Frégate rises out of the Indian Ocean - a tropical paradise which covers three square kilometres and is the most remote and secluded of the Seychelles granite islands.
In order to use the Send to a Friend facility you must be logged in.
Please either log in above, or register if you are not already a friend of Nature & Kind.
Overview
Secluded, but not out of this world; precious, but not unattainable; fragile, but not untouchable… the original luxury eco-retreat.
Four degrees south of the equator, a 20-minute flight away from Mahé, Frégate is a private island of outstanding natural beauty; a uniquely peaceful setting of verdant, tropical interiors and abundant nature fringed by seven dream beaches, each a brilliant sweep of powdery white sand sentinelled by giant, iconic granite boulders. The preservation, protection and nurture of its unique flora and fauna has always been - and continues to be – a fundamental raison d’être for Frégate Island Private. With only 16 villas, guests are invited to experience the rare luxuries of space, security and seclusion within a tropical island setting of exuberant natural beauty.
The unique Frégate Island Private concept of combining the most elusive luxuries - space, seclusion, security - with nature benefits all: we nurture nature, and nature nurtures us. Frégate Island Private strives to set new standards in integrating a luxury tourism operation into a natural retreat, and has become a leading example of how to establish a balanced coexistence between man and nature - or nature and man. Any questions of mutual intrusion have become redundant: just as guests can enjoy the natural environment on hikes and beach walks, so too can indigenous wildlife benefit from man-made infrastructure… thus ylang ylang thatch becomes not just a roof, but a highly sought-after nesting material; paved pathways a last warming place before sundown; and stone walls a maze of shelters from sun and rain.
Frégate Island is home to some of the world's rarest flora & fauna. A total of 14 bird species are resident and breeding on theisoland including the magpie robin, downlisted from 'critically endangered' in 2005 largely as a result of the island's conservation actions.
Frégate is also home to a wild herd of more than 600 Aldabra Giant Tortoises, one of only three wild-roaming populations left in the Seychelles. Lucky guests may even witness a turtle laying her eggs in the sand, or the spectacle of up to 60 newly hatched baby turtles disappearing into the Indian Ocean at full moon. The Hawksbill turtle and Green turtle, both critically endangered, are also frequent visitors to the shores of the island for nesting and egg-laying.
The island has many varied and fascinating indigenous insects, in particular three species that are exclusively endemic to the island: the flightless Giant Tenebrionid beetle , the Giant Millipede and the Enid snail. The only native mammal is the 'Flying Fox', which survives solely on fruit, found in abundance in Frégate's lush tropical forests amongst species ranging from the rare Coco de Mer palm to the giant Banyan Tree.
The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands set within 400,000 square kilometres of the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar.
With the majority of the islands founded on low-level coral, it is the 32 granite islands that are home to most of the republic's 80,000 inhabitants. Mahé, with the republic's capital, Victoria, is the largest island, covering 150 square kilometres. Its highest point, the summit of the Morne Seychellois mountain, is over 900 metres above sea level.
Known as "Repiblik Sesel" in Seselwa, the native Creole of the islands, the Seychelles gained independence from Britain in 1976. Today, the most important branches of industry are tourism and fishing.
The Seychelles is one of the world's last remaining paradises and the protection of the environment is deemed to be of paramount importance. Two areas have been designated UNECSO World Heritage sites and, in addition to numerous nature reserves, there are strictly controlled regulations to protect the area's unique flora & fauna.
A 20 minute flight from Mahé, Frégate Island Private rises 125 metres out of the Indian Ocean - a tropical paradise which covers three square kilometres and is the most remote and secluded of the Seychelles granite islands.
Like the bird after which it is named, Frégate Island Private symbolises nature at its most inspirational.
Dining
In keeping with its committed approach to ecological issues, Frégate Island Private continues to strengthen the connection between restaurant menus and island-grown produce. Influenced by the abundance and diversity of ingredients cultivated on Frégate Island, the executive chef takes guests to new gastronomic heights with innovative demonstrations of the extraordinary flavours that nature can deliver. His inspired recipes are the expression of a distinctive culinary style applied to the freshest seasonal produce, ensuring every dish is unique in character and flavour and a true reflection of the bountiful tropical setting in which it is enjoyed; the island’s own plantation and hydroponics house ensure guests can enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables every day.
FREGATE HOUSE The gourmet menu at Frégate House features the Chef's daily selection of local produce, with dining available both in the restaurant and on the lower terrace.
PLANTATION HOUSE Every evening the Plantation House – a museum by day – transforms into a romantic restaurant serving traditional Creole dishes and island specialities. This historical building evokes the island's heritage and is a wonderful venue for al fresco dining.
WINE CELLAR Frégate Island Private also boasts a wine cellar comparable with the world’s most famous, cosmopolitan hotel restaurants, with a selection of over 300 wines including some of the most sought-after labels, varietals and vineyards from around the globe. As well as hosting regular wine tastings, the cellar is an intimate and unusual dining venue for groups of up to 10 guests.
BARS The Pirate’s Bar, overlooking Anse Bambous, and the Anse Bambous Beach Bar also offer light snacks and drinks at lunch and dinner.
ISLAND DINING EXPERIENCES In addition to the restaurants and bars, guests can enjoy bespoke dining experiences anywhere on the island – Frégate is their oyster! Dinner in the Tree House, serenaded by birdsong… barbecues on the beach or at the Yacht Club… private candlelight dinners in the privacy of their villa… or a favourite setting of their own discovery.
Facilities
THE ROCK SPA The Rock Spa is a natural haven of serenity, nestled on a cliff-top plateau commanding panoramic views of the sea. Reached via a dramatic rock archway at the apex of a canyon of granite boulders and banyan roots, flanked by freshwater pools and cascading waterfalls, the spa celebrates the island's unique surroundings and embraces the traditional elements of earth, air, fire and water. Eschewing the commercialism of branded spa products and merchandise, the Rock Spa is a truly natural Seychellois spa experience which embraces the ecology of its unique surroundings.
Using only pure, natural products prepared from over 130 island-grown ingredients and free from any chemical or artificial ingredients, the Rock Spa’s treatments and therapies incorporate countless medicinal plants, or ‘Raspay’, traditionally used by Seychellois healers, from Madagascar periwinkle to boost the immune system to Yam weed for soothing joint pain.
In the Rock Spa’s own Apothecary, Madame Dibwa (derived from the French for “the fairy woman from the forest”) and her team of qualified therapists blend indigenous know-how with the principles of herbalism and aromatherapy to create unique scrubs, pastes and oils which form the basis of traditional treatments for relaxation, revitalisation, detoxification or specific ailments. The island-wide emphasis on the principle that ‘fresh is best’ ensures ever-changing daily specials on the spa menu, depending on which plants, fruits and herbs are in season.
ROCK GYM Right beside the spa, the Rock Gym with its wonderful views into greens and rock formations offers fitness equipment from dumb-bells to multifunctional gym systems.
MARINA Fregate's Yacht Club, Marina and PADI Dive Centre are situated on the lower plateau of the island, opposite the plantation.
Sailing and motorboats take guests to the numerous dive sites around the island. The marina overlooks a turquoise lagoon, protected by a small reef which restricts the waves and makes the beach here particularly safe for swimmers, snorkellers and beginner divers.Fregate's Yacht Club, Marina and PADI Dive Centre are situated on the lower plateau of the island, opposite the plantation.
By the harbour’s edge, the newly renovated Yacht Club - with its intimate bar, billiard table, terrace and hammocks – is the perfect place to unwind after an invigorating day on the water. The bar is open into the evening, offering home-spiced rum specialities and BBQ events on request.
TORTOISE ADOPTION PROGRAMME Amongst Frégate Island’s oldest indigenous residents are the incredible Aldabra Giant tortoises. Thanks to ongoing conservation efforts, the island is now home to the second largest wild herd of these remarkable creatures in the world, inhabiting one of nature’s last sanctuaries.
Today, Frégate Island’s tortoise nursery is a thriving conservation initiative where young Aldabra Giant tortoises are cared for in a preservatory for the first two to three vulnerable years of their lives, until they are ready to live securely on their own in the island’s jungle. For a fee, guests can ‘adopt’ a baby tortoise and by doing so safeguard its care until such time as it is ready to join the herd and fend for itself.
Continuously, young tortoises are released back into the wild after ‘graduating’ from the nursery, taking the island’s steadily growing population beyond 600.
PLANATION AND HYDROPONICS Frégate Island Private has its own source of fresh water and most of the fruit, vegetables, salads and herbs consumed on the island are homegrown.
In addition to a vibrant profusion of naturally growing fruit - including mangos, papayas, guava, bilimbi (related to star fruit), coconuts, melons and bananas - a dedicated team of gardeners cultivate a wide range of organic produce in the island's plantation and Hydroponics House. Open for guided tours, guests are able to see all the produce growing first hand, learn about the techniques used, and savour distinctive aromas such as coffee, mint, cashew apple and vanilla.
Produce is harvested daily and the executive chef’s menus place a firm emphasis on simplicity and seasonality to maximise the food's natural goodness and bring out the rich natural flavours.
FAMILY For children aged between five and twelve years of age, the Castaway Clubhouse is a fun meeting place for Frégate Island Private’s young buccaneers and can be opened anytime for families with children. The Castaway Club keeps younger guests entertained with imaginative games, books and CDs. During Christmas and Easter, Frégate Island Private offers fun activities where children can make new friends and meet old ones, explore, and enjoy the island in a safe and secure environment.
BOUTIQUE AND GALLERY Frégate Island Private is home to the Seychelles’ most exclusive boutique, offering the signature Frégate Private Label collection of stylish, exclusively branded fashions, and accessories. Frégate Island Private’s bespoke collection of diamonds, tanzanite, pearls and 18-carat jewellery produced by Diamonds SA creatively encompasses beautiful Seychellois design. Luxury, handcrafted gifts of the finest craftsmanship, including Plantation jams and chutneys and bottled oils from the Rock Spa, as well as home furnishings inspired by the nature of the island are available for guests to purchase as mementos of their time spent on this precious fragment of unspoiled nature. Frégate Island’s gallery collection showcases the artwork of celebrated artists living in the Seychelles, including Camille Mondon, George Camille, Michael Adams and Jules Berard. Guests can organise private viewings to hear more about and truly appreciate the collected works.
LIBRARY Located in Frégate House, opposite the Frégate Restaurant and next to the lobby lounge, the library offers a large and eclectic selection of books in various languages, including English, French and Russian, a vast collection of DVDs and CDs, board games, and the latest magazines and periodicals.
MUSEUM The Frégate Island Museum is home to fascinating displays and exhibits where guests can learn about the maritime heritage of the Indian Ocean and the Seychelles, including the history of trade routes, piracy, slavery and whaling. Furthermore, they can gain an insight into what life was like on Frégate Island’s plantation and in colonial Seychelles, and find out about the ongoing conservation work on the island, including displays introducing the diverse native flora, fauna and sea life flourishing on and around the island.
CHAPEL Frégate Island Private has its own Christian chapel, complete with a campanile, with capacity for a congregation of approximately 20, and full wedding and other services are available on request.
Activities
Frégate Island offers a host of activities on, in and under the water.
There are two freshwater pools and seven beaches - one of which, Anse Victorin, is renowned as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Weaving through the tropical jungle interior and along the sweeping, idyllic island coastline via numerous sun-dappled walking paths and nature trails, guests can explore the abundant beauty of Frégate Island Private either at their own pace or accompanied by one of our ecologists, and interact with its spectacular living athenaeum of flora and fauna: a modern day Noah’s Ark. Safari through lush forests of extraordinary Coco der Mer palms and giant Banyan trees. Encounter magnificent Aldabra giant tortoises, roaming the dense undergrowth and swampy terrain; the unique tenebrionid beetle, only found on Frégate’s soil; and the Seychelles terrapin.
Experience an ocean of kaleidoscopic colours on, in and under the glistening waters, with Frégate Island Private’s own marina and fleet of boats, including kayaks, sailing dinghies, catamarans and motor yachts. Skim across tranquil turquoise lagoons aboard a hobie cat or kayak, ride the lapping Seychellois waves windsurfing, and discover a dazzling array of underwater wonders snorkelling in mesmerising aquatic realm. For younger children there is an Optimist dinghy, ideally suited for ‘learning the ropes’ in the safety of the marina basin.
Fully PADI certified scuba diving excursions are available for deeper exploration of the vibrant marine life living in an oasis of coral reefs. Frégate Island Private’s Dive Centre offers various diving courses and certifications, with numerous dive sites suiting all levels of diver, from beginner through to experienced.
For those who prefer to stay ashore there is a fully equipped gym and an extensive library. Guests can also climb Mount Signal, with a summit of 125 metres, or enjoy a bird's-eye view of the Seychelles aboard a helicopter or a small aircraft.
The Rock Spa is a natural haven of serenity, nestled on a cliff-top plateau commanding panoramic views of the sea, where guests can enjoy a great varriaty of treatments. Using only pure, natural products prepared from over 130 island-grown ingredients and free from any chemical or artificial ingredients, the Rock Spa’s treatments and therapies incorporate countless medicinal plants, or ‘Raspay’, traditionally used by Seychellois healers, from Madagascar periwinkle to boost the immune system to Yam weed for soothing joint pain.
For children aged between five and twelve years of age, the Castaway Clubhouse is a fun meeting place for Frégate Island Private’s young buccaneers and can be opened anytime for families with children.
Reviews
No reviews available yet...
Rooms & Accommodation
Villa
Villa
Frégate Island Private has just 16 villas, accommodating only a selected number of guests at any one time and thereby ensuring the island remains exclusively the realm of its guests - no day visitors are allowed.
Positioned to guarantee ultimate privacy, each villa is built of native mahogany and clad in rich African Chamfuta Teak wood, blending harmoniously into its natural surroundings. The typical villa plan features square spaces rotated 45 degrees, maximising views of the ocean through two facades. The tropical feel of the buildings is intentionally casual, in keeping with the surroundings; in addition to an indulgent private infinity pool, each villa features a large terrace - with day bed and Jacuzzi - which flows from the interior as part of an extended living area. Interior architecture is simple and elegant. The post and lintel structure is mirrored inside, framing picture-perfect views of the island; African Chamfuta Teak skirting boards edge cream Botticino marble floors, while vaulted roofs and Merbou timber framework faithfully reflect a diverse colonial architectural heritage.
Frégate Island Private introduced a comprehensive butler concept; a private butler is assigned to each villa to assure personalised and individual services throughout the guest’s stay, providing anything, anytime, anywhere on the island.
One-bedroom villa o 13 villas o 300-400 square metres (indoor and outdoor area) o accommodates maximum of 2 adults and 2 children o one bedroom; one living room; interconnecting vestibule with dining facilities o one big bathroom; one small bathroom; two outdoor showers o large terrace with private pool, Jacuzzi; day bed and dining pavilion o telephone, wireless internet access, TV, DVD/CD player, air-conditioning and a ceiling fan, hairdryer, safe, mini bar, tea- and coffee-making facilities o private butler service o personal island buggy
Two-bedroom villa o villas 3 and 15 o approximately 500 square metres o accommodates maximum of 4 adults and 2 children o two bedrooms; one living room; interconnecting vestibule with dining facilities o two big bathrooms; one small bathroom; three outdoor showers o large terrace with private pool, Jacuzzi; day bed and dining pavilion o telephone, wireless internet access, TV, DVD/CD player, air-conditioning and a ceiling fan, hairdryer, safe, mini bar, tea- and coffee-making facilities o private butler service o personal island buggy
Spa villa o Villa 16 o approximately 500 square metres o accommodates maximum of 4 adults and 2 children o one bedroom; one living room; interconnecting vestibule with dining facilities o one mini spa, which can also be converted into a second bedroom o two big bathrooms; one small bathroom; three outdoor showers o large terrace with private pool, Jacuzzi; day bed and dining pavilion o telephone, wireless internet access, TV, DVD/CD player, air-conditioning and a ceiling fan, hairdryer, safe, mini bar, tea- and coffee-making facilities o private butler service o personal island buggy
One of the most important philosophies of Frégate Island Private is to protect and to conserve the unique nature of the island.
The Conservation & Ecology Manager, and his team take care of the projects which are launched by Frégate Island Private in order to protect its ecosystem with its great diversity of flora and fauna.
One of the forever residents are the Giant Aldabra tortoises. Frégate is home to the second largest wild herd of these incredible creatures. Some of them might even still remember where to find the treasure of the pirates, which was burried somewhere on the island, back when these inhabited the island.
The Frégate Island Ecological program focussed initially on the rehabilitation of the surface, terrain, soil and flora after 200 years of extensive coconut and cinnamon monoculture industry which had been practiced on this island because the coconut plantations had effectively dominated and displaced virtually all the endemic species of flora and in so doing denying essential habitat to the native fauna and particularly to the avifauna.
Consequently our first steps were to clear large swathes of the overgrown coconut jungle, leaving behind only the adult coconut palms as required by local law. Thereafter followed the set-up of the largest nursery in Seychelles, dedicated to the propagating of tens of thousands of indigenous/endemic trees which were required for the landscape and rehabilitation program here on the island.
Concurrently, Frégate Island Private initiated a very comprehensive and detailed conservation program which has been extraordinarily successful in bringing back the various species previously adversely affected by mans activities to viable numbers on Frégate Island. Conservation activities focused on the Seychelles Magpie Robin, currently classified the worlds 7th rarest bird, of which ten years ago only 22 individuals remained alive in the world, all here on Frégate Island. Furthermore, on the Seychelles Whiteye, another critically endangered species, the Aldabra Giant Tortoise program and the Seychelles Terrapin program to name but a few. All the above have required specific and intensive habitat restoration, and at the same time conservation management practices to suit each particular program.
In the tortoise nursery juvenile Giant Aldabra tortoises grow up the first 2-3 years of their lives. At this age they are big enough to live secure and on their own in the island’s jungle. On December 25th, 2007, 81 grown up Giant Aldabras were released back into the wild after having nourished them in the nursery. As a result, the wild herd now accounts for approximately 600 animals with the colony continuing to grow steadily.
The true survivors of a long past era are what the island's guests can encounter whilst visiting this little haven of tranquillity, peace and pure nature. Among the most astounding examples of the dinosaur age is the tenebrionid beetle which occurs nowhere else on this planet than in the remote forests of Frégate Island, a maybug size creature which spends it life on tree trunks of specific trees. Totally unique! The Seychelles giant millepede is the even more amazing relic for the dinosaur age: Its function compares to the one of the modern day earth worm which contributes to soil fertility and the prevention of widespread erosion.
During the 'turnaround' phase of any serious conservation program, constant and ongoing management is required to keep the specific programs on track, because successes are easily reversed by complacency in allowing the negative influences of the past to return.
Whereas the first decade of operation saw all efforts focussed on the creation of a unique and unrivalled ‘Nature Experience’ in the Indian Ocean, the next decade will broaden this perspective to include the carbon negative concept as an integral part of the resort operation. Frégate Island was always the innovator in the Seychelles, the present world wide discussion on reserves but also actual market process for fossil fuels challenge us and consequently we are preparing for our upcoming revolution in our energy supply program for the resort which will follow again pioneering routes.
Our Trusted Partner's Responsible and Sustainable Travel Policy
Frégate Island Private is one of the leading luxury eco-retreats in the Seychelles. The construction of the resort was subject to strict regulations to safeguard the environment and the preservation and protection of the island's unique flora and fauna continues to be amongst Frégate's main priorities. Conservation projects undertaken on Frégate Island are regarded as pioneer work for the whole region and have achieved highly successful results. Conservation activities focused on the Seychelles Magpie Robin, currently classified the worlds 7th rarest bird of which ten years ago only 22 individuals remained alive in the world, all here on Fregate Island. Furthermore on the Seychelles Whiteye, another critically endangered species, the Aldabra Giant Tortoise program and the Seychelles Terrapin Program to name but a few. All the above have required specific and intensive habitat restoration, and at the same time conservation management practices to suit each particular program. And for every new arrivalwe plant two new trees. All this can be experienced on guided nature walks with the island's ecologists.
We invest a lot of research into new emerging energy technologies. Almost all of the back-of-the-house buildings have solar assisted hot water systems. All buggies on the island are solar assisted vehicles. This saves approx. 20,000 liters of fossil fuel per year. Further, we recycle all vegetable frying oil from the kitchens to run our island tractors (mixing it with diesel). We also implemented power saving light bulbs in all buildings. Last but not least, the cooking stoves used in staff quarters run on recycled bio-mass instead of imported gas. We constantly keep track of the development of other emerging technologies that can produce renewable energies, such as harnessing temperature differences in seawater, wave power etc. Our goal until 2010 is to be fully carbon neutral by producing power through a mix of renewable energies, most of it by photovoltaic panels (placed on the roofs) and to be no longer dependent on imported diesel fuel.
About our Trusted Partner
Frégate Island Private in the Seychelles is an private island of outstanding natural beauty; a uniquely peaceful setting of verdant, tropical interiors and abundant nature fringed by seven dream beaches, each a brilliant sweep of powdery white sand sentinelled by giant, iconic granite boulders. The preservation, protection and nurture of its unique flora and fauna has always been - and continues to be – a fundamental raison d’être for Frégate Island Private. With only 16 one and two bedroom villas and one Presidential Villa, guests are invited to experience the rare luxuries of space, security and seclusion within a tropical island setting of exuberant natural beauty.
All villas feature a lounge with seychelloise style furnishing, a spacious bedroom with a four-poster bed, a large terrace leading to an indulgent private infinity pool with Jacuzzi, day bed and dining pavillion. A private butler takes care of every wish. He arranges a romatic breakfast in the tree house, a lunch in the plantation or a candlelit dinner at the beach.
The island’s own plantation and hydroponics house ensure guests can enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables every day in one of the two restaurants, Frégate House and Plantation House. In addition to the restaurants and bars, guests can enjoy bespoke dining experiences anywhere on the island – Frégate is their oyster! Dinner in the Tree House, serenaded by birdsong… barbecues on the beach or at the Yacht Club… private candlelit dinners in the privacy of their villa… or a favourite setting of their own discovery.
The award winning Rock Spa is a natural haven of serenity.Eschewing the commercialism of branded spa products and merchandise, the Rock Spa is a truly natural Seychellois spa experience which embraces the ecology of its unique surroundings. Using only pure, natural products prepared from over 130 ingredients grown on island and free from any chemical or artificial ingredients, the Rock Spa’s treatments and therapies incorporate countless medicinal plants, or ‘Raspay’, traditionally used by Seychellois healers, from Madagascar peri wrinkle to boost the immune system to Yam weed for soothing joint pain.
Night dreaming : Fregate Island Private at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Night dreaming
Villa privacy : Fregate Island Private at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Villa privacy
Anse Macqereau : Fregate Island Private at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Anse Macqereau
Anse Victorin : Fregate Island Private at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Anse Victorin
Hawksbill turtle : Fregate Island Private at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Hawksbill turtle
Villa Day Dreams : Fregate Island Private at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Villa Day Dreams
Master Bedroom : Fregate Island Private at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Master Bedroom
Living Room : Fregate Island Private at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Living Room
Fairy Tern : Fregate Island Private at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Fairy Tern
Romantic Beach BBQ : Fregate Island Private at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Romantic Beach BBQ
Tree House : Fregate Island Private at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Tree House
Rock Spa : Fregate Island Private at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
In order to use the Send to a Friend facility you must be logged in.
Please either log in above, or register if you are not already a friend of Nature & Kind.
