Fodor's Expert Review Cousine Island

With only four villas, this resort is a birder's and naturalist's paradise. Villas in French colonial Seychelles style—all blue and white Chinese porcelain, antique wooden furniture, and lacy white trim—are spacious and well decorated. Unfortunately, tile floors and pedestrian fittings lack the accompanying charm. However, such details can be overlooked in light of the truly breathtaking reality of the island itself. A rehabilitated conservation zone, Cousine is home to more than 100,000 sea birds that wheel and dive through the sky 24 hours a day. Get up close and personal with chicks nesting on low-hanging branches and the nooks of trees, or sitting on the massive pink granite boulders that loom like surreal sculptures all over the island. Totally private powder-white-sand beaches, wonderful and inventive cuisine, and extremely friendly staff complete the experience and ensure many repeat visitors. As if all this weren't enough, all proceeds from the lodge go back into the continued conservation of this sea-bird sanctuary.