North Island

North Island (also known as Ile du Nord) is a small granite island of Seychelles, located about 5 km north of the island of Silhouette and 27 km north-west of the island of Mahé, from which can be reached by helicopter in about 15 minutes.

It was one of the first islands of the Seychelles to be visited; in 1609 an expedition of Alexander Maier, belonging to the Britis Indian Company, reported to have found a great number of giant tortoises.

From 1826 to 1970 the island was owned by the Beaufond family. This family developed some plantations of fruit, spices, guano, fish oil and copra.
In 1970 the plantation was abandoned, the island fell into disuse and soon was populated by wild animals, plants and weeds.
In 1997 it was bought by a South African ecotourism company that has developed an exclusive resort with 11 elegant villas surrounded by nature.
The owner, a lover of nature, has started a conservation project which aims to reintroduce the natural flora and fauna of the Seychelles, preserving endangered species.