Cousine Island Villas
Cousine Island Villas
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Cousine Island is about relaxing in luxury, seclusion and nature. Here the wildlife and visitors share the island in harmony. The conservation officer will take you on a walk of the island explaining their work and philosophy pointing the varied habitat that the untrained eye might miss.November - March is the turtle breeding season, during these months Hawksbill turtles come on the island to lay their eggs. It is also possible to see hatchlings. These months also fall in our rainy season when the North West monsoon winds blow. April - October it is the bird breeding season, when about 60,000 pairs of Lessor Noddy Birds breed on the island. They mainly breed in the forest areas on the hill. These months are drier and the South East trade winds blow then.
Highlights
About 30m above the beach, nestled into the vegetation lie Cousine Island's private beach villas.
RHINOMETER
Cousine Island is researching the option of going 100% 'green' by implementing solar panels to run the entire island on solar power. Currently solar panels are used to heat water in all the buildings, to charge the three club cars which are the only means of transport on the island, and to run several other devices such as a deep freezer. It would be the first island of its size and standard, not only in the Seychelles but in the entire world to become fully solar powered. All drinking water on the island including the entire water supply in the guest villas, is collected as rainwater, which is treated with sediment and Ultra Violet filters before consumption. Storage capacity is sufficient to last throughout the year with the rain collected during the wet season.
Education and outreach programmes are an important part of community development in the Seychelles, and Cousine Island is working closely with the local Wildlife Clubs to arrange school visits, to promote education on island conservation, species preservation and other environmental issues. At Cousine, locals can see for themselves the positive results of long-term conservation efforts, and as such it is an important tool for educating local people on the benefits of good conservation and environmental practices.
The beautiful white sandy beach which fringes the eastern coast of the island is home to the Hawksbill turtle which come here every year to lay their eggs. The laying season starts in September and peaks in December - it is unlikely that guests who stays for 3 or 4 days during this period would leave without having the opportunity to observe this wonderful sight. The baby turtles hatch 2 months later (January - March). On average 12,000 hatchlings are returned to the sea under the watchful eye of the Cousine Island conservation officer. Watching the baby turtles scuttling to the sea is a truly beautiful site. The ongoing monitoring and research programmes carried out on Cousine island contribute towards larger conservation programmes at both local and international level, and many of these have been running for many years. The breeding Hawksbill Turtle research programme carried out on Cousine is probably the longest running and most intensive of its kind globally, and the Cousine population of the endangered Seychelles Magpie Robin is the most closely monitored in the world. The island is recognised nationally and internationally as one of the most ecologically important private islands in the world.
Rates Included
Rates Excluded
- all meals
- all soft drinks and mineral water
- all wines except wines that are on the reserve list
- all beers - All spirits except spirits that are on the reserve list
- complimentary his/hers welcoming foot massage
- rates exclude 7% GST
- transfers
- each villa has direct dial international telephones and internet facilities, all calls are charged accordingly
Facilities
The air conditioned library found in the Pavilion provides ample reading and a relaxing atmosphere. A wide range of books are available plus lots of information on Cousine Island and its heritage. There are also books on the other islands in the Seychelles archipelago. After extensive product research, Cousine Island has just appointed the exclusive brand of Ligne St. Barth for a beauty centre. Ensuring that their products compliment the island and the island’s philosophy, products are 100% natural and made from tropical fruit extracts used in combination with fresh fruits. Rest assured that this project will cause minimal impact to the island.
Accommodation
4 French Colonial style villas The villas are nestled amongst the vegetation about 30 meters from the beach. Each villa has a spacious bedroom, separate lounge, large bathroom with Jacuzzi, inside and outside showers and own front and rear patio. Each villa is air-conditioned, has its own mini-bar fridge, ice making machine, tea and coffee making facilities, hair dryer and direct dial telephone with computer modem point. For entertainment there is digital satellite television, video, DVD and CD / cassette player. A personal safe is provided.
Awards
Cousine Island has been listed for the 2005 First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards organised by online travel agent responsibletravel.com, in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine in the category 'Best in a marine environment & Endangered species conservation'. The First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards are in their second year and celebrate tourism ventures that make a positive contribution to conservation.
Guides
Cousine employs 2 full-time island ecologists to accompany guests in their journey exploring the natural wonders of the island. These ecologists are highly qualified, to PhD and MSc level, and have combined experience of approximately 15 years working in the field of island conservation and ecology, both in the Seychelles and elsewhere. Their knowledge of local fauna and flora is excellent and they are always on hand to accompany guests on guided walks or simply to answer their conservation questions. Guests who wish to participate further in the conservation work on Cousine are encouraged by the ecologists to assist with daily monitoring activities, such as tree planting and releasing hatchling turtles to the sea.
Access
Charter flights: - By helicopter – 15 minutes from Mahé or 5 minutes from Praslin. Helicopter transfers are available from various other destinations.
Rates
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