Introduction
Around 1,500km off the coast of East Africa in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles archipelago is a tranquil tropical paradise with a primeval kind of beauty.
It comprises some 155 pristine islands, of which approximately 40 are granitic and the rest are coralline. The granitic islands are located close to the main island of Mahe, while the coralline islands are spread further afield. The granitic islands are marked by rocky outcrops, hilly landscapes and lush vegetation (as they were formed by the submersion of granite mountain peaks). The coralline islands are low-lying and surrounded by coral reefs (as they were originally formed from the accumulation of coral reef material).
42% of the Seychelles’ land area is dedicated to conservation. The most famous species are the coco de mer (a palm tree with the heaviest seed in the world) and the Aldabra giant tortoise (which grows to over 1 meter long and weighs hundreds of kilograms).
Seychellois culture is a blend of African, Asian and European influences, which is a reflection of the archipelago’s colonial history. This is reflected in the creole cuisine (which incorporates elements from French, Chinese, Indian, and African culinary traditions) and in the national languages (which are French, English, and Seychellois Creole, a French-based creole language spoken by the vast majority of the population).
How many days to spend in Seychelles?
You can hit off the key attractions of the Seychelles in five days or so, but allow seven days (or even longer) to give yourself plenty of time to relax.
Itinerary
Here is the ideal five-night itinerary to get a taste of the Seychelles’ key delights. Consider extending it to seven nights to take things a bit slower and give yourself the chance to revisit some of your favourites.
Day 1 (Mahe): After touching down at Mahe International Airport, arrange to be met by a private driver organised by your hotel, who will whisk you over to your resort on Mahe Island (see below for recommendations). It’s a good idea to spend the first couple of nights on Mahe, the main island to get settled in before making your way to the more remote islands.
Spend the remainder of the day unwinding at the resort or, if your resort is close to Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles, spend some time strolling around the town, including the Victoria Clocktower and the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market for a taste of the local culture and shopping scene. Wherever you are, make sure to sample the local Creole cuisine on your first night for full acclimatisation.
Day 2 (Mahe): Refreshed after a restful sleep and a buffet breakfast at your hotel, head to the Victoria Market, known for its vibrant atmosphere and local specialties (including tropical fruits). Just up the hill is the Victoria Botanical Gardens, home to the famous Aldabra giant tortoise and various endemic local plants.
After lunch, head along the scenic coastal road to Beau Vallon Beach, where you can swim or take up various water sports, including jetskiing or parasailing.
In the evening, attend a cultural performance to experience traditional Seychellois music and dance.
Day 3 (Praslin): After checking out of your Mahe hotel in the morning, take a ferry or short flight across to Praslin Island, where your hotel-arranged driver will meet you for the short drive to your resort (again, see below for recommendations).
In the afternoon, hike the trails of the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its pristine primeval forest, the iconic Coco de Mer palm trees and the Seychelles black parrot, the national bird.
As the sun goes down, head over to Cote d’Or Esplanade, a scenic waterfront promenade along Cote d'Or Beach, for sundowners, before tucking in to a seafood feast at one of the local restaurants.
Day 4 (Praslin): After breakfast, head over to the pristine Anse Lazio, a beach with a gently curving shoreline, clear turquoise waters, and lush green vegetation. Remember to pack snorkelling gear to snorkel around the coral reef.
In the afternoon, if you’re feeling adventurous, book a snorkelling or diving excursion to experience the vibrant underwater world. St. Pierre is a small granite islet of the coast of Praslin and part of the Curieuse Marine National Park. It’s renowned for its stunning underwater coral formations.
Back on dry land, join a sunset cruise to enjoy the stunning colours of the Seychellois sunset before crashing out after a day of sunshine and adventure.
Day 5 (Praslin / day trip to La Digue): Get an early start to make the morning ferry across to La Digue Island. La Digue is car-free, so rent a bicycle to freewheel around the island’s sights. First, ride over to Grande Anse and Petite Anse for stunning coastal views and a quick dip to cool off. Then cycle back into town and take your pick from one of the restaurants along the main strip for a bite of lunch – don’t miss the chance to sample some authentic Creole food.
After lunch, cycle over to L’Union Estate, a historic and picturesque estate known for its well-preserved vanilla and coconut plantations. After spending a little while exploring the estate, continue on to Anse Source d’Argent, surely one of the world’s most breathtaking and iconic beaches. This natural paradise is characterized by its enchanting backdrop of massive granite boulders that sculpt a surreal, labyrinthine landscape (and the soft, powdery white sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters are a given, of course).
If time allows before your ferry back to Praslin, explore some of La Digue’s more secluded beaches, such as Anse Marron and Anse Cocos.
Day 6: After enjoying a final tropical breakfast spread, spend the last few hours soaking up the sun on Anse Georgette, an exclusive and secluded little beach which is accessible only through the Constance Lemuria resort, but still has all the hallmarks of that typical “Seychelles” look (soft sands, lush greenery, granite boulders, etc.).
Thoroughly relaxed, head over to the ferry port or the airport for the short hop back across to Mahe, before catching your flight home.
Where to stay?
Seychelles certainly does not lack luxury hotels. The below is a list of some of the best luxury hotels in Seychelles, in no particular order:
North Island - located in the far north of the Seychelles archipelago, this resort offers the ultimate in seclusion and exclusivity, with just 11 private villas that were created from local materials harvested during the island’s reclamation process.
Four Seasons Desroches Island – a private coral island accessible only by 35-minute flight from Mahe, the Four Seasons Desroches boasts 14km of white sand bliss to share amongst the occupants of just 14 villas.
Four Seasons Resort – one of the top two resorts on Mahé, the Four Seasons is tucked away in the secluded Petite Anse bay on the southwest coast and features 67 accommodations nestled into the lush surroundings.
Mango House – the Mango House is an island hotel with an urban spirit, decorated with chic European furnishings and boasting flawless Italian food, all with majestic views of Anse Aux Poules Bleues and Mahe’s dramatic landscape in the background.
Six Senses Zil Pasyon – located on the private island of Félicité near La Digue, the Six Senses’ 33 accommodations epitomise castaway chic and offer proximity to the island’s very own picture-perfect beaches, framed by those dramatic granite boulders.
Château de Feuilles – located just up the road from Baie Ste Anne, the main town on Praslin Island, this resort offers panoramic views of the ocean from all corners of its breezy and rustic pavilions and boasts access to its own private island.
Constance Lemuria – with vast grounds encompassing an 18-hole championship golf course and one of Praslin’s most beautiful beaches, it’s as if you’re staying in a private natural reserve when staying at the 105-room Lemuria.
Anantara Maia – one of Mahe’s top two resorts, this resort features 30 distinctive and secluded private pool villas (designed by the renowned Bill Bensley) tucked away on the Anse Louis headland on Mahe’s west coast.
Best things to do in Seychelles
1. Beaches of La Digue island
Anse Source d’Argent
Anse Source d’Argent is strewn with gigantic, pink-tinged granite boulders that have been naturally sculpted by the elements over millions of years. The contrast between the boulders and the impossibly clear waters, powdery sand and lush palms is captivating.
Anse Pierrot
Anse Pierrot lies just beyond the renowned Anse Source d'Argent. If you find Anse Source d'Argent a bit too crowded for your liking but still appreciate the serene waters and imposing granite formations, Anse Pierrot is a perfect alternative.
2. Beaches of Praslin island
Praslin Island in the Seychelles is home to a diverse array of beaches, each with its own distinct personality. From the famous Anse Lazio (often hailed as one of the world's most beautiful beaches) to the more secluded Anse Georgette and Anse Kerlan, Praslin’s beaches all promise fine white sands and lush surroundings.
Anse Georgette
Accessible only through the Constance Lemuria resort, Anse Georgette is secluded and quiet compared to some of Praslin’s other more famous beaches, but equally beautiful with those iconic granite boulders and lush tropical vegetation. Anse Georgette also boasts an accessible coral reef if snorkelling is of interest to you.
Petite Anse Kerlan
Petite Anse Kerlan is the private beach of the Constance Lemuria resort, accessible only to resort guests. If you’re staying at the resort, that oh-so-iconic boulder plus palm tree combination is just steps away from your room.
Anse Lazio
Anse Lazio is an idyllic crescent-shaped bay with gently sloping shorelines that meet the warm, inviting waters. While less dramatic than some of the Seychelles’ other famous beaches like Anse Source d’Argent, it boasts those Seychellois trademarks of soft white sand, turquoise waters and lush vegetation.
3. Meet the local Tortoises
The Seychelles is home to the Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea), which is one of the largest tortoise species globally and endemic to the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles. These tortoises can weigh over 500 pounds and are known for their longevity, with some individuals living well over 100 years. Conservation efforts have helped protect and preserve these iconic tortoises.
4. Explore the Garden of Eden wild nature
The Seychelles is often called a “Garden of Eden” – with good reason. The vegetation here is exceptionally lush, thanks to the tropical climate (which brings warm temperatures and consistent moisture throughout the year) and nutrient-rich soil. The tropical climate promotes the breakdown of minerals from the granite rocks and nutrients from the diverse plant life into the soil, making it even more fertile. Interestingly, the vivid green leaves of many of the plants is actually an evolution mechanism to allow the plants to absorb sunlight more efficiently!
Pictured here is L'Union Estate on La Digue, a working plantation that showcases the island's traditional agriculture. Vanilla and coconuts are cultivated here and there is a vanilla and copra processing factory (note: copra is the dried meat of a coconut).
To appreciate beauty of the Seychellois seaside from a different angle, hike up the island’s mountainous spine and down the other side. Pictured here is the Mont Plaisir to Anse Georgette Nature Trail on Praslin Island.
5. Soak in the local island atmosphere
When travelling, it’s always interesting to see how the architecture reflects the local environment. The traditional Seychellois wooden houses (known as ‘casas’) feature various architectural details which are designed to protect their inhabitants from the difficulties posed by the tropical climate – the steep-pitched roofs help with rainwater runoff during heavy tropical showers and the construction on stilts protects against flooding during those heavy showers while also providing airflow to cool the interior of the house.
6. See the epic sunsets
As the day gives way to night, the fading embers of the sun colour the scattered clouds with a soft orange glow, like nature’s very own fleeting watercolour painting to mark the end of the day. After a few short moments, the sun is gone, leaving just the cool ocean breeze and sound of the lapping waves to hint at the pristine natural setting you’re in. If there’s one moment of the day not to miss here, it’s this magical sunset time.
7. Enjoy the tropical food
One of the most irresistible things about a tropical holiday is surely the cornucopia of tropical fruits. From the herbaceous sweetness of a luscious mango to the refreshing acidity of a juicy passionfruit, the tropical climate provides the ideal conditions for these fruits to thrive, resulting in succulent flesh that is both juicy and rich in vitamins. Tropical fruits embody the essence of nature’s bounty in every bite.
The Seychelles in a non-negotiable destination on the bucket list of anyone in search of that triple threat of powdery white sand, azure waters and swaying palms. The iconic granite boulders that line its beaches give the destination an otherworldly (an undeniably photogenic) flavour. Add in the local Creole flavour that suffuses through everything and you have a destination unlike any other tropical paradise you may have your eyes set on.
