The sought-after horizon: from granite to coral atoll

For travellers wishing to fully appreciate the archipelago’s geological diversity, island-hopping can take on a more sophisticated form, combining a granite island (such as Mahé or Praslin) with a flat coral atoll. Islands such as Denis or Desroches, reachable by a 30-minute flight from Mahé, offer a completely different landscape. Here, the granite gives way to expanses of fine limestone sand and palm groves that slope gently down to shallow, crystal-clear lagoons. It is an experience of geographical isolation and immersion in unspoilt marine ecosystems, where marine life flourishes with extraordinary richness just a few metres from the shore.