About Denis Island Lodge
One of the most northerly of the Inner Islands of the Seychelles, Denis Private Island (formerly Denis Island ...
... Lodge) is a small private coral island about 60 miles north of Mahé. Underpinned by a strong conservation ethic, Denis Island has 25 cottages set amid rich vegetation along the northwestern coast.
For families, Denis Private Island is relaxed and comfortable, with easy access to plenty of activities; for couples seeking a romantic get-away, there are long, secluded stretches of beach with a real feeling of a faraway island idyll. We think it's an excellent place to enjoy terrific food, to explore and quite simply to relax and 'get away from it all'.
Our view
For families, Denis Private Island is relaxed and comfortable, with easy access to plenty of activities; for couples seeking a romantic get-away, there are long, secluded stretches of beach with a real feeling of a faraway island idyll. We think it's an excellent place to enjoy terrific food, to explore and quite simply to relax and 'get away from it all'.
Seychelles expert
Accommodation
25 cottages
Children
Great for all ages.
Open
All year
Activities
Birdwatching
Fishing
Kayaking
Scuba-diving
Self-guided walking
Snorkelling
Traveller reviews of Denis Island Lodge
2 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.
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Just ideas, we'll always tailor-make a trip for you
Damselfish island holiday
5 days • 1 location • 1 country
MAHÉ AIRPORT TO MAHÉ AIRPORT
Laid-back luxury on the private Denis Island. Surrounded by protected waters with commendable focus on sustainability, this is perfect spot to disconnect from the world after a safari.
Visiting Denis Island
US$4,820 - US$5,770 per person
Denis Island Lodge: Our full report
One of the most northerly of the Inner Islands of the Seychelles, Denis Private Island (formerly Denis Island ...
... Lodge) is a small private coral island about 60 miles north of Mahé. Underpinned by a strong conservation ethic, Denis Island has 25 cottages set amid rich vegetation along the northwestern coast.
Dotted amongst the trees of Denis Island are 25 well-spaced cottages, each within about 30m of their own stretch of beach and with the feel of a private-island villa. All are spacious, tastefully furnished with lovely wood furniture, and decorated in cool, calm tones with splashes of colour. Amenities are broadly similar too: an open-plan bedroom/sitting area, air conditioning, a ceiling fan, an outdoor en-suite bathroom (with double vanity unit, shower, alfresco shower, bath, WC and bidet), a hairdryer, an ironing board, tea/coffee-making facilities, a minibar and a private outdoor courtyard.
Differences between the cottages are as much about size and location as facilities, though these do differ too.
- Three Beach Cottages (90m2) are the smallest, but they are closest to the beach.
- Ten Deluxe Beach Cottages are a little larger at 110m2, and have the same features as the beach cottages, as well as an outdoor thatched 'sala' and daybed.
- The ten Beach Front Spa Cottages are larger still (150m2). In addition to the facilities of the deluxe beach cottages, they also have a private outdoor spa area with a massage table – perfect for those who plan some serious pampering during their stay!
- The Family Cottage (169m2) has a separate lounge and bedroom. The lounge can be converted into a second bedroom for up to three children, while still retaining an area for sitting and relaxing. Access to an absolutely enormous bathroom is from either the bedroom or the lounge.
- Then there is the Beach Villa, by far and away the largest of the cottages at 325m2. Like the family cottage, it has one bedroom, and a separate lounge which can be converted into a sleeping area, though only for up to two children. The beach villa benefits from a private courtyard with a sala and daybed, a private plunge pool, and an outdoor barbecue and dining area.
The imposing, palm-thatched main building at Denis Island Lodge houses the restaurant, an elliptical sunken bar for evening cocktails, and a contemporary lounge of exposed rock walls, cream fabrics and funky, nature-inspired objets d'art. There is also a games area with a billiards table and library, complete with satellite television, internet points and WiFi. Meals can be eaten inside, on the beach or at the poolside, with a combination of buffet lunches, table d'hôte dinners and themed evenings on offer.
Guests have free run of Denis Private Island, with plenty of activity options. Cycling or walking around the forested interior and beaches will lead you past some beautiful scenery, as well as the giant tortoise enclosure, the 1881 lighthouse and the ecumenical chapel, dating to the island’s plantation heyday.
Birdlife on Denis Island includes noddies, plovers, whimbrels, tropicbirds and frigatebirds, and turtles nest on the beaches. Resident environmentalists are available for guided tours of the island, either on foot or by electric buggy. Guests are also welcome to visit the small farm, which provides a large proportion of the food served at the lodge, and it is usually included on the island tour.
For sub-aqua enthusiasts, escorted snorkelling and diving (including PADI courses) can be arranged from the watersports centre, which also supplies kayaks and snorkelling equipment for independent exploration. This is also the place to organise big-game fishing (catch and release). A swimming pool, floodlit tennis court (damaged by a storm at the time of our visit in July 2015) and jogging trails complete the package, with in-room massages available to balance all that activity.
Geographics
- Location
- Denis Island, Seychelles
- Ideal length of stay
- Four nights or more
- Directions
- Denis Private Island is accessed by a 30-minute light aircraft flight from Mahé Airport. Flights are on a scheduled basis, so please contact us about times. On arrival, guests are met by golf buggies for the short transfer from the airstrip to the lodge.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Room Only
- Food quality
- Most of the food is produced on the island’s farm, where they grow vegetables and fruit, and also raise chickens, pigs and cows (milk is pasteurised!), so it is about as fresh as it can be. Menus are seasonal and varied; we found dining here a real treat when we last visited in July 2015.
A breakfast buffet features a variety of local fruits, freshly squeezed juices and pastries. At the grill station, the chef cooks up delicious hot breakfasts with your choice of eggs.
Lunch is also served buffet-style, with a wide choice of salads and a variety of hot dishes. On our visit these included grilled fish, beef or fish curry and stir fry. When fresh is available, the chef makes sushi – we thought it was delicious! If you have space, you can tuck into an array of desserts; the only trouble we had was choosing what to try.
On five days of the week, dinner is a three-course set menu, which is advertised each day. There’s usually a choice of two or three items per course, but if there is nothing on the menu that you fancy, then as long as the chef is given a bit of notice he is very happy to make an alternative. The other two nights are buffet evenings. Around the time of our visit, on Wednesdays they had a Japanese theme, while on a Saturday it was usually a barbecue (on the beach if the weather permitted).
For a supplement, and also weather permitting, it is possible to arrange a romantic, private dinner on the beach. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- In-room dining can be arranged with advance notice. Although all meals are included at Denis Private Island, a surcharge applies for in-cottage dining.
- Drinks included
- Drinks are not included. Bottles of drinking water are provided in the cottages.
Special interests
- Honeymoons
- Denis Private Island is a faraway idyll for your Seychelles honeymoon. Perfect for couples seeking a romantic getaway, it is reasonably priced, with well-spaced cottages and plenty of secluded stretches of beach for lovely romantic strolls.
- See ideas for Honeymoons in Seychelles
- Beach holidays
- With long, stunning beaches, Denis Private Island is the perfect choice for those seeking a secluded beach holiday on the Seychelles. Each of the stylish cottages comes with its own private access to a lovely stretch of white sandy beach.
- See ideas for Beach holidays in Seychelles
- Luxury
- Each cottage and villa on Denis Island Lodge is only steps away from its white sandy beaches. So walk out to your own deserted beach, and then return for the lodge’s culinary delights from five-course, candle-lit dinners to Japanese nights with sushi cooking demonstrations.
- See ideas for Luxury in Seychelles
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Denis Island does welcome children – and even has a specific family cottage.
- Property’s age restrictions
- There are no age restrictions here.
- Special activities & services
- Babysitting can be arranged, though staff are not formally trained childminders, and this is best requested in advance of your stay. The lodge offers a host of child-friendly activities including treasure hunts, cookie decorating, visits to the giant tortoises, collecting chicken eggs on the island farm, and kids’ bicycles, and the housekeepers are happy to show children how to fold towels into fun, quirky animal shapes. There is satellite television in the library and board games are also available.
- Equipment
- The lodge has family-friendly accommodation, and both cots and highchairs can be provided.
- Generally recommended for children
- The lodge actively welcomes families and has gone to great lengths to provide plenty for them to do. With miles of lovely beaches and a very relaxed vibe, we would certainly recommend Denis Island for families with children of all ages.
- Notes
- As with any new environment, especially one with easy access to the sea and no fence around the pool, children should always be closely supervised by their parents.
Communications
- Power supply notes
- The island has two generators. Power is supplied to the cottages 24 hours a day.
- Communications
- Local or international calls can be made from reception, or from the IDD telephone in each cottage. Complimentary WiFi is available in the library and next to the office in the main building.
- TV & radio
- There are no televisions in the cottages, but there is satellite television in the library. Each cottage has an iPod docking station.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- All the cottages have flushing toilets, a shower and a bathtub. Water to the bathrooms is desalinated, so it is not recommended for drinking.
Sustainability
Conservation
The Green Islands Foundation, an NGO with a decade-long track record of conservation success in Seychelles, has a permanent outpost on the island and oversees a variety of programmes.
The translocation of some of Seychelles’ rarest endemic birds has been one of Denis’ most important environmental achievements, paving the way for some of these species to improve their standings on the IUCN Globally Threatened Birds list. As a result, Denis is the only place in the world in which a morning’s walk can bring you across the Seychelles fody, magpie robin, paradise flycatcher and the Seychelles warbler.
Hawksbill and green turtles laying their eggs on the protected shoreline of Denis are monitored and tagged, providing valuable information to assist in the protection of the species. Extensive research into the ecosystem of the island’s reef flats – essential nursery and feeding grounds for fish and green turtles – and the Seychelles government designating official protected status for the waters surrounding Denis, have been instrumental in preserving the island’s marine environment just the way nature intended.
See more great sustainability projects in Seychelles
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- No
- Medical care
- The manager is trained as a basic first-aid responder. Medical evacuation by air can be arranged in an emergency, but it would take a minimum of 1½–2 hours to reach Mahé for a transfer to hospital.
- Dangerous animals
- Low Risk
- Security measures
- None
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers outside each cottage, in the kitchen, the bar and behind the grill station of the restaurant.
Activities
Birdwatching
Fishing
Kayaking
Scuba-diving
Self-guided walking
Snorkelling
Extras
- Disabled access
- Not Possible
- Laundry facilities
- Full Laundry Service - Extra Charge. Clothes collected before 11.00am will usually be returned the same day, weather permitting. Charges vary depending on the item but they ranged from SCR50 to SCR250 (about £2.50 –12.50) in July 2015.
- Money
- There is an electronic safe in each cottage. The lodges does not provide currency exchange facilities.
- Accepted payment on location
- Denis Island accepts MasterCard and Visa credit cards, as well as cash payments in Seychellois rupees, euro, US dollars or pounds sterling.
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Denis Island Lodge's location
Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Denis Island Lodge.
When to go to Denis Island
Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Denis Island Lodge in Denis Island
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Seychelles in January
January is the wettest month of the year in the Seychelles: temperatures are warm, humidity levels high, and short, tropical downpours are common. Cyclone activity elsewhere in the Indian Ocean often results in heavy cloud cover too.
Although generally calm, the warm, north-west trade winds tend to litter Praslin’s east coast with seaweed – perfectly harmless, but can make swimming less pleasant.
Picture-perfect beaches are abound on opposites sides of the island. Waves and currents are also strong on Mahé’s north-west coast at this time.
For wildlife spectacles, January has definite highlights and Bird Island is particularly special at this time of year. The Hawksbill turtle hatchlings start emerging from mid December to mid March, and their journey to the ocean is wonderful to witness. Throughout the year the bird-watching is excellent, but from end-August to end-May, migratory birds from Alaska and Siberia appear.
- The wettest time of year to travel, with high humidity levels.
- Rain comes in short tropical downpours, after which the sun comes out.
- Prices over the Christmas and New Year period rise significantly.
- Hawksbill turtles can be seen hatching.
- Migratory birds on shore from Alaska and Siberia.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in January
Seychelles in February
Like January, February is one of the archipelago’s wettest months. Afternoon downpours are to be expected, humidity levels can be extremely high and cloudy skies the norm.
Although generally calm, the warm, north-west trade winds tend to litter Praslin’s east coast with seaweed – perfectly harmless, but can make swimming less pleasant. Picture-perfect beaches are abound on opposites sides of the island. Waves and currents are also strong on Mahé’s north-west coast at this time.
For wildlife spectacles, February does have highlights and Bird Island is particularly special at this time of year. The Hawksbill turtle hatchlings start emerging from mid December to mid March, and their journey to the ocean is wonderful to witness. Throughout the year the bird-watching is excellent, but from end-August to end-May, migratory birds from Alaska and Siberia appear.
- Warm weather all year round.
- One of the wettest months, expect clear mornings and wet afternoons.
- Good time of year for birding, with migratory birds in residence.
- Hawksbill turtles can be seen hatching.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in February
Seychelles in March
The heavy rains of the first few months start to die down by March, and the temperature begins to rise. Most days will be clear, with clouds sometimes gathering to a short thunderstorm in the late afternoon.
The calm, warm, north-west trade winds tend to litter Praslin’s east coast with seaweed – perfectly harmless, but can make swimming less pleasant. Picture-perfect beaches are abound on opposites sides of the island.
It is possible to dive throughout the year in the Seychelles, however waters are calmest from March to November, making this a great time of year for underwater adventures.
For wildlife enthusiasts, Hawksbill turtle hatchlings start emerging from mid December to mid March, and their journey to the ocean is wonderful to witness. Throughout the year the bird-watching is excellent, but from end-August to end-May, migratory birds from Alaska and Siberia arrive, displaying their often spectacular breeding plumage in their final month ashore, while from March-November, a staggeringly large colony of Sooty Terns chatter and roost across the island.
- Warm weather all year round.
- Rains ease off and temperatures begin to rise
- Great for diving, with warm water, good visibility, and calm seas.
- The Hawksbill turtles generally hatch around now.
- Great time of year for birding, migratory species are still around.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in March
Seychelles in April
April is the calmest, warmest month of the year, making it one of the best months to visit the Seychelles. The wind drops, the temperature is delightfully warm and the seas are calm, offering great diving and brilliant visibility.
The birding is great, particularly on Bird Island, when migratory birds from Alaska and Siberia are resident and displaying their often spectacular breeding plumage in their final month ashore. An enormous, chattering colony of Sooty Terns roost on the island from March-November.
In late April, the capital city, Victoria, comes alive for the colourful parades of the Carnaval International de Victoria, with street performances, costume parades and parties.
- One of the warmest and most pleasant months of the year.
- Great diving with calm, warm water and clear visibility.
- Windless periods make for lovely swimming and gentle boat excursions.
- Good value rates, outside the Easter school holidays.
- Good time of year for birding.
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in April
Seychelles in May
May is the start of a relatively dry period and one of the best months to visit. There is little rain with plenty of warm beach days under clear blue skies.
The cooler, drier, south-east trade winds bring lively seas to south-west Mahé and result in seaweed being washed up onto the beaches of Praslin’s south coast, though idyllic beaches await elsewhere.
Birding is good, particularly on Bird Island, with migratory birds from Alaska and Siberia appearing up until the end of the month, displaying their often spectacular breeding plumage in their final month ashore. A vast colony of Sooty Terns chatter and roost from March-November.
- Warm, dry weather.
- Great diving with calm, warm water and clear visibility.
- Calm and windless periods, make for lovely swimming & boat excursions.
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in May
Seychelles in June
June marks the change of seasons but there’s little rain at this time and lovely long, hot, clear days. Coming before the start of the European Summer holiday season, June is often a quieter time to visit, and in some cases reduced rates can also be found.
The cooler, drier, south-east trade winds bring lively seas to south-west Mahé and result in seaweed being washed up onto the beaches of Praslin’s south coast, though pristine beaches await elsewhere.
For wildlife enthusiasts, Green Turtles, an endangered and protected species, are more commonly seen at this time (June and September), often whilst laying their eggs on the beaches of Bird Island. Birding is also particularly good here, with breeding birds and a vast colony of Sooty Terns chattering and roosting from March-November.
- Hot, clear days & little rain. Water temperatures drop to around 25C.
- Whale sharks can be seen, attracted by the nutrient rich plankton.
- Nesting Green turtles are common sightings on Bird Island.
- Stronger winds make access to remote dive sites more difficult.
- Accommodation prices slightly lower than high season.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in June
Seychelles in July
July is a time to bask in lovely warm days, with little chance of rain.
The cooler, drier, south-east trade winds bring lively seas to south-west Mahé and result in seaweed being washed up onto the beaches of Praslin’s south coast, though idyllic, powder-sand beaches await elsewhere.
For wildlife enthusiasts, Green Turtles, an endangered and protected species, are more commonly seen at this time (June and September), often whilst laying their eggs on the beaches of Bird Island. Birding is also particularly good here, with breeding birds and a vast colony of Sooty Terns chattering and roosting from March-November.
- Warm, clear days & little rain. Sea temperatures drop to around 25C.
- Nesting Green turtles are common sightings on Bird Island.
- Whale sharks can be seen, attracted by the nutrient rich plankton.
- European school holidays push prices up in July and August.
- Stronger winds make access to remote dive sites more difficult.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in July
Seychelles in August
Similar to June and July, August is both dry and lovely, with hot, clear days, comfortable temperatures and little chance of rain.
The cooler, drier, south-east trade winds bring lively seas to south-west Mahé and result in seaweed being washed up onto the beaches of Praslin’s south coast, though idyllic beaches abound elsewhere.
For wildlife enthusiasts, Green Turtles, an endangered and protected species, are more commonly seen at this time (June and September), often whilst laying their eggs on the beaches of Bird Island. Birding is also particularly good here, with migratory birds from Alaska and Siberia appearing from end-August to end-May, displaying their spectacular breeding plumage in their final month ashore. A vast colony of Sooty Terns also chatter and roost from March-November.
- Hot, clear days & little rain. Water temperatures drop to around 25C.
- Nesting Green turtles are common sightings on Bird Island.
- Whale sharks can be seen, attracted by the nutrient rich plankton.
- European school holidays push prices up in July and August.
- Stronger winds make access to remote dive sites more difficult.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in August
Seychelles in September
September is generally a time of warm and clear days, with a little rain possible towards the end of the month, and rising humidity.
The cooler, drier, south-east trade winds bring lively seas to south-west Mahé and result in seaweed being washed up onto the beaches of Praslin’s south coast, though idyllic beaches abound elsewhere.
For wildlife enthusiasts, Green Turtles, an endangered and protected species, are more commonly seen at this time (June and September), often whilst laying their eggs on the beaches of Bird Island. Birding is also particularly good here, with migratory birds from Alaska and Siberia appearing from end-August to end-May, displaying their spectacular breeding plumage in their final month ashore. A vast colony of Sooty Terns also chatter and roost from March-November.
- Warm, clear days with a chance of rain towards to the end of the month
- A good time of for diving with calm, warm water and clear visibility.
- Whale sharks can be seen, attracted by the nutrient rich plankton.
- It’s generally quieter and prices are slightly lower than high season.
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in September
Seychelles in October
October is warm with calm conditions and rain increasing towards the end of the month.
During this calm season (October and November), whales migrate past the islands and you may spot Southern Right, Humpback and Short-finned Pilot whales. The Hawksbill Turtle nesting season also begins in October, with Bird Island being a great place to witness the event. It is unusual for a guest who stays 3-4 nights not to see a Hawksbill turtle laying their eggs. Migratory birds from Alaska and Siberia are also present here, alongside a vast, noisy colony of Sooty Terns.
The warm, north-west trade winds bring good underwater visibility for diving but do also tend to litter Praslin’s east coast with seaweed, and can make for waves and strong currents on Mahé’s north-west coast. Picture-postcard beaches abound in other areas.
For some island culture, the Festival Kreol takes places on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue in late October, with colourful celebrations of Creole heritage.
- Warm weather with rain towards the end of the month.
- A good time of year for diving with calm, warm, clear waters.
- Calm, windless periods are great for swimming and boat excursions.
- Hawsbill turtles are nesting and migratory whales are often spotted.
- A quiet and peaceful time with fewer visitors.
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in October
Seychelles in November
By November, the winds start to change, bringing light, warm breezes and the start of the main rainy season. Temperatures remain warm and pleasant.
The calm north-west trade winds tend to litter Praslin’s eastern coast (Côte d’Or beaches) with seaweed, and waves and currents are strong on Mahé’s north-west coast (Beau Vallon). But elsewhere picture-perfect beaches abound and overall, the gentle winds make this a good time for water-based activities: diving, boat trips and swimming. The Seychelles Ocean Festival, celebrating marine diversity and highlighting reef protection, is held annually at this time.
Whales migrate past the islands throughout November and you may spot Southern Right, Humpback and Short-finned Pilot whales. The Hawksbill Turtle nesting season also begins in October, with Bird Island being a great place to witness the event. It is unusual for a guest who stays 3-4 nights not to see a Hawksbill turtle laying their eggs. Migratory birds from Alaska and Siberia are also present here, alongside a vast, noisy colony of Sooty Terns.
- Warm days & little wind but the start of the main rainy season.
- A good time of year for diving with calm, warm, clear waters.
- Ccalm, windless periods, great for swimming and boat excursions.
- Fewer visitors and lower accommodation costs.
- Good opportunities to see nesting turtles and migratory whales.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in November
Seychelles in December
December is one of the hottest and wettest months. During this Northwest Monsoon season, short tropical downpours are the norm after which the sun does generally come out again. The rain turning the islands staggeringly lush and green.
The Hawksbill Turtle nesting season is in full swing, and by mid-December some hatchlings begin to emerge. Migratory birds from Alaska and Siberia are also present, alongside a vast, noisy colony of Sooty Terns.
The calm, warm, north-west trade winds tend to litter Praslin’s east coast with seaweed, and waves and currents are strong on Mahé’s north-west coast, but there are plenty of other beautiful beaches.
Christmas is a huge celebration on the islands, for locals and hotels, and also within the southern hemisphere ‘Summer holidays’ making this an extremely busy and expensive time to visit, however, festivities are often fabulous.
- December is hot and wet, with regular tropical downpours.
- Vegetation is beautifully lush and green.
- Migratory birds arrive from Europe.
- Christmas and New Year are extremely busy times to visit.
- Hawksbill turtles are nesting and hatching.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in December
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