Silhouette Island Seychelles

Silhouette Island is located approx 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Mahe Island, Seychelles. It is ranked the country's 3rd largest island, with total area approx 20 km2 (8 mi2) and population under 300. The island's main settlement (La Passe) has a Hilton Hotel (Hilton Seychelles Labriz).

The island is mountainous, with 5 peaks over 500 m (1600 ft). The highest elevation point (Mt Dauban) is 751 m (2464 ft) above sea level. This also makes Silhouette one of Seychelles islands with most dramatic scenery.

In 1609, the crew of the ship Ascension (owned by the East India Company) were the first Europeans to step on the island.

From the mid-19th century until 1960, the island was privately owned (by the Dauban family, from France). In 1830 they settled in Mauritius. Here, the Daubans developed extensive plantations. Their extensive business ventures earned it the family the nickname "Rothschilds of the Indian Ocean".

The era of the Daubans came to an end after Henri Dauban sold the island to a French group, which in 1983 sold it to Seychelles. A small hotel was built, later replaced by Labriz Resort (soon acquired by Hilton Hotels and Resorts). Dauban's plantation house was restored.

Silhouette Island has some of the richest biodiversities in the western Indian Ocean, with many endemic and threatened species of animals and plants. Among them is the critically endangered Coleura seychellensis (Seychelles sheath-tailed bat. In 1987, the surrounding waters were declared Marine National Park. In 2010 was founded the Silhouette National Park, protecting 93% of the island's land area. The island is also designated IBA (Important Bird Area).

Silhouette Island Seychelles cruise terminal