Fregate Island Lodge

a truly world class private island lodge

Fregate Island Lodge is located on Fregate Island in the Seychelles.

Set on the eastern side of the island, Fregate Island Lodge is a very upmarket small resort.

The owners often refer to this property as Fregate Island Private and sometimes Fregate Island Villas, but it is all the same place.

The sixteen villas are set on the northeast side, clustered around Fregate House, which contains two swimming pools, a beach bar, main restaurant, shop and library.

There is also a very extensive spa and sports centred just beyond the last villa.

Back down at the harbour, there is the Watersports Centre, the Yacht Club, the farm and the original Plantation House with its small museum.

The Zen-like Rock Spa is set high on a cliff-top, in total unison with its surroundings, overlooking the sparkling blue Indian Ocean. It offers a variety of pampering massages and treatments; the therapists use mainly ancient techniques from India, Australian and Polynesia, and products made from local ingredients.

To the southeast side is the Banyan Hill Estate, which is effectively a private lodge for up to nine guests (in a safari area it would no doubt be called Little Fregate).

Rooms

Guest accommodation on Fregate Island Lodge is in sixteen large villas and a separate mini-lodge, each with swimming pool, air-conditioning, butler service and a private solar-powered buggy for getting around …

Private Pool Villa : x14 : 400-450 sqm : These vast villas are absolutely lavish. They have one master suite, lounge and dining areas, a further lounge that can be converted into a second bedroom for up to two children with a second bathroom, broad decks and a surprisingly large private swimming pool.

Private Pool Twin Villa : x1 : 600-750 sqm : This villa is essentially two of the above villas combined to create a space large enough for four adults and four children to share in comfort.

These vast villas are absolutely lavish. They have one master suite, lounge and dining areas, a further lounge that can be converted into a second bedroom for kids with a second bathroom, broad decks and a surprisingly large private swimming pool.

Banyan Hill Estate : x1 : 1100 sqm : Similar in style to the other villas, but located on an isolated hillside way off to the south, Banyan Hill Estate comprises a main building with a large private swimming pool and three detached chalets, suitable for up to six adults and three children. It can function completely independently of the rest of the lodge, but you are also welcome to join other guests in the various public areas if you wish.

Activities

Fregate Island Lodge offers the following activities, not all of which are necessarily included in the room rate …

• Diving : not included
• Snorkelling
• Kayaking
• Paddle-boarding
• Wind-surfing
• Beach picnics
• Sailing
• Water-skiing
• Banana boating
• Sunset cruises
• Nature trails
• Bird-watching
• Giant tortoises
• Turtle nesting
• Farm tours
• Spa and gym
• Helicopter trips to other islands

Although we can and do combine the Seychelles with safaris on mainland Africa, this tends to happen relatively rarely. The main airport on Mahé is 2200 km from Nairobi and 3800 km from Johannesburg. For most people, the tropical beaches of East Africa end up being an easier and cheaper option.

But for some, the powerful allure of these beautiful islands is too much to resist and they are happy to stay overnight in Nairobi or Johannesburg, before flying out to the Seychelles.

These islands are far more commonly visited as a separate trip. There are direct flights to the islands from Europe and the Persian Gulf.

Most visits to the Seychelles run to 7-14 nights, usually split between two or three lodges. The usual stay duration at this particular lodge is 3-7 nights.

Seasonality

The best time of year to visit the Seychelles is generally considered to be during the May-Oct dry season.

It is worth pointing out that the Seychelles experiences prodigious rainfall, far more than most other islands in the Indian Ocean.

Getting there

The Seychelles really are tiny specks of land, set out in the vastness of the Indian Ocean.

From Mahe International Airport, North Island is accessed by helicopter flights.

only occasionally combined with safari on mainland Africa