Granite beaches and rare palms in the Indian Ocean
Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, famous for granite boulders, white sand and clear turquoise water. Most visitors stay on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue, hopping between beaches, forest trails and reefs. It has rare wildlife, including giant tortoises and the coco de mer palm. It suits honeymooners, beach lovers and nature fans with a healthy budget.
Tap a card or a pin. Add a place to a day of your trip, or look for tours.
Probably the most photographed beach in Seychelles, with sculpted granite boulders and shallow, clear water. You reach it through the L'Union Estate.
A primeval palm forest where the coco de mer grows, with its giant double nut. Rare black parrots live here.
A wide bay of soft sand framed by granite headlands on the north of Praslin. It is excellent for swimming in calm weather.
Steep forested mountains covering a large part of Mahe, with trails to viewpoints like Morne Blanc and Copolia. It holds endemic plants and the old Mission Lodge ruins.
A small island with giant tortoises roaming free, mangrove boardwalks and red granite. It is a classic boat trip from Praslin.
One of the largest raised coral atolls in the world, home to about 100,000 giant tortoises. It is very remote and visited mainly on expedition cruises.
Mahe's lively main beach, with calm water much of the year and dive centres. A Wednesday night market adds local food and music.
One of the smallest capitals in the world, with a colourful Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market and a Hindu temple. It is easy to see on foot.
A dramatic wild beach with big waves on La Digue's southeast coast. A path leads on to Petite Anse and Anse Cocos.
A group of islands just off Victoria with reefs, seagrass and turtles. Glass-bottom boats and snorkel trips run daily.
A tiny nature reserve with huge seabird colonies and nesting turtles in season. Rangers lead short guided tours.
A wild, palm-backed beach in the south of Mahe, popular with surfers and photographers. Turtles nest here in season.
A mountain road across Mahe with a viewpoint at the ruins of a 19th-century mission school for freed slave children. The views over the west coast are superb.
A flat coral island north of Mahe with huge sooty tern colonies and a single eco lodge. It is reached by short flight.
La Digue has few cars, so most people explore by bike along coastal lanes and shaded villages. It is the most relaxed island of the three.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it: pick cities, add places to days, see the weather for your dates.
Each city with a guide opens its own page: map, where to stay, what to eat.
Tiny capital with market and port.
culture, gateway · Guide comingLively beach base on Mahe.
beach, diving · Guide comingBase for Vallee de Mai, Anse Lazio and islands.
beach, nature · Guide comingBike-friendly island with famous beaches.
beach, relaxing · Guide comingQuiet wild beaches and resorts.
beach · Guide comingThe main island holds the airport, Victoria, mountain trails and many beaches.
beaches, hiking, base · Open the city guideA quiet, forested island for hikers and nature fans.
hiking, quiet · Guide comingQuiet wild beaches and resorts.
beach · Guide comingThe main island with the capital, mountains and most hotels.
Beau Vallon, Morne Seychellois, Anse Intendance
Second island with the rare palm forest and top beaches.
Vallee de Mai, Anse Lazio, Curieuse
Small, slow island of bikes and granite beaches.
Anse Source d'Argent, Grand Anse
Remote atolls reached by plane or ship.
Aldabra, Bird Island
The main hub with the airport, capital and most hotels.
Victoria, Beau Vallon, Morne Seychellois
Remote coral islands and atolls, mostly reached by small plane or expedition boat.
Bird Island, Aldabra, Desroches
Choose how long you have, then add the whole route to a trip as places and nights.
Best: April to May and October to November. These calm periods between the trade winds bring the clearest water and light breezes.
Beaches on the southeast of each island are calmer from November to March, and northwest beaches from May to September, as the winds change.
January. Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.
82°F daily high, 81°F average, 8.1 in
Average of past years from NASA POWER, worked out at each city's position. A place far from these cities can be quite different.
The US State Department rates Seychelles Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions; take care with petty theft and with strong currents at some beaches.
Ferries and short flights link the main islands, but buses are basic and taxis are pricey.
Seychelles is one of the most expensive beach destinations in the world.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Members see the rules for their own passport here.
Passport and visa rules change often and without notice. Always check the official pages before you book and again before you travel.
| Entry | Check entry rules and the travel authorisation process on the Seychelles Electronic Border System (seychelles.govtas.com) before you travel. |
| Plugs | Type G; 240 V 50 Hz |
| Tap water | varies |
| Tipping | A service charge is often included; extra tips are welcome but not expected. |
| Payments | Cards work in hotels and larger shops; carry rupees for buses, markets and small cafes. |
| Emergency | 999 police and ambulance |
| Etiquette | Seychellois are relaxed and friendly, and a greeting goes a long way. Nude sunbathing is not allowed. Do not take shells, coral or coco de mer nuts without permits. |
| What to wear | Cover up away from the beach, especially in town and churches. |
| Driving | On the left |
| Between cities | Fast ferries link Mahe, Praslin and La Digue, and short flights connect Mahe to Praslin and outer islands. Buses run on Mahe and Praslin; many visitors hire a small car. On La Digue most people cycle. |
| Main airports | SEZ, PRI |
The islands were uninhabited until the French settled them in the 1770s with enslaved Africans. Britain took control in the early 19th century, and the population grew to include African, Indian, Chinese and European roots. Seychelles became independent in 1976. Today tourism and fishing drive the economy, and a large share of land and sea is protected.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.