A new concept, The Blue Safari Seychelles, aims to help tourists discover the marine life of some of the lesser-known islands in the Seychelles archipelago while contributing to their conservation.

At the official launch at last month’s ‘We Are Africa’ in Cape Town, two Blue Safari conservationists, Sam Balderson and Josep Nogués, used the platform to explain the concept, saying that conservation is the main driving force.

Blue Safari’s philosophy is a combination of sustainable travel with luxury accommodation. It employs over 120 staff including private guides, ecologists, dive instructors and managers.

Accommodation varies from an Alphonse Island bungalow, suite or villa to the Astove Coral Lodge or a Cosmoledo Eco Camp.

Blue Safari Seychelles allows guests to explore the environment through scuba diving, snorkelling, turtle spotting, reef expeditions and dolphin and whale watching. Land-based activities are also offered, including tree planting, habitat restoration, beach clean-ups and turtle and tortoise tracking. The experience can be tailor-made for each guest using sailing boats, motor yachts, private aircraft or helicopters.

Amanda Lang, Marketing Manager at Blue Safari Seychelles, said: “Many of our trade partners are conscious of conservation and how this plays a big role in tourism. Seychelles, being so diverse and boasting a very healthy ecosystem, can market the destination as one of the last Edens on earth.”

Lang added that one of the biggest drawcards for this experience was that the outer islands and atolls of the Seychelles – Astove, Cosmoledo, Amirantes and Alphonse – were relatively unexplored. “The operation is small, professional and specialized, therefore this experience will not tamper with the exclusivity of the group and responsibility to operate with an eco-ethos.”