Nestled in the Indian Ocean east of Kenya and north of Madagascar, the Seychelles is a 115-island archipelago with a unique biodiversity — it’s the only place in the world where the massive coco de mer palm grows and, other than the Galapagos, where giant tortoises wander wild.
I was lucky enough to spend two weeks hiking through forests, exploring the most beautiful beaches I have ever visited, learning about the wildlife, and snorkelling the crystal clear waters there. On top of all this, the Seychelles has a rich Creole culture, so you can eat incredible seafood and spice-infused curries. It really is one of the most wonderful places in the world, and if you have the chance to tick it off your bucket list, here’s everything you need to know.
The country is incredibly multicultural, with most Seychellois tracing their roots back to early French settlers and East Africans who came to the islands. There is also a prominent South Indian and Chinese influence in the islands’ seafood-heavy cuisine. Specialties include shark chutney and ladob, plantain simmered in coconut milk and served as a sweet or savory dish.
You won’t have time to visit all 115 islands, so here’s the low-down of the three main ones.
Mahé is the largest and liveliest of the islands, with ninety percent of the Seychelles’ population living here. You’ll find beautiful beaches, nightlife, the Morne Seychellois National Park jungles, and one of the world’s smallest capital cities. The capital, Victoria, has a bustling market, a new history museum, botanical gardens, old colonial buildings and shops. Mahé is also closest to Praslin and La Digue Islands, so I suggest starting your trip here so you can quickly get between them on short ferry rides or island hopper flights.
Just a 20-minute flight away lies Praslin, the second largest of the islands. It has a much quieter vibe, better beaches, and the Unesco-listed Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve.
La Digue is the smallest, most laid-back of the three and my personal favourite. The island is just 5 km long and 3 km wide. There is no airport or cars, so you’ll reach it via a 20-minute boat ride from Praslin. It is the perfect place to switch off.
MAHE ISLAND
Mahé is the largest island of the Seychelles and the first stop for most visitors. As with all the islands, the beaches on Mahé are incredible, but trust me, it gets better, so I’d suggest booking some fun, adventure-filled days here.
Top Things to Do:
- Hike to Anse Major
- Take a kayaking tour through the wetlands with @whitesandsseychelles
- Visit Sauizer Waterfall
- Wander through Victoria Market
- Sip rum at the Takamaka Rum Distillery
- Watch the sunset at Petite Anse
- Snorkel at Port Launay Marine National Park
- Explore the best beaches on Mahé Island
- Visit the Mission Lodge
- Have dinner on Eden Island
Best Beaches:
- Anse Soliel
- Beau Vallon
- Anse Royale
- Petite Anse
LA DIGUE
This was by far my favourite of the main three. La Digue Island is the third largest island in population but only has about 3,000 inhabitants. I fell in love with the vibe here, it literally feels like you’ve stepped back in time. We spent the longest time here and I wish we had planned to stay longer. The coastline is breathtaking; the interior is a jungle with tall trees and wild hiking trails and one of the most charming parts is that the preferred method of transport is a bicycle.
There is no airport in La Digue, only a helipad. However, ferries between Praslin and Mahé make it easily accessible.
La Digue is all about getting out and enjoying your surroundings. We rented bikes and explored the island, riding through vanilla plantations, visiting Anse Source D’Argent, the most beautiful beach on the planet, and met giant tortoises.
Top Things to Do:
- Explore L’Union Estate – To visit Anse Source D’Argent, you must pay a small entrance fee at the L’Union Estate. This fee also gives you access to L’Union Park, where you can visit the museum, old coconut mills, and giant tortoises. I suggest going as early as you can. We went as soon as the park opened and had the entire beach to ourselves for over an hour; it was incredible.
- Crystal kayak tour – On the edge of Anse Source D’Argent Beach is a small beach shack that offers €35 tours. These include a half-day kayaking adventure and visits to incredible beaches only accessible from the water.
- Cycle around the island – you can rent a bike from any hotel or several stores in L’Union for approximately £6-£10 per day.
- Walk the nature trails – Many hikes and nature trails through dense jungles offer mind-blowing viewpoints. I suggest the Anse Marron hike, Eagle’s Nest trail, Anse Cocos trail, and the Anse Songe trail.
- Visit Belle Vue restaurant – This is the tallest building in La Digue. Getting there is an adventure, as it’s at the top of a very steep and winding road. But the view is impressive, and they serve fresh juices and tasty meals.
PRASLIN ISLAND
This island is considered one of the most beautiful destinations on the planet, with many gorgeous beaches and jungles to explore. A flight from Mahé to Praslin will cost more then the ferry however, it will only be about 15 minutes vs 50 minutes (I went for the flight, and the views did not disappoint).
You can rent a bike or a car to explore Praslin Island. We rented a car, which helped us reach some of the secluded spots, but due to the size of the island, I recommend organising this ahead of schedule.
Do not skip Anse Lazio Beach. It’s been voted the world’s most beautiful beach countless times and is worth spending at least one afternoon there. I also recommend an excursion to the Curieuse & St Pierre islands.
Top Things to Do:
- Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve
- Praslin National Park
- Visit the amazing beaches
- Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve
- Curieuse Island
Best Beaches:
- Anse Lazio
- Anse Georgette
- Anse Volbert
- Anse Consolation
- Cote d’Or Beach
