Tropical Island Beach Vacation in Seychelles Republic

La Digue Island - Seychelles - La Source D'Argent Beach, originally uploaded by ladigue_99.

La Digue is the fourth largest inhabited island of the Seychelles, lying east of Praslin and west of Felicite Island. Seychelles, officially the Republic of Seychelles, is an archipelago nation of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some 1,500 kilometres (930 mi) east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar.


SUNSET@LA GOGUE, MAHE, SEYCHELLES, originally uploaded by bodji.

La Digue island has a population of about 2,000 people, who mostly live in the west coast villages of La Passe. La Digue is named after a ship in the fleet of French explorer Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne, who visited the Seychelles in 1768.


Anse Source d'Argent, originally uploaded by six72.

Today the island's main industry is tourism and is known for its beaches especially Anse Source d'Argent. In former times copra and vanilla production were mainstays of the local economy; which is commemorated in the island's museum. In the island's interior is Veuve Nature Reserve, home of the rare Black Paradise Flycatcher, of which there are only about 100 in existence. La Digue's tallest peak is also in the central part of the island, Belle Vue (Eagle's Nest Mtn) which is more than 300 meters above sea level.


Praslin, originally uploaded by Kest@okU.

Praslin is the second largest island (38 km²) of the Seychelles. Praslin has a population of around 6,500 people and comprises two administrative districts; Baie Sainte Anne and Grand' Anse (Praslin). The main settlements are the Baie Ste Anne, Anse Volbert and Grand' Anse.


Praslin, originally uploaded by Kest@okU.

It was named Isle de Palmes by explorer Lazare Picault in 1744. During that time it was used as a hideaway by pirates and Arab merchants. In 1768 it was renamed Praslin in honor of French diplomat César Gabriel de Choiseul, duc de Praslin.


Praslin, originally uploaded by Kest@okU.

Praslin is known as a tourist destination with many beaches and hotels. It also has substantial tracts of tropical forests with birds such as the Seychelles Bulbul and its endemic black parrot. The beautiful Valee de Mai Nature Preserve is known for the unique coco de mer and vanilla orchids. It has been reported that General Charles George Gordon of Khartoum (1833-1885) was convinced that Valle de Mai was the Biblical "Garden of Eden".

Scuba Diving or Sand Beach Bahamas Vacation

Josh & G, originally uploaded by kevindonahue.

The Abaco Islands lie in the northern Bahamas and include the main islands of Great Abaco and Little Abaco. The islands are a noted base for sailing activities in the Bahamas as well as resort tourism.


dive2-27, originally uploaded by atsirk.

When looking at the Abaco Islands geographically, they are ideal for sailing, and have earned the title of the "sailing capitol of the world." The coastline's protected harbours, numerous bays and coves make it ideal for sailing and cruising. Additionally, the Sea of Abaco is nestled between Great Abaco and Little Abaco, aptly providing a safe, shallow area for boating.


IMG_0077, originally uploaded by atsirk.

Abaco Islands constitute five of the 31 Districts of the Bahamas: North Abaco, Central Abaco, South Abaco, Moore's Island, and Hope Town. Towns include Marsh Harbour, Hope Town, Treasure Cay, Coopers Town, and Cornishtown.

Putty Beach - Bouddi National Park - Australia

Putty Beach - Central Coast, NSW, Australia, originally uploaded by `Bobesh.

This surreal sunset photo was taken at Putty Beach in Bouddi National Park on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia.


CIMG1192, originally uploaded by Enrico Stahn.

A section of the national park extends into the sea creating fully protected land, shore and marine habitats. The Park contains one of the last temperate rainforest's on the Central Coast, Fletchers Glen.


CIMG1143, originally uploaded by Enrico Stahn.

Myrtos Beach - Best Beach in Greece

Myrtos beach, originally uploaded by Linda Cronin.

Myrtos Beach is situated in the region of Pylaros, in the north-west of Kefalonia. The beach is situated between the feet of two mountains, Agia Dynati and Kalo Oros. Myrtos is world-famous for the magical colours of the water. Myrtos has been voted 12 times the best Greek beach and every year is in the top-ten beaches of the world.


Beautiful Blues, originally uploaded by Linda Cronin.

Longshore current, along with wave energy, has an effect on the beauty of this beach. As waves curve along the beach they also pick up the finest bits of marble; this creates what is known as sediment plumes. These plumes follow the curve of the beach with the direction of the waves making the water a brilliant shade of turquoise.


Milky Wave, originally uploaded by Viton.

Because the slope angle has an abrupt drop near the edge of the shoreline the wave energy that is continually acting on Myrtos Beach is very high. This wave action is what causes the gradation trends from cobbles to pebbles along the beach.

Ko Phi Phi Ley Beach Thailand

Phi Phi Ley Beach Thailand, originally uploaded by IMP1.

Ko Phi Phi Lee is an island of the Phi Phi archipelago, in the Andaman Sea. It belongs to the Krabi province of Thailand. Mahya Bay (or Maya Bay) is popular for diving, and has become even more popular after the 2000 movie The Beach was filmed there. According to the Lonely Planet's Thailand guidebook, the 2004 tsunami dramatically improved the look of Maya Bay. This was due to the fact that the high waves had cleaned up the beach and removed all the landscaping the Fox production team had added.


Koh Phi Phi, originally uploaded by IMP1.

Prior to 2004 the island had avoided development. However, it is now a part of Phi Phi National Park and has since begun to see the beginnings of development and some clearing of natural plant life. There are current plans to build bungalows on the island and as of 2004 an entry-fee of 40 Baht has been charged; as of February 2007 the charge for private visitors has been raised to Bt200 per person. There are now permanent basic facilities on the island - toilets, a snack bar and camping sites.