Travel Guide Seychelles

There are many tropical paradise islands, but none quite like the Seychelles. The main islands are the world’s only mid-ocean granite outcrops. They are also the oldest ocean islands but have had a shorter period of human occupation than practically anywhere. You will never forget your first approach to Mahé, towering up out of the sapphire and cerulean seas, the majestic mountains swathed as though in green velvet, the spectacular totems of massive granite outcrops and boulders scattered amidst the dark emerald forest like Henry Moore sculptures.

The unique charm of the Seychelles

Each island has an atmosphere completely its own, and as a rule of thumb, for each decrease in size you travel back in time about ten years. Mahé is reminiscent of the late 1990s, Praslin the 1980s, La Digue the 1970s and beyond that the tiny islands are seemingly untouched by the hands of time. 

The Seychelles is one of the few places on earth where you can still experience the beauty of the natural world before mankind and mass tourism moved in. Make the most of having a beach or even a whole island to yourself and leave the woes of modern life behind.

Things to do in Seychelles

Life in the Seychelles can be a beach. There is no finer place to relax and enjoy the sun, sand and sea, and few destinations give visitors such a feeling of escape. As well as some of the most beautiful beaches on earth, the Seychelles also offers visitors the chance to discover nature at its best between its rich marine life and majestic mountain forests.

Here's a quick overview of things to do in Seychelles.

Observe amazing marine life in azure waters

Diving in the Seychelles is superb, particularly during the calm periods of March–April and mid-October–mid-December when visibility is best. The variety of fish life is stunning, as is the underwater scenery, including the topography of the granitic islands and the steep walls of the outer islands. Corals are a little disappointing, still recovering from the exceptional coral bleaching of 1998, when prolonged sea temperatures wiped out 95 percent of reefs in the granitics.

Watch birds on Bird Island

A 30-minute flight from Mahé is Bird Island, a wonderful place to relax in simple but comfortable surroundings at Bird Island Lodge. Visitors may wander all over the 101-hectare (250-acre) coral cay, provided they do not harm or disturb the wildlife. This includes the massive sooty tern colony of more than a million birds that may be seen from March to October and gives the island its name. 

As the most northerly Seychelles island, Bird is also the first landfall for rare migrants. More migratory species have been recorded on Bird than on any other Seychelles island.

Take a break from the heat at Morne Seychellois National Park

The largest National Park in the Seychelles was created in 1979. It is about 10km (6 miles) long and 2-4km (1-2 miles) wide, representing about 20 percent of the area of Mahé, stretching from sea level to the summit of Morne Seychellois at 905m (2,970ft).

The cool green mountains of Mahé are a refreshing contrast to the beach. There are some excellent well-marked walks here, but the easiest way to get a taste of the atmosphere is by hire-car or taxi, travelling across the island from one side to the other on the Sans Souci road. 

Even for those who are not particularly interested in natural history, it is worth traversing the mountain pass just to experience the unique feeling of a place where the silence is only intermittently disturbed by the piping of frogs, the whistling of birds and the rushing of the wind in the trees. It is here that one can appreciate the island of Mahé’s remoteness as well as its ancient origins.

Visit Vallée de Mai in Praslin

Praslin, 45km (28 miles) northeast of Mahé, is the Seychelles’ second-largest granitic island in both size and population. The hills appear rather threadbare compared to Mahé’s mountains, but the primeval palm forests of the valleys are found nowhere else on earth. 

All six endemic palms are found here, including the island’s symbol, coco de mer. The roads are quieter than on Mahé and the pace of life is slower. No trip to Praslin is complete without a visit to the World Heritage Site of Vallée de Mai, the world’s largest forest of coco de mer. Even if you have no interest in flora and fauna, the atmosphere of the place is inspiring.

Explore La Digue by bicycle

La Digue is just under half the size of Praslin in terms of both area and population. It used to be known as the land that time forgot, but one measure of how far this has changed is the presence of three internet cafés within a short distance of the jetty. The main form of public transport was the ox cart, but motorised vehicles are now common. Ox carts survive, but perhaps their days are numbered. 

Nevertheless, an island total of just a few taxis is hardly crowded and La Digue retains a delightfully gentle character. Most people – tourists and locals alike – get around by bike and no one ever seems to be in a hurry.

Experience total comfort while cruising the islands

Taking a live-aboard boat means you take your hotel room with you, all your transfer costs are included, and, if the boat is skippered, many of the transits can be done while you relax. For much of the year, wind speeds are ideal, in the range of force 2–5. During the strongest winds of May to September, the sea between Mahé and other islands is rough, but there are still many sheltered anchorages. 

The Seychelles is outside the cyclone belt, but squalls can be experienced from December to February. Moorings are available at Marine National Parks and nature reserves, where a small fee is charged for entry. Larger charter boats carry full dive equipment and may provide a dive master. Most vessels will at least have snorkelling equipment, and almost all will carry fishing tackle.

Stay on one of the private islands

Several smaller islands are the exclusive domain of guests of the single tourism facility. It is legal for anyone to land on any beach in the Seychelles, but the land above the high tide line is private.

• Félicité Island lies 3km (11⁄2 miles) northeast of La Digue and its luxurious accommodation is reserved for just a few visitors. It is owned and managed by the operators of La Digue Island Lodge. The facilities of the Lodge include boat trips and game fishing. There is a good beach for swimming at La Penice near the Lodge, and snorkelling is also good in the same vicinity.
• Cousine Island lies off Praslin. It is a privately owned nature reserve and is the only granite island of any size with no alien mammals, the island being exclusive for up to eight guests accommodated in four individual villas. For those who can afford it, it is a rare opportunity to experience living on an island teeming with wildlife. A resident conservation officer is available to take guests on guided walks and explain the various conservation projects.

Feel like Robinson Crusoe

Due to distance and the absence of scheduled flights (though a few islands have grassy airstrips), most of the far-flung islands to the south and west of Mahé can only be visited by charter boats. There are few places on earth left like these beautiful, remote, mostly uninhabited islands. Some may be developed for tourism one day. Meanwhile, those who make the journey will feel privileged to visit such pristine islands.

What is the best time to visit Seychelles

The best time to visit Seychelles depends largely on your weather preferences and planned activities. Seychelles enjoys a tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 24°C (75°F) to 32°C (90°F) all year round. The islands have two main seasons defined by the trade winds: the dry season from May to October and the wet season from November to April.

During the dry season, the southeast trade winds bring cooler, less humid weather with less rainfall, making it ideal for hiking and beach holidays. However, the sea can be more rough, which can affect diving and snorkelling conditions. The wet season, on the other hand, is warmer and wetter, with more rainfall, especially from December to February. Despite the rains, which are usually brief and replaced by sunshine, the sea is calmer, which is ideal for diving and snorkelling.

The optimum months to visit Seychelles are April, May, October and November. These shoulder months offer a nice balance of favourable weather and fewer tourists. Warm temperatures, clear skies and calm seas are suitable for a variety of activities. April is particularly good for bird watching during the breeding season, while October to November is good for watching migratory birds and for scuba diving and snorkelling.