Overview
Private paradise
Found in the Seychelles ‘inner’ islands, a helicopter hop from Mahé, North Island is the archipelago’s most beautiful and most exclusive retreat.
201 hectares of exquisite, protected natural beauty host just 11 opulent, hand-crafted villas. Shaded by palms, the sprawling 450sqm Beachfront properties each come with private plunge pools and direct access to a private stretch of powder-soft sand while the 750sqm Villa North Villa is multitiered marvel of barefoot luxury.
The experience here is completely bespoke to you with a focus on relaxation and rejuvenation. Spend your days snorkelling, diving, kayaking, fishing, indulging at the spa, cycling to remote stretches of sand, hiking with resident conservationists and more. Depending on your mood chose to dine in your villa, in any number of stunning private settings or in one of two relaxed venues.
Facts
At a glance
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11 private guest villas
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Two dining venues
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PADI Dive Centre and Environment Centre
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Spa and gym
Experiences
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![North island activity scuba diving 1 2]()
Diving
Housed in a historic coral building near the Piazza, North Island’s Dive Centre offers full PADI tuition and certification. Expert Seychellois divemasters with intimate knowledge of the local reefs and the very best dive spots, plus state of the art SCUBA equipment, make for a memorable dive experience.
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![North island supmain]()
Kayaking and paddleboarding
Enjoy a gentle work-out paddling in the light swell – with phenomenal views down through the crystal-clear waters to the reefs below. Encounters with rays and dolphins are a real possibility.
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![North island turtle and team in surf]()
Conservation experiences
Spending time with the Environmental Team to learn about their efforts to restore and protect the island's wildlife, reefs, beaches and flora, or simply explore the island at your own pace to appreciate the results of the effort that has gone into rehabilitating this natural idyll.
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![Northisland presidential diving6]()
Snorkelling
Snorkeling in the Indian Ocean just off North Island allows you to glide along the line where the sky meets the sea, giving you a dolphin’s eye view down through the warm-crystal clear waters to the inshore reefs below – a unique perspective on remarkable marine coral and fish biodiversity.
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![E2015 North Island ALH 64]()
Cycling
Each villa has two quality bikes, so you can explore the island's gentle gradients and shady forest paths at your own pace, in search of tortoises or a cocktail at West Beach Bar.
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![North island guided walks]()
Guided walks
Accompany a guide for the stroll up Spa Hill to the best views of North Island, learning along the way about our Noah’s Ark Island rehabilitation programme, the indigenous wildlife of Seychelles, and maybe meeting a tortoise or two.
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![2017 north island fishing 2]()
Fishing
The waters off North Island offer excellent chances of a good catch, followed by a delicious meal – and nothing tastes better than your own fresh-caught sushi or chargrilled tuna steak.
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![North island beach seychelles]()
Private beaches
With so much sand and so few fellow guests, its possible to find your very own private beach by bike or buggy, with a picnic prepared for your day out.
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![North island activity sunset cruise 1 1]()
Sunset cruises
Cruise around North Island to explore the private shores from the sea, dropping anchor as the sun begins to dip below the horizon with a champagne flute in hand.
Conservation
North Island is a conservation-oriented, ethically driven company that provides an incredible guest experience while also honouring the environment above all else.
Uninhabited and pristine, Ile du Nord was the first Seychelles island on which a recorded landing was made by seafarers in 1609. From 1826 until the 1970s, North Island was a plantation growing fruit and spices, as well as producing guano, fish oil and copra before falling into disuse, letting feral animals and alien plant species thrive.
North Island was purchased in 1997 with a view to creating not just the world’s leading private island hideaway, but also of rehabilitate the island’s ecoystem creating a sanctuary for indigenous Seychellois wildlife. Non-native species were removed with great effort and invasive plant species are being progressively cleared, replaced by thousands of indigenous plant and tree seedlings grown in our on-island nursery and then transplanted throughout the island.
Evidence of the success of this programme has been the fact that rare endemic bird species such as Seychelles blue pigeons and breeding populations of wedge-tailed shearwaters and white-tailed tropicbirds have returned of their own accord. Hawksbill and green turtles nest on the beaches once more in ever increasing numbers and giant tortoise lumber around the island.
Footprint
As a remote private island, sourcing as locally as possible not only results in a creative and flavourful offering that is consistently varied, but also reduces the island's environmental footprint. Fish on our menus is sustainably caught by chefs and crew, straight from North Island’s waters. A Marine Code of Conduct abides by a stringent fishing policy that goes beyond national laws, outlining catch limits, minimum sizes and mass as well as catch-and-release regulations to protect vulnerable species.
In becoming a completely plastic-free island, North Island banned single-use plastic straws and only uses eco-friendly compostable food containers for activities around the island. This is in addition to stringent waste management processes including extensive recycling, greywater systems, and our own sustainable water bottling plant.
In keeping North Island’s private beaches perfectly pristine, resident environmentalists and eco-tourist volunteers set off on beach patrol each and every morning, collecting any debris carried by the trade winds while searching for nesting sea turtles and ensuring they enter the proper recycling routes.
Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
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Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
What makes us different
Why Niarra
Niarra Travel is a forward-thinking travel company headquartered in London born out of a passion to do things differently.
In Swahili, a Bantu language spoken by millions in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, the name Niara means "with utmost purpose" and our team are united by a passion for exploration and a belief that the right kind of travel can make the world a better place.
Our Travel Researchers are here to create incredible trips with a positive impact for you.
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Unforgettable experiences
Creating your trip is entirely collaborative and our Travel Researchers are here for every step.
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Positive impact
Curated sustainable experiences and accommodation that maximize the benefits to local people and place.
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Fairness and transparency
An open, competitive pricing structure that ensures more money goes to where it's needed in the destination.
