Bird Island Lodge Seychelles

Bird Island is a truly special location. I stayed for four days enjoying their tropical paradise. It's a place for people who truly love nature and wildlife and want to preserve the natural environment. I swam in the warm waters, watched birds flying overhead and fed papayas to the many tortoises. Everyday I hiked in search of new sea turtle nests (I found 4 new nests during my stay). The owners and employees truly have a passion for keeping this island as natural as possible and will offer much information about the local flora and fauna.

I read the (few) negative comments on Bird Island. I agree with them: the owners should find the way to stop the birds songs at 9pm,the Ocean sound at 10 pm, the equatorial sun strength at 10am! Apart from the jokes: Bird is amazing,the nature is almost unique and to enjoy this Paradise you must adapt a little bit. The lodge is not a luxury hotel but you knew it already before taking off. The owners are few words people but you don t come there for chatting.We ll be back!! PS just a pray to the owners: to prevent genetic problems (due to blood relationship) in your tortoises population you should introduce at least one or two new females.I hope to find them next time.

First, the positives. Bird Island is beautiful. The stars on a clear night are stunning, as are the turquoise fringed beaches with powder soft sand. Good snorkeling (almost all the coral is dead, however.) Tortoises abound. And the birds are so numerous they cannot help but inspire awe. But the hotel is poorly managed, and not because of the hard-working staff, like Darel (who brought us to see Esmerlda) or Sebastien, the great cook who took me on a snorkeling expedition. The problem is: there appears to be no-one in charge. And in fact, the owner/manager is in Mahe, 100 km away. You are handed a map when you arrive with things listed like the farm (which no longer exists), the viewing platform (now overtaken by a tree), information areas (ha!) and reception (which is not used.) So if you have a need or a question, there is no one in charge to ask. There were 11 guests the week we were there. 4 kayaks, 3 paddles to be found, which ant the family of 4 that held on to 2 kayaks and 3 paddles made it impossible for others to kayak. (Eventually we found 2 other paddles in a random spot -- but there was no one to ask. ) I eventually moved cabins because the internet didn't reach mine. I was delighted that the kitchen in the new unit had a microwave, unlike the first one. But unlike the other kitchen, had no ceiling fan, which made it pretty much unusable during the mid-day because there is no breeze in the middle of the island where the cabins are and it's HOT. I don't think this is intentional. There's just no one in charge of paying attention to things like: why are there not enough kayak paddles? Why does one kitchen have a ceiling fan and another one not? The owner, it turned out, flew in during our week. From talking to the other guests, I don't think he so much as said hello to any of us. He wouldn't even make eye contact with me or the friends I made on the trip. It's an expensive place to visit, about 425 euros a night, plus airfare. Their client base is down. But honestly, the looked past us las if we were bothersome insects. And I think this epitomizes the attitude of management towards guests. This place could be (and apparently once was) so much more. They're down from 30 staff to 10. Have someone who people can ask questions to. Perhaps provide a little shade. Make sure the cabins have the basic needs. Let people know what activities are available (there is no list, no presentation, nothing.) Maybe someone to occasionally ask you how your stay is going and if there's anything you need or any questions you have. Am I glad I went? Yes. It was beautiful. Would I go again? Not if it's run the way it currently is