Few sights capture the spirit of Sydney quite like the illuminated sails of the Sydney Opera House and the sweeping arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Over time, I’ve realised that enjoying these icons isn’t limited to sightseeing spots or waterfront walks — some of the most amazing views actually come from a dinner table.

There’s something special about sitting down to a great meal while the harbour glows around you. From elegant waterfront restaurants to unique dining experiences that bring you right onto the water itself, Sydney offers plenty of ways to pair incredible food with unforgettable scenery. If you’re looking for dinner venues in Sydney for a date with the city’s most famous landmarks, here are some of the spots that truly stood out to me.

Bennelong 

If you want a luxurious restaurant with a great view, Bennelong is the place to go. Nestled within the sails of the Sydney Opera House, you really can’t get any more up-close than this! The dishes you are served are just as dramatic as the architecture around you, and the menu captures the essence of contemporary Australian dining. 

While I could go on about the dishes they serve, it’s the views that we’re here for! When you’re seated within a World Heritage listed site, the views are arguably going to be one of the most impressive ones in the city. The extraordinary Opera House architecture, followed by sweeping views across Circular Quay, the Harbour Bridge and all the way to the Royal Botanic Gardens, I believe that Bennelong offers Sydney’s most spectacular dining room.

Harbour Dinner Cruises 

Now that we’ve checked out dining inside an icon, let’s go out a little further – but not too far. Aboard one of these Sydney Harbour dinner cruises, you dine ‘on the water’, with the views of not just the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, Luna Park, Fort Denison et al – truly what I would call an ‘all-in-one’ experience . While you could choose an authentic paddlewheeler or a premium catamaran, if you don’t want to compromise on the ‘luxury’ element, then there’s the elegant glass-boat option as well – the perfect ‘luxury sightsee and dine’ experience. 

Of course, as expected of a Sydney Harbour dinner cruise, you enjoy a delicious dinner. While some cruises come with a buffet, most have multi-course meals with hot dishes of seafood, veggies and local produce. Some experiences even have live entertainment on board, making it more than just a sightseeing cruise. An evening on board a dinner cuisine really blends ambience and iconic harbour views with just one booking.

Cafe Sydney

Don’t get confused by the name, because this is no cafe. Perched atop Customs House, Cafe Sydney is exceptional among dinner venues in Sydney. It captures the very essence of the city with breathtaking views of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and the sails of the Sydney Opera House from its rooftop vantage point. As the harbour stretches out and the skyline begins to glow, the view becomes just as memorable as the meal itself. 

Cafe Sydney’s dedicated team curates a dining experience that feels every bit as premium, sophisticated and elegant as its surroundings. With an impressive backdrop setting the scene, every meal here feels like something truly special. The menu is just as impressive—offering everything from à la carte selections to thoughtfully crafted plant-based dishes and a refined three-course set menu, all complemented by a tempting dessert selection. With so many enticing options to choose from, I felt completely spoiled for choice.

The Squire’s Landing

The flagship brewhouse of James Squire, this venue is ideal for all sorts of special occasions — from celebration dinners to casual catch-ups with family and friends. What makes it truly special is its wrap-around, floor-to-ceiling windows that face the waterfront. So, you can dig into a delicious meal while gazing out across picturesque Sydney Harbour toward the iconic Sydney Opera House and the illuminated Harbour Bridge.

The menu, inspired by James Squire, offers bold flavours crafted from the freshest seasonal produce. It was the first time I spotted Moreton Bay bug tails on a menu, so I couldn’t resist trying them — and they were delicious! You’re welcome to pair your meal with a pint of James Squire brew or sample one of their limited releases. With great food, great brews and one of the harbour’s most iconic views, it’s the kind of place where the flavours on your plate and the scenery beyond the glass compete for your attention.

Sails 

Sails in the Sydney suburb of Lavender Bay is a waterfront retreat that offers front-row views of the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Set along the harbour at Lavender Bay in McMahons Point, the restaurant blends contemporary Australian dining with the relaxed charm of life by the water. Just an 8-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay, it’s a scenic escape that feels effortlessly accessible.

Sails’ menu celebrates Sydney’s coastal flavours, showcasing the finest local seasonal ingredients in beautifully executed dishes. One item that immediately caught my attention was the Swordfish Tataki, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations. The beverage selection is just as thoughtfully curated, with vibrant cocktails and a wine list featuring vintages from Australia and Europe. With delicate coastal flavours on the plate and uninterrupted harbour views all around, dining here feels like a perfect pairing of Sydney’s food and waterfront views.

Wrapping Up

In a city like Sydney, dinner can easily become more than just a meal — it can turn into a memorable evening. With the glowing sails of the Sydney Opera House and the towering arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge as your backdrop, even a simple evening out feels a little more special. Whether you’re celebrating something special or simply want to soak in the harbour’s magic over dinner, these dinner venues in Sydney prove that the view can be just as satisfying as what’s on your plate!

The post Dinner Venues In Sydney With the Best Views of Opera House & Harbour Bridge appeared first on Green Prophet.

Second generation Seychellois conservation leader speaks candidly about the Qatar deal on Assomption Island, environmental secrecy, and the rising tide of neo-colonialism in the Indian Ocean

As controversy brews over a Qatari-backed development on Seychelles’ remote Assomption Island, questions are being raised about environmental transparency, geopolitical influence, and the future of conservation. I reached out to Dr. Nirmal Jivan Shah, CEO of Nature Seychelles, for his unfiltered perspective. A second-generation Seychellois conservationist, Shah has led the rescue of endangered birds, worked with luxury hotels on reef restoration, and witnessed firsthand the transformation of his country’s ecological and political landscape.

Nirmal has talked extensively about the problems of managing 155 islands with a small population of 100,000 people. Some of the islands have been isolated for millions of years, but when settlers came 250 years ago they disrupted and devastated ecosystems for hardwood, and to plant coconuts and cinnamon. He is working to restore island ecosystems through his not-for-profit organization. 

This interview follows my previous reporting on the topic, including conversations with presidential hopeful Maarco Francis and longtime conservationist Adrian Skerrett.

Karin Kloosterman: You’ve worked with private island owners for decades in Seychelles. How does this current deal on Assomption compare?

Nirmal Jivan Shah: I’ve led some of the most successful island restoration and endemic bird rescue projects in Africa and Indian Ocean with 5 star properties on private islands in Seychelles over a period of more than 15 years. If it wasn’t the alliance we forged with these private owners, frankly birds that were on the brink of extinction such as the Seychelles Magpie Robin would have vanished by now. We’ve also been working with internationally branded hotels to restore coral reefs around Praslin island.

Now we are partnering with 5 star establishments on Mahe island and the Ministry responsible for Environment to restore and co-manage wetlands including mangroves. These are amazing examples of corporate responsibility and private investment in the environment.

However, developments wrapped in mystery and secrecy are not the way to go.

The high drama around the Assumption project would not have happened if there was transparency and independent conservation organisations like Nature Seychelles would have been involved from day one. 

I was not comfortable that the NGO Island Conservation Society which works very closely with the Island Development Co, a State Owned Enterprise leading the push for the Assumption project along with its allied company Green Island Construction, undertook the EIA.

I think the ICS should have been the independent, objective party to assess the EIA and monitor the development. As NGOs, I believe we should be watchdogs and honest-brokers.

Karin: Some argue Assomption Island was bound to be developed. Do you agree?

Nirmal: Assumption island itself was ecologically ruined with guano mining during colonial times and development there was inevitable at some point. The sensitivity of it though that is that it is the “gateway” to Aldabra. However, no international conservation organisation had expressed interest in it and the Seychelles Government doesn’t have the resources to maintain and monitor Assumption nor all the other far flung islands of the Seychelles.

Karin: The Seychelles Islands Foundation has raised concerns. Could they help restore oversight?

Nirmal: The Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) responsible for Aldabra has said it was inadequately informed and consulted. If the SIF gains responsibility for biosecurity and monitoring over the operations, I would be more comfortable.

Karin: What about the broader trend of development in Seychelles?

Nirmal: In general in Seychelles it is obvious there is now overdevelopment of hotels on Mahe in particular but other islands as well. There has been resistance from environmental activists and members of the public which have been well covered by the local media. I believe that after so many years of quite good planning and environmental controls Seychelles has succumbed to big money development across the board.

Karin: You told me everything was approved through proper government channels?

Nirmal: As I understand it, the project was legally approved, by the Cabinet of Ministers, then an EIA was made and approved, and finally approval by the Planning Authority. This is the crux of the problem.

Karin: Your father, Kantilal Jivan Shah, was a legendary conservationist. What might he think?

Nirmal: My father was one of a handful of Seychellois who fought to prevent the British from building a naval base on Aldabra, and who was instrumental in getting the owner of Cousin Island to sell it to BirdLife International to save the Seychelles warbler. But I’m not sure what he would think about development on Assomption. His company supplied and bought copra from the outer islands, including as far away as Diego García, so the development of islands was normal to them to run the plantation-based economy.

Karin: You also revealed a surprising connection between Assomption and sand extraction?

Nirmal: Hundreds and hundreds of tonnes of sand have been taken from Assumption where aeolian dunes build up. In modern times this was done to, reportedly, build the beach at Sun City in South Africa, at the International Airport to welcome the Miss World contestants, and now apparently for the FIFA beach soccer competition this year. 

Karin: What are your thoughts on the Qatar connection? Some critics say this feels like neo-colonialism.

Nirmal: There are still neo-colonial forces dominating Seychelles. The EU tuna fisheries is an example that I personally have publicly contested. The difference today is that Seychellois are by and large well-off and successful and not slaves being worked to death or impoverished workers with no future. Which is why it’s difficult to get many people worked up about what’s going on in the far-flung outer islands where 95% of the population have never been. My conversations with people also reveal that quite a few Seychellois feel that a tiny country with few resources has to make trade-offs to remain actually viable in a hugely complex and increasingly difficult-to-navigate world.

Karin: You’ve said the country faces income inequality and a drug crisis. Can you elaborate?

Nirmal: It’s not to say that 100% of the population have been able to take advantage of economic opportunities and income inequality is a growing problem (as in all high income countries). As is a huge heroin addiction problem (but that also takes money to buy. Where are they getting the money?) Seychelles is the only High Income country in Africa and reports say it is also in a sort of narco-corridor in the Western Indian Ocean with Madagascar and Mauritius forming a nexus of drug trafficking and corruption.

Karin: Do you believe anyone—such as Maarco Francis or a new president—could reverse the Assomption deal?

Nirmal: My take is it would be difficult to halt it at this point. I’ve been told all the proper steps were taken, as per the laws, as I said before. Cabinet of Ministers approved it, EIA was submitted and approved, Planning Authority approved the plans.

Karin: Thank you, Nirmal, for being so candid. It’s clear the story of Assomption is not just about one island, but about how a nation balances sovereignty, ecology, and power.

For related reading see:

Seychelles’ Assomption Island Sold to Qatar: An Alleged $50M Deal Sparks Uproar Over Heroin, Corruption, and a Vanishing Paradise

Is UNESCO nature island being bought by terror-linked funds?

Seychelles and the battle with royalty, rats, and the last truly wild places left on Earth

The post Q&A: Dr. Nirmal Jivan Shah on Assomption Island, Qatar, and the State of Conservation in the Seychelles appeared first on Green Prophet.

A remote coral island in the Indian Ocean is quietly being transformed into a luxury resort and international airstrip for Qatari royalty—allegedly sold off in a secretive $50 million deal to Qatar by Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan, without public consent or environmental oversight. The deal is linked to alleged terror funds. 

The backdoor deal, first rumored in Indian media and brought to light by opposition leader Maarco Francis, President of the Seychelles United Movement political party, threatens the fragile ecosystems of nearby Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to rare birds, turtles, and giant tortoises. The atoll is globally revered for its ecological importance, and the development of Assomption—just 27 km away—is igniting fierce resistance among locals and environmentalists. We interviewed a leading conservationist here.

“They built an international airport on a coral island with no environmental impact study,” Francis tells Green Prophet. “The president is pushing construction forward as fast as possible before elections this September, hoping future governments won’t be able to stop it,” he says.

Fragile Coral Island, Rare Nesting Site for Turtles 

Assomption Island, unlike granite-based Mahé, is a low-lying coral formation. It hosts vital nesting grounds for endangered green sea turtles and stretches of untouched white sand—the longest of any in Seychelles.

What makes the situation even more alarming is Assomption’s proximity to Aldabra, which lies within a marine protection zone created through a high-profile “debt-for-nature” swap meant to safeguard 30% of Seychelles’ ocean territory.

Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean is one of the largest raised coral reefs in the world. This atoll, consisting of coral islands ringing a shallow lagoon, is known for the hundreds of endemic species—including the Aldabra giant tortoise—that live there. According to UNESCO, Aldabra contains one of the most important natural habitats for studying evolutionary and ecological processes.

But according to Francis, secrecy and foreign influence have trumped conservation. Qatari construction and a 1,000-person crew from India and Bangladesh have already begun work on Assomption, despite local opposition.

Francis tells Green Prophet that he connected the dots when he heard about a Gulf royal bragging in an Indian newspaper that her husband had bought an island in the Indian Ocean for $50 million. At the same time the news came out President Ramkalawan of the Seychelles was in the Maldives. He claims the two incidents are connected. 

Conservationists like Adrian Skerrett, Chairman of the Island Conservation Society, have heard reports of damage already done to the dunes.

Francis says, yes, access is tightly restricted: drones are forbidden, photography is controlled, and independent visits to the island require Qatari authorization, he claims. You could take a boat out for a 3-day trip to the island but they won’t let you on it. Not even if you were the BBC, he says. 

A Locked-Down Island and a Silenced Nation

Environmentalists and journalists have been barred from visiting Assomption, says Francis. The Qataris, he claims, now effectively control the island.

“You won’t get permission. The government won’t grant it,” he claims. “They’ve built a dock. Foreign workers live in container housing. Diesel is shipped in and polluting the sea. The currents will carry that pollution straight to Aldabra.”

Locals also report that planes and supplies are landing directly on the island without passing through Seychelles’ immigration systems—suggesting an autonomous zone operating outside the nation’s legal framework. This worries Francis both now and for the future.

One in 10 Seychellois is addicted to heroin. This heroin is trafficked from Iran and Afghanistan. An international airport with no government oversight would be a free pass for the drug trade into the Seychelles and the rest of Africa where it can be transported out. Animals are at risk too –– Gulf countries lead the way with an appetite for illegal wildlife trade.

Terror Links and Unanswered Questions

Francis alleges the development is being fast-tracked with funds linked to Qatari investors—a case currently under investigation in the UK with connections to alleged terror financing and potentially tied to interests far beyond tourism. He questions why the President met Qatari officials in the Maldives instead of in Qatar or Seychelles, hinting at intentional secrecy.

“There are allegations of terror financing,” Francis says. “Our own political broadcasters reported it. The BBC is silent. Maybe it’s because the UK is bought by Qatar. Everyone’s turning a blind eye because there’s money involved.”

As for locating the alleged $50 million: “It’s backhand money—you don’t know where it goes,” says Francis. “He was trying to go somewhere he thought no one would notice. But we’re aware of the terror money links. He’s been silent on that, pretending he doesn’t know. This group is linked to terrorists. They are building an international airport, and we as a country won’t know who’s going there or what deals are being done.”

Francis also points to the President’s dual role as patron of the Seychelles Islands Foundation—a conflict of interest, he says, that lets him sidestep environmental protections.

“He appoints the chairman,” Francis says. “So of course, the study will say it’s okay. But scientists and the public are strongly opposed.”

Crisis at Home: Heroin, Despair, and a Stolen Future

While foreign elites carve out paradise for themselves, everyday Seychellois suffer. Youth unemployment is high. Over 10% of the population is addicted to heroin. Hope is vanishing as fast as the coastline on Assomption.

“Our youth have no opportunities to achieve their dreams. They get depressed and turn to drugs,” says Francis. “They need something to aspire to, something that makes them want to wake up in the morning and break the routine.”

Francis says agriculture development projects could help.

At 47, he presents himself as a businessman with a vision, offering a generational shift from an older, out-of-touch leader. He’s running for president this September and says he will win, appealing to younger voters who understand environmental sustainability.

“The current president is 65. We need leadership that protects the environment and creates prosperity.”

A New Chagos Moment?

The crisis draws comparisons to the Chagos Islands scandal, when Britain ceded land to the U.S. military, displacing its inhabitants. Back then, public resistance stopped the destruction. Francis believes the same can happen again. Seychellois also previously stopped India from developing a military base on Assomption that would have required a larger runway and heavy docks.

“This is our Chagos moment,” he warns. “Back then we fought. Now, our own president has sold us out.”

In the 1960s, Seychellois scientists and citizens protested U.S. military expansion, ultimately preserving foreign influence. Today, the threat comes not from a colonial power—but from within. 

“He’s an Anglican priest, but clearly this is not about faith. He is blinded by money.”

With elections looming and construction underway, the future of one of the planet’s last untouched ecosystems—and the soul of a nation—hangs in the balance.

President Ramkalawan’s press secretary acknowledged our request for comment. There is currently no comment from his office. 

Read our previous articles on the Seychelles scandal:

Rats and Royalty with conservationist Adrian Skerrett 

UNESCO-island development linked to terror funds

The post Seychelles’ Assomption Island Sold to Qatar: An Alleged $50M Deal Sparks Uproar Over Heroin, Corruption, and a Vanishing Paradise appeared first on Green Prophet.

If you are part of the international jetset you probably already own your own yacht and can take it for a spin around the world. For those of us who live more modestly and in accordance with buy less, experience more, you probably never dream about owning something like a yacht which requires thousands of dollars in upkeep. While every one of us might have had a sail around the world with a lover, kids or best mate, the reality is that sailing is rather hard work and it gets lonely a lot of the time. 

Once when we travelled to Turkey we hired a small sailboat which over 6 days took us all along the Mediterranean where we visited very few people and very pristine beaches and islands. We got our cruise for a song and a dance because it was the last run of the season and the captain was taking his boat home. 

Last summer we spent it on an island in Italy, a big island –– Sicily –– and because lovely out of the way beaches could be reached by car we had no need to hire a cruise boat for more than one day. But after that one day we longed for more. So it got me thinking, where else can we explore in Europe without breaking the bank but at the same time enjoy fabulous nature without having to swim in swarms of plastic?

Croatia has come up time and time again. A number of my friends have spent affordable summer vacations there –– at sea and hiking in the mountains. And if you look on a map, Croatia shares the same beautiful Mediterranean waters as Italy, Spain, France and Portugal. Yachts and luxury cruises are becoming more commonplace and while they are not cheap, averaging about $3,000 to $10,000 a week per person, it’s much less than what you’d pay if you were an Onassis. 

Maybe it’s affordable as a family honeymoon for mixed marriages to bring the kids and grandparents together? Maybe it’s a luxury retreat for the VPs at your business, as a thank you bonus. Maybe it’s a final wish for someone you love who has an illness. Of course the best way to be with those you love is not necessarily doing things on a bucket list, sometimes changing the venue radically can improve the overall experience. I noticed this when I would take my parents on holiday with us in the winter. 

We’d go away for an extended amount of time and the way they got to bond with me and the kids away from the normal routine, away from city life, away from bills and shopping and the routine of every day –– it meant the world to us. And we made memories that will stick with us forever. So there are plenty of ways to spend your inheritance. Enjoying it with people you love is the best way. 

These boats (look at the pictures) are large and expansive. Ask for sailing options only as a means to reduce your carbon footprint and blow where the wind takes you. Usually these kinds of adventures also rely on fresh local, fresh caught food to feel your body and soul. Another reason why on water cruises are a good eco option. Just make sure to ask about the bilge waste, anchoring and coral reefs. 

A whole industry around boats and yachting is about to open around Saudi Arabia and we worry deeply about the lack of awareness there for marine life and environmental stewardship. 

Maybe it’s on your bucket list to feel like a millionaire for a week? A cruise might be the way.

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