Welcome to our Island Hopping Seychelles Itinerary – with unforgettable 12 days in Seychelles.
Since you are on our website exploring our Seychelles itinerary, chances are you already know that Seychelles is a true paradise. And after being there, you are absolutely right! Seychelles offers the perfect tropical scenery for a dream holiday or honeymoon with its turquoise waters, white sand beaches, granite boulders, and lush rainforest vegetation.
The Seychelles are located in the western Indian Ocean, they consist of 115 islands, with the majority of them being coral islands. But the 42 granitic islands are the most visited. These islands are the only mid-oceanic granitic islands in the world, with Mahe and Praslin among them. For more information about the Seychelles, how to get to the Seychelles? When to visit? And much more, check out our Seychelles Travel Guide.
Note that all photography on this guide (and throughout our website) was shot by me (Alina) and if you wish to purchase any, it is available at my Etsy shop.
For more Itineraries and travel guides, visit our Destinations page.
Map Of Our Island Hopping Seychelles Itinerary – 12 Days In the Seychelles
- Day 1 – Mahe
- Day 2 – Mahe
- Day 3 – Mahe
- Day 4 – Mahe
- Day 5 – Praslin
- Day 6 – Praslin
- Day 7 – Praslin
- Day 8 – Praslin
- Day 9 – La Digue
- Day 10 – La Digue
- Day 11 – Round Island
- Day 12 – Round Island
This is our suggested Island hopping Seychelles itinerary for spending 12 days in Seychelles. You can see how we divided the days between the different islands.
Seychelles Travel Guide
But before we dive into our Seychelles Itinerary, it is important to review logistics information: How to get to the Seychelles? Do you need a visa or travel authorization to visit the Seychelles? When to visit the Seychelles? How to travel between the islands? Should you rent a car in the Seychelles? And why choose Seychelles over other tropical destinations? Seychelles vs Maldives vs Mauritius? Answers to all those questions you will find in our Seychelles Travel Guide.
Now let’s dig into our Seychelles itinerary!
Island Hopping Seychelles Itinerary: 4 days in Mahe
You will be landing in Mahe, where we will start our Island Hopping Seychelles Itinerary. We believe it is best to begin the trip by spending 4 days in Mahe. But you can land and make your way to another island and end your Seychelles trip in Mahe, but that means lengthening your voyage after a long flight.
As a general rule, we like to plan our vacation as you can save the best parts for later. Mahe is the capital, so it’s a bit busier than the other islands. Plus, the most beautiful beaches are on other islands, so it’s nice to have something to look forward to! 😊
Hotel in Mahe
We chose Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa and loved it! It is a 5-star hotel, located on the beautiful Beau Vallon Beach. It is a big hotel and it has a huge pool so it doesn’t feel crowded. We booked Savoy Standard Garden or Mountain View Room and it was spacious (51m2) and luxurious, with a huge bathtub and a separate shower. Our balcony overlooked a lush green jungle, which was beautiful. We celebrated our 10th anniversary, and they surprised us with a pleasant greeting.
Car rental in Mahe
We booked our car rental in Mahe through Kreol Cars and the service was great. The car itself was not the newest but being on an island there is not much variety of cars. They greeted us on time and even helped us to pay a parking fee (quite often in Victoria so mind where you park). As usual, we always add a 0€ excess waiver for peace of mind and recommend the same. Check out our guide to the Seychelles before deciding on renting a car.
Best restaurants in Mahe
Seyshima Restaurant at STORY Seychelles Hotel – We had a wonderful dinner! It is a Japanese restaurant with sushi and teppanyaki, beautifully located floating over a lagoon. We enjoyed Japanese Gyoza and Prawns Tempura along with a few sushi rolls.
Eden Restaurant at STORY Seychelles Hotel – We enjoyed an amazing romantic dinner in a lovely setting on the beach. We had Yellow Fin Tuna and Beef Tenderloin, both delicious! Both restaurants were booked through STORY via email about a month in advance.
La Perle Noire – This restaurant serves Italian and Creole cuisine and has stunning views of mangroves. We had a delicious dinner, Lobster Spaghetti and a Fillet of Red Snapper Meuniere. We booked by phone a few weeks in advance.
Anchor Cafe & Restaurant – We had a nice lunch along our road trip around Mahe Island. A nice surprise stop, we had tasty crispy fries and a nice coffee with a delicious apple cake.
Beaches in Mahe
The order of the beaches is by driving clockwise along the Coast Road on the island starting in our hotel in Beau Vallon.
Beau Vallon Beach – The most popular beach in Mahe! Although it is quite long, 1.7 km, is it still the busiest beach we’ve visited in the Seychelles. The beach itself is nice with relatively calm waters and it is a great place for water sports activities. Beau Vallon Beach is also a great place to take in the stunning Seychellois sunsets.
Anse Royale Beach – Stunning beach! The northern part of the Anse Royale beach is called Fairyland Beach. You can see a nice view of the Ile Souris.
Anse Parnel Beach – Beautiful beach! Quiet without lots of crowds, easily accessible beach right near the road. There is a restaurant with its own parking. The beach itself is amazing, with lots of coconuts, the iconic leaning palm trees, and even a swing and a hammock.
Anse Takamaka – It was filled with seaweed when we visited in September, but a nice beach beside that.
Petite Anse Beach – Our favorite beach in Mahe! So beautiful and tranquil. The fact is that in Seychelles there are no privet beaches, and every beach is open to the public. But this beach is set on the Four Seasons Resort. Because of this rule, you can access the beach, but you need to walk on foot (about 1 Km). You can park your car on Anse Soleil Road, turning right near the entrance. You sign at the guard at the entrance and walk down the road until you reach the beach. It took us about 20 minutes, but the road back is steep uphill (100m elevation) so you should take that into consideration. Note the descent to the beach in the picture below.
Bring your water and food because the restaurants are serving guests only. But you can ask for a favor from one of the waiters and actually, we managed to buy some coconuts. The fact that you are not allowed to be served and the fact that we needed to sit somewhere aside so nobody would see that we had coconuts just gave us an intruder vibe. Besides that, the beach is absolutely stunning with the clearest waters and not that many people.
Anse à la Mouche Beach – A nice beach with calm and shallow waters, without many crowds. We had lunch at Anchor Cafe & Restaurant, just in front of the beach.
Port Launay Beach – A great spot for snorkeling lovers as there are plenty of fish. But that is not the best beach for just swimming and admiring its beauty. The water is not clear at all and there is a lot of seaweed.
Things to do in Mahe
Mirante la Misere – The BEST viewpoint in Mahe, just go there. There is a small parking right at the viewpoint. We recommend visiting at sunset as well to get the best romantic scenery (the last picture below).
Take a boat trip to Sainte Anne Marine National Park – It is simply the most beautiful area in all the Seychelles, in our opinion, and is a total MUST! Sainte Anne Marine National Park is situated about 5 km from Mahe and it comprises 8 islands: Sainte Anne Island, Cerf Island, Moyenne Island, Round Island, Long Island, Cachée Island, Séche Island, and Harrison Rock. It was created in 1973 for the preservation of wildlife, so fishing has been prohibited since.
The park can be reached by taking a day/half-day boat trip or by staying in a hotel on one of the islands. The boat trips will take you to those picturesque beaches and it’s up to you how to enjoy the colorful reef, by scuba-diving, glass-bottom boat or just snorkeling among the fish and the coral reefs. Once we found this gem, we decided to spend 2 Days on Round Island (days 11 and 12 on this Seychelles Itinerary) to enjoy this paradise even more.
Victoria Clock Tower – The iconic Clock Tower is situated in the busy vibrant streets of the capital Victoria, dating back to 1903. It is a nice scaled-down version of the Big Ben.
Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple – In the center of Victoria stands a Hindu temple named after Lord Vinayagar, the remover of obstacles and the god of new beginnings. Constructed in 1992 and it is the only Hindu temple in the Seychelles.
Eden Island – An artificial island that was created in the 2000s. It was built on a damaged coral reef that could not be restored. The island is very close to the capital Victoria, 3.5 km from it and they are connected by a road that crosses over the ocean. The island is very prestigious with luxury resorts and residences, a marina, and some secluded beaches. Also, it is home to Eden Plaza, a small shopping complex with boutique shops and restaurants. You can admire the beauty of Mahe from Eden Island.
Takamaka Rum Distillery – Sadly we did not have the chance to visit, but we have tasted Takamaka Rum on the Island and totally loved the rum and even bought some to take home! So, if you have time, it’s worth a visit as they are offering rum tastings 😊 Every time we traveled since, we searched for Takamaka Rum in the Duty-Free shops, it is delicious! We especially like the Dark Spiced.
Hiking Trails in Mahe – There are several hiking trails in Mahe that we have planned but did not do (just need to save something for the next time 😊).
- Copolia Trail – The most popular trail in Mahe, it’s a moderate difficulty 1.9 km trail. This is an out-and-back trail until you reach Copolia Peak, which gives you a panoramic view of the North East coast of Mahe. It should take you about an hour to complete.
- Morne Blanc Trail – It is a moderate difficulty as well, a 2.1 km trail, also an out-and-back trail until you reach the Morne Blanc viewing platform from where you can admire views of the West coast of Mahe. That should take about 1-2 hours.
- Anse Major Trail – A longer trail, it is a 6 km trail that might take about 2 hours to complete. Also a moderate difficulty trail, an out-and-back trail until you reach Anse Major Beach. The trail itself is picturesque with great views along the way up to the beach. There is no other way to get to the beach so you might just get it all to yourself.
Exploring Mahe by car – The unique lash vegetation and the rock formations around the island are absolutely magnificent. Just take your rental car and drive around the island. Here are some photos from our trip around the island.
Island Hopping Seychelles Itinerary: 4 days in Praslin
We will be moving to the next island on our Island Hopping Seychelles Itinerary, the island of Praslin. Praslin (pronounced with a silent ‘S’) is located almost 40 km northeast of Mahe and we got there by an hour and 15 minutes long ferry ride. Full information on how to travel between the islands and much more, you will find in our Seychelles Travel Guide.
Hotel in Praslin
We chose Le Duc de Praslin Hotel and we had an amazing stay! It is a 5-star hotel, located on our favorite beach in Praslin, the beautiful Cote d’Or Beach. We took a New Ocean Room on the new complex with its own pool, located right next to the beach. The room was big and elegantly decorated and had a big balcony. Breakfast and dinner were included in our stay, it was a buffet style with lots of variety. The beach bar added a nice bonus, it was a lovely place to enjoy during the day and night with some tapas and cocktails.
Car rental in Praslin
We booked our car rental in Praslin with Bliss Car Hire and it was perfect! The service was great and we got a brand new car which was an upgrade. They greeted us on time, and everything went smoothly. As usual, we always add a 0€ excess waiver for peace of mind and recommend the same. Check out our guide to the Seychelles before deciding on renting a car in the Seychelles.
Beaches in Praslin
Cote d’Or Beach (also named Anse Volbert) – Amazing beach and our favorite in Praslin! It is the most popular beach in Praslin, but it is a quite long strand so never felt crowded. There are some picturesque leaning palm trees and what we loved the most was the calm and relatively shallow waters.
Anse Gouvernement Beach – Located south to Cote d’Or Beach. We totally loved this beach! It has many beautiful red boulders along the beach that are so iconic of the Seychelles. There is even a group of boulders that are in the water, and you can get to them simply by walking the shallow waters. From there you get the most unbelievable views of the whole bay of Anse Volbert and Curieuse Island. We saw several stingrays so be careful.
Anse Lazio Beach – A very popular beach! And it is obvious why, the water is the most beautiful shade of turquoise with soft white sand and lots of the Seychellois granite boulders on both sides of the beach. The beach is not big, just about 400 meters, so you might feel a bit crowded. Also, the sea here can get pretty wavy. It is nice for snorkeling as we saw lots of fish. There is a paid parking near the beach.
Anse Georgette Beach – This Tiny secluded beach but absolutely breathtaking! Mind that it is not easy to get there as it is located on the premises of Constance Lemuria Resort. Similarly to the Petite Anse Beach in Mahe and the Four Seasons Resort, you can get to the beach because of the law that every beach in the Seychelles is public. Notably, in the case of Anse Georgette, you need to request access to the beach from Constance Lemuria Resort about 3 weeks prior to your arrival.
While the request process was easy (just write to them on their website), the hard part was the hilly walk to the beach that took about 25 minutes each way. If you’re looking for relaxation and fun, the walk might not be your cup of tea. But once you get to the beach, it’s all worth it. The scenery is just stunning! Alternatively, if you are guests of the Constance Lemuria Resort, the situation couldn’t be simpler, you get a complimentary hourly buggy service to drop you off on the beach. In the windy months the waves can rise high, so be careful.
Anse Takamaka Beach and Smoon Island – Such picturesque scenery, the beach is gorgeous and quiet, and Smoon Island just adds more uniqueness to the beach. You can reach the island when the tide is low. You get nice views of Curieuse Island as well.
Things to do in Praslin
Getting to know the Coco de Mer – No visit to the Seychelles goes without getting to know the famous Coco de Mer, as it is THE symbol of the Seychelles. It is a unique palm tree with the most renowned feature – its enormous seeds. They are the largest and the heaviest seeds in the world with a resemblance to a woman’s behind 😊 This huge nut is the pride and joy of the Seychelles, and it is practically everywhere, even on their passport stamp!
There are 2 places in Praslin where you can see these endemic big palm trees: Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve and Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve. When we searched for information, debating between the 2 places, we found out the following differences. Vallée de Mai is much more popular and crowded as it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also, it is more expensive, and you will do a self-guided tour. Fond Ferdinand, on the other hand, has fewer crows, it is cheaper and you get a guided tour. Also, as a bonus you get to a scenic viewpoint at the end of the tour – Zimbabwe Point. These points made us choose Fond Ferdinand when we visited in 2022.
However, as of 2023, there have been a few changes. They have raised the prices, now Vallée de Mai costs 450 SCR (410 SCR online) and Fond Ferdinand costs 300 SCR (270 SCR online). There is now an option to buy a combined ticket for both Nature Reserves online for 600 SCR here. Furthermore, as we liked the option of a guided tour in Fond Ferdinand, now they offer self-guided tours as well if you prefer that.
We loved our guided tour with Julia in Fond Ferdinand, we learned all sorts of interesting facts about the Flora and Fauna in Seychelles. The tour took about 2:30 hours and mind that it is a strenuous hike uphill until you reach the beautiful Zimbabwe Point.
Glacis Noir Trail – This is the only trail that we have planned but did not have the chance to do (just preferred relaxing on the beach). It starts from the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve and goes towards Mont Azore Pillbox where you will be welcomed with a nice vista of the Island. This is a moderate difficulty out-and-back trail of 3 km, that will take you about an hour and a half. There is an entrance fee of 100 SCR.
Boat Trip from Praslin
Taking a boat tour to explore the islands around Praslin is a MUST to include in your Seychelles Itinerary! We thought a lot about the different boat trip options as there are so many of them, with different amounts of participants. Eventually, we decided to invest in a private tour. We chose Lala Boat Charter and had a total blast!
We did a full-day trip, having the option to personalize our tour and to choose which islands to visit. Eventually, we managed to combine all the islands below in a single-day trip. Captain Georges was the best host, he was kind and professional and gave us a lot of information about the Seychelles, its history, nature, marine life, and much more. Hotel pickup was very convenient, especially if you don’t rent a car.
As you can see in the map below, Curieuse Island and St Pierre Island are located close to Praslin and hence, they are the most visited from Praslin. Luckily, we had the chance to add Felicite and Coco Island as well to our boat trip itinerary, as they are beautiful and totally worth a visit.
Felicite Island
After a half an hour ride we started our boat trip with snorkeling at the beautiful Felicity Island, which is home to the luxury resort Six Senses Zil Pasyon. We had an amazing time there and saw lots of colorful fish. The island is so unique with the most gorgeous rock formations.
Coco Island
Next, we visited the nearby Coco Island, which is actually a group of small islets. The crystal clear waters give you the opportunity for good visibility of the colorful fish and the coral reefs. Keep an eye out for Sea Turtles here, as there are frequent sightings of them swimming around the shores of Coco Island. Unfortunately, we did not have the chance to see them here, but we saw one later 😊 When the tide is low you can sit on the beach of Coco Island.
Curieuse Island
Next, after a long ride we got to Curieuse Island, where had 2 stops. The first stop was on Anse Papaie in Laraie Bay, which has some nice rock formations. And more importantly, it is home to a Tortoise Sanctuary where you can see the Aldabra Giant Tortoises and it is the best place to meet those gentle giants in the Seychelles. These gentle giants are the symbol of the Seychelles. Their name came from the Aldabra Atoll which they originate from. It is the second-largest coral atoll in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Next, we headed up to our second stop on Curieuse Island, Anse St. Jose Beach. This was one of our favorite beaches in the Seychelles and we had it all to ourselves! The water was so calm and crystal clear with the beautiful turquoise color and the views of Praslin. Later we had a delicious lunch on the island (which was included in our boat tour).
St Pierre Island
As our trip came to an end, we got to the nearby picturesque St. Pierre Island and basically saved the best for last. The Island is tiny but exquisite! We had the best snorkeling experience there with so many kinds of fish and we got to meet the critically endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle. We swam together closely between the beautiful boulders for several minutes, an amazing experience we will never forget! The granite rock boulders are so unique in St. Pierre Island and they go deep into the water, so it is photogenic even underwater.
Island Hopping Seychelles Itinerary: 2 days in La Digue
We will be moving to the next island on our Island Hopping Seychelles Itinerary, the island of La Digue. From Praslin, it is a short 15-minute ferry ride. Full information on how to travel between the islands and much more, you will find in our Seychelles Travel Guide.
La Digue Island is incredibly beautiful, and its beaches are truly stunning. One of them is famed for being the most photographed beach in the world. But what makes La Digue even more special is the fact that bicycles are the main means of transportation there. It adds a unique charm to the island, as both locals and tourists use bicycles to get around. We loved that unique tranquil vibe of La Digue.
Hotel in La Digue
We chose Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort & Spa and we had an amazing stay! This 4-star beachfront hotel is set in the most beautiful location on Anse Severe with breathtaking views of Praslin. The rooms are nestled in a lush green jungle and the stunning infinity pool overlooks the pristine turquoise waters. We stayed in the lovely Garden Villa, which was huge and elegantly decorated. Breakfast and dinner were fantastic (both included) and on the day of our anniversary, we had an amazing dinner at Combava Restaurant.
Bike Rental in La Digue
We chose Aria’s Rentals because of their good Google reviews and we weren’t disappointed. Ivan was nice and easy to communicate, the bikes were in good condition as they were relatively new mountain bikes. We had a flat tire and he helped us and changed it quickly.
Beaches in La Digue
Anse Source d’Argent Beach – By far, the most popular beach in the Seychelles, and it is famed for being the most photographed beach on the planet. We definitely understand why, it is just magnificent! The shallow turquoise waters, the white sand, and the most beautiful and massive granite boulders we have seen. We loved it so much that we visited twice, one during the day and again at sunset. Watching the sunset at Anse Source d’Argent Beach was the most picturesque and romantic scenery we’ve ever experienced.
Check out our full guide to Anse Source d’Argent – with all the information you need before you visit and lots of pictures.
Here are some amazing sunset photos from our second visit at Anse Source d’Argent:
Anse Severe – Right at the doorstep of our hotel Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort & Spa. This is a beautiful beach with shallow calm waters, and it’s possible to swim at high tide (check tide times here). It is a nice place for snorkeling, especially at Pointe Cap Barbi which separates the main northern part of the beach from the southern part near the hotel. Also, look for the Aldabra Giant Tortoise, he was right on the road near the beach.
Anse Patates – We visited Anse Patates in the afternoon so we did not enjoy the signature turquoise water that this beach has to offer. Besides that, it is a nice beach for snorkeling as we saw lots of colorful fish there. However, it was a bit wavy.
Grand Anse Beach, Petite Anse Beach, and Anse Coco Beach – These beaches are located on the Southeast side of La Digue Island. You get there by riding your rental bike and parking it near Grand Anse Beach. The way to the 2 other beaches is by a hiking trail, getting to the farthest beach, Anse Coco Beach, might take around 45 minutes. Mind that the road there can get uphill in some parts, so prepare for a bit of a strenuous ride. The beaches are beautiful, but the large waves usually make swimming impossible. We passed on the opportunity to visit them, next time.
Things to do in La Digue
Take a guided tour to Anse Marron – We booked a guided tour to Anse Marron, as we wanted to explore this beautiful beach and see more of the unique nature that La Digue Island has to offer. Unfortunately, our guide forgot we booked that day, so obviously we cannot recommend him. The Trail begins at Grand Anse Beach, goes towards Anse Marron, and finishes at Anse Source d’Argent. One advantage is that if you are coming this way to Anse Source d’Argent you do not need to pay the entrance fee.
Do not attempt to do this hike by yourself because the trail is not marked, and you can easily get lost. And more importantly, there are dangerous passes through boulders that have taken casualties. So again, do this only with a guide. Another thing to consider before booking this tour is the fact that a part of the trail includes walking the water and if the tide is high you will need to swim.
Belle Vue Restaurant – There is a nice view from the restaurant and you can do a trail (Nidi d’Aigle) nearby, but the views are quite similar. Note that you will need to ride your rental bike uphill so it might get difficult. We gave it up as soon as the serious climb started as we preferred to relax at another beach instead.
Crystal Water Kayaks – Another way to experience the beauty of Anse Source d’Argent from a different angle. You can admire the reef and the marine life from the transparent bottom of your kayak and even visit the neighboring beaches. Unfortunately, we did not have enough time (Robinson Crusoe Tour is 3 hours), but we will definitely do that next time as it looks really fun.
Island Hopping Seychelles Itinerary: 2 days on Round Island
We will be moving to our last island on our Island Hopping Seychelles Itinerary, Round Island. Round Island is located in the heart of Sainte Anne Marine National Park near Mahe. As we stated earlier in our Seychelles Itinerary, Sainte Anne Marine National Park is a must-visit, and because it is so beautiful, we decided to spend even more time there by staying in Round Island at JA Enchanted Island Resort.
To get there, first, you will need to get back to Mahe. The Ferry from La Digue to Mahe will take about an hour and a half. Full information on how to travel between the islands and much more, you will find in our Seychelles Travel Guide. Second, you can arrange private transfers from the Ferry Terminal or the Airport easily through the hotel, which will bring you to their sister hotel – JA Enchanted Waterfront. From there you will get on a quick boat ride to Round Island. And then the magic begins.
JA Enchanted Island Resort on Round Island
JA Enchanted Island Resort is a true hidden gem. We can definitely say that this was our best stay in the Seychelles, and after staying in lots of 5-star hotels and resorts around the world, JA Enchanted Island Resort is one of the best we have ever stayed in. The location is a slice of heaven, the most beautiful beaches in the Seychelles, and you get it almost just to yourself. Each villa offers spectacular ocean views, luxurious facilities, a private infinity pool, and exclusive beach access to a secluded picturesque beach.
As we celebrated our 10th anniversary, the hotel surprised us with an upgrade to their best villa – Owner’s Signature Villa, which exceeded all of our expectations! The entire staff was exceptionally kind and helpful, and the food was amazing. Round Island is a small island but still, there are plenty of activities to do such as snorkeling, kayaking, or taking a boat trip to explore the other islands in Sainte Anne Marine National Park. The neighboring Moyenne Island is another place to meet the Aldabra Giant Tortoises and hike around the island (with a fee), and Long Island is even accessible by foot at low tide.
No words can describe what an amazing experience we have had at JA Enchanted Island Resort, we enjoyed the Seychelles in the most perfect way possible. Check out the perfect sunset in the video below, right in the comfort of our villa.
Round Island Beach
The beach that surrounds Round Island is the most beautiful and unique we have ever visited. We loved it so much that we rated it #1 of the Top 10 Seychelles Beaches.
Well, that’s it. This was our Island Hopping Seychelles Itinerary with an unforgettable 12 days in Paradise.
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