5 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

      Visit at low tide for the walk along the coves, and arrive early or after 3pm to avoid the day-trippers from Praslin and Mahé. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   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. (Half a day, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Creole fish curry

      Creole restaurants across the islands and takeaway counters in Victoria.

   4. Afternoon

      Veuve Reserve

      Visit early in the morning, when the birds are most active and calling. (45 minutes, free).

   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. (1.5–2 hours, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Anse Lazio

      Snorkel around the boulders at the northern end on a calm morning; swimming is less comfortable when the north-west monsoon brings waves. (Half a day, free).

   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. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   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

      Start before 9am on a clear day; clouds often cover the peaks by late morning. (2–4 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Copolia Trail

      The final section crosses smooth granite that is slippery when wet; wear shoes with grip. (2 hours return, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Fruit bat curry

      Creole buffet nights at some hotels and traditional restaurants.

   4. Afternoon

      Anse Major trail

      Bring water and go early; there is no shade on parts of the trail and no facilities at the beach. (3 hours return, free).

   5. Evening

      Cycling La Digue

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

4. Day 4: Day trip to Praslin from Mahé

   About 1 hour by fast ferry each way. Getting there: Fast catamaran from Victoria or a short flight.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Praslin from Mahé

      About 1 hour by fast ferry (Fast catamaran from Victoria or a short flight); about 45 km.

   2. Day

      Praslin from Mahé

      A long day trip from Mahé covers the Vallée de Mai and an afternoon at Anse Lazio or Côte d'Or. Best for first-timers and couples.

   3. Evening

      Back in Seychelles

      Dinner: try Grilled fish.

5. Day 5: Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market and Victoria town walk

   Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market, Victoria town walk and National Botanical Gardens, then Picnic at Anse Lazio in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market

      Go before 10am on a Saturday, and pick up vanilla, cinnamon and chilli sauces as souvenirs. (1 hour, free).

   2. Late morning

      Victoria town walk

      Combine it with the market in the morning; many shops close early on Saturdays and all day Sunday. (1.5 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Grilled fish

      Beach restaurants and takeaways; buy fish at the Victoria market to grill if self-catering.

   4. Afternoon

      National Botanical Gardens

      Go in the late afternoon, when fruit bats become active and the heat drops. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Picnic at Anse Lazio

      Spend a lazy day on Praslin's most celebrated beach, snorkelling the boulders at either end.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 24–30 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Seychelles

Questions travellers ask