Free things to do · Seychelles
8 free things to do in Seychelles
Seychelles without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Photography by Dino Sassi - Marcel Fayon, Photo Eden LTD, Public domain
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Seychelles without paying an entry fee: Anse Lazio, Morne Seychellois National Park, Anse Major trail and Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market are all free. Self-catering guesthouses and Creole takeaways cut food costs dramatically compared with hotel restaurants.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 8
- Low-cost extras
- 3
- Cost level
- Very expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- June and September
Free sights and experiences
Beach · Praslin
1.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.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Park · Central Mahé
2.Morne Seychellois National Park
Start before 9am on a clear day; clouds often cover the peaks by late morning.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Nature
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
- Free
Nature · Beau Vallon
3.Anse Major trail
Bring water and go early; there is no shade on parts of the trail and no facilities at the beach.
- Time needed
- 3 hours return
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
- Off the beaten path
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Market · Victoria
4.Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market
Go before 10am on a Saturday, and pick up vanilla, cinnamon and chilli sauces as souvenirs.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Free
- Photo spot
Neighbourhood · Victoria
5.Victoria town walk
Combine it with the market in the morning; many shops close early on Saturdays and all day Sunday.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Beach · La Digue
6.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.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
- Photo spot
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Beach · South Mahé
7.Anse Intendance
Use it for sunbathing and walking on rough days; save swimming for the calmer months around April and November.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Outdoors
Nature · La Digue
8.Veuve Reserve
Visit early in the morning, when the birds are most active and calling.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Nature
- Free
- Kids
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Praslin | Anse Lazio | Half a day |
| Central Mahé | Morne Seychellois National Park | 2–4 hours |
| Beau Vallon | Anse Major trail | 3 hours return |
| Victoria | Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market and Victoria town walk | 1 hour + 1.5 hours |
| La Digue | Grand Anse, Petite Anse and Anse Cocos and Veuve Reserve | Half a day + 45 minutes |
| South Mahé | Anse Intendance | 2–3 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Viewpoint · Central Mahé
Copolia Trail
The final section crosses smooth granite that is slippery when wet; wear shoes with grip.
- Time needed
- 2 hours return
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Active
- Nature
- Photo spot
Garden · Victoria
National Botanical Gardens
Go in the late afternoon, when fruit bats become active and the heat drops.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Garden · Anse Royale and the east coast
Jardin du Roi spice garden
Combine it with snorkelling at Anse Royale beach below.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- History
- Food
- Kids
More ways to save
- Self-catering guesthouses and Creole takeaways cut food costs dramatically compared with hotel restaurants.
- Use the public bus on Mahé and Praslin instead of taxis, which are expensive.
- Many guesthouses and tour operators quote in euros; compare with rupee prices and pay in the cheaper currency.
- May, June and September usually have lower rates than the Christmas, Easter and August peaks.
- Prices on La Digue and smaller islands are higher because goods are shipped in; stock up on Mahé or Praslin.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Seychelles expensive to visit?
Seychelles is very expensive for most visitors, but 8 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Seychelles?
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.