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Explore Praslin Island – Travel Guide to Praslin Seychelles

2 Comments / Seychelles / Alina Kaplanov

Welcome to our Travel Guide to Praslin Island Seychelles.

Praslin Island (pronounced with a silent ‘S’) is the second-largest island in the Seychelles archipelago which consists of 115 islands. Known for its stunning beaches, lush forests, and vibrant coral reefs, Praslin offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Our travel guide to Praslin Island will help organize your trip and make the most of your time in this tropical paradise.

For more information about the Seychelles, how to get to the Seychelles? When to visit? And much more, check out our Seychelles Travel Guide. And, if you are planning to visit more islands in the Seychelles, check out our Island Hopping Seychelles Itinerary.

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.

Where is Praslin Island Located? Map of Praslin Island Seychelles

Praslin is located almost 40 km northeast of Mahe and the best way to get there, in our opinion, is by an hour and 15 minutes long ferry ride from Mahe. Alternatively, you can get there by a short flight as Praslin has an airport, Praslin Island Airport (PRI), with regular flights from Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on Mahe Island. For full information on how to travel between the islands and much more, check out our Seychelles Travel Guide.

How to get around Praslin Island?

The easiest way to get around Praslin Island is by car. 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 as it has some drawbacks to it.

Where to stay on Praslin Island?

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.

What to do in Praslin?

Relax on a beautiful beach in Praslin Seychelles

Praslin Island offers amazing beaches, we will review our favorite beaches in Praslin Seychelles:

Cote d’Or Beach

Cote d’Or Beach, also named Anse Volbert, is an amazing beach and one of our favorites 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

Anse Gouvernement Beach is a lovely beach, located south of Cote d’Or Beach. We totally loved this beach and we rated it #4 on our Top 10 Seychelles Beaches! 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

Anse Lazio Beach is 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

Anse Georgette Beach is a tiny secluded beach on Praslin Island, but it is absolutely breathtaking! Mind that it is not easy to get there as it is located on the premises of Constance Lemuria Resort. You can get to the beach because of the law that every beach in the Seychelles is public. However, you will 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

Anse Takamaka Beach on Praslin Island makes such a 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.

Get 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 the Seychelles. The tour took about 2:30 hours and mind that it is a strenuous hike uphill until you reach the beautiful Zimbabwe Point.

Hike the Glacis Noir Trail

Glacis Noir Trail 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.

Giant Tortoise Encounter on Curieuse Island (Day Trip by Boat from Praslin Island)

Taking a boat tour to explore the islands around Praslin is a MUST to include in your Praslin Island 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 following 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.

Curieuse Island is closely located to Praslin Island and it is worth a visit. We made 2 stops on Curieuse Island. 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.

We had another 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.

Snorkeling at St. Pierre Island (Day Trip by Boat from Praslin Island)

St. Pierre Island is a picturesque tiny island located close to Praslin Island and it is usually included on most of the day boat trips from Praslin. On St. Pierre Island we had the best snorkeling experience 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.

Snorkeling at Felicite Island (Day Trip by Boat from Praslin Island)

Felicity Island is located a bit farther from Praslin, as it is located near La Digue Island. Nevertheless, we wanted to include it in our private boat trip from Praslin. The ride took about half an hour and we arrived 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.

Snorkeling at Coco Island (Day Trip by Boat from Praslin Island)

Our boat trip also included 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. When the tide is low you can sit on the beach of Coco Island.

Well, that’s it. This was our Travel Guide to Praslin Island Seychelles.

More Seychelles related Blog posts to explore:

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Anse Source d’Argent – The Best Beach on La Digue Seychelles

2 Comments / Seychelles / Alina Kaplanov

Welcome to our guide to our guide to Anse Source d’Argent – The Best Beach on La Digue Seychelles.

Anse Source d’Argent is a stunning beach located on La Digue island, which is the third-largest inhabited island in the Seychelles archipelago. Known for its breathtaking beauty, Anse Source d’Argent is considered the most photographed beach in the world. We definitely understand why, it is just magnificent! The shallow crystal-clear turquoise waters, the powdery white sand, and massive granite boulders, sculpted by time and weather, dot the shoreline and provide a unique and picturesque landscape. Anse Source d’Argent beach is also surrounded by lush greenery and tropical vegetation, adding to its natural charm. It is featured in our guide to the Top 10 Seychelles Beaches.

Understandably, it is the most popular beach in the Seychelles. We loved it so much that we visited twice, one during the day and again at sunset. The interplay of sunlight on the rocks and the sea creates a mesmerizing array of colors, making it a haven for photographers and nature enthusiasts. Watching the sunset at Anse Source d’Argent Beach was the most picturesque and romantic scenery we’ve ever experienced.

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.

Where is Anse Source d'Argent Beach?

Anse Source d’Argent is situated on the southwestern coast of La Digue, Seychelles. For more information about the Seychelles, where are the Seychelles located? how to get to the Seychelles? When to visit? And much more, check out our Seychelles Travel Guide.

How to Get to Anse Source d'Argent Beach?

La Digue Island is accessible by ferry from Praslin, the second-largest island in the Seychelles, it is a 15-minute ride. Another ferry will take about an hour and 15 minutes to get between Mahe and Praslin Island. For more information about how to travel between the islands, check out our Seychelles Travel Guide.

From La Digue Ferry Harbor you will need to make your way to L’Union Estate – this is the entrance to Anse Source d’Argent Beach. How to do that? 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. Continue reading for our recommended bike rental in La Digue.

Information and Tips Before Visiting Anse Source d'Argent Beach on La Digue

In this guide to Anse Source d’Argent, we wanted to share some important information and some tips with you before you visit Anse Source d’Argent Beach:

The access to Anse Source d’Argent is via the L’Union Estate, which charges 150 SCR per person for a full day of access. You may use that full day of access and visit twice as we did, as the sunset there is not to be missed. You pay at the entrance and then you continue riding your bike until you reach a huge bike parking area, this is where you leave your bike and continue on foot.

Anse Source d’Argent Beach is about 800 meters long and it’s beautiful in all directions. And yes, it is very popular and quite crowded, however, as you go further south, you might find it less crowded. See the difference in our videos below, you will see the northern part vs. the southern part.

Since the water is rather shallow on this beach, the tide differences may affect your visit. When the tide is low, it is so low you can’t swim, and the color of the water is more light green and not that beautiful turquoise. To enjoy Anse Source d’Argent in its full glory, visit when the tide is higher. Use this link to get tide information and plan your visit accordingly.

Most of the visitors of Anse Source d’Argent beach are not staying on La Digue Island and come as part of a daily boat trip, and usually mid-day is the peak. So, try avoiding these rush hour crows by going earlier in the morning (of course after you check the tide information) or later in the afternoon. This is why we do recommend staying on La Digue Island, it is definitely worth exploring and not just on a day trip.

Don’t miss the Aldabra Giant Tortoises right before you reach the Anse Source d’Argent Beach. The is a Tortoise Farm near Giant Union Rock.

We recommend buying a dry bag (in the picture below) to store your belongings safely with you while you swim.

Crystal Water Kayaks – Another way to experience the beauty of Anse Source d’Argent beach 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.

Another way to get to Anse Source d’Argent Beach without paying an entrance fee is to take a guided tour to Anse Marron. The Trail begins at Grand Anse Beach, goes towards Anse Marron, and finishes at Anse Source d’Argent. In addition to visiting another stunning beach and exploring the island of La Digue, you get the advantage of not paying 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. 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.

Now that we established all the important information about Anse Source d’Argent Beach, let us show you just how beautiful it is.

Pictures of Anse Source d'Argent Beach, La Digue

Sunset Pictures of Anse Source d'Argent Beach, La Digue

After spending several hours enjoying this stunning beach during the day, we came back again to watch the sunset. We did not imagine how beautiful it would be. As noted earlier, unlimited access to Anse Source d’Argent beach on the same day is included in your entrance fee. So, we definitely recommend visiting it at sunset as well. We will let the video and the pictures do the talking.

Hotel in La Digue, Seychelles

We do recommend spending at least 2 days on La Digue to experience the island to the fullest. We chose to stay at Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort & Spa and we had an amazing time! This 4-star beachfront hotel is set in the most beautiful location on Anse Severe with breathtaking views of Pr a slin Island. 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, Seychelles

This is the charming means of transportation on La Digue Island, so you will need to rent a bike. 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.

Well, that’s it. This was our guide to the best beach on La Digue Seychelles – Anse Source d’Argent. Check out our Island Hopping Seychelles Itinerary to explore which other islands are worth visiting in the Seychelles to get the full tropical vacation experience.

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Cerf Island and Mahe, taken from Round Island, Seychelles Itinerary

Top 10 Seychelles Beaches – The Best Beaches in Seychelles

4 Comments / Seychelles / Alina Kaplanov

Welcome to our guide to the Top 10 Seychelles Beaches – The Best Beaches in Seychelles.

The Seychelles is a breathtaking archipelago located in the western Indian Ocean, just off the eastern coast of Africa. They boast some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. White powdery sand, turquoise crystal-clear waters, and granite boulders create a picturesque backdrop that seems almost unreal.

Seychelles is a tropical paradise that combines stunning natural beauty, luxurious accommodations, and a diverse range of activities, making it an exceptional vacation destination, especially for beach enthusiasts. Check out our Island Hopping Seychelles Itinerary to explore what else you can do in the Seychelles. But we are here to talk about the beaches as we rated our Top 10 Seychelles Beaches that absolutely loved in the Seychelles.

Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue Island is famous for being one of the most stunning beaches globally, with its unique granite formations. And of course, it is featured here on our top 10 Seychelles beaches, but we rated it second. Continue reading this guide to the Best Beaches in the Seychelles to find out our favorites and the one beach that stood for us, from the rest.

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 Top 10 Seychelles Beaches - The Best Beaches in Seychelles

Round Island Beach
Anse Source d’Argent Beach
Anse St. Jose Beach
Anse Gouvernement Beach
Petite Anse Beach
Cote d’Or Beach
Anse Severe Beach
Anse Lazio Beach
Anse Georgette Beach
Anse Royale Beach

This is a map of our top 10 Seychelles Beaches, you can see on which island each beach is located. For more information about the Seychelles, how to get to the Seychelles? How to travel between the islands? And much more, check out our Seychelles Travel Guide.

Now let’s start exploring each beach, starting with our favorite beach in the Seychelles:

Top 10 Seychelles Beaches - The Best Beaches in Seychelles

Now let’s start exploring each beach, starting with our favorite beach in the Seychelles:

Top 10 Seychelles Beaches: #1 Round Island Beach

The beach that surrounds Round Island is the most beautiful and unique we have ever visited. We loved it so much, we rated it as #1 of our Top 10 Seychelles Beaches! Round Island is located just a few kilometers from Mahe Island. It is part of a Sainte Anne Marine National Park, which 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.

Round Island Beach can be reached by taking a day/half-day boat trip to Sainte Anne Marine National Park from Mahe, as most of them stop at this picturesque beach. Or you can do what we did, and enjoy this paradise even more by staying in JA Enchanted Island Resort which is located on Round Island. The 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. On the neighboring Moyenne Island, you can meet the Aldabra Giant Tortoises and hike around the island (for a fee).

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. You get the most beautiful beach in the Seychelles 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. You can read more about the hotel on our Island Hopping Seychelles Itinerary, as we are here to talk about the amazing beach at Round Island. Now we will let the pictures do the talking:

Top 10 Seychelles Beaches: #2 Anse Source d'Argent Beach

Anse Source d’Argent Beach is a stunning beach located on La Digue Island and it is rated #2 of our Top 10 Seychelles Beaches. La Digue Island is accessible by a 15-minute ferry ride from Praslin, the second-largest island in the Seychelles. Another ferry will take about an hour and 15 minutes to get between Mahe and Praslin Island. For more information about how to travel between the islands, check out our Seychelles Travel Guide.

Anse Source d’Argent Beach is by far, the most popular beach in 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 Beach with all the information you need before you visit.

Here are some amazing sunset photos from our second visit at Anse Source d’Argent Beach:

Top 10 Seychelles Beaches: #3 Anse St. Jose Beach

Anse St. Jose Beach is a beautiful beach located on Curieuse Island. It is located just over a kilometer from Praslin Island and you can reach Curieuse Island by taking a boat trip. There are many boat trips from Praslin Island to the surrounding islands, with different amounts of participants. Eventually, we decided to invest in a private tour and chose Lala Boat Charter. We had an amazing trip! You can read more about our boat trip and the islands we visited on our Island Hopping Seychelles Itinerary.

Anse St. Jose Beach was one of our favorite beaches in the Seychelles and we had it all to ourselves! We rated it #3 of our Top 10 chosen best Seychelles beaches. The water was so calm and crystal clear with the beautiful turquoise color and the views of Praslin Island.

Curieuse Island is also home to a Tortoise Sanctuary where you can meet the Aldabra Giant Tortoises. These gentle giants are the symbol of the Seychelles.

Top 10 Seychelles Beaches: #4 Anse Gouvernement Beach

Anse Gouvernement is a lovely beach, located south of Cote d’Or Beach on Praslin Island. Praslin Island is reached by an hour and 15 minutes ferry ride from Mahe. We rated Anse Gouvernement #4 of our Top 10 Seychelles beaches as 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.

Top 10 Seychelles Beaches: #5 Petite Anse Beach

Petite Anse Beach is our favorite beach in Mahe and we rated it #5 of our Top 10 Seychelles Beaches, as the beach is so beautiful and tranquil. Petite Anse Beach is set at the Four Seasons Resort in Mahe. In Seychelles, there are no privet beaches, and every beach is open to the public. Because of this rule, you can access Petite Anse Beach even if you are not staying in the hotel. However, you will 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.

Top 10 Seychelles Beaches: #6 Cote d’Or Beach

Cote d’Or Beach, also named Anse Volbert Beach, is an amazing beach and our favorite in Praslin Island! We rated it #6 of our Top 10 Seychelles Beaches. Cote d’Or Beach is the most popular beach in Praslin, but it is a quite long strand so it never felt crowded. There are some picturesque leaning palm trees and what we loved the most was the calm and relatively shallow waters.

Top 10 Seychelles Beaches: #7 Anse Severe Beach

Anse Severe Beach is a gorgeous beach located on La Digue Island, and we rated it #7 of our top 10 Seychelles Beaches. Luckily it was right at the doorstep of the hotel Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort & Spa that we stayed in. 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.

Top 10 Seychelles Beaches: #8 Anse Lazio Beach

Anse Lazio Beach is a very popular beach located on Praslin Island! 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. We rated this beautiful beach #8 of our top 10 Seychelles beaches. Anse Lazio 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.

Top 10 Seychelles Beaches: #9 Anse Georgette Beach

Anse Georgette is a tiny secluded beach on Praslin Island, but it is absolutely breathtaking! We rated it #9 of our top 10 Seychelles beaches. 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 Mahé 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.

Top 10 Seychelles Beaches: #10 Anse Royale Beach

Anse Royale Beach is a Stunning beach located on Mahe Island! We rated it #10 of our top 10 Seychelles Beaches. The northern part of the Anse Royale beach is called Fairyland Beach and it was our favorite part of the beach. You can see a nice view of the Ile Souris. And it’s not for nothing that this beach is the main photo of our Mahe Travel Guide.

Well, that’s it. This was our guide to the Top 10 Seychelles Beaches – The Best Beaches in Seychelles.

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Mahe Seychelles – Best Beaches in Mahe and Top Things to Do

2 Comments / Seychelles / Alina Kaplanov

Welcome to our guide to Mahe Seychelles – with the best Beaches in Mahe and the top things to do in Mahe Seychelles.

The Seychelles Islands are a tropical paradise located in the western Indian Ocean, just off the eastern coast of Africa. The Seychelles archipelago consists of 115 islands, renowned for their pristine beaches with turquoise waters, white sand, and unique granite boulders. The Seychelles offers the perfect tropical scenery for a dream holiday or honeymoon.

Mahe Island is the largest island in the Seychelles archipelago and home to the capital, Victoria. It is also the most populated island in the Seychelles, with 90% of the population of the Seychelles living there. Seychelles International Airport is located on Mahe Island and flight is the best way to get to the Seychelles. For more information about the Seychelles, how to travel between the islands in the Seychelles? When to visit? And much more, check out our Seychelles Travel Guide.

For more islands to visit in the Seychelles, check out our Island Hopping Seychelles Itinerary.

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 Mahe Seychelles

We will begin our guide to Mahe Seychelles with the best beaches on the island, after, we will cover all the things to do in Mahe and we will finish will recommended hotel in Mahe, car rental, and our favorite restaurants.

Beaches in Mahe Seychelles

Let’s start with our favorite beach in Mahe Seychelles:

Petite Anse Beach

This is our favorite beach in Mahe and it is featured in our guide to the Top 10 Seychelles Beaches. So beautiful and tranquil. The fact is that in Seychelles there are no private 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.

Anse Royale Beach

A Stunning beach! The northern part of the Anse Royale beach is called Fairyland Beach. You can see a nice view of the Ile Souris. And it’s not for nothing that this is the main photo of this Mahe Travel Guide.

Anse Parnel Beach

Absolutely 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.

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. But it is not as beautiful as other beaches in Mahe in our opinion.

Anse Takamaka Beach

It was filled with seaweed when we visited in September, but a nice beach beside that. Check out our guide to the Seychelles for more information on seaweed.

Anse à la Mouche

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 just for swimming and admiring its beauty – it is not the best option. The water is not clear at all and there is a lot of seaweed. That makes the color of the water greener and not that beautiful turquoise.

Things to do in Mahe Seychelles

We will continue our guide to Mahe Seychelles with the best 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 (see the last picture below).

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 as part of our Island Hopping Seychelles Itinerary to enjoy this paradise even more.

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.

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.

Hiking Trails in Mahe

There are several hiking trails in Mahe that we have planned but did not have the chance to do.

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.

Now that we have covered the best beaches in Mahe and top things to do in Mahe Seychelles, next, we will review our chosen hotel in Mahe, the car rental we chose, and our recommended restaurants in Mahe Seychelles.

Hotel in Mahe Seychelles

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 10^th anniversary, and they surprised us with a pleasant greeting.

Car rental in Mahe Seychelles

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 Seychelles

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.

Well, that’s it. That was our guide to Mahe Seychelles – with the best Beaches in Mahe and the top things to do in Mahe Seychelles. Don’t miss our Island hopping Seychelles Itinerary to help you plan 12 days in Paradise.

More Seychelles related Blog posts to explore:

Mahe Seychelles – Best Beaches in Mahe and Top Things to Do Read More »

Anse Source d'Argent Beach, La Digue, Seychelles

Island Hopping SEYCHELLES Itinerary – 12 days in Paradise

4 Comments / Seychelles / Alina Kaplanov

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

Car rental in Mahe

Best restaurants in Mahe

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.

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

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.

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!

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 10^th 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.

More Seychelles related Blog posts to explore:

Island Hopping SEYCHELLES Itinerary – 12 days in Paradise Read More »

Round Island, The Seychelles - Where are the Seychelles located? Seychelles Travel Guide

Seychelles Travel Guide – Where are the Seychelles located?

5 Comments / Seychelles / Alina Kaplanov

Welcome to our Seychelles Travel Guide! You will find out where the Seychelles are located, with maps, pictures, and a lot of information about the Seychelles Islands.

The Seychelles Islands are a tropical paradise nestled in the heart of the Indian Ocean. They are renowned for their pristine beaches, coral reefs, and lush rainforest landscapes. The Seychelles are one of the dreamiest honeymoon destinations with the most perfect tropical scenery. Check out our full Island Hopping Seychelles Itinerary to ease your travel planning. If you are planning to visit Mahe Island only, check out our guide to Mahe Seychelles.

Note that all photography on this guide (and throughout our website) was shot by me (Alina) and if you wish to purchase any, some are available at my Etsy shop.

For more Itineraries and travel guides, visit our Destinations page.

Where are the Seychelles Islands Located?

The Seychelles are located in the western Indian Ocean, just off the eastern coast of Africa. The Seychelles archipelago consists of 115 islands, each with its unique charm and beauty. Most of the islands are 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.

Why choose the Seychelles over other tropical destinations?

When seeking a tropical destination, you’ll want to keep two factors in mind. First and foremost, the quality of the beaches. For us, it must be the picturesque white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water beaches. And secondly, you’ll want to consider what else the destination has to offer, which of course, depends on the things you prefer. Whether it’s exploring the island’s nature, looking for wildlife, or having rich cultural experiences, make sure to choose a destination that has everything you’re looking for.

Seychelles vs Maldives

When deciding between visiting Seychelles or Maldives, well, the Maldives totally win in the beach department. However, not every island in the Maldives has those picturesque turquoise waters, as some of them mainly consist of reefs. Meanwhile, some of the beaches in Seychelles are simply stunning and are among the most beautiful we’ve visited. Check out the Top 10 Seychelles Beaches to see the best Beaches Seychelles has to offer. One special beach, Anse Source d’Argent, is even famed for being the world’s most photographed beach.

But there’s more to Seychelles than just beaches. Along with having the option to explore different islands, each island is quite big with mountainous jungle scenery, perfect for exploring. In contrast, most of the hotels in the Maldives are set on tiny islands, so you basically only have the beach. So, mind these points when choosing your destination.

To summarize, both Seychelles and the Maldives are popular tropical vacation destinations, yet they cater to various interests. The Maldives are known for their luxury hotels and offer isolated, private relaxation, while Seychelles is more affordable with a variety of hotels and it’s more geared toward adventure and activities. It is tough to decide because we have been to both and loved both, and we think that it depends on whether you prefer to just rest and enjoy the beach, or you’d like to do and see more on your vacation.

Seychelles vs Mauritius

Despite being geographically close, these Creole islands are quite different. The most notable difference between them, in our opinion, is their beaches. Although Mauritius has some great beaches, they simply cannot compete with the beautiful beaches that Seychelles has to offer.

That being said, Mauritius has its unique selling points. It is usually busier and offers a more vibrant atmosphere than Seychelles, with a wider range of activities. Additionally, Mauritius tends to be less expensive than Seychelles, making it a great choice for those on a budget.

One other major difference between these two destinations is that Mauritius is a single island, while Seychelles is an archipelago. If you like island hopping and maritime travel, then Seychelles would be the ideal choice for you.

Ultimately, both Mauritius and Seychelles are amazing vacation spots, but if you’re all about the beaches, then Seychelles is undoubtedly the better option.

How to get to the Seychelles?

BY FLIGHT – It is the best way to get to the Seychelles. All international flights arrive at Seychelles International Airport (SEZ). The airport is located on Mahe Island, 10 Km southeast of the capital, Victoria. There are direct flights to Seychelles from South Africa, UAE, Qatar, Ethiopia, Kenya, Maldives, and Mauritius. There are seasonal direct flights from Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, Israel, India and Sri Lanka.

If your country does not have direct flights, or if the price for a direct flight is high, consider these options for a connection. Although we had a direct flight, we chose to fly with Emirates through a connection in Dubai and it was perfect.

Do you need a visa or travel authorization to visit the Seychelles?

There are no visa requirements for visiting the Seychelles. However, you must apply for a Digital Travel Authorization before traveling to the Seychelles. There is a fee of US$ 55 per person that you must pay when you fill out your digital form. You can download the app as well and fill out your form there. You need to submit the form up to 30 days before travel and it takes up to 24 hours to receive approval. It will be valid for that journey only as it expires once you exit the country.

When to visit the Seychelles?

Lying 4°-11° south of the Equator, Seychelles has a tropical climate – warm and humid. Hence, the weather in Seychelles is pretty comfortable and pleasant throughout the year. However, there are some changes throughout the year. We will start with the temperature.

TEMPERATURE – As you can see in the chart below, it is quite stable all year. Just a merely mild change in the cooler months: June to September compared to the warmer months: March to May. It’s not significant at all.

RAIN – Now when it comes to precipitation, there is a difference throughout the months. December and January are the wettest months and June and July are the driest months.

WIND – The most important in our opinion, especially if you take boat trips and ferries. There are 2 monsoons in the Seychelles:

Southeast Monsoon: From May to October – The Southeast trade winds are strong, slightly cooler but drier, bringing little rain and generally nice weather.
Northwest Monsoon: From December to March – The Northwest trade winds are less strong but humid, bringing lots of rain.

Notice the transitional months – April and November, without the winds and therefore calmer sea.

SEAWEED – Beautiful white sand beaches are Seychelles’ main attraction, but some can be affected by seaweed. The seasonal trade winds bring seaweed with them, it is perfectly normal and of course, harmless. Actually, this is a good sign indicating the health of the underwater ecosystem. However, it might detract from experiencing the best possible beach scenery and might make swimming less comfortable.

If you want to enjoy the crystal-clear waters without seaweed, follow the next guidelines. The direction of the trade winds will determine where the seaweed drifts. You can see in the chart below the wind direction in Seychelles throughout the months.

From May to October, the Southeast winds are mostly southern, therefore, bringing seaweed to the southern beaches in Mahe and Praslin. From November to April, the Northwest winds begin as more Western in the first months and then change to more Northern in the next months. Thus, you may expect seaweed on the north-western beaches in Mahe and Praslin accordingly.

Therefore, you can consider these guidelines when choosing a hotel. Just remember, as sometimes weather can be unpredictable, and you might follow the guidelines and yet find seaweed at a specific beach. But the islands are not huge. If you are unhappy with a specific beach, just head to the other side of the island for seaweed-free beaches.

To summarize, you can visit Seychelles all year round. But if you want our recommendation, we would avoid the wet months of December and January. And if you want to choose the best month, consider April, as it is warm and relatively dry with the calmest seas. That is our plan for our next trip to the Seychelles! We visited in September and it was great, but we had some bumpy rides while on the water.

How to travel between the islands in the Seychelles?

BY A DOMESTIC FLIGHT – From Seychelles International Airport on the main island of Mahe, Air Seychelles operates regular domestic flights to Praslin. Book only if you are fine with flying on tiny propeller airplanes (sorry, we are not).

BY HELICOPTER – The most expensive option but the most fun! Zil Air helicopter transfers provide a luxurious and scenic way to travel between islands. You can enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the turquoise waters and lush landscapes of the islands.

BY FERRY – Ferries are a popular and more affordable option and the best in our opinion and that is what we chose. Cat Cocos provides a high-speed catamaran service between Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue. You can book directly or through Seyferry (we booked there without any problems). It takes about an hour and 15 minutes to get between Mahe and Praslin, and about 15 minutes to get between Praslin and La Digue. They have a quite frequent schedule, the boarding is usually quite fast. The only downside is if it is a windy day, you might get wet on the upper deck and you might be seasick. Check out our video from our ride below.

Should you rent a car in the Seychelles?

Driving in Seychelles can be tricky and quite dangerous, if you are not an experienced driver, we would not suggest renting a car in Seychelles.

First, driving in Seychelles is on the left side! Which is probably not the most comfortable thing to do for most of the population. If you are used to driving on the right side, it will need some getting used to and you will need to constantly remind it for you while driving.

Secondly, most of the roads in Mahe and in Praslin are simple one-lane in each direction. However, in some parts, they are narrow, steep, and with sharp turns. The buses are riding on the same narrow roads and there is no place for both of you.

The last and most dangerous – some roads are not guarded with guardrails on their sides! In some places, there is a major drop and nothing protects your car from falling. In Praslin, you may fall straight into the water! Furthermore, in Victoria, there is a ditch on the side of the road which is also not protected, and you can easily drop your car wheel in there and wreck the car. You can see that in the next photos.

To summarize, if you decide you are skilled enough, just drive carefully. Also, we recommend taking an automatic transmission so you can focus more on the road instead of on how to change gear. But if you decide not to rent a car, you can always use taxis or buses, or even take a private travel guide to help you explore the island.

The Flora and Fauna of the Seychelles

The Seychelles has one of the richest flora and fauna in the Indian Ocean. Some species are endemic to the Seychelles and will fascinate any nature lover.

The most famous one is the Coco de Mer and it is THE symbol of the Seychelles. Coco de Mer 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! The best place to see and get more information about the Coco de Mer is by taking a guided tour in Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve in Praslin. You will do a trail along the nature reserve and get to a beautiful viewpoint, Zimbabwe Point.

No trip to Seychelles is complete without encountering the endemic Aldabra Giant Tortoises. These gentle giants are another symbol of Seychelles, and they originate from the Aldabra Atoll, the second-largest coral atoll in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will state where you can meet these amazing creatures along our Seychelles Itinerary.

The Seychelles Black Parrot and the Seychelles Flying Fox are two flying beauties that are endemic to Seychelles as well. The Seychelles Flying Fox is a megabat, a big, beautiful, and fluffy fruit bat. Unfortunately, they are brutally hunted and killed for food in the Seychelles, please don’t support this. Protect Paradise is a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation center offering a rescue and rehabilitation service to all of Seychelles’ endemic wildlife species, especially the Flying Fox. If you see a bat strangled in a net or an injured bat during your visit, please get in touch with them (press ‘Click for help’ on their website).

Well, that’s it. This was our Seychelles Travel Guide on Where the Seychelles are located and much more. Don’t miss our Island Hopping Seychelles Itinerary to see how to plan 12 days in the Seychelles.

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