Travel guide · Seychelles
Seychelles travel guide
Granite-boulder beaches, coco de mer forests and island-hopping in the Indian Ocean
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, about 1,500 km east of mainland Africa. Most visitors stay on the three main granitic islands: Mahé, with the international airport, the small capital Victoria and the mountains of Morne Seychellois; Praslin, home of the coco de mer palm forest at the Vallée de Mai; and La Digue, a bicycle island with the boulder-framed beach at Anse Source d'Argent. Ferries and short flights link them, and many travellers split a week between two or three islands. Plan 10 days for a first visit; the best months are April–May and October–November.
Key facts
- Country
- Seychelles
- Best time to visit
- April–May and October–November
- Ideal stay
- 10 days
- Main airports
- SEZ, PRI
- Mid-range daily budget
- $300–$550 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Granite beaches, Coco de mer, Vallée de Mai and Giant tortoises
Why visit Seychelles
- Beaches framed by pink-grey granite boulders, such as Anse Source d'Argent on La Digue and Anse Lazio on Praslin, are found nowhere else in quite this form.
- The Vallée de Mai on Praslin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protects a primeval palm forest of coco de mer, the plant with the world's largest seed.
- Aldabra giant tortoises roam Curieuse Island and gardens on Mahé, and bird islands such as Cousin host nesting seabirds.
- Marine parks at Sainte Anne and around Praslin offer snorkelling with turtles and reef fish close to shore.
- Creole cooking — fish curries, grilled catch of the day and breadfruit — reflects African, French, Indian and Chinese roots.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 18 things to do.
Beach · La Digue
Anse Source d'Argent
Inside the L'Union Estate on La Digue's west coast, a string of small coves is framed by huge, sculpted granite boulders and shallow, reef-protected water.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Kids
- Views
Nature · Praslin
Vallée de Mai
A UNESCO-listed palm forest in the centre of Praslin where coco de mer trees, with seeds that can weigh over 15 kg, grow among five other endemic palms.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Nature
- History
- Rainy day
Beach · Praslin
Anse Lazio
On Praslin's north-west tip, Anse Lazio is a long arc of fine sand between granite outcrops, backed by takamaka trees, with clear water and good snorkelling around the rocks at both ends.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Park · Central Mahé
Morne Seychellois National Park
The park covers about a fifth of Mahé and climbs to Morne Seychellois, at 905 metres the country's highest peak.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Nature
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
- Free
Viewpoint · Central Mahé
Copolia Trail
A trail of about 1.2 km from the Sans Souci road climbs through forest with pitcher plants to a bare granite summit at about 500 metres, looking down on Victoria, the Sainte Anne islands and the east coast.
- Time needed
- 2 hours return
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Active
- Nature
- Photo spot
Nature · Beau Vallon
Anse Major trail
From the end of the road at Bel Ombre, a coastal path of about 2.5 km follows the cliffs past granite slabs to Anse Major, a secluded beach only reachable on foot or by boat.
- Time needed
- 3 hours return
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
- Off the beaten path
Where to stay
Beau Vallon is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$ · Best for culture, budget and food lovers
Victoria
One of the world's smallest capitals, with a market, clock tower and Creole cafés
$$$ · Best for first-timers, families, beach and budget
Beau Vallon
Mahé's main beach resort area on a long, sheltered north-west bay
$$ · Best for families, budget and quiet stays
Anse Royale and the east coast
Sheltered reef-protected coves south of the airport, with spice gardens and local villages
$$$$ · Best for luxury, couples and quiet stays
South Mahé
Wild beaches, surf and luxury resorts between Anse Takamaka and Anse Intendance
What to eat
- Creole fish curry — Fish such as tuna or red snapper simmered in a mild curry of coconut milk, turmeric, ginger and curry leaves, served with rice and chutneys.
- Octopus curry — Octopus slowly cooked in coconut curry until tender, often with aubergine.
- Fruit bat curry — A traditional Seychellois dish of fruit bat cooked in a spiced sauce, with rich, gamey meat.
- Grilled fish — Whole red snapper, jobfish or parrotfish grilled with garlic, ginger and chilli and served with rice, lentils and salad.
- Shark chutney — Boiled shark meat mashed with bilimbi juice, lime, onion and turmeric, served as a side to curry and rice.
- Palm heart salad — Thinly sliced heart of palm dressed with vinaigrette, once called 'millionaire's salad' because a whole palm was felled to harvest it.
When to go
Seychelles is warm all year, but the calmest seas and clearest water are usually in April–May and October–November, between the two monsoons. June to September is drier and breezier with rougher seas on some coasts, and December to March is hotter, more humid and wetter.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| North-west monsoon | December–March | Hot, humid and the wettest season, with short heavy showers and calm seas on the south-east coasts; peak prices at Christmas and New Year. |
| First transition | April–May | Light winds, calm water and excellent visibility; often the best period for snorkelling and diving. |
| South-east trade winds | June–September | Drier, breezier and slightly cooler, with rough seas and seaweed on south- and east-facing beaches; northern bays stay sheltered. |
| Second transition | October–November | Calm seas return, turtle nesting begins and Festival Kreol fills Mahé with music. |
Getting there and around
Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) is on Mahé's east coast, about 10 km south of Victoria and around 30 minutes by car to Beau Vallon. Domestic flights to Praslin Airport (PRI) take about 15–20 minutes and leave from the domestic terminal next door. Taxis, car hire desks and public buses on the coast road serve the airport.
Mahé and Praslin have public buses and car hire, while La Digue is explored by bicycle. Fast ferries and short flights link the islands; boat trips reach the smaller reserves.
Plan your days
Five days allows three nights on Mahé or Praslin with a day trip to La Digue. Ten days gives time for three or four nights each on Mahé and Praslin plus two on La Digue, with boat trips to Curieuse, Cousin and the Sainte Anne marine park.
Practical information
- Currency
- SCR
- Language
- Seychellois Creole, English and French
- Plugs
- Type G sockets, 240 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water on Mahé and Praslin is treated, but many visitors prefer bottled or filtered water; on smaller islands, ask your accommodation.
- Emergency number
- 999 (police, fire and ambulance)
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected, and many restaurants and hotels include a service charge.
Strong currents and rip tides occur at exposed beaches such as Grand Anse on La Digue and Anse Intendance, especially from May to October; swim where locals swim and heed warning flags. Petty theft from parked cars and unattended beach bags happens, so keep valuables out of sight.
Flights to Seychelles
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Seychelles?
Five days allows three nights on Mahé or Praslin with a day trip to La Digue. Ten days gives time for three or four nights each on Mahé and Praslin plus two on La Digue, with boat trips to Curieuse, Cousin and the Sainte Anne marine park. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Seychelles?
Seychelles is warm all year, but the calmest seas and clearest water are usually in April–May and October–November, between the two monsoons. June to September is drier and breezier with rougher seas on some coasts, and December to March is hotter, more humid and wetter.
+What is Seychelles known for?
Granite beaches, Coco de mer, Vallée de Mai, Giant tortoises, La Digue by bicycle, Island-hopping and Creole cuisine. Beaches framed by pink-grey granite boulders, such as Anse Source d'Argent on La Digue and Anse Lazio on Praslin, are found nowhere else in quite this form.
+Is Seychelles expensive?
Seychelles is very expensive for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $300–$550 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Seychelles?
Useful on Mahé and Praslin to reach beaches and trailheads at your own pace, though buses cover the main roads. On La Digue you do not need one; bicycles and walking are the way to get around.