Travel to Seychelles
I loved visiting Seychelles and think that everyone should see it for themselves at least. Seychelles is made up of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa. The islands are known for their beaches, picturesque nature reserves, coral reefs, rare giant tortoises (not so rare on these islands), and mountain rainforests. The main international airport and the capital are located on the island of Mahé but there are tons of other islands to explore. I will say, it is a long trip to get to Seychelles from the U.S, so I’d personally wait for a flight deal to plan a trip here or add it to a trip to Africa.
Arriving in Seychelles
NOTE: Entry requirements may change at any time. These are the requirements as of early June 2022.
To enter Seychelles, you will need a mandatory Travel Authorization. You can apply for your Travel Authorization through the official government website here. You can apply as far as 72 hours in advance or up to 12 hours before your departure to Seychelles. When you apply, you will need proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative PCR test, passport information, flight details, and confirmations for your accommodations for each night you stay in Seychelles. There is a €10 fee per traveler to submit your application for Travel Authorization. We had to show our Travel Authorization to check in to our flight from Qatar, and it would have been much more expensive to have our applications expedited. So definitely make sure your application is in at least 12 hours before you leave!
Seychelles Travel Tips & Facts
There are a few things I wish I knew before visiting Seychelles, so keep these tips in mind when planning your trip:
- April, May, and November are the hottest months of the year. The islands are still BEAUTIFUL, but it is hot (88-90° F) AND humid during these months.
- The islands of Seychelles are mountainous. Plan for driving and hiking trails to be an adventure.
- Although the main island of Mahé is beautiful, there is so much to see on islands like La Digue and Praslin. It’s definitely worth visiting these islands, so make sure you plan to be able to visit other spots.
- I’d recommend renting a car on Mahé if you plan to explore. Our car rental was about $35 per day, saving us money because taxis are expensive. Remember that you will have to drive on the left side of the road here!
- While the Rupee is the local currency, most places that accept cash only will accept US dollars and Euros. If you are bringing cash in US dollars, make sure it’s recently printed (after 2007), as some places are very picky about this. Some businesses will take credit cards, but you will definitely need cash for most purchases here.
- Restaurants tend to close pretty early here, so plan accordingly. Most places closed by 9 or 10 pm, and the kitchens closed an hour before that. Some spots, especially on Eden Island, stay open later but only serve drinks after 9 or 10. So if you are looking for late-night food (or super early morning food), the airport is your best bet. On the night that we ran out of other options after our day trip to La Digue, there were some solid spots at the airport.
- The official languages are Seychellois Creole, French, and English. About 95% of the population speaks Seychellois Creole, a French-based Creole, but English is taught in schools for tourism and business communication.
Islands and Beaches We Visited
Mahé
We stayed on Mahé our entire trip, but I would recommend spending time on a few different islands if you’re making the trip to Seychelles. International flights come into Mahé, so it is a good spot for the beginning and end of your trip. Also, all of the beaches here are public, even if they are located by hotels!
Accommodations on Mahé
We stayed at this Airbnb, and it was even more beautiful than I imagined it to be! Plus, the hosts were incredibly hospitable and helpful. While the location isn’t super close to the airport or downtown Victoria, it was close to great beaches and restaurants.
JA Enchanted Island Resort (from $800/Night)
We stayed here our last night in Seychelles, and it was very relaxing. I loved having the option to book either full or half board. There are two JA resorts, so make sure you look at the right one when you book.
@bykwest Hotel Tour! JA Enchanted Island Seychelles, great value luxury hotel on its own private island. A splurge at the end of our trip. Pro-tip: always ask about late checkout! #blacktravel #seychelles🌴 #blacktraveltiktok #vacationfits #seychellesisland #luxuryhotelsandresorts #luxuryhotelsuite #seychellesticktok🇸🇨 ♬ fergalicous x pony by altegomusic – ALTÉGO
Eden Island
Eden Island is a man-made private island built to house beautiful beach homes located on the main island of Mahe, pretty close to the international airport. There are many vacation rentals here, a little mall, a few restaurants, and a supermarket. You can get on and off of the island by car, but you’ll have to park your car and use a golf cart or bike to get around. If you come just for one of the restaurants, you’ll need cash for the parking lot.
Accommodations on Eden Island
This rental is a 2-bedroom villa super close to the beach with great views, and the reviews are also excellent!
Another beachfront rental with a central location on Eden Island with a great garden view.
Beaches on Mahé
Petite Anse
The Four Seasons takes up most of the beach in Petite Anse, and if you aren’t staying at the resort, you’ll have to walk about 20 minutes through vegetation to get to the beach. It’s a bit of a trek but totally worth it. Remember, all beaches are public in Seychelles, so you are totally allowed to be there even though you do have to find your own way there. There is another beach you can access through a small restaurant right before the entrance to the Four Seasons that is also great for swimming and not crowded.
Beau Vallon
Beau Vallon is a fun, quick stop for food. The beach here is pretty crowded and touristy, so I wouldn’t stay for too long. There are enough beaches in Seychelles to see that we got snacks and left. It’s great to see and located super close to many hotels, which is convenient. While the beach wasn’t my fave, I did love the samosas and lunch options!
Carana Beach
Carana Beach is rocky, so not the best for swimming or snorkeling, but it was a cool place to relax since the beach is not typically busy. The Carana Beach Hotel is just above the beach, a great mid-priced lodging option with some stunning pool rooms.
Top Soleil Beach
This is a hidden gem for sure! If you walk through the Lilot Beach Chalets, you’ll find this cute little beach perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Anse Royal Beach
The water at Anse Royal was clear and shallow, and there is beautiful white sand here. There’s a scenic bay as well; since it is one of the less busy beaches, I’d recommend stopping here.
La Digue
We made a fun day trip to the island of La Digue, but I’d be sure to make plans in advance. If you’re staying in Mahé, a full-day boat tour is probably your best option, but you won’t get as much time to experience the island. We flew into Praslin (you can book on Air Seychelles) and took Geoli Charters to La Digue. The company was terrific, but the water was quite choppy, and many of us got seasick. Beau Vallon Boat Charters is another option for traveling to La Digue (Facebook: Seychelles Boat Trip GIOVI: TEL: + 248 2513973; WhatsApp). If you want to experience the island thoroughly, I would stay the night.
There are no cars on the island, but there are bike rentals. There are limited rentals, so there may not be any available if you take an afternoon ferry. It was about 200 SCR for the rental for the day. If you don’t know how to ride a bike, buggies are also available, but I found it to be really approachable since almost everyone is biking, and you’re typically not in a huge rush.g to La Digue (Facebook: Seychelles Boat Trip GIOVI: TEL: + 248 2513973; WhatsApp). If you want to experience the island thoroughly, I would stay the night.
We booked a tour with Crystal Clear Kayak Tours for €35 per person. The tour lasts about 3 hours, but you won’t be kayaking the whole time. You’ll also explore some beautiful hidden gems like special beaches and rock pools on the island. If you aren’t a good swimmer, ask for a life vest, but the water is usually about waist height during low tide. We loved the tour, but like anything in the wild, you won’t see the same wildlife every time. Go for the overall experience and education. There are better places to snorkel just off the island if you really want to see marine life. When we booked, you could only book a kayak tour at 9:30 am or 2:30 pm, so something to plan for in advance. We also needed cash to pay for the tour!
Accommodations on La Digue
Le Nautique Luxury Waterfront Hotel
Beaches on La Digue
Grand Anse & Anse Cocos
These beaches on La Digue had big waves and strong currents, making swimming impossible from June to September. In addition, there are sharp stones that can make it dangerous to swim here even past September.
Petite Anse
This was the best beach in my opinion as there was clear water, beautiful sand, and high waves without strong currents. It’s located between Grand Anse and Anse Cocos. Just note that there isn’t any shade here!
Accommodations on Praslin
We only passed through Praslin, but there are lots of great options for lodging here as well. Here were a few I found:
Six Senses Zil Pasyon (Rates from $1,100/Night)
This is a great luxury boutique hotel on a private island near Praslin. If we were traveling for our honeymoon, we likely would have stayed here! This is definitely a place to stay if you want remote relaxation. The property is beautiful and of course, each room comes with a private pool. This is the kind of place you come and don’t leave but, not to worry, they’ve got plenty for you to eat, see and do!
Raffles Seychelles (from $898/night)
If you’re looking to stay on both Mahe and Praslin then this is a great spot for the Praslin portion of your trip. Raffles is definitely a splurge but you have the option for full or half board which is a nice value add. This is a stunning, huge property with great views, private pools in the rooms, and direct beach access.
Food
I enjoyed the food options in Seychelles! There is a lot of sushi and many local Creole dishes, from curry to fish soup. Some of our favorite spots were:
Chez Jules – La Digue
We had some of the best food at Chez Jules on La Digue. The restaurant also had really great drinks. I got a smoothie that was so good. It’s a casual beachside cafe with fresh ingredients and local bites.
Koko Zerm – Mahé
We loved breakfast at Koko Zerm. It was a small snack shop, and they also had amazing fish samosas. These are typically made fresh each morning, and we got a batch just after they were done. They were HEAVEN! The flavor was great and they’re so accommodating—they’ll truly make you whatever you can think of if they have the ingredients.
Bravo Restaurant – Eden Island
Bravo is a trendy restaurant located on the Eden Island Marina. We loved the location on the water, and they had a great Creole menu.
Sey Si Bon – Eden Island
Sey Si Bon had amazing fresh juices and smoothies! While they specialize in local juice, they also serve French crepes and sandwiches. The location at the Eden Plaza Mall also made it very convenient.
Marie Antoinette – Victoria, Mahé
We loved Marie Antoinette for the history and assortment of authentic Creole dishes. The atmosphere truly sets this spot apart from the rest. This classic restaurant is set in a Seychellois mansion where the same menu has been served for decades. We’d recommend skipping the sampler and going for the dishes you’re drawn to instead.
La Scala – Mahé
La Scala is one of Seychelles’ oldest dining experiences, serving an Italian-inspired menu. You will likely need a reservation here as La Scala is only open for dinner Monday-Saturday from 7:15 pm-9:15 pm. A more expensive option, but the food was great and the team was really nice.
La Gaulette – Mahé
We loved the authentic, fresh Creole food at La Gaulette. This is a cozy little beachside spot located in Anse Gaulette on Mahé.
Club Liberte Casino – Petite Anse, Mahé
I’m not a gambler, but the food at Club Liberte was actually solid! It’s considered one of the top restaurants in the area and they have lots of exciting menu options and sushi. This was 4 minutes from our airbnb and right next door to the Four Seasons on Mahe. I’d say this is truly a hidden gem!
Typical Prices for Food and Transportation
Food and transportation aren’t cheap in Seychelles, something to think about in advance and be sure you budget for. While it is a smaller group of islands, you should expect to pay prices comparable to major European cities. Local buses are more affordable for travel, and taxis are quite expensive. The main islands like Mahe and Praslin aren’t huge but they’re super hilly so not easily walkable. So we rented a car for €35/per day.
Here are some examples of typical costs:
Coffee or Tea: €2-3
Main Course (like meat and rice): €10-20
Ferry from Mahé to Praslin: €120
Plane from Mahé to Praslin: €200
Fruit is really easy to find, and I’d recommend having cash so you can enjoy the fresh fruit markets. The fruit is so fresh, and it’s one of the best parts of the island!
Bottom line, I truly loved my trip, but it’s a long way to go for island vibes if you pay full price from the United States ($1,500 RT). I would recommend adding this on to a trip to Africa or taking advantage of a flight deal. I had an amazing time, and the beaches were insanely beautiful, but we also have great beaches in the Caribbean that don’t require a 28-hour flight time. The people were so nice, and everyone was really willing to help with directions, recommendations, and anything else we needed. I’m so glad we got to explore and really got to see so many parts of the country.
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