3 days in Seychelles

Day by day

1. Day 1: Anse Source d'Argent and Grand Anse, Petite Anse and Anse Cocos

   Anse Source d'Argent, Grand Anse, Petite Anse and Anse Cocos and Veuve Reserve, then Sunset at Anse Source d'Argent in the evening.

   1. Morning

      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.

   2. Late morning

      Grand Anse, Petite Anse and Anse Cocos

      Swim only in calm conditions or in the rock pool at Anse Cocos; currents at Grand Anse are dangerous.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Creole fish curry

      Creole restaurants across the islands and takeaway counters in Victoria.

   4. Afternoon

      Veuve Reserve

      A small forest reserve on La Digue that protects the Seychelles paradise flycatcher, known locally as the veuve, one of the world's rarest birds.

   5. Evening

      Sunset at Anse Source d'Argent

      Stay on La Digue so you can return to the coves in the late afternoon after the day-trippers leave.

2. Day 2: Vallée de Mai and Anse Lazio

   Vallée de Mai, Anse Lazio and Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve, then Private island stay in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Vallée de Mai

      Join one of the guided walks run at the reserve to understand the palms, and go early in the day for the best chance of seeing black parrots.

   2. Late morning

      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.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Octopus curry

      Creole restaurants on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.

   4. Afternoon

      Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve

      Book a guided walk in advance and wear sturdy shoes for the climb to the viewpoint.

   5. Evening

      Private island stay

      Book a few nights on one of the private-island resorts for complete seclusion.

3. Day 3: Morne Seychellois National Park and Copolia Trail

   Morne Seychellois National Park, Copolia Trail and Anse Major trail, then Cycling La Digue in the evening.

   1. Morning

      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.

   2. Late morning

      Copolia Trail

      The final section crosses smooth granite that is slippery when wet; wear shoes with grip.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Fruit bat curry

      Creole buffet nights at some hotels and traditional restaurants.

   4. Afternoon

      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.

   5. Evening

      Cycling La Digue

      Ride side by side along La Digue's quiet roads, stopping at beaches and cafés.

If it rains

• Swap in Takamaka Rum distillery (South Mahé): Book a tour with tasting and stay for lunch in the plantation-house restaurant.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Beau Vallon keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Victoria ($$) suits culture, budget and food lovers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 20–27 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.9 hours in May to 12.4 hours in January.

More or fewer days

• One day in Seychelles
• 2 days in Seychelles
• 5 days in Seychelles

Questions travellers ask