A dream come true
For many people, visiting Seychelles is a lifelong dream.
After seeing photos of that impossibly clear water, white sand beaches, swaying palm trees and unique boulder formations online, it’s hard to get them out of your head.
The islands have long been known as a place full of luxury, out of reach for most of us.
And yes, it’s not the cheapest place to visit in the world. But it doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think, either. And it just might be the most beautiful.
In this huge Seychelles travel guide, we hope to show you how to visit the islands for yourself, no matter your budget.
We’ll share the best things to do in Seychelles, which islands to visit, how long to stay and so much more.
Search for the best hotels in Seychelles here (adlink).
Table of contents
- Why visit Seychelles
- Quick facts about Seychelles
- How long to stay in Seychelles?
- Seychelles itinerary suggestions
- Where to stay in Seychelles
- What to do on Mahé
- What to do on Praslin
- What to do on La Digue
- Where to eat in Seychelles
- How to get to Seychelles
- How to get around in Seychelles
- Seychelles on a budget
- When to visit Seychelles
- Tips for visiting Seychelles
- What to bring to Seychelles
Why visit Seychelles
After having dreamed of visiting Seychelles ourselves for many years, we can tell you with confidence that the tropical islands are exactly what you hope they’ll be.
We have been to a lot of beautiful beaches, but there’s no doubt that the beaches in Seychelles are some of the world’s most stunning.
The water really is that turquoise. The sand really is soft. And the photogenic granite boulders actually are everywhere.
There’s no shortage of things to do in Seychelles beyond lazing on the beach, and it’s teeming with life.
Under the surface of those inviting waves, you’ll find good snorkelling, with colourful fish and healthy reefs.
And between the palm trees on land, you’ll find dense green forest full of endemic plants and animals – including our personal favourite, the Aldabra giant tortoise.
Hiking here is also surprisingly good with plenty of marked trails leading you to exciting viewpoints and remote beaches.
Whatever mood you’re in, you’ll find plenty of inspiration for what to do in Seychelles, and the reason to visit is as clear as its warm waters.
It’s a holiday destination that manages both at once – real adventure and beaches that look like the photos.
Quick facts about Seychelles
- Seychelles is a country consisting of 115 small, remote islands in the Indian Ocean more than 1,000 kilometres east of mainland Africa.
- Seychelles is home to just over 100,000 people.
- Mahé is the biggest island. It’s the main island where around 90% of the population lives.
- Praslin is the next-biggest island.
- Silhouette is the third-biggest island, but the fourth-biggest, La Digue, has far more people.
- Around 99% of people in Seychelles live on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.
- Mahé, Praslin and La Digue are also the islands the majority of tourists visit in Seychelles.
- Seychelles is the richest African nation by GDP per capita. The standard of living is high.
- It is also a very safe country to visit.
- English, French and Seychellois Creole are all official languages.
How long to stay in Seychelles?
Wondering how long to spend in Seychelles? It really depends on your budget, your pace and how many islands you want to tick off.
We spent 15 full days in Seychelles, and we’re so glad we did.
It gave us enough time to spend time on the three main islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue and discover the best of what each island has to offer – including taking a boat trip to Curieuse Island and its free-roaming giant tortoises.
Two weeks should be enough to see the highlights, but it’s definitely also possible to get a lot out of both shorter and longer trips to Seychelles.
With one week in Seychelles, you’re going to have to make some compromises.
You can probably go to two islands, but you might feel a little rushed.
If you wish to see all of the best beaches on each of the three islands, we think about 10 days should be the minimum.
A 14-day itinerary feels a lot more relaxed and offers more chances for day trips (like to Curieuse Island) and downtime/pool time/bad weather days.
Seychelles itinerary suggestions
Building the perfect Seychelles itinerary really comes down to how many islands you fancy seeing and how fast you like to move.
Figuring out where to go in Seychelles is a lot easier once you know Mahé, Praslin and La Digue each have their own personality.
While you can easily choose one island, or even one resort, and spend your whole holiday there, we would argue that you’ll get the best of Seychelles if you visit Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.
No matter what, you’ll visit Mahé as this is where you’ll arrive on your international flight.
And when visiting La Digue, you’ll also kind of get a “free” visit to Praslin as this is where the ferry to La Digue leaves from.
So even if you only wish to visit La Digue, you’ll step foot on Mahé and also at least quickly stop at the ferry port on Praslin. That of course doesn’t mean you have to get off.
Travelling from Mahé to Praslin by ferry takes around an hour. Continuing to La Digue adds another 30-45 minutes, as the boat stops at Praslin on the way.
If you’re still deciding where to go in Seychelles, the itineraries below offer a few different ways to divide your time.
1 week in Seychelles – a mix of everything
Wondering what to do in Seychelles for a week? This itinerary gives you a taste of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, although you’ll need to keep moving.
- Mahé: 2 days (first and last day)
- Praslin: 2 days
- La Digue: 3 days
If you fly into Mahé in the morning, you can go straight to your hotel and either spend the day at the beach there, drive to one of Mahé’s best beaches or hike to a spectacular viewpoint.
Travel to Praslin the next day. Here you can spend two days exploring Anse Lazio Beach and Anse Georgette Beach, visit either Vallée de Mai or Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve as well as take a half-day boat trip to Curieuse Island to visit the giant tortoises.
With three days on La Digue, you can easily spend a day on the famous Anse Source d’Argent Beach, one on discovering the beaches of the southeast and one bicycling between the beaches of the north and northeast.
Everything you need to know about Praslin Island in Seychelles including what to do, when to visit, where to eat and where to stay
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1 week – ultimate Mahé
If you have one week in Seychelles and would rather avoid spending time travelling between islands, stay on Mahé for your entire trip.
Mahé has more than enough to fill a week, with lovely beaches all around the coast as well as hiking trails, viewpoints, Victoria and plenty of places to eat.
Or, if you’re looking to spend all of your time at a luxury hotel with a perfect view, Mahé will deliver.
We loved the beach at Beau Vallon, and renting a car makes it easy to explore the rest of the island at your own pace.
If you don’t feel the need to go island-hopping and want to combine relaxing beach days with sightseeing and a little more variety, this is the itinerary for you.
1 week – ultimate La Digue
If you arrive in Seychelles on Mahé early in the day, travel straight to La Digue and spend all of your time here before you have to go back to catch the return flight.
Why? La Digue is for sure the most relaxing island we visited.
If you don’t need to see “it all” and basically just want to soak up the relaxing tropical vibes and see some of the world’s most fantastic beaches, this is the itinerary for you.
Everything you need to know about La Digue Island in Seychelles including what to do, when to visit, where to eat and where to stay
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2 weeks in Seychelles – a relaxing mix
With two weeks in Seychelles, your itinerary has plenty of room to see the main islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue in a relaxing way.
- Mahé: 4 days
- Praslin: 4 days
- La Digue: 6 days
You can basically do everything we did – and perhaps even more if the weather is with you and you rent a car on both Mahé and Praslin.
Four days on Mahé is great as you can arrive comfortably after a long flight and also leave a day or two at the end for an unexpected change of plans or weather. See the capital, Victoria, a few beaches and go on a hike or two.
With four days on Praslin, you can easily see the top attractions of the island as well as visit Curieuse Island on a day trip.
Spending the rest of your time on La Digue means you’ll be able to find your favourite beach on the island (it’s a tough choice!) and go there several times as well as do a few hikes. You’ll also be able to go on a beautiful snorkelling trip from La Digue that most people miss as they don’t have enough time.
This 2-week itinerary for Seychelles covers all three main islands without ever feeling rushed.
Plan a Seychelles honeymoon across Mahé, Praslin and La Digue with all of our tips
Read moreWhy not spend more time on Mahé?
Even with two weeks, we think many travellers will get more of what they’re seeking in Seychelles by visiting Praslin and/or La Digue.
Mahé is a wonderful island, and we loved our time there.
But unless you stay right by the beach and spend most of your time there or at your resort (which is surely a great but not necessarily cheap idea!), your experience will be a little more hectic than if you spend your time on Praslin or La Digue instead.
Mahé is not hectic in absolute terms…
It’s just a little less relaxed than the super-relaxed island of Praslin and the super-duper-relaxed island of La Digue.
Everything you need to know about Mahé Island in Seychelles including what to do, when to visit, where to eat and where to stay
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What to do in Seychelles with more time?
If you have a lot of time in Seychelles, we can only imagine how cool it must be to visit some of the other, less-visited islands of the archipelago.
You could also discover every nook and cranny of Mahé and Praslin and experience every single beach and trail on the islands. It’s definitely doable if you have the stamina and will!
Where to stay in Seychelles
After you’ve figured out how long you want to stay in Seychelles and which islands you plan to visit, it’s time to book somewhere to stay.
Booking your guesthouse, hotel or resort well before your travel dates pays off in Seychelles.
There aren’t that many places to stay, so the best ones often book out months in advance.
It especially makes sense to book as early as possible if you travel in the high season and/or wish to visit La Digue (as there aren’t that many places to stay on the small island).
In our travel guides about where to stay on each island, we have written about every hotel in detail (including the ones we stayed at) and shared photos of each. Check them out:
Search for the best hotels in Seychelles here (adlink).
Mahé
As the biggest and most populous island in Seychelles, Mahé is also where you’ll find the widest choice of places to stay in the country.
Read all about where to stay on Mahé.
Best luxury hotels on Mahé:
- Eden Island Luxury Accommodation – Private apartments with private beaches.
- Four Seasons Resort – Direct access to Petite Anse Beach, one of Mahé’s finest.
- Constance Ephelia Resort – Huge resort with good value for money.
- Savoy Seychelles Resort – Big 5-star resort in Beau Vallon.
- Anantara Maia – Small luxury resort with unique villas.
Best mid-range and budget hotels on Mahé:
- Chez Batista Villas – The only hotel right on Anse Takamaka.
- La Nature Apartments Au Cap – Big apartments with private kitchens on Mahé’s eastern side.
- Tropical Garden Self Catering – Secluded but central apartments with your own kitchen.
- Villa Kayola – Self-catering apartments close to the airport.
- Anse Soleil Beachcomber – Value for money by one of Mahé’s best beaches.
Search for the best hotels on Mahé here.
Our personal recommendations for the best areas and places to stay
Read morePraslin
Some of the best luxury resorts in Seychelles are here, but it’s also possible to stay on a budget on Praslin.
Read all about where to stay on Praslin.
Best 5-star luxury resorts on Praslin:
- Constance Lemuria – Direct access to Anse Georgette and a huge golf course.
- Raffles Seychelles – Big villas for the price close to Anse Lazio and Curieuse Island.
- Le Chateau de Feuilles – Just 7 rooms, luxury boho vibes and a stunning location.
Best mid-range hotels on Praslin:
- Acajou Beach Resort – Lovely resort on Anse Volbert Beach.
- Coco de Mer Hotel – Secluded, very popular resort in a lovely spot.
- Black Parrot Suites – Coco de Mer’s luxury sibling.
- Le Chevalier Bay Guesthouse – Amazing location on Anse Lazio.
- Les Lauriers Eco Hotel – Eco-friendly luxury without being too expensive.
Best budget hotels on Praslin:
- Exotic Guest House – Spectacular views over the bay.
- Hotel Plein Soleil – Simple rooms and a pool, at budget prices.
- La Residence D’Almee Guesthouse – Comfortable apartment with a private kitchen.
Search for the best hotels on Praslin here.
Our personal recommendations for the best areas and places to stay
Read moreLa Digue
Staying on the waterfront on La Digue is ideal, but you can save some money by choosing a hotel or guesthouse in the backstreets.
Read all about where to stay on La Digue.
Best luxury hotels on La Digue:
- Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort and Spa – The most luxurious place to stay on La Digue.
- Patatran Village Hotel – A more affordable luxury stay, with panoramic ocean views and good value for the location.
Best mid-range hotels on La Digue:
- Le Repaire Boutique Hotel – A top choice for a romantic hotel on La Digue. Where we stayed.
- Le Nautique Waterfront Hotel La Digue – Rather similar to Le Repaire but with a pool overlooking the ocean.
Best budget hotels on La Digue:
- Hotel L’Ocean – Great budget option on La Digue’s northernmost tip.
- Villa Des Flots – Secluded location right next to the beach.
- Zanboza Guesthouse – Budget option just outside town.
Search for the best hotels on La Digue here.
Our recommendations for the best areas and places to stay (from budget guesthouses to luxury hotels)
Read moreBest ultra-luxury resorts on private islands in Seychelles
Don’t feel bad if this short section doesn’t feel that relevant to you… You’re not alone! But we can always dream, right?
- Six Senses Zil Pasyon – Located on the private Félicité Island close to La Digue. Extremely expensive.
- Enchanted Island Resort – On tiny Round Island, inside Mahé’s Sainte Anne Marine National Park.
- Chauve Souris Relais – Set on a tiny private island a few hundred metres off Anse Volbert on Praslin’s northeast coast.
Our recommendations for five-star beach resorts on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue + private-island pool villas.
Read moreWhat to do on Mahé
Our top tip for exploring Mahé is to rent a car and drive around finding beaches.
The west coast generally has the most stunning stretches of sand and the further south you go, the less crowded it gets.
Mahé is also great for hiking as there is a lot of untouched nature here. The mountains are incredible and so are the viewpoints.
The capital, Victoria, is also fun to see for a few hours.
The best beaches on Mahé
The best beaches on Mahé are generally on the western side, although there are lovely beaches all the way around the island.
We didn’t have too much luck with the weather while on Mahé, but our favourite beaches were probably Anse Intendance Beach and Petite Anse Beach.
Beau Vallon Beach is also a crowd-favourite and very family-friendly.
Although Mahé is the most populous island of Seychelles, many of its beaches aren’t too crowded. Especially not in the south.
The best hikes on Mahé
We loved hiking the Copolia Trail on Mahé. It’s a short climb, and the granite slab at the top looks out over Mahé’s east coast and the mountains behind it.
We also recommend the views from the Morne Blanc Viewpoint.
Another walk to consider is the trail to Anse Major Beach near Beau Vallon, a beach you can only reach on foot.
The capital of Victoria
Seychelles’ capital, Victoria, is super small and easily seen in half a day.
Being the cultural, political and financial heart of the country, Victoria is the best place to get a feel for Seychellois culture.
The Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke market is a great place to start.
It’s also amazing to see a Hindu temple, a Christian church, a Chinese pagoda and a mosque so close to each other.
In addition, consider visiting the Victoria Botanical Gardens where you can see the Coco de Mer palm trees.
The best day trips from Mahé
If you don’t have time to stay overnight on Praslin and/or La Digue, it’s possible to visit both islands on day trips from Mahé.
It’s going to be a long day either way, but a good one.
For a shorter day trip, consider going on a snorkelling tour by boat to the wonderfully biodiverse Sainte Anne Marine National Park.
More about Mahé and the best things to do
For specific things to do, check out our full guide to Mahé or jump directly to more info and photos about the best things to do here:
- Beau Vallon Beach
- Anse Royale Beach
- Police Bay
- Anse Intendance Beach
- Anse Takamaka Beach
- Petite Anse Beach
- Visit the capital, Victoria
- Shop at the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke market
- Hike the Copolia Trail
- Catch the views from the Morne Blanc Viewpoint
- Take a tour of the Takamaka Rum Distillery
- Check out Eden Island
- Go on a day trip to La Digue
- Bonus: Other things to do on Mahé
Everything you need to know about Mahé Island in Seychelles including what to do, when to visit, where to eat and where to stay
Read moreWhat to do on Praslin
Praslin is all about relaxation.
It feels like a kind of honeymoon island as it’s very romantic and you don’t see that many people around.
Renting a car here for a day or two makes sense to see the top beaches and do a few hikes.
The rest of the time we’d simply stay at the beach or by the pool and enjoy it.
The best beaches on Praslin
Two beaches compete for the title “Best beach on Praslin”: Anse Georgette and Anse Lazio.
Both are located in the north and both are gorgeous, with granite boulders at each end.
Anse Lazio is longer and more accessible to locals and tourists alike, while Anse Georgette is smaller and requires a bit of a walk to get to from the entrance to Constance Lemuria (adlink).
If we’re hard-pressed, we’d probably say that Anse Georgette is the most magical beach on Praslin – but it may have something to do with the fact that we saw dolphins playing in the water at sunset here while being all alone on the beach.
Tip: Access to Anse Georgette is through the Constance Lemuria grounds, and the resort has capped how many non-guests can be on the beach at once. The rules seem to have loosened recently, but it is still worth calling a day or two ahead to check. There is no restriction on Anse Lazio.
Anse Volbert Beach (Côte d’Or) isn’t as striking or unique as the top two contestants, but it’s a very long and very beautiful beach that’s great for walks, swimming and chilling in the sun.
The best hikes on Praslin
With so much nature, so few people and so little commercial development, Praslin is very good walking country.
The two best walks on Praslin are up to the Zimbabwe Viewpoint and up to the viewpoint inside Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve.
With a map and some experience, it’s possible to go on lots of other outdoor adventures here.
The most popular hikes on Praslin are surely the short, marked hikes inside the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve where you can get up close with the mysterious Coco de Mer and the other endemic palm trees in the primaeval forest.
The best day trips from Praslin
Taking a boat trip to Curieuse Island to meet the giant tortoises who live there was one of the best things we did on our trip to Seychelles.
Hundreds of giant tortoises roam freely on the island, and the majority congregate in an area close to the beach where it is easy to see them. Some of the tortoises walk determinedly towards the tourists in the hope of a fresh leaf or a gentle scratch on the neck.
The ride over there from Praslin’s northeastern shores is quite short, and most tours also include a BBQ lunch, beach time and snorkelling.
The perfect day, in other words!
It’s also possible to go on a day trip from Praslin to Coco Island where you’ll snorkel in crystal-clear waters as well as spend some time on the secluded beaches of Félicité Island.
More about Praslin and the best things to do
For specific things to do, check out our full guide to Praslin or jump directly to more info and photos about the best things to do here:
- Anse Lazio Beach
- Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve
- Boat trip to Curieuse Island
- Anse Georgette Beach
- Zimbabwe Viewpoint
- Anse Volbert Beach (Côte d’Or)
- Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve
- Day trip to La Digue Island
- Go on an island-hopping and snorkelling boat tour
- Enjoy a fresh coconut on the beach
- Catch a colourful sunset
Everything you need to know about Praslin Island in Seychelles including what to do, when to visit, where to eat and where to stay
Read moreWhat to do on La Digue
Despite its small size, La Digue has a lot of things to do.
You don’t have to see all of the beaches, but we can definitely recommend going to as many as possible, as no two of them look alike.
There are more granite boulders here than on Praslin, and they make for some striking images.
As you might have gathered by now, La Digue was our favourite island in Seychelles.
Walking or cycling around is the whole point of La Digue. There is nowhere you have to be.
The best beaches on La Digue
If you only see one beach on La Digue, make sure it’s Anse Source d’Argent. This is the beach you’ve probably seen in every photo of Seychelles.
There are beaches all the way around the island and we can also wholeheartedly recommend hiking the Anse Caiman Nature Trail and experiencing the southeastern beaches. Only swim in the natural pool at Anse Cocos. The open water there has a strong current.
The beaches of the north and northeast are more easily accessible either by walking or biking from La Passe, the island’s only town. Anse Sévère is the first beach you’ll get to, and it’s also the best one for swimming and relaxing.
All you need to know about the famous paradise beach on La Digue, including how to get there, what to expect, where to stay and our best tips
The best hikes on La Digue
For great views over La Digue, consider hiking to Belle Vue (“beautiful view”) and Nid d’Aigle (“eagle’s nest”) even higher up. They’re especially great at sunset.
It’s also possible to hike to the very pretty Anse Marron Beach in the south – but only with a guide.
The best day trips from La Digue
If you aren’t going to Praslin, you can also reach Curieuse Island (and its wild giant tortoise inhabitants) on a day trip from La Digue.
This way, you’ll also get to see the legendary Coco de Mer palm trees and their record-breaking seeds without visiting Vallée de Mai on Praslin. Praslin and Curieuse are the only two places in the world where they grow wild.
For more stunning beaches and colourful snorkelling, hop on a boat tour to La Digue’s neighbours Coco Island and Félicité Island.
More about La Digue and the best things to do
For specific things to do, check out our full guide to La Digue or jump directly to more info and photos about the best things to do here:
- Enjoy paradise at Anse Source d’Argent Beach
- Go on a tour with Crystal Water Kayaks
- Stroll through L’Union Estate
- Rent bicycles
- Beach-hop the northeastern beaches
- Beach-hop the southeastern beaches (Anse Caiman Nature Trail)
- Go on a boat trip to Curieuse Island
- Meet the giant tortoises on La Digue
- Visit the Veuve Nature Reserve
- Catch the sunset from the panoramic viewpoints
- Hike to Anse Marron with a guide
- Go on an island-hopping and snorkelling boat tour
- Check out Notre Dame de l’Assomption church
- Spot fruit bats in the air
- Enjoy a fresh coconut on the beach
Everything you need to know about La Digue Island in Seychelles including what to do, when to visit, where to eat and where to stay
Read moreWhere to eat in Seychelles
Contrary to what one might think about the food on remote islands, Seychellois cuisine is flavourful, fragrant and creative when it comes to the use of spices, herbs and vegetables.
We have written everything you need to know about the best restaurants, cafés and places to eat on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue in our guide to vegan food in Seychelles.
Even if you don’t follow a plant-based diet, we’re confident the guide can inspire you to find some amazing places to eat on the islands.
Everything you need to know about finding the most delicious vegan and vegetarian places in tropical paradise
How to get to Seychelles
Unless you own a yacht, the best way to get to Seychelles is to fly to Seychelles International Airport on Mahé.
You can usually fly directly to Seychelles from Paris (France), Frankfurt (Germany), Zurich (Switzerland), Istanbul (Turkey), Tel Aviv (Israel), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Dubai (UAE), Doha (Qatar), Johannesburg (South Africa), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Nairobi (Kenya) and Saint-Denis (Réunion).
Find the best flight deals on Momondo (adlink).
How to get around in Seychelles
How to travel between the islands
Once you’re in Seychelles, there are two ways to travel between the islands: by air or by boat.
Air Seychelles flies from Mahé to Praslin several times a day, and it’s also possible to visit some of the smaller islands by plane or helicopter.
Search for flights between Mahé and Praslin on Momondo (adlink).
Boats also run from Mahé to Praslin, La Digue and a few other islands several times a day.
What did we do?
On our trip to Seychelles, we flew to Praslin, took the boat to La Digue and then took the boat back to Mahé (after a very brief stop on Praslin).
While the boat is much more economical (and environmentally friendly), we wouldn’t blame anyone for splurging on the plane between Mahé and Praslin, as the boat ride between the two was rough, to say the least.
We were a bit unlucky with the weather, but the water between the two islands is notoriously choppy most of the year.
If you’re prone to feeling seasick, taking a motion sickness pill before the ride can be a really good idea. They’re sold cheaply over the counter in local pharmacies.
Transport on the islands
Transport on the islands is quite different between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.
Transport on Mahé and Praslin
On both Mahé and Praslin, we can easily recommend renting a car as four wheels make getting around so much easier and more flexible.
Buses do run on Mahé and Praslin, but they’re not really meant for tourists.
Although they’re very cheap and punctual, we wouldn’t personally want to rely on them as the routes and timetables can be limiting. It’s a good way to save money, though.
Transport on La Digue
La Digue is a completely different story.
The small island barely has any cars apart from a few hotel shuttles and service vehicles, so all tourists either walk or bicycle around.
We rented bicycles on La Digue and enjoyed getting around in this relaxed way.
Seychelles on a budget
Seychelles is pretty expensive.
While travelling here will probably never be as cheap as it can be in some countries, it is possible to travel on a lower budget and still do the things you came for.
We’ve gathered all our best tips for visiting Seychelles on a budget, including what costs to expect and practical ways to save money.
A practical guide to affordable accommodation, food, transport, activities and island-hopping in Seychelles.
Read more
When to visit Seychelles
Seychelles is a year-round destination, but there are seasonal changes in rainfall, wind and sea conditions worth knowing about.
Best time to visit Seychelles
April, May, October and November are generally the best months to visit, especially for calmer seas and good underwater visibility.
Visitor numbers are fairly evenly spread through the year. April, August, October and December are usually the busiest months, with June, September and November among the quietest.
Temperatures and sunshine
Temperatures stay warm and fairly steady, usually between around 24°C and 31°C. Days above 32°C do happen, especially around April.
Sunshine is common throughout the year, often between tropical showers. The hottest period is usually from February to April.
Rain, humidity and tropical cyclones
Rain falls throughout the year (it’s the tropics, after all), often in short, heavy showers. Longer wet spells can occur, particularly in December and January.
Average relative humidity is around 80%.
Mahé, Praslin, La Digue and the other main granitic islands are very rarely hit directly by tropical cyclones, as they lie outside the usual cyclone belt.
Storms passing nearby can still bring rough seas, strong winds and heavy rain, and the remote southern islands are more exposed.
Trade winds and sea conditions
Seychelles has two main seasonal wind patterns: the northwest monsoon and the southeast trade winds.
The southeast trade winds pick up in May and are usually strongest from June to September. They can make the sea rough along exposed south- and southeast-facing coasts, but beaches on the west and northwest coasts are often much more sheltered.
From December into March, the northwest monsoon brings lighter winds and wetter, more humid weather.
April, October and November are calmer transition months, but they are not completely windless.
For snorkelling and diving, visibility is usually best in April and May, and again in October and November. Good conditions can still be found during the windier months at sheltered beaches.
The wind was stronger than we had expected when we visited in July. Several locals told us the trade winds had arrived earlier than usual. Most of the time it wasn’t too bad, and the breeze was quite pleasant during the day. It wasn’t windy all the time either.
The ocean stays warm throughout the year, ranging from roughly 26°C during the coolest period to around 29-30°C in the warmest months.
Tips for visiting Seychelles
- There is free wifi in many hotels, but it’s usually not as fast as 4G.
- We can easily recommend buying a SIM card with data for internet access. We bought ours from Airtel. They have shops all over the country.
- Downloading or carrying an offline map is a good idea, especially for hiking.
- The standard electric plugs in Seychelles are type G (like in the UK). Many hotels have adapters, and some even have standard European plugs (type C) and/or USB chargers installed.
- Checking the tides is crucial for visiting many beaches and natural pools at their optimal times.
- The tap water is drinkable (on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, as far as we could tell) but doesn’t taste good. Consider bringing a water filter or buying water in 5-litre containers to save money and plastic. A few hotels offer free water refills.
- Bring euros or dollars to change into Seychellois rupees (SCR) once you’re in the country. There are many banks where you can exchange money, but they might be closed at weekends, so check the opening hours.
- Credit cards are widely accepted in shops, hotels and restaurants, but some smaller businesses prefer cash – like takeaway shops.
- Bring a torch or at least a phone with a torch. If you come back from a hike late or leave the beach after sunset, it can come in handy as there aren’t street lights everywhere.
Practical advice on entry requirements, island-hopping, costs, transport, beaches, safety and more
Read moreWhat to bring to Seychelles
- Travel insurance (adlink). Never travel without it!
- A good camera – here’s a guide to the gear we use.
- Sunscreen (adlink).
- Hiking shoes.
- Swimwear and a towel.
- Water and snacks.
What camera, drone and accessories we use to capture life on the road
Read more
Sustainable travel tips
A few ways to keep your impact down while you are there:
- Bring your own drinking water in a refillable bottle.
- Avoid single-use plastics, including straws.
- Dispose of waste properly. While putting your rubbish in the nearest bin is convenient, wrappers and other small items are easily taken by the wind and end up in the ocean.
- Check your sunscreen before going in the water. Many brands contain oxybenzone and other chemicals that damage coral.
- Take only photos, leave only footprints. Let everything stay in its natural place.
- Be considerate of other visitors.
- Respect wildlife.
Thanks for reading our Seychelles travel guide
Thank you for getting all the way to the end of our Seychelles travel guide with itinerary suggestions, the best things to do and all of our best tips.
We know it’s long!
Hopefully, you now have a better idea of what to do in Seychelles, how long to spend there, which islands to visit and how to plan a Seychelles itinerary that suits your travel style.
What do you think about Seychelles? Are you as mesmerised as we are?
If you’ve been to Mahé, Praslin, La Digue or any of the other islands, it would be awesome to hear your best tips in the comments.
If you haven’t been yet, please don’t hesitate to ask us anything. We’re glad to help.
Our favourite travel resources:
- Booking.com for hotels and apartments.
- Momondo for the best flight deals.
- AirHelp for flight delay compensation.
- GetYourGuide for great tours everywhere.
- Airalo for reliable eSIM.
- Discover Cars for transparent car hire.
- SafetyWing for travel insurance. We also like True Traveller. Compared here.
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A practical guide to affordable accommodation, food, transport, activities and island-hopping in Seychelles.
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Seychelles Travel Tips: 42 Things to Know Before You Go
Practical advice on entry requirements, island-hopping, costs, transport, beaches, safety and more
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The Best Luxury Hotels in Seychelles: Resorts, Villas & Private-Island Stays
Our recommendations for five-star beach resorts on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue + private-island pool villas.
