and Saint François, two of the
top locations for tropical fly-fishing, are offered for a fee.
