In January 2023, I made a 13 hour trip to Seychelles from Geneva, Switzerland. I flew with Emirates and had a layover in Dubai for 2 hours and 30 minutes. Seychelles has always been on my travel bucket list so I was full of excited nerves the days leading up to the trip to finally be heading there.
Seychelles is a group of 115 islands that has it all. From its gorgeous beaches, land and water activities galore, friendly people, the culture, amazing food and intimate luxury retreats, there is something for everyone.
For anyone who is planning a trip to Seychelles or considering it as a possible destination, here is a travel guide to help you plan your trip there and make the most of it.
Check Out Instagram Video Content on Seychelles
About Seychelles
A lot of people associate Seychelles as a honeymoon and wedding destination. While those events do play a part to its popularity, this destination offers so much more than that. Seychelles is a group of islands located in the Indian Ocean off the shores of East Africa. It is known for having the best beaches that you can find in the world and being paradise on Earth. What makes Seychelles so unique is its timeless beauty and unspoiled shores.
The Best Time To Go To Seychelles
Seychelles is an all-year round destination. However, the country has two distinct seasons – rainy and dry. The rainy season runs from October to April, with November to January being the monsoon months. The dry season runs from April to October, with April and November being the hottest months of the year. I went during their monsoon months in January 2023 and the average temperatures were between 28 to 30 °C. While there were times when it rained, it was very short and didn’t last long at all. It was very sunny, extremely humid and you could still enjoy some warmth.
Getting to Seychelles
I flew from Geneva to Seychelles via Emirates – there are quite a few options to choose from here. The airport that you want to get to is Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) in Mahé. It’s the only international airport so you can’t miss it. My flight was really good and I got to Mahé first thing in the morning. Make sure to search for your flights early to catch good deals. This is really important if you are going early January when it is winter wedding and honeymoon season, because the prices can increase quickly.
Some of my favourite flight tracker sites are: Sky Scanner, Hopper and Google Flights.
Regarding travel entry restrictions, as of January 2024, (check the official website for up-to-date information) Seychelles is a visa-free destination. However, you do have to fill out a visitors permit form and obtain your QR code before you fly out. I recommend doing this a week before you travel so there are no unfortunate surprises. The form is pretty straightforward and you can get all the information here. Just recently, all travel restrictions were removed when entering Seychelles whether you are vaccinated or not.
Where I Stayed in Seychelles
There are a lot of good options in Seychelles. There are large resorts, hotels, guesthouses, self-catering villas – there is accommodation for any budget. The only thing that they don’t offer are hostels and bunk bed shared rooms.
During my trip, I stayed on all three islands and island-hopped between them using the high speed ferry by Cat Cocos. You do need to book your tickets at least a day or two in advance as it is a popular mode of transport between the islands. You can take a local flight from Mahé to Praslin Island and it is double the cost of the ferry.
Mahé
Mahé is the largest island of the Seychelles and the capital city, Victoria, is there as well as the Seychelles International Airport. While I was in Mahé, I stayed at Aqua Boutique Hotel on the northern side of the island. I had a great stay there and personally enjoy boutique hotels because of the intimacy. My room came with a kitchenette and garden access to pool. I was able to do a floating breakfast on my third day and that can be arranged with the hotel staff in advance. There are no restaurants on site and it gave me an opportunity to move around the island exploring the culinary options. I recommend staying here if you want a luxurious, cozy, private getaway with a panoramic view of the island. Rates are around $230 per night.
There are other places that you can stay on Mahé such as the Hilton Northolme Resort & Spa and a popular choice: the Four Seasons Resort.
Praslin Island
Praslin Island is the second largest island of the Seychelles. It has a completely different vibe to Mahé and I felt like I was in a completely different country. I stayed at Coco de Mer & the Black Parrot Suites and had an entire suite with a shower and a bathtub, a patio with garden access to the private beach. I had access to the snorkelling and paddle boarding equipment. The service and staff at the restaurants were exceptional and the food was delicious. The only thing I didn’t like was that there was only one socket in my room. I’m not sure if that is related to the design of the room. Other than that, I recommend staying there if you want a comfortable stay with breathtaking views at a good location. Rates are around $270 per night.
There are other places that you can stay on Praslin Island such as Constance Lemuria or Paradise Sun.
La Digue
Lastly my final stop was to La Digue, the third largest island of the Seychelles, and my favourite island. I stayed at Le Nautique Luxury Waterfront hotel. It is another boutique hotel and I had the biggest room with a vanity corner. Due to the size of the island, the best way to move around is by bike. The hotel rents bikes out to the guests during their stay. There is a restaurant on site and it is known to be the best restaurant on the island. I enjoyed the restaurant, the service was first-class and the staff were really attentive and friendly. I recommend staying there if you want to be in the centre. It is a good location and within walking distance to the ferry.
There are other options to stay at such as Le Domaine de l’Orangeraie or Le Repaire Boutique hotel.
What To Do in Seychelles
Seychelles isn’t just about the beaches – even though they are stunningly gorgeous. Seychelles isn’t just about snorkelling and scuba diving. The country has a wide of activities to offer. Here are my top activity recommendations to do:
Mahé
1) Explore the Botanical Gardens and the Hindu Temple in Victoria
Exploring the destination is one of the best ways to learn more about the area, its people and its history. While you are visiting the Botanical Gardens, make sure to stop over at the tortoise sanctuary and feed the tortoise.
2) Book a photoshoot with Siren: Flying Dresses Seychelles
Booking a photographer abroad is a great way to capture your memories. I had the pleasure of shooting with Siren: Flying Dresses Seychelles on Mahé. It was such a fun experience that I’m glad that I decided to go ahead with it. This is an opportunity to support a small, local business. You can find them on Instagram here.
3) Go Rum tasting at Takamaka Rum Distillery
Takamaka Rum Distillery is Seychelles’ only rum producer and exporter. It’s a stop that you cannot miss while in the Seychelles. You’ll be able to visit this iconic heritage site, learn how they produce their rum and have a rum tasting session. You can find all the information here.
Praslin Island
4) Visit Vallée de Mai Reserve
Coco de Mer is an endemic palm species in Seychelles and they are preserved in the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve in Praslin Island. It’s definitely worth a visit and the coco de mer nut grows in the shape of a woman’s pelvic region – it was incredible to see. You can either do a group tour or a private tour through the Reserve. You can find everything you need to know here.
Eden Island
5) Take a submarine tour on Eden Island
Eden Island is an artificial island next to Mahé and connected via a bridge. One of the activities that you should do is the submarine tour where you see the incredible underwater reefs in Seychelles. You can find more information here.
La Digue, Seychelles
6) Go on a kayaking tour with Crystal Water Kayaks
This kayaking tour was highlight of my entire time in the Seychelles. It was a fun activity from the beginning to the end. The kayaks are transparent and the tour takes place right in front of the most spectacular and photographed view in La Digue. It’s an opportunity to support another local and small business. Book your tour here.
7) Visit the beaches of Seychelles
You have to visit the stunning beaches in Seychelles regardless of the island that you visit. Before Seychelles, beaches were not my thing to do and now, I long for more beach holidays. I never knew how relaxing sitting on the beach and looking at the crystal clear waters could feel.
Where To Eat
Seychelles cuisine is a unique mix between French, Indian, Chinese, English and African traditions due to its location in the Indian Ocean and its proximity to East Africa. Also, it was colonised by both the French and British, which is why those influences can be seen in their dishes. Fish and seafood is the prominent protein that you’ll find in their dishes. It’s hard to choose my favourite place to eat, but I aimed to eat the local Creole dishes as much as I could.
What To Wear
Seychelles is very humid and hot all year round. You can pack very light when you go but I’m not a light packer so I can’t give you recommendations on that. I packed a lot of evening dresses and sets for dinners, as I treated each night as a solo date. Swimwear and resort wear for the beaches and pools. If you want to do more adventure activities such as hiking or zip lining, shorts, tank tops and trainers would be ideal. For accessories and sandals, I brought two of each. You are definitely going to need a lot of sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses etc. In the evenings, it is still pretty humid. If you have a beach side dinner, you might feel a chill so I’d recommend bringing a light scarf with you.
Final Thoughts
Seychelles was beyond amazing for my first international solo trip. It is an incredible travel destination for any time of the year. Add in the water activities, you take the experience on a whole another level! I hope that this travel guide has convinced you to add Seychelles to your travel plans. Thank you for reading and share this with a friend that might be interested in visiting. Check out my Instagram for what I got up to in Seychelles. Drop any comments that you have down below. If you like combining travel and fitness, make sure to subscribe to the blog.
Until next time,
Folakemi
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