The Seychelles' Private Islands, Compared: North Island, Frégate and More
North Island is the Seychelles' benchmark private island, best for honeymoons. Frégate Island Private is the conservation choice, with giant tortoises, and suits families. Six Senses Zil Pasyon leads on design and spa. For polish without a helicopter transfer, Cheval Blanc Seychelles on Mahé is the new flagship.
The Seychelles has the most exclusive private islands in the Indian Ocean: a handful of islands that each take a few dozen guests and are reached by helicopter from Mahé. Below them sit a few exceptional resorts on Mahé itself.
The question we are asked most is North Island or Frégate. Here they are side by side, with the alternatives.
At a glance: private islands and Mahé flagships
| Resort | Coast | Best for | The feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Island | Private island · north of Mahé | Honeymoons and privacy | The benchmark — barefoot, rewilded, a handful of villas |
| Frégate Island Private | Private island · east of Mahé | Nature lovers and families | Conservation seclusion, giant tortoises |
| Six Senses Zil Pasyon | Félicité Island | Design and spa lovers | Granite slopes, drama, spa |
| Cheval Blanc Seychelles | Mahé · Anse Intendance | Couples who want polish without the helicopter | The new flagship, LVMH service |
| Four Seasons Resort Seychelles | Mahé · Petite Anse | Families | Hillside villas above the bay |
North Island Frégate Island Private Six Senses Zil Pasyon Cheval Blanc Seychelles Four Seasons Resort Seychelles The verdict Questions
North Island
North Island is the one the world knows: a rewilded island with a small number of handcrafted villas and a guest register that includes a royal honeymoon. It is barefoot luxury, done to the highest standard.
It suits couples above all, and families who want the whole experience to feel private.
Choose it if: you want the benchmark private-island stay. Skip it if: conservation and wildlife are the main draw. That's Frégate.
Frégate Island Private
Frégate is a private island run as a conservation project, home to thousands of Aldabra giant tortoises and rare birds. Its villas sit above several beaches.
It is the wilder, more nature-led choice, and wonderful with children who will remember the tortoises for life.
Choose it if: wildlife and conservation matter to you. Skip it if: you want the most design-led private island. That's North Island or Zil Pasyon.
Six Senses Zil Pasyon
Zil Pasyon sits on Félicité, among dramatic granite boulders. Its design and spa are the draw, and the setting is among the most striking in the archipelago.
It is close enough to Praslin and La Digue for day trips to the famous beaches.
Choose it if: you want design, spa and dramatic landscape on a private island. Skip it if: you want total barefoot simplicity.
North Island or Frégate, private island or Mahé: tell us the party and the month, and we will hold the right villa.
Ask which resort suits your datesCheval Blanc Seychelles
Cheval Blanc Seychelles on Anse Intendance is Mahé's new flagship, with the same LVMH service discipline as its sister in the Maldives.
It gives private-island polish without a helicopter transfer, and pairs well with a few nights on a private island.
Choose it if: you want the best of Mahé and an easy arrival. Skip it if: complete isolation is the point.
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles
The Four Seasons sits on the hillside above Petite Anse on Mahé, with villas looking down to the bay. Strong family programming and Four Seasons service make it the dependable Mahé choice.
Its sister property on Desroches puts you over untouched coral, which makes it a good add-on for divers.
Choose it if: you are a family wanting reliability and space. Skip it if: you want a private island.
The verdict, by traveller
Honeymoon: North Island.
Family with children: Frégate Island Private, or Four Seasons on Mahé.
Design and spa: Six Senses Zil Pasyon.
Easy arrival, top polish: Cheval Blanc Seychelles.
On longer stays our most-booked shape is three nights on Mahé and four on a private island.
Questions we get asked
North Island or Frégate?
North Island is the benchmark private-island stay: barefoot, design-led and best for honeymoons. Frégate Island Private is run as a conservation island, with giant tortoises and rare birds, and suits nature lovers and families. Both are reached by helicopter from Mahé.
What is the best private island in the Seychelles?
North Island is widely seen as the benchmark. Frégate Island Private is the conservation choice, and Six Senses Zil Pasyon on Félicité is the design and spa choice.
How do you get to a Seychelles private island from Dubai?
Fly about 4.5 hours to Mahé, then take a helicopter or light aircraft to the island. We arrange the connection so you arrive the same day.
What is the best resort on Mahé?
Cheval Blanc Seychelles at Anse Intendance is the new flagship. Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Petite Anse is the dependable family choice.
When is the best time to visit the Seychelles?
April–May and October–November, when the trade winds change over and the seas are calmest and clearest.
For the island beyond the resorts, read our Seychelles little black book. For priced itineraries, see Seychelles packages from Dubai.