If you fancy waking up on a laid back island where everything is slower and simpler than the rest of the world, with lush green trees, a beach in your backyard with white sand and emerald water, romantic views for a breath-taking honeymoon and a tropical climate to give you the vibe of a perfect holiday destination, plan your Seychelles holidays.

Before visiting an island, as it involves travelling with a ferry, it is always advisable to book insurance. Get Safety Wings insurance for 10 days with as little as 13.2 USD! SUPER CHEAP!

This archipelago of 115 stunning islands in the Indian Ocean offers a serene, secluded and relaxing holiday. However, only three of these islands are inhabited by humans, Mahe Island, Praslin, and La Digue. It is home to some of the most photogenic beaches, the giant Aldabra tortoises found nowhere in the world and the rare palm of Coco de Mer. Mostly known for its beaches, this archipelago has some less known amazing hiking trials amidst green forests and other activities like rock climbing and zip-lining through the trees.

This little idyllic, tropical paradise isn’t cheap though and requires a lot of pre-planning to visit. It is quite natural to get the temptation of just packing your bag and dreaming of staying their indefinitely but that isn’t easy. Nonetheless, with the right planning and diligence, Seychelles can be ticked off on a backpacker’s budget.

Islands to explore during your Seychelles holidays

Seychelles has 115 islands in total but only 3 of them are populated: the capital city and the largest island, Mahe Island, the second largest island and home to the heaviest seed in the world, Praslin and the smallest of the three, La Digue Island, home to the most photographed beach in the world. Moreover, only these three islands are easily accessible.

Another island named as Cousin’s Island is also often visited by the visitors during their Seychelles holidays. However, this island is accessible only through specially organized tours and there is no accommodation or shops on the island and it is advisable to visit the island for the day and return at night. Also, there is a fee of SR500 (37 USD) to visit the island for the visitors up to 12 years old and up.

In case you are interested, check out this tour which offers two more islands with Cousin’s Island.

Therefore, the three frequently visited islands in Seychelles are the three inhabited islands of Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue.

Read detailed guides of individual islands: Mahe Island, Praslin and La Digue

Getting around the Seychelles Islands

Getting around the islands in Seychelles isn’t too difficult as even the largest island of Mahe is among the some of the smallest capital cities in the world.

There are local buses in Mahe Island and Praslin which run 5 AM- 9 PM. There are taxis also, however, the best way to move around especially being a tourist is to rent a car. The buses aren’t very well developed and most of the tourists are seen driving their rented cars around. It is advisable to book the car as early as possible because cars tend to get rented very early and it’s difficult to find one at the last moment. Also, the cost might get quite high.

Check out Rentalcars.com to rent a car in Seychelles!

La Digue can be explored with bicycles or trucks in case of groups. It is a small island and the most common way of exploring it is through bicycles. For large groups, few trucks carry people around. The island is believed to have only five taxis in total and few very motor cars. If you fancy visiting La Digue from Praslin and exploring the island on bicycles, get this tour which offers a day trip to La Digue from Praslin and gives you the independence of exploring on a bicycle (the coolest and most commonly used form of transport on the island).

For island hopping, either ferries or helicopter can be used. There are helicopter trips between Mahe and Praslin islands, however, these can be pretty expensive. The most common method of hopping between the islands is by ferries. These ferries are run by a company called Cat Cocos. Check out their complete timetable and prices.

 The ferries are well-maintained, reasonable in price but the Seychelles sea can get very rough at times. Therefore, in case you have sea-sickness, appropriate medication is advisable.

The ferries tend to get booked very quickly and therefore it is always better to book them well in advance.

I opted for a tour from Mahe Island which included visiting Praslin and La Digue. Instead of coming back to Mahe Island with the tour, I opted to stay in Praslin.

The tour started from Mahe Islands. then Praslin and then La Digue. While coming back from La Digue, there isn’t any direct ferry to Mahe and it makes a stop at Praslin. In case, you don’t want to come back to Mahe, as I did, you may prefer to stay in Praslin. Check out the tour I opted for, perhaps that’s the best way of visiting the islands. Alternatively, if you are staying in Praslin, take a full day tour for La Digue from Praslin.

Some of the must-do activities during your Seychelles holidays

This little piece of heaven, Seychelles, offers a lot of things to do. However, some things are not to be missed while exploring these captivating islands.

Explore the beaches of Seychelles

Needless to say, Seychelles is a perfect holiday destination for the beach- lovers. It homes some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and one can escape in the tranquillity of the ocean, right in the heart of the city. Giant boulders, crystal clear, turquoise water, Seychelles beaches are to die for. The islands in Seychelles are known for their slow-paced, laid back lifestyle, and therefore relaxing on one of the pristine beaches of Seychelles is a must-do thing.

Some of these beaches are much more touristy, easily accessible and safe for swimming than the rest. Do make sure you chose accordingly.

Anse Source D’Árgent in La Digue Island is the most photographed beach in the world and definitely for a reason. It has giant boulders, various rock formations, and water that depicts every shade of blue, this beach is indeed very photogenic. Read my La Digue guide to know about visiting Anse Source DÁrgent.

Go zip-lining through the forests

At the Constance Ephelia Resort on Mahe Island, a luxurious resort, you get the opportunity to zip-line through the beautiful forest on the island. At a cost of SCR 845/ USD 63/ Euro 55, you get to experience eight zip lines rushing at a height of 85-120m through the forest. Lush green trees can be seen all around as you fly through the forest.

Go hiking and witness the birds-eye view of the island

There are three perfect hiking trails in Mahe Island of varying difficulties: Mount Copolia. Anse Major and Morne Blanc. The islands are made of granite rocks and therefore have huge, green mountains. The entry points of these hikes are easily accessible and they reward the visitors with mesmerizing views of the island.

Read in detail about hiking, zip-lining and other adventure activities on Mahe Island

Go scuba diving, snorkelling, and kayaking in the emerald, crystal water of Seychelles

When on an island, water activities are a must. Seychelles houses splendid marine life and perfect conditions to go scuba diving and snorkelling. There are various diving institutes and shops to rent diving and snorkelling equipment on more touristy beaches of the islands. Beau Vallon beach of Mahe Island is known for water-activities, is very easily accessible and is extremely touristy.

Kayaking is also one of the must-do activities in Seychelles. The water is clear and some places, especially on the La Digue island, offer clear, transparent kayaks that present you with the beautiful views of the ocean.

Explore the largest seed in the world- Coco de Mer

Praslin island in Seychelles is home to the largest seed in the world, Coco de Mer. It is a palm seed which weighs 30-70 pounds. A nature reserve, Valle de Mer on the Praslin island is dedicated to the conservation of this extremely expensive, endangered seed.

Walkthrough the Valle de Mer and experience a tropical forest vibe with huge palm trees all around and learn about this amazing seed which makes a perfect souvenir. However, do not forget that you need a permit to take one of the seeds out of Seychelles as the islands are the only place in the world that grow this seed. Explore Valle de Mer and Anse Lazio beach on Praslin with this tour.

Wandering why this seed is so special? It’s because the tree takes about 40 years to reach adulthood and another 7-10 years for the nut to grow fully and fall. Then another 10 years are required to dry the seed and sell it. This timeline of almost 60 years is the reason, Coco de Mer is such a special and rare seed.

If you are looking to buy one, do make sure the seller provides you with a receipt that has a government seal on it.

Meet the giant tortoise of Aldabra

Mainly present in the islands of Praslin and La Digue, the giant tortoise of Aldabra, endemic to the Aldabra atoll are present only on the Seychelles islands. There are designated areas on the islands where these tortoises can be found. These areas are very easily accessible and all the tour companies take you there. One can feed the tortoises as well as click photos with them.

Best time to plan a Seychelles holidays

With a tropical climate all year round, there isn’t any bad time to travel to this “Paradise on the Earth”. The sun shines brightly all twelve months of the year and wet days are not too frequent. However, the best time to plan your Seychelles holidays is from April to August when the climate is cool as well as sunny for a perfect beach day. This is the peak time in Seychelles so do ensure you book your flights and accommodation well in advance as it gets pretty expensive during this time of the year.

January to March is the least visited time in Seychelles and so it is the cheapest. The weather is wet and hot during these months. This is the perfect time to visit if one fancies experiencing turtles nesting season.

The average temperature is 25°C to 28°C all year round. Moreover, it is humid and sunny.

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Language and Culture in Seychelles

At some point in the past, Britishers have colonised Seychelles and have left their impressions. Tamil merchants used to trade coconut from Seychelles and so the current generation has their Indian root. French settlers have also used Seychelles as a sanctuary for various spices and coconut plantations and thus their presence can be seen today. Once, all the islands in this archipelago were owned by the French. Various nationalities have beautifully diluted the culture of Seychelles.   

Mainly Christianity, Catholicism to be precise, is practised in Seychelles and this is mainly due to the French influence in the region in the past. Almost everyone in Seychelles speaks English. Other than the English, French and Seselwa are commonly spoken.

One way to explore tradition and culture in Seychelles is through their dance. On some unique festivals in Seychelles, a dance called Mautia is being performed, which dates back to the slavery days in Seychelles.

Time zone in Seychelles

The time zone in Seychelles is GMT+4.

Currency in Seychelles

The local currency of Seychelles is the Seychellois rupee, 1 SCR= 0.073 USD or 0.066 Euros. However, the most commonly used currency is the Euro. Almost all the business owners in the country accept Euros. Tourists are generally expected to pay up in a foreign currency. But in case one requires to withdraw cash from the ATMs in the country, they dispense local currency only.

The only international airport is present in Mahe Island connecting this beautiful country with the rest of the world. To travel between Mahe Island and Praslin, local flights are available.

Need some more inspiration to visit Seychelles Island, check out these 18 stunning photos!

SIM cards in Seychelles

Seychelles has two telecom operators; Airtel and Cable & Wireless Seychelles. The coverage is good on the three major islands but fades as one travels further. SIMs can be easily bought from the airport. There is a kiosk located in the arrival area which sells SIMs for both the operators. SIM cards can easily be bought in all major areas of Mahe Island. One requires an unlocked phone and a passport to buy a SIM card.

Entry & Exit in Seychelles

The only international airport in the country is present in Mahe Island which connects Seychelles with the rest of the world. It is a small airport with a small runaway just next to the ocean. Such setup presents a delightful sight and welcomes one to this little piece of heaven. A glimpse from the plane and you know your Seychelles holidays is going to be a beautiful one. As Seychelles is an archipelago of islands, a number of those can be seen while being in the air.

Seychelles is visa-free and hence no visa is required to enter the country. However, one must have some documents along which are usually checked at immigration. These includes:

• A valid passport for the duration of the stay
• Return flight tickets
• Confirmed accommodation
• Proof of funds

Visitor permits are granted upon arrival with a date mentioned as per the return flight date. so in case you need to extend your Seychelles holidays, you might need to inform the concerned authorities.

Anything else you need to know about planning your Seychelles holidays? Comment below and I shall get back to you.

Looking for more tours in Seychelles? Check these out!

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