What to do in Seychelles? Our complete guide

I have written several articles about the Seychelles in response to requests. I realised that I hadn’t yet written about a topic that many readers were interested in: “What to do in Seychelles“. It’s a dream destination, with its paradise islands, white sandy beaches, coral reefs and so on… For anyone wondering what the best things to do in the Seychelles are, I hope this article can help. That’s the aim, anyway! What’s more, the article is essentially based on Aurélie’s experience (remember, she was lucky enough to spend her honeymoon in the Seychelles) and feedback from friends who have recently been there. They simply loved it!

Before we get to the heart of the matter, if you want to know more about the practical side (how to get to the Seychelles, how to get around, where to eat, etc.), I invite you to consult our dedicated page.

Come on, let’s go! First of all, let’s set sail for the 3 main islands, then for the more remote islands, which are just as beautiful. To find out more, I’ll give you the links to the individual articles on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. And don’t forget the accommodation guides for the 3 islands, so you can find the best places to stay. So, are you ready to plan your activities?

If you’re in the middle of planning your trip, you’ve probably heard of Mahé. Quite simply, it’s the main island of the Seychelles, with Victoria as its capital. It’s also home to the archipelago’s only international airport. In other words, this will be your point of arrival. Might as well make the most of it and spend a few days there, eh? In any case, Aurélie strongly recommends that you stop there!

Speaking of Mahé, let’s start with Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles.
As you might have guessed, it’s a small capital with a population of just 25,000. Despite this, there are plenty of things to see and do, not least..:

• Sir Selwyn Clarke Market: this is Victoria’s main market, ideal for soaking up local life and sampling Creole specialities!
• Seychelles Botanical Gardens: a walk not to be missed to discover the flora and fauna of the Seychelles, including the famous Coco de Mer and the giant Aldabra tortoise.
• Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple: a Hindu temple in the heart of the capital with an architecture that immediately attracts the traveller’s curiosity.
• Clock Tower: saving the best for last, this is simply THE monument not to be missed. For those who have already been to London, this time you’ll be standing in front of a replica of the small Big Ben.

For more details on these visits, I highly recommend you read our article on things to do in Victoria. One thing’s for sure, you won’t be bored!

Head to the north of the island for Beau Vallon beach! Not only is Beau Vallon a beautiful white sandy beach with turquoise waters, it also offers a wide range of water sports. I’m thinking in particular of scuba diving. This is a must-do activity during your holiday in the Seychelles. It’s a great way to discover underwater life: corals, tropical fish, turtles and even sharks. I can assure you that diving is an amazing experience (well, I have to admit that it’s one of my favourite activities – we dived every weekend when we lived in Mayotte!) And for those who prefer to stay on the surface, try snorkelling! Either way, you’ll come out of the water with your mind full of images. And it’s not every day you get to dive in the Seychelles!

Still on the subject of diving, the Sainte-Anne Marine Park is also a must! For the record, it’s the first marine park in the entire Indian Ocean! It consists of six small islands: Île Sainte-Anne (the largest), Île au Cerf, Île Moyenne, Île Longue, Île Ronde and Île Cachée. The park is truly unspoilt and fishing is strictly regulated. The marine biodiversity is exceptional: corals, colourful fish, sea turtles and much more. In short, it’s an ideal park to dive in rich waters and enjoy beautiful beaches in complete tranquillity. Tip: from Mahé, don’t hesitate to make a day trip to the park!

A walk not to be missed for all nature lovers! There are many hiking trails all over the island. The Copolia Trail is one of the most famous trails in the Morne Seychelles National Park. It has stunning views, is moderate in level and takes just under 2 hours round trip (depending on your fitness level!). The aim is to reach the summit for an incredible view of Mahé and the Indian Ocean. Get your cameras ready!

We also recommend you take a look at their paid activities, which can be a great way to discover the area with a guide:

• A private tour of the island with a driver
• A day exploring the Sainte Anne Marine Park
• A day on a glass bottom boat with lunch and snorkelling!

After Mahé, discover Praslin, the second largest island in the archipelago! Expect coconut palms, palm trees, turquoise waters, lush vegetation and an immersion in Creole culture. Here are the best things to do on Praslin!

For those who dream of postcard-perfect scenery, Praslin is the place to enjoy the heavenly beaches of Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette. In fact, these two beaches are some of the most beautiful in Seychelles! They’re ideal for lazing around or enjoying water sports (depending on your preference). Both are located on the northwest coast of Praslin. If you had to choose between the two, Anse Lazio is more accessible with restaurants nearby. If you’re looking for a quieter experience, Anse Georgette is more secluded. The only downside is that you have to climb to get there! Personally, I prefer secluded, wild beaches away from the tourist crowds!

The Vallée de Mai, located in the centre of the island of Praslin, is a true natural treasure. For your information, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site! You can enjoy the island’s tropical vegetation, with several species of palm trees, medicinal plants and the famous coco de mer (also known as coco fesse because of its shape). As far as fauna is concerned, you could come across the black parrot, the Seychelles bulbul and many others! A word of advice: to make sure you don’t miss anything, I recommend hiring a local guide to accompany you on your discoveries. In my opinion, it’s that little bit extra! As you can see, Vallée de Mai is a must-see in Seychelles, and you’ll be right at the heart of local biodiversity.

After a day of exploring nature, why not try some of the local cuisine? Well, let me warn you right away, Creole food is quite spicy. Here are a few examples of sweet and savoury dishes to try:

• Cari Coco: a meat-based dish with spices and coconut milk.
• Kat Kat: a dish of tuna and green banana served with coconut milk.
• Manioc pudding: as the name suggests, this is a dessert made from manioc, coconut and sweet potatoes, served with honey. Quite original!

And that’s not all! You can even try bat meat. OK, I admit it, when you say it like that it doesn’t sound very appetising. But once you’re there, why not try it?

Here are some interesting paid activities you can do from Praslin Island:

• Discovery of Curieuse Island and St Pierre Island
• Day trip to the islands of Cousin, Curieuse and St Pierre

Set course for the island of La Digue, a real little piece of paradise! I can tell you that according to my friends and Aurélie, this Seychelles island is well worth the detour. With its white sandy beaches, friendly people and lush vegetation, you won’t be disappointed!

Anse Source d’Argent is simply one of the most beautiful beaches in the world! In other words, it’s THE beach not to be missed on the island of La Digue! It’s simply gorgeous: fine sand, granite rocks, coconut palms, palm trees and, above all, turquoise water. A word of warning: you have to walk a bit and pay an entrance fee to get there. But this beach is well worth the effort. You’ll feel cut off from the world in the middle of an idyllic setting!

La Passe is a village in the centre of La Digue with a small harbour. This will be your point of arrival on the island. You will arrive at this harbour with colourful boats. It will take you to the small village where you’ll find colonial houses and local shops. You can even explore the history of the island, which is told in this village. In short, you’ll be immersed in the culture of the Seychelles!

This is quite simply the main transport on the island of La Digue (apart from walking, of course)! You’ll find that most of the locals get around by bike; there are virtually no cars. Don’t worry, the island is quite small: 5km long and 3 km wide, so you should be able to get around, haha! As you can see, your stay will be punctuated by swimming, cycling and snorkelling. It’s a chance to enjoy the island at your own pace! Personally, when I travel, I like to take my time to enjoy the scenery, the sights and, most importantly, the photography.

After cycling, you can go on an adventure with the famous Nid d’Aigle Trail! This is an accessible hike that takes you to the top of the island of La Digue, at an altitude of 333 meters. From up there, you’ll be able to enjoy some breathtaking views! Along the way, you’ll be able to observe the local flora and fauna: medicinal plants, Seychelles birds, vanilla trees and much more. It’s a great opportunity to make new discoveries in the middle of nature!

This is one of the Seychelles’ natural treasures, just 30km north of Mahé, the main island! Despite its proximity to Mahé, this island is not very well known. But it’s well worth discovering, with its coconut palms, turquoise lagoon and black rocks. It’s also an exclusive island with few tourists. You can enjoy a peaceful experience where you can disconnect and recharge your batteries! If you fancy a trip to Silhouette Island, read our full article.

Cerf Island is a beautiful island close to Mahé. Its proximity is ideal for a day trip. As soon as you set foot on the island, you’ll be amazed by its endless beaches and crystal clear waters. This small island is particularly popular with divers. Imagine swimming among the coral! I’ve even heard that there are some great diving spots on this island.

As the name suggests, this is the perfect island to get up close and personal with the Seychelles’ bird species. There are over 200 of them! Here are just a few of the species found on this Seychelles island:

• the Sooty tern, also known as the sea swallow
• the Frégate
• Seychelles Pigeon
• the Kingfisher
• the Seychelles Bulbul

and many more! Of course, you can also enjoy hiking and diving (supervised or solo). In short, you can enjoy a dream holiday in the middle of nature.

Set course for a new island in the Seychelles. Expect hiking, postcard scenery and crystal clear waters! This island really stands out from the rest with its red soil! Not only that, but it’s one of only two islands (along with Praslin) where coco de mer grows naturally. It’s also the ideal place to meet giant tortoises. In short, the setting on Curieuse Island is simply exceptional. You’ll enjoy a holiday like no other. Are you convinced?

If you’re on La Digue Island and looking for a day trip, why not take a cruise to the islands of Grande Soeur and Félicité? This is your chance to discover even more heavenly spots. From the feedback I’ve had, it’s a really fun cruise, with diving and snorkelling stops at the best spots.

Located 230 km from Mahé, Desroches Island is simply magnificent to explore. Admittedly, this island is further away than the others. But it is ideal if you are looking for an exclusive and luxurious experience. I’m thinking in particular of the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles, which offers spacious villas with private pools and top-notch services! As you can imagine, this off the beaten track island offers a luxurious stay surrounded by tropical vegetation and beaches as far as the eye can see. If you ask me, Desroches Island is well worth the detour!

To help you plan your trip, I’ve put together two itineraries in the Seychelles: a 10-day itinerary and a 15-day itinerary. Of course, I’ve based these two itineraries on the personal experiences of Aurélie and those around me.

3 days in Mahé – 3 days in Praslin – 3 days in La Digue – 1 day excursion

Let’s embark on our first 10-day itinerary in the Seychelles. As you can imagine, the 3 main islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue are a must for your trip. To get the most out of these 3 islands, I recommend spending 3 days on each. In my opinion, this is the right time to visit the must-sees on each island. For the remaining day, I recommend an excursion to one of the smaller islands around Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. I’m thinking in particular of a cruise to the islands of Grande Soeur and Félicité. You could also spend a day exploring Cerf Island. In either case, it’s a great opportunity to spend a day relaxing on a less frequented island!

4 days on Mahé – 3 days on Praslin – 3 days on La Digue – 2 days on Silhouette Island – 1-2 days on Cerf Island

To visit the Seychelles in 15 days, I suggest you spend some time on the 3 main islands: Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. As Mahé is the main island where there are often more activities and events, I suggest you spend 1 extra day there (4 days in total). For the remaining 4 days, you have 2 options: spend 4 days on a more remote island for a luxurious and exclusive stay (Desroches Island) or spend 2 days on Silhouette Island and 2 days on Cerf Island or Curieuse Island to discover even more scenery. Of course, you can also choose from the other islands mentioned above. One thing’s for sure, with this amount of time on each island, you’ll have plenty of time to explore them at your own pace. After all, you’re on holiday, there’s no rush!

Well, this article on what to do in the Seychelles is coming to an end. I hope it has helped you prepare for your dream holiday! You now have a good overview of the best things to do and see in Seychelles.

One last tip for the road: if you’re wondering when is the best time to go to the Seychelles, we’ve written a whole article to answer that question!

If you’ve already visited the archipelago, don’t hesitate to tell us more in the comments. It’s always interesting to hear about other people’s experiences!

See you soon for more activities to discover,