The Seychelles, an Indian Ocean archipelago of 115 islands, has lured explorers since Arab sailors and traders charted these waters centuries ago. The French and British left their mark before independence in 1976; today, a creole culture of African, Asian, and European influences thrives alongside lush forests and coral gardens.

Beyond postcard-perfect beaches, the islands are rich with nature reserves and rare species: coco de mer palms, black parrots, and Aldabra giant tortoises. Expect warm seas year-round, trade winds from May–September, and occasional tropical showers from November–March—great for reef life and emerald hills.

Practicalities: Seychelles uses the Seychellois Rupee (SCR), though cards are widely accepted. Drive on the left; roads can be narrow and winding. Pack reef-safe sunscreen and respect marine parks. Street food (try octopus curry) and upscale seafood co-exist happily, and the local motto—“slow down”—is the timeless island rule.

Mahé

Mahé is the Seychelles’ main hub: home to the capital Victoria, colorful markets, and the Morne Seychellois National Park, whose granite ridgelines spill into bays with powder-soft sand. It’s the best base for culture, food, and a mix of easy swims and short jungle hikes.

Top draws include Beau Vallon’s lively beach scene, the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market (fragrant with spices and fresh tuna), and photogenic beaches like Anse Intendance and Anse Takamaka. By evening, head to Eden Island’s marina for sundowners and fresh-caught fish.

• Where to stay: Search stays on VRBO (Mahé) or hotels on Hotels.com (Mahé). For beach access, consider Beau Vallon and Bel Ombre; for marina dining, Eden Island.
• Getting there: Fly into SEZ (Mahé). Compare fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. Typical connections via Dubai, Doha, Nairobi, Addis Ababa; expect 10–18 hours from Europe/North America depending on routing.
• Getting around: Car rentals run ~$55–75/day; buses cost ~SCR 12–14 per ride. Taxis are convenient for short hops to beaches and trailheads.

Day 1 — Arrival, Victoria’s color, and Eden Island sundown

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, fuel up on espresso and gelato at La Dolce Vita near central Victoria—great for people-watching and a sweet jet-lag reset.

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs in Victoria: the clocktower (modeled after London’s “Little Ben”), the Hindu Arulmigu Navasakti Vinayagar Temple, and the lively market with vanilla pods and cinnamon. Cap it off with a one-hour glass-bottom experience on the marina:

Semi Submarine Tour in Saint Anne Marine National Park
Perfect for a first look at Seychelles’ reefs without getting wet.

Evening: Dine on the marina at Bravo! (thin-crust pizzas, spicy shrimp, and sunset cocktails) or head to Beau Vallon: The Boat House for Creole buffet favorites (smoked fish salad, breadfruit chips) or La Perle Noire for grilled red snapper and coconut panna cotta.

Day 2 — Sainte Anne Marine Park: snorkel and reef life

Morning: Board a boat to Sainte Anne Marine National Park for clear water, coral gardens, and schools of sergeant majors. A relaxed way to meet the underwater Seychelles on day two.

Reef Safari - Snorkeling, Fish Feeding & Lunch (Shared Day Trip)
Snorkeling stops, fish feeding, island time, and a Creole lunch included.

Afternoon: Continue snorkeling and sun-lazing; bring a rash guard and reef-safe sunscreen. If seas are calm, ask the crew about gentle drift-snorkel spots.

Evening: Dinner on Beau Vallon beach at La Plage (ginger-tamarind fish, octopus curry) or a laid-back pizza and mango smoothies at Baobab Pizzeria with toes-in-the-sand vibes.

Day 3 — Trails, south-coast bays, and a private tour option

Morning: Coffee and pastries at Chatterbox Café (Eden Plaza), then hike the Anse Major Trail (about 1.5–2 hours roundtrip) skirting granite cliffs to a secluded cove. Pack water; go early for soft light and fewer people.

Afternoon: Cruise the south coast: Anse Intendance’s powder sand and surfy rollers, then Anse Takamaka for easier swimming. Lunch options: Anchor Café (fish tacos, passionfruit smoothies) or Delplace near Port Glaud (grilled jobfish, cinnamon-spiked rum).

Prefer to sit back while a local pro navigates?

Private Mahe Island Full day Tour with Pickup
Door-to-door sightseeing, insider stops, and flexible pacing.

Evening: Sunset at Beau Vallon. Book a table at La Scala (Bel Ombre)—a beloved island institution for seafood pasta, caramelized bananas, and a refined, old-world setting. Nightcap at Boardwalk Bar on Eden Island if you’re up for live music.

Praslin

Praslin is slower, greener, and edged with scalloped bays. It shelters Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO-listed palm forest where the double-lobed coco de mer grows in cathedral-like groves and black parrots flit through the canopy.

Base yourself near Côte d’Or Beach for easy dining and boat pickups. From here, you’ll reach Curieuse’s giant tortoises, St Pierre’s coral gardens, La Digue’s bike paths, and one of the world’s great beaches: Anse Lazio.

• Where to stay: Browse villas on VRBO (Praslin) or hotels on Hotels.com (Praslin). Côte d’Or is lively; Anse Lazio is dreamy but quieter and more remote.
• Getting there from Mahé: Fast ferry ~1 hr, ~$65–75 one-way. You’ll take it mid-trip and again on departure day.

Day 4 — Ferry to Praslin, Vallée de Mai, and Côte d’Or dining

Morning: Depart Mahé for Praslin by fast ferry. Check in 45 minutes early; seas can be choppy—sit aft if you’re motion-sensitive.

Cat Cocos: Mahe to Praslin Island Fast Ferry
Hourly-ish service depending on day; reserve in advance, especially in school holidays.

Afternoon: Drop bags and head to Vallée de Mai (allow ~1.5–2 hours). Walk the Central or Circular Path under massive coco de mer fronds; listen for the rare black parrot. Entry is roughly ~$25–35.

Evening: Dinner near Côte d’Or: Les Lauriers’ open-grill buffet (grilled fish, chutneys, breadfruit gratin) is a crowd-pleaser. Or go beachside fine-dining at Café des Arts for tuna carpaccio, vanilla-lobster, and a stellar wine list.

Day 5 — Curieuse tortoises and St Pierre snorkeling

Morning: Boat out to Curieuse Island to see free-roaming Aldabra giant tortoises and mangroves, then snorkel St Pierre’s clear shallows with turtles and parrotfish.

Curieuse,St Pierre &AnseLafarine fullday trip CreoleBBQ
A classic Praslin day out with a beach barbecue—often octopus salad, grilled fish, and tropical fruit.

Afternoon: More snorkel stops and sandy siestas. Bring a dry bag for your phone; reef shoes help on rocky entries.

Evening: Sunset on Côte d’Or. Casual dinner at Pirogue Restaurant & Bar (smoked sailfish salad, grilled bourgeois fish) or keep it simple with a takeaway curry from Village Takeaway—good value after a salty day.

Day 6 — La Digue by bicycle: Anse Source d’Argent and beyond

Morning: Hop the short ferry to La Digue (15 minutes), then rent bikes at the jetty. Pedal to L’Union Estate (day pass ~SCR 150) for coconut presses, vanilla plantations, and the granite wonderland of Anse Source d’Argent—one of the most photographed beaches on Earth.

Cat Rose: Praslin Island / La Digue Island Fast Ferry
Frequent shuttles link the two—island hop like a local.

Afternoon: Cycle to Grand Anse for dramatic surf and boulder-framed vistas; confident riders can continue to Petite and Anse Cocos if tides are right. Lunch picks: Lanbousir inside L’Union Estate (grilled fish, fresh fruit juice) or Chez Jules up north (ginger-lime grilled catch and creole curries). Cool off with a scoop from Glacier Chez Loulou near the jetty.

Evening: Return to Praslin by ferry. Splurge on Café des Arts if you missed it, or keep the flip-flop vibe alive back at Pirogue with a frozen passionfruit daiquiri.

Day 7 — Anse Lazio, then back to Mahé for your flight

Morning: Sunrise swim and snorkel at Anse Lazio: calm, crystalline water and a photogenic sweep of sand. Bring a mask; stay inside the protected swim areas and be mindful of swell forecasts.

Afternoon: Head to the jetty for your return to Mahé and onward to the airport (SEZ). Aim for a midday crossing if your flight is late afternoon.

Cat Cocos: Praslin Island to Mahe Island Fast Ferry
Pre-book seats and pack motion tablets if you’re prone to seasickness.

Once on Mahé, it’s ~20 minutes by taxi to SEZ. For flights, compare late-day options on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Evening: In the air or, if staying one more night, a farewell dinner at Delplace (reserve ahead for sunset tables) with cinnamon-spiced rum and island stories.

Optional/Alternative add-ons

• Swap in a comprehensive Mahé circuit if you want less driving yourself: Mahe Private full day tour

  

• On Praslin, if you’d like an extra island-hopping day with dramatic granite gardens: Full Day Sister, Coco, Felicite and La Digue

  

Food & drink cheat sheet

• Mahé (Victoria/Eden/Beau Vallon): La Dolce Vita (coffee/gelato), Chatterbox Café (breakfast, fresh bakes), The Boat House (Creole buffet), La Perle Noire (grill/seafood), Delplace (sea view and grilled jobfish), La Scala (classic Italian seafood), Bravo! and Boardwalk (Eden Island marina, cocktails and comfort food).
• Praslin (Côte d’Or/Anse Lazio): Les Lauriers (open-grill Creole buffet), Pirogue (Creole and seafood), Café des Arts (fine-dining seafood), Bonbon Plume (Anse Lazio, idyllic lunches), Village Takeaway (quick curries and grills).
• La Digue: Lanbousir (inside L’Union Estate), Chez Jules (north coast, beloved grilled fish and curries), Glacier Chez Loulou (ice cream).

With coral gardens, forest cathedrals, and some of the world’s most photogenic beaches, this 7-day Seychelles itinerary balances activity and ease. You’ll taste Creole flavors, meet ancient tortoises, and cross warm channels by ferry—packing in highlights while keeping the island rhythm.