The Seychelles is known for its impossibly blue seas, giant granite boulders, and beaches so beautiful they barely seem real. But while lying on the sand and doing absolutely nothing is a perfectly respectable Seychelles pastime, there is so much more to these islands than beautiful beaches.
From sipping rum made on Mahé and wandering through spice gardens to cycling around La Digue, flying over the islands by helicopter and searching for the legendary coco de mer, here are 11 things to add to your Seychelles itinerary.
1. Swim at Port Launay Marine National Park
On the north-west coast of Mahé, Port Launay Marine National Park is a sheltered bay that is great for swimming, snorkelling and kayaking, with calm, clear, shallow waters and designated areas for snorkellers and boating activities.
For an easy way to experience this beautiful corner of Mahé, make Constance Ephelia your base. Spread across 120 hectares between two beaches, the resort puts you right on the doorstep of Port Launay while offering plenty to keep you happily occupied when you’re not out on the water. There are five restaurants, bars, several swimming pools, a range of land and boating activities, and one of the largest spas in the Indian Ocean. You can kayak or paddle through the marine park, head out on a snorkelling trip, or simply settle into resort life.
2. Explore Eden Island, and stay at Eden Bleu
Eden Island is a rather glamorous introduction to island life. Popular with South African expats, this man-made island is a waterside community of luxury residences, restaurants, shops and a private marina. Take a wander around the marina, browse the shops, stop for something to eat and watch the boats coming and going.
With its elegant atmosphere and upscale appeal, it offers a completely different side of the Seychelles when compared to the barefoot beach experience; just be aware that you will pay higher prices than most locations on the mainland. From here you can book various boat excursions and cruises. For a convenient base, Eden Bleu Hotel sits right on Eden Island overlooking the marina. It is particularly handy for your first or last stop on the island as it is located just 10 minutes from the airport, while it also offers a daily shuttle to Beau Vallon beach for further island exploration.
3. Visit Le Jardin du Roi
Hikers, foodies and nature lovers should make a beeline for Le Jardin du Roi Spice Garden in the hills above the south of Mahé. This atmospheric spice garden is filled with cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, cloves and other tropical plants, so you can see the ingredients that have shaped Seychellois cuisine. The garden’s elevated position also means that the views are pretty special, stretching out towards the coastline.
Visit the various tortoise enclosures, including a young tortoise nursery, stop to see the chickens and guinea pigs, wander around the small museum, or make a day of it and enjoy one of the hiking trails. Also be sure to stop at the restaurant for homegrown Creole dishes made from ingredients sourced from the estate. Be sure to ask for the papaya fritters – we are still dreaming about them!
4. Head to the home of Seychelles’ famous rum
If, like us, your day improves considerably when rum is involved, make time for Takamaka Rum Distillery. Housed within a historic estate on Mahé, the distillery offers the chance to learn about the Seychellois spirit that is used in most cocktails made on the islands.
See how Takamaka rum is produced, explore the estate and, naturally, enjoy a tasting. The setting is beautiful enough to make you want to linger, with a restaurant and a kids’ play area on site, while the shop provides a great place to pick up some mementos for friends and family back home.
5. Spend a lazy day at Beau Vallon
There is a reason Beau Vallon is one of Mahé’s best-known beaches. This long sweep of sand on the north-west coast is somewhere you can happily spend the entire day. Swim, snorkel, take a coastal walk, grab lunch, linger over a cold drink and stay for sunset. You can book an excursion and head out for half the day, rent a glass kayak or browse the street food vendors for a tasty bite to eat. Or simply build sandcastles on the shore – the choice is yours!
6. Go on a walk in the Vallée de Mai
Take a short domestic flight from Mahé to Praslin with Air Seychelles, swap the beach towel for walking shoes and head into the extraordinary Vallée de Mai. This ancient palm forest is one of the Seychelles’ most fascinating natural attractions and is famous for the coco de mer: a giant palm with the largest seed in the plant kingdom and a strange, sensual appearance. The forest has an almost Jurassic quality, with enormous palms creating a canopy overhead and endemic wildlife hiding among the vegetation.
7. Discover Anse Georgette
If there is one beach that makes you reach for your camera, it is Anse Georgette on Praslin. Tucked away on the grounds of Constance Lemuria, it looks almost too perfect to be real, with powder-soft white sand, enormous granite boulders and water that shifts through every possible shade of turquoise.
Getting here is part of the experience. Access is limited, helping to preserve the beach’s wonderfully unspoilt feel, and visitors who aren’t staying at Constance Lemuria generally need to arrange access in advance and be prepared for a hilly walk through the golf course. The hotel does, however, offer a free shuttle service to guests and once you’re there, the reward is one of Praslin’s most spectacular stretches of coastline. Spend some time swimming, snorkelling or simply lying beneath the palms and taking it all in.
8. Play a round of golf at Constance Lemuria
Alongside that beautiful beach, Constance Lemuria offers lush gardens, two other beautiful beaches, pools, restaurants and an 18-hole golf course. The golf course is actually the island’s only Championship course and is particularly memorable, winding through the tropical landscape before reaching the spectacular 15th hole, perched high above Anse Georgette.
Even if golf isn’t your thing, the resort makes a wonderful base for exploring Praslin. It is well worth spending a few nights here rather than simply visiting Praslin on a day trip, and staying at Constance Lemuria gives you time to experience it properly.
9. Cycle into the past on La Digue
If there is one Seychelles experience that should be on almost everyone’s list, it is a day on La Digue. Forget rushing around in a rental car. La Digue is made for bicycles, with bikes replacing cars as the preferred way to explore the island. Cycle towards L’Union Estate Farm, where you can delve into the island’s plantation history. The estate is home to historic buildings, a traditional coconut mill and copra kiln, a vanilla plantation and enormous Aldabra giant tortoises. And don’t leave without stopping at Old Pier Cafe, a fabulous restaurant set directly on the sand.
10. See the Seychelles from the sky with Zil Air
A helicopter flight with Zil Air is one of those experiences that completely changes your perspective of the Seychelles. From above, the Seychelles’ geography is breathtaking. Gaze out onto tiny islands scattered across an impossibly blue ocean, see granite peaks rising out of dense green forests and marvel at ribbons of white sand curving around turquoise bays. If you’re travelling for a special occasion, a helicopter flight is particularly memorable, and if you’re arriving at a luxury island property, landing by helicopter is a fairly fabulous way to make an entrance.
11. Escape to Cerf Island, and stay for a while
Finally, spend a few nights on tiny Cerf Island. A short boat trip from Mahé, Cerf sits within the Saint-Anne Marine National Park and has no roads and only a handful of accommodation options. It is the perfect place to swim, snorkel, walk, read a book, eat long lunches and generally embrace the fact that your biggest decision of the day might be whether to get into the sea before or after your cocktail.
For those wanting to extend their Seychelles stay, L’Habitation Cerf Island is a fabulous option. Set right on the beach and offering a great on-site restaurant, bar, swimming pool and complimentary kayaks and snorkelling equipment, it is the perfect little island escape.