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.
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. Â
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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