The blades of a kayak splice through the chartreuse waters, sending ripples of waves of excitement to the sandbank in the distance. Glance down and an underwater safari unfolds beneath the surface, a kaleidoscopic masquerade of marine life. The morning sun glints off the porcelain sand as you glide closer to the beach, your own castaway island waiting to be discovered. Serenity abound. Time stands still. Welcome to JA Enchanted Island.
This nature-rich Seychellois sanctuary is nestled within Sainte Anne Marine National Park, just a 10-minute boat from the main island of Mahé. A soulful escape known for its timelessness and authenticity, JA Enchanted Island has a graceful air of mystery and intrigue. So much so, that the unique intimacy of the area has been well documented by Brendon Grimshaw, a British author who bought Moyenne Island in 1962 (which sits opposite Enchanted Island), in a bid to preserve its natural beauty and the sense of being “a world away”.
That over-riding sense of paradisaical escapism is very much present to this day, with JA Enchanted Island a fellow guardian of the Seychelles’ spellbinding natural beauty. The archipelago is ripe for exploration, with crystal clear waters and seagrass meadows inviting incredible snorkelling experiences. For those wanting to see why Brendon Grimshaw fell so in love with Moyenne Island, you can kayak or paddleboard over for meetings with its charming giant tortoises and rare bird species, all of which encapsulate the unique and laid-back pace and energy of this local island.
As for Enchanted Island, it’s all yours... A private island home to an intimate collection of just 10 villas, each with the luxury of a private pool and beach access. The designs feature traditional local décor and antique pieces, each telling their own slice of Seychellois history. Comfortable, intimate spaces that invite you to unpack and treat your villa like your home-away-from-home.
Less is definitely more at JA Enchanted Island ... There’s nothing hurried about a holiday here. Rather, time slows down to allow every second to count, whether you’re kite-surfing, snorkelling, turning the pages of a book or relinquishing yourself to the tranquillity found at the hilltop spa. Here, you’re invited to connect with nature, as treatments are carried out in an open-air massage pavilion, with nothing but the sound of birdsong and waves to distract you from discovering ultimate wellbeing.
Views from the spa, and the fitness centre that sits at the top of the island, extend out from the thick forest canopy, over the outdoor infinity swimming pool and down to the sandy shores, where kayaks, paddle boards and kite surfers stitch a thread across the crystalline waters. Sunset catamaran cruises and private boat rides to nearby islands are infused with the slow life, while the pace picks up with big-game fishing, helicopter tours and water sports.
You can taste the pride of Creole-Seychellois cuisine at Bounty Restaurant – the culinary heart of JA Enchanted Island – with rich, local flavours found in smoked Marlin salad with mango and papaya, and octopus curry with Creole rice. While for breakfast, the Marlin benedict gives a Creole twist to smoked salmon benedict. Eat by the pool, in the seclusion of your villa or with a bespoke private dining set-up for something even more intimate.
A home-away-from-home that can be exclusively yours, reserve JA Enchanted Island all to yourself with a private island buyout, gifting you unrestricted access to the island’s five acres of tropical landscape. Perhaps a destination to say ‘I Do’, a reason to reunite, a place to celebrate a milestone, memories here are made to last, long after you leave.