Things to See & Do
With so many islands to choose from, each all offering a uniquely different experience, it makes it difficult to plan your holiday when you are limited by the length of your stay! Below are some possible itinerary ideas which will hopefully help in allowing you to experience at least some of the real Seychelles!Mahe:
Mahe is the main island and for that reason more commercialised. It houses the capital Victoria and the one set of traffic lights in the country! It’s worth spending at least day or two on Mahe. A car hire to explore the island in would be recommended to allow you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Alternatively, taxis are common and the local bus service is also an option for those looking for a more authentic Seychellois experience!
It's recommended that you end your stay on Mahe so as to avoid inconveniences with International departures.
A day trip from Mahe island to either Moyenne island or Round island is worth it for lunch… these islands are small enough to walk around in very little time and Moyenne in particular is steeped in ghost stories and pirate’s graves! Great swimming to be had here along with a lovely restaurant for a Creole lunch.
Mahe boasts a wide selection of beaches to experience. If your mode of transport is a hire car, parking can be a little tricky for some beaches. Click here for some beach suggestions on Mahe.
Being on Mahe during the Seychelles Carnaval is a must for those wanting to experience the colours and faces of a country with as much diversity as Seychelles.
Beau Vallon Beach is a favourite amongst visitors with many hotels and restaurants available on the strip. Baobab Pizzeria is right on the beach and makes some of the best pizzas and lasagna on the island. A must to experience!
For more things to do on Manhe, click here.
Praslin:
Rent a car and visit the Vallee de Mai if you’d like to experience what is often described as the original Garden of Eden. The main road winds through it and if you’re lucky, you’ll spot the famous Coco-de-Mer nut from your vantage spot. It’s endemic to Seychelles so you’ll never see it anywhere else in the world. Follow this up with a visit to Anse Lazio beach (continually voted one of the world’s most beautiful beaches) for the rest of the day. A small restaurant on the beach serves some lovely Creole cuisine – perfect for lunch.
Many tour operators provide day trips from Praslin to Aride Island Nature Reserve. The island itself was purchased by Mr Cadbury of Chocolate fame and donated as a nature reserve to Seychelles. Here you’ll find a host of endemic birdlife… The island is run by volunteers from all over the world and they’ll take you on a guided tour to see the birdlife from up close. The view is spectacular from the top of the island! Upon your descent, a swim in the crystal clear turquoise waters is the perfect way to cool down!
A day trip from Praslin to Cousin, Curieuse & St Pierre islands and includes lunch is also recommended. 3 islands in one day!
For more things to do on Praslin, click here.
La Digue:
From Praslin, a 30minute boat trip to the island of La Digue is a lovely way to experience more of the diversity of Seychelles. Here you’ll find a more traditional way of life with ox carts and bicycles as the main modes of transport.
A visit to La Digue isn’t complete without a visit to Grand Anse beach, regularly voted as another of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Something to consider is that the road to the beach is rather steep in some areas.. for those who aren’t as fit as you’d like to be, I’d recommend arranging to be dropped off and picked up at an arranged time in either an ox cart or a motorised vehicle!
Chez Marston is renowned for quality meals at reasonable prices and is definitely worth a visit for lunch or dinner.
Hire a bicycle and visit L’Union Estate. (An entrance fee is payable to help with the upkeep of the estate) Here you’ll access Anse Source D’Argent – The beach where one of the Hahn beer ads was filmed. You’d also find an old historical cemetery, a massive Giant Tortoise pen, traditional Copra Mills etc. It’s a bit of a flash back to the old Seychelles. If you walk far enough in, you’ll find a hidden bunker up the side of some boulders…You can walk right up into it.
A bicycle is really the preferred mode of transport outside of walking during your stay on La Digue. Explore the rest of the island quite easily on bicycle or by foot.
From La Digue, a day trip to Anse Coco to snorkel is definitely worth it. It is absolutely stunning!
For more things to do on La Digue, Click here.
Most tour operators provide snorkelling excursions and fishing excursions from many of the islands… and these provide a wonderful way of really experiencing what Seychelles has to offer!
Click here for more itinerary ideas
