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Seychelles Holidays

Irresistible island escapes and some of the best beaches in the world combine with extraordinary natural beauty on a holiday to the Seychelles.

If the Maldives fantasy is too marooned for you, let the Seychelles enter the chat.

How to holiday in the Seychelles

This is an Indian Ocean paradise much like its contemparies: snorkelling, reefs and a stay on the shores of a private island but it embraces a greater extent of variety. You get much more than postcard views and perfect meals and we can vouch that all the different sides of the Seychelles are worth your time, whether you stay on one, two or even three islands. Read our guide on the best time to visit. 

The rainforests, nature reserves, spontaneous discoveries, indie restaurants and mountains don’t all fit into one island. The good news is that only a score of the 115 islands are permanently inhabited and only a few are home to hotels. Choose your scene and make it a one and done island holiday with a day trip or two to different islands. Or see all the perimeters of paradise with a multi-centre holiday. Inter-island transfers are a breeze: efficient and you can get between islands by plane or boat.

Mahé, Praslin or La Digue?

Mahé is more than just a ticket to paradise. Everyone flies into the biggest island (still tiny), so staying there is super convenient. It’s got great contrasts. Mountains, mangroves, markets and the capital city. For wildlife, small city sights and a luxury hotel or two this is your scene.

It’s an hour by ferry or 20 minutes by plane from Mahé to whisper-quiet Praslin, the soul soother. Like all of the islands, it’s got advert-beautiful beaches and Star Wars-style granite boulders but also Vallee de Mai Nature Park where unique species - bronze geckos, black parrots and sunbirds - are the stuff of Darwin dreams. And the right ratio of restaurants at the edge of the ocean and roadside fruit shacks for ice pops and passion fruits.

Fed up of civilization? Get off road and offline in tiny, tiny La Digue. The ferry takes just under two hours from Mahé and only 15 minutes from Praslin. Or arrive by helicopter. The vibe is bicycles, (the island is almost car-free) boulders and beaches (pink sandy perfection at Anse Source d’Argent). The scent is vanilla, hibiscus and gardenia wafting over from La Union Estate Botanical Garden. Holiday here for afternoon siestas and refreshingly unpretentious hotels capturing the easygoing nature of the archipelago. Get acquainted with the island on our two wheel tour.

Experience-focused busy bees often favour day-by-day island hopping. But for slow travel fans who hate leaving anywhere too quickly, multi-centre island holidays are our superpower.

Is the Seychelles good for a honeymoon or romantic holiday for two?

Seal it with a kiss. Bring the engagement ring they don’t yet know about, travel together for the first time as newlyweds or head here for some well-deserved ‘us’ time. The Seychelles do all the work: genteel stuff to seduce you (the world’s most photographed beach is only a hair's breadth away) and jungle action to keep you entertained. Disappear for days with a mile long spa menu, keep it private with pool villas and room service or sail, surf and see the other islands. 

How about a Seychelles family holiday?
For multi-gen trips and family holidays, the Seychelles is a memory-maker. There’s a lot of stuff to see that’s really accessible for little feet and with no ‘big sites’ there’s no chance of tantrum-starting queues. Bliss. Bring gramps, bring your kids (there are fab multi-bedroom pool villas) and bring your walking boots (Morne Blanc for teens and the national park for juniors). And of course, there are the best beaches in the world. Like the rest of the Indian Ocean, some resortes have really upped their game in welcoming kids - Constance Ephelia in particular is worth a shout-out.

How to get to the Seychelles

Flying from the UK takes, on average, just under 14 hours and you’ll arrive at Seychelles International on Mahé. Break up your journey, maximise your time away and see more of everything wonderful in the world with stopovers in the Middle East or Africa. Once on Mahé, connections to further islands including Silhouette, Praslin, La Digue and Cerf, are by ferry or small plane.

Beauty and the beach

Get thee to the most photographed beach in the world. La Digue’s Anse Source d’Argent. Someone will have to peel you away. You can get there by ferry from Mahe but staying over is even better. And Mahé? Beautiful beaches all around, with sheltered bays, coral reef and a more developed feel on some.

Praslin? This one’s for the shallow waters, the mouse-quiet beaches, the sunset walks along frothy shores and more of those famous granite boulders (Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette). See more of the shore with boat trips and catamaran cruises to islands including Cocos, Cousine and Curieuse.

In search of the really wild show

Lower your blood pressure and your sun visor, the natural world in the Seychelles is a biggie and it’ll do wonders for your wellness. Hike it, bike it, stroll it or boat it. See it all or choose a chunk of it. We’ve created day trips so it’s possible to breathe it all in, or breathe just a little bit in. Feed Yoda-esque giant tortoises, meet tiny and colossal crabs, smell the prized orchids and hold the coco de mers and search for rare black parrots and sunbirds. Years of isolation have produced unique species in the Seychelles nature reserves and mangrove forests.

Ocean inspiration

Marine centres on each island carry all the kit you need to cut through the blue. Snorkel from the beaches (in La Digue there are waters that are no more than waist-high) and also in the marine parks. Keep your eyes peeled for lemon sharks, mantas and turtles. Tiny electric blue fish and sand-coloured stingrays. Newbie divers can get their PADI and old hands will find shipwrecks and drift dives. Dolphins are year-round fans of the Seychelles and whale sharks, slightly more secretive, arrive between September and November. If nitrogen, fins or flippers aren’t your thing you can meet and greet the marine world from a private charter glass bottom boat. Great for the littlest of sailors too.

What are Seychelles hotels like?

Sleep in the former home of an Italian photographer or in the gated resorts that come with golf buggies and gin bars. Stay in a private pool villa in a beachy-jungle retreat on the shores of Silhouette Island or keep all the family feeling fine at Mahé’s Constance Ephelia. It’s rare to find an all inclusive resort in the Seychelles but we have a great one up our sleeves that just happens to sit on one of Mahé’s best beaches.

Perfect for parking your purse in your room when it’s time to eat.

The world is wide, so let’s do a multi centre

If you want a holiday with the Indian Ocean written all over it (honeymooners who don’t want it to end, we hear you) we can pair the Seychelles with Mauritius. If you’re looking for wine, lions and penguins (what a combination) as well as snorkels, beaches and boats, there’s nothing not to love about a South Africa and Seychelles twin-centre. And if sleeping in the Arabian desert and sleeping on the shores of the Indian Ocean is the kind of stuff that will leave you speechless, we’re going to make it happen.

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Seychelles - Perfect for

  • Best-in-the-world beaches

    There are magazine cover-worthy beaches and coves at almost every turn.

  • Island hopping

    Two-stop (or more) Seychelles holidays showcase different island vibes.

  • Back to nature

    The islands are packed with national parks, marine parks and nature reserves

  • Creole cuisine

    Try traditional Seychellios dishes inspired by multiple cultures.

Seychelles Hotels

Our recommendations for the best places to stay in Seychelles

Constance Ephelia Seychelles

A sprawling retreat overlooking a national marine park and ideally suited to families.

Le Repaire Boutique Hotel

This small and welcoming beachfront hotel makes a charmingly unpretentious base for exploring pic...

Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa

This all-villa island paradise has a privileged position within a national marine park.

Constance Lemuria Seychelles

This world-class hotel is the perfect mix of nature, style, service and facilities.

Cerf Island Resort

Castaway vibes reign at this escape-it-all retreat, scattered across a tiny jungly island in the...

Coco De Mer Hotel & Black Parrot Suites

A serene boutique hotel set upon a granite outcrop surrounded by lush foliage overlooking the oce...

Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa

This scenic cluster of Seychellois villas perched on stilts offers the best views of Beau Vallon...

Le Domaine de l'Orangeraie

This intimate, elegant retreat blends rustic-chic with contemporary style and is perfect for coup...

Carana Beach Hotel

This stylish, serene and welcoming beachside refuge provides an authentic taste of the Seychelles...

Mango House Seychelles

With its focus on laidback luxury, and its flexible accommodation and dining options, this intima...

STORY Seychelles

This beautiful boutique retreat is just steps from one of Mahé’s best beaches and has a great-val...

Raffles Seychelles

An all-villa retreat covering 40 acres in an unrivalled setting on the Seychelles island of Prasl...

Holidays in Seychelles

  • Seychelles
  • 5 Star

A sprawling retreat overlooking a national marine park and ideally suited to families.

From £2,808 p/p
  • Seychelles
  • 3 Star

This small and welcoming beachfront hotel makes a charmingly unpretentious base for exploring picturesque La Digue.

From £2,295 p/p
  • Seychelles
  • 5 Star

This all-villa island paradise has a privileged position within a national marine park.

From £2,400 p/p
  • Seychelles
  • 5 Star

This world-class hotel is the perfect mix of nature, style, service and facilities.

From £4,600 p/p
  • Seychelles
  • 4 Star

Castaway vibes reign at this escape-it-all retreat, scattered across a tiny jungly island in the Indian Ocean.

From £2,891 p/p
  • Seychelles
  • 4 Star

A serene boutique hotel set upon a granite outcrop surrounded by lush foliage overlooking the ocean.

From £2,104 p/p
  • Seychelles
  • 5 Star

This scenic cluster of Seychellois villas perched on stilts offers the best views of Beau Vallon bay.

From £2,536 p/p
  • Seychelles
  • 4 Star

This intimate, elegant retreat blends rustic-chic with contemporary style and is perfect for couples.

From £3,061 p/p
  • Seychelles
  • 4.5 Star

This stylish, serene and welcoming beachside refuge provides an authentic taste of the Seychelles without breaking the bank.

From £3,496 p/p
  • Seychelles
  • 5 Star

With its focus on laidback luxury, and its flexible accommodation and dining options, this intimate beachside property is an enviable grown-up hideaway.

From £3,417 p/p

Artistic Seychelles

Visit the private art studio and gallery of renowned artist George Camille. On this full-day experience, George Camille opens up his colourful world and reveals the story behind his artistic style and vision. We begin at George’s private art studio on the outskirts of town, where he will share his journey as an artist with you and you’ll have the chance to create your very own art, which George will personally sign. Next, we’ll visit George’s Kaz Zanana Gallery & Café, a charmingly restored Creole house in Victoria. You’ll soon understand the gallery’s name – there are lots of zanana (‘pineapple’) references throughout. The rest of the day is yours to decide. You could walk around Victoria, visit the Botanical Gardens, drive to Mission Lodge in the misty mountains of Sans Soucis or visit a rum distillery.

• Duration: full day
• Departs Monday to Saturday from Mahé hotels
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
This experience is not recommended for very young children.

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Sunset Champagne on the Rocks

Experience romance Creole style, sipping Champagne on a rocky outcrop as the sun sets over the ocean. Late afternoon, you’ll be whisked off to the exclusive Cap Lazare nature reserve for a club car tour of the stunning natural environment. Explore nature trails, see endemic plants and make friends with the giant tortoises that roam freely around the reserve. As dusk approaches, we’ll take you up a secret path to a beautiful rocky outcrop overlooking the Indian Ocean. Sink into a sun lounger as you’re served a range of canapés, fresh coconut and Champagne, and watch a beautiful sunset over the ocean.

• Departs Monday to Thursday from Mahé hotels
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
This experience is not recommended for children or guests with walking difficulties. Flat shoes are advised.

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Private Charter on Zephir

Marvel at the kaleidoscopic underwater world on board Zephir, a sleek glass-bottom boat. The clear hull acts as a window in to one of the world’s most diverse marine parks. You may spot sea cucumbers, shy sea turtles and even baby rays alongside scattering schools of fish. You and your group will have private use of the boat so you (and the captain) can decide if you stop to snorkel or even disembark the boat on the pint-sized Moyenne Island.

• Duration: half day or full day
• Daily departures
• Operates year round from hotels in Mahe
• Private experience

Good to know
This experience is not recommended for those with walking difficulties or those who are pregnant. Guests 2 years or under are not allowed on the boat. Due to cleanliness reasons, you may be required to bring your own snorkelling equipment; please enquire at the time of booking.

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Cycle La Digue

Travelling on two wheels is a great way to see La Digue. You’ll be able to explore the island at your own pace and experience a quieter, more authentic way of life and stop in at some of the main attractions as you explore. Highlights include the L’Union Estate, the resting place of early island settlers and the Instagram-famous Source D’Argent which is renowned for its blue seas, white sands and granite boulders.

• Duration: full day
• Daily departures from Praslin / Departs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Mahe
• Operates year round from hotels in Mahe or Praslin
• Private experience

Good to know
Not suitable for guests with mobility issues. The return ferry trip between Mahe or Praslin, a map of the island and entrance fees to L’Union Estate are included.

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Private Anse Major Nature Trail

Some of the Seychelles best beaches aren’t accessible by road so you have to lace up your walking boots and hit the trails with a guide. Anse Major is a small put perfectly formed cove that’s washed by the turquoise Indian Ocean and backed by dense forests. After the hike down to the beach, enjoy some time taking in the views of Silhouette and North Islands, relaxing on the sand or heading in the water for a swim.

• Duration: half day
• Daily departures
• Operates year round from hotels in Mahe
• Private experience

Good to know
This walk is not suitable for children or guests with any mobility issues as you must walk across varying terrain.

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Vallee de Mai & Anse Lazio

A duo of natural wonders awaits on this full day tour of Praslin. First up is the UNESCO-listed Vallee de Mai, a stunning valley cloaked in a dense natural palm forest that has hardly changed for hundreds of thousands of years. The second half of the day will be spent at Anse Lazio, a jaw-dropping stretch of sand on the island’s north coast.

• Duration: full day
• Departs on Monday (and Thursday for guests staying in Praslin and La Digue)
• Operates year round from hotels in Mahe, La Digue or Praslin
• Group experience

Good to know
Not suitable for guests with mobility issues. Guests two years or younger are not allowed on this experience. The return ferry trip between Mahe or La Digue, a map of the island and entrance fees to Valle de Mai Nature Reserve are included.

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Explore the Islands of the Seychelles

Embark on an unforgettable adventure as you explore the best of the Seychelles' most famous islands. Begin your journey with a one-hour guided tour of Cousin Island, a sanctuary home to diverse fauna like doves and giant tortoises. This conservation success story has been crucial in saving important endemic wildlife from extinction. Your next stop is Curieuse Island, located off the northern coast of Praslin Island. This is the only place other than Vallee de Mai where the legendary Coco de Mer grows in the wild. Here, you can indulge in exceptional swimming conditions in crystal-clear waters and soak up the sun on white sandy beaches. A scrumptious BBQ lunch awaits, followed by a one-hour walk through a fascinating nature reserve. You can explore the ruins of the ancient leper colony and the Doctor's House, which now serves as an insightful museum. The island trail takes you through a mangrove forest teeming with wildlife towards the shimmering lagoon of Baie Laraie, where small sharks and turtles abound. You can also find giant land tortoises thriving in a successful conservation project here. Your journey takes you to St. Pierre next — the third island jewel. Here, you can experience the snorkelling adventure of a lifetime amid crystalline waters, home to many fish and colourful coral formations.

• Duration: full day
• Departs Tuesday and Friday from Praslin
• Operates year-round
• Group experience

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Scenic cruise to Curieuse and St. Pierre Islands

Join a nautical adventure aboard the Oplezir catamaran. The voyage first stops at St. Pierre Island, a popular spot for swimmers and snorkelers. Next, you will visit Curieuse Island Reserve, where you can admire the size and majesty of giant land tortoises. Take a one-hour tour of the island, walking through beautiful mountains and enchanting mangrove swamps until you reach Anse Jose. Enjoy a delicious barbeque, served onboard the catamaran, before sailing to Anse Georgette beach for a refreshing swim. The day concludes with a scenic cruise along the northeast coast of Praslin Island.

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Scenic cruise to Coco, Sisters and Félicité Islands

Sail through the azure waters of the Seychelles on the magnificent Oplezir catamaran. Your journey begins as you sail towards the privately owned Sisters Island, a granite paradise surrounded by tropical forests and pristine beaches. With crystal clear waters, the lagoon offers excellent visibility, allowing guests to spot sea turtles and other fascinating marine creatures beneath the surface. Stroll along the beaches and admire the vibrant tropical forests before joining your fellow guests for a barbeque on board.

Experience the beauty of Seychelles’ seas by snorkelling off the shores of Coco or Félicité islands after lunch. Coco Island is a serene tropical paradise with picturesque granite boulders, palm trees, and a beautiful sandy beach. Félicité island is larger and covered in dense vegetation, showcasing the natural ruggedness of the Seychelles. Both islands offer vibrant waters teeming with diverse flora and fauna, creating an enchanting underwater world.

• Duration: full day

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Get to know the Seychelles and those important practicalities when planning your perfect holiday.

Capital
TIME DIFFERENCE

GMT +4 hours

CURRENCY

Seychellois Rupee

FLYING TIME TO DESTINATION

13½ hours (indirect flight; not including stopover times)

RELIGION

Christianity (Roman Catholicism)

LANGUAGE

Seychellois Creole, English & French

Where is the Seychelles?
Northeast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles is home to 115 islands, many of which remain uninhabited. Its capital, Victoria, can be found on Mahé, the largest and most populous island in the archipelago. Its neighbours include La Réunion and Mauritius to the south and the island territories of Comoros and Mayotte to the east.

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Mahé
The Seychelles’ largest island, Mahé is also its busiest, with 90% of the country’s population residing here. The international airport is located here, making it a great place to start and finish your adventure. Beyond the picturesque beaches, there is plenty to do. In the spectacular mountains of Morne Seychelles National Park, towering peaks taper down to small hidden bays. While the town of Victoria has its own unique colonial charm, there are also plenty of pretty little villages to explore and colourful local markets to wander around.

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Praslin
Praslin offers a more laid-back, rustic atmosphere. The Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve is an emerald-tinged slice of Eden and is one of only two places on earth that you can see the towering, rare coco de mer palm in its natural environment. If you’re lucky, you may spot the elusive black parrot. The island is also home to some of the region’s most beautiful beaches, including Anse Lazio. Just across the water to the north of the island is the Maritime National Park of Curieuse Island where the red colour of the soil contrasts strikingly against the lush green leaves of the coco de mer, and giant Aldabra tortoises wander unhindered.

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La Digue
The pace of life is set to a definite relaxed amble on the small island paradise of La Digue. Bicycles are the main mode of transport and traditional ox carts used to move both people and produce. Old colonial buildings give an insight into the island’s past, while secluded beaches have been beautifully preserved. Large, smooth ancient granite boulders rest on the water’s edge, partitioning secluded bays and it’s easy to feel off the beaten track as you hike back towards your resort in the island’s centre. Make sure you visit Anse Source d'Argent – one of the world's most photographed white-sand beaches hidden in the grounds of L'Union Estate plantation (entrance fees apply).

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Silhouette
As you peer out across crystal seas from Mahé’s famed Beau Vallon Beach, the mountainous profile of Silhouette with its towering mist-forest-covered peak of Mount Dauban is just visible on the horizon. Protected by the Nature Protection Trust of Seychelles, this remarkable island remains relatively untouched, with just the small village of La Passe and the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa the only signs of human habitation on the entire island. Its natural interior has an ancient, primitive beauty. The pristine white beaches are encircled by a protected coral reef, and majestic giant Aldabra tortoises roam freely.

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Cerf Island
Two miles east of Mahé, tiny Cerf Island offers you giant tortoises, rustic jungle living and colourful coral reefs brimming with exotic sea life. A tiny speck of emerald jungle in Sainte Anne Marine National Park, this is pure snorkelling territory – dip beneath the crystal-clear waters to swim with sea turtles, clownfish, starfish and octopus.

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Island Hopping
Made up of 115 glittering islands, each with its own charm, it’s not easy to decide where you’re going to spend your time. Mahé is the best connected of the islands, with daily flights to many of its neighbours. If you want a journey with a view, opt for a seaplane flight from Mahé to Praslin for fantastic panoramas of the islands below. The regular departures of the inter-island ferries mean that you won’t waste any time waiting around. Many of them take just one or two hours and provide a great sightseeing experience at the same time. If you’re heading from Praslin to La Digue, the boat transfer takes just 15 minutes.

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