About
North Island, also known as Île du Nord, is a small granitic island spanning 2.01 km² in the Seychelles archipelago, located approximately 5.8 km north of Silhouette Island and 27 km northwest of Mahé. The island features four distinct beaches: East Beach, West Beach (or Grande Anse), Honeymoon Beach, and Petit Anse, with its highest point reaching 180 meters.Historically, North Island was first recorded by seafarers in 1609, who noted a large population of giant land tortoises. From 1826 to the 1970s, it operated as a plantation for fruits, spices, guano, fish oil, and copra. After falling into disuse and being overrun by feral animals and alien plant species, the island was acquired in 1997 by Wilderness Holdings Limited, an ecotourism company. They initiated a significant conservation effort to restore the island to its pristine state, reintroducing native flora and fauna, including giant tortoises, various bird species, and trees like takamaka and coco-de-mer palms.In 2003, a private luxury resort with 11 villas opened on North Island, focusing on eco-tourism. The resort offers a unique dining concept where chefs tailor meals based on guest preferences and locally sourced ingredients, including produce from organic gardens, island-reared animals, and fresh seafood. Activities available include mountain biking, scuba diving, kayaking, and deep-sea fishing. The island also hosts a turtle nest monitoring center and has been a site for notable events, such as the royal honeymoon of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011. As of July 2025, the resort transitioned to independent operations under family ownership.
