Boasting crystal-clear waters, unspoilt white-sand beaches, and exotic plants and wildlife, the Seychelles is one of the world’s most extraordinary – and splendidly isolated – tropical paradises. And staying at the Constance Ephelia is about as close to paradise as you can get. Set on 120 secluded hectares on the northwest tip of the island of Mahé, and surrounded by lush jungle, mangrove forest and two pristine beaches overlooking the Port Launay Marine Park, the resort blends in beautifully with the natural environment.

Constance Ephelia’s 313 sophisticated rooms, suites, and family-size villas, as well as its public spaces – including five restaurants and bars, five outdoor pools and the largest spa village in the Indian Ocean – offer the perfect spot to explore the area’s natural bounty and participate in exciting eco-adventures. Outdoor enthusiasts can snorkel and dive in the magnificently clear waters of Port Launay or indulge in a wide variety of watersports including sailing, windsurfing and kayaking.

But Constance Ephelia is more than just a gorgeous tropical playground. The conservation-conscious property – a Gold member of the Green Globe certification – has adopted unique sustainability programmes that enrich the guest experience while simultaneously protecting the area’s rich biodiversity and fragile ecosystem. A new scenic hiking trail through the surrounding hills lets guests immerse themselves in the region’s flora and fauna, leading to the highest viewpoint of the resort, offering jaw-dropping views of the Indian Ocean below.

The hotel also has its own mangrove nursery, where planted seeds are monitored to aid propagation and rehabilitation of the seven different species of the shrub growing in the region. Guests can tour the nursery to learn about the mangroves’ essential contribution to the global ecosystem and regular planting excursions are organised by the resort. To date, Constance Ephelia has planted and monitored more than 4,000 trees at Port Launay, with the support of local governmental and international organisations.