North Island measures 2.01 square kilometres. It lies 5.8 kilometres north of Silhouette and 27 kilometres northwest of Mahe, with four beaches and a highest point of 180 metres.
Seafarers first recorded a landing in 1609. The Beaufond family owned the island from 1826 until the 1970s, when the plantation years ended and the island fell into disuse.
In 1981 Marius Maier began returning the island to its natural state. He removed pigs, rats, cats, and invasive weeds, and reintroduced giant tortoises, native birds, and trees including the coco-de-mer palm. A turtle nest monitoring centre followed in 1982.
Wilderness Holdings bought the island for five million US dollars in 1997. The resort opened in 2003 with eleven private villas.
The eleven villas each have two bedrooms, a private plunge pool, a sala, and retracting doors. Each comes with a dedicated island buggy. Seychellois artisans handcrafted the villas, which are raised to catch the island breezes.
The chef discusses each guest's likes and dislikes on arrival. The kitchens work from organic gardens, livestock reared on the island, and fish caught fresh from the sea.
The resort joined Marriott's Luxury Collection in 2019. On 1 July 2025 it left the portfolio and returned to independent operation under family ownership.
The island stood in for Tracy Island in the 2004 film Thunderbirds. In May 2011 it hosted the honeymoon of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.