DIY Seychelles

Seychelles is not for beginners.

The weather is impetuous, cheerful skies give way to thunderstorms without a moment’s notice. Drunk seas toss ferries around without a care. Giant coconuts are wont to fall on you, or your car. Murderous sandflies roam the lush green forests, Venus flytraps lie in wait and lionfish lurk in shallow waters, catching unsuspecting divers and snorkelers off-guard.

But let’s assume you’re not a beginner, and you’d like to escape into an incredible, paradise of unimaginable colours, pristine beaches nestled amongst monstrous rocks, then Seychelles is for you.

Seychelles is a ‘new’ country, its history dating back to the 16^th century when European settlers landed to explore the rich resources of the land. A lot of the beaches today are still named after the ships or captains that ‘discovered’ them. This gave birth to Seychellois Creole – elements of East Africa, India, and Europe stirred into a tropical cauldron, from which emerge unique languages and dialects, music and dance, food and new traditions.

 To do the country justice, you require at least six days.

5 to 6 day Itinerary

Of the 40 odd islands that are populated, most of the country lives on the islands of Mahe, Praslin (I learned embarrassingly late that the 'S' is silent) and La Digue.

With less than 6 days on hand, split your time between Praslin and La Digue skipping the more commercial Mahe.

Day 1

Land in Mahe. Mahe International Airport is hands-down one of the most beautiful airports in the world, and probably the ONLY airport in the world, where the food is cheaper than in the city.

Take a taxi straight from the airport to the jetty to get to Praslin Island. It takes about 45 minutes to get there. The Cat Cocos ferry runs from Mahe to Praslin and La Digue, and Cat Rose runs between Praslin and La Digue. Ferry tickets should be booked in advance, the services are quite punctual. You can check schedules and book here. Tip – avoid eating a heavy meal before your journey and try to sit in the middle of the deck to feel less queasy.

Praslin Island is divided into two districts. The western side of Grand Anse has the airport, commercial complexes and as of 2025, it is quite busy with construction. The Eastern bit is Baie St Anne. I’d recommend the latter if you’d like to stay closer to the iconic beaches.

Spend the evening exploring the village of Cote d’Or ( a.k.a Anse Volbert), stock up on groceries from the scores of Indian mini-markets and have a quiet dinner at La Goulue, a cute little restaurant right on the beach, that's great for creole fare.

Day 2

Book a small-group tour, for an island-hopping experience. This is the best way to see some of the beaches from the sea and get bird's eye view of the Island. This recce will prove useful, to shortlist where you’d like to spend downtime during the rest of your holiday.  

Look for tours that include St Pierre and Curieuse Island. St Pierre is a tiny islet, that looks like postcard-Seychelles.  You cannot disembark on the actual Island, but it is a stunning snorkeling location, with clear water, plenty of sea turtles, and reef fish.

Curieuse Island is home to the Giant Aldabra tortoise, endemic to Seychelles. These gentle creatures love eating hibiscus flowers, bananas, practically everything else, and once you’ve fed them, they’ll try to follow you around and sneak up behind you, in the hopes of getting an extra nibble! The oldest one is believed to be 200, but unfortunately since study and care for the creatures began only recently, no one knows exactly how old they are.

Most day cruises include BBQ lunches, and you’ll make your pit-stop in Curieuse, together with other small tours. It’s a great way to meet fellow travelers.

Day 3

Explore the beaches of Praslin at your own pace. Instead of rushing from beach to beach, pick a couple, and spend a few slow hours soaking in the island vibe with a Taka-Maka cocktail.  

Anse Georgette is one of the most secluded beaches in Seychelles and perfectly framed by the classic granite rocks. Getting here feels like being allowed into a secret, members-only club. There is no road access – you can only get to the beach by walking for about 30 minutes through the grounds of the Constance Lemuria resort. Call the hotel, if you’re not staying there, and ask to be added to the gate list for entry!  

Anse Lazio has some the Island’s nicer restaurants right on the beach that are perfect for a lazy lunch, like Café Des Arts.

Pro-tip : rent a car for your stay in Praslin. There are plenty of tiny nooks in the coastline with off-the-map, unnamed beaches, and having a car will let you discover them on your own. What could be more perfect than enjoying a glorious sunset, on a beach that you have all to yourself!

Day 4

For a unique experience, book yourself a stay in a private island. Chauve Souris Relais was once a 5-star property, refurbished in 2007, and now operated via Airbnb. It is a 2-min boat ride from Cote Dor Beach It has 5 unique rooms, each with its private view of the ocean : perfect for a day of disconnecting from everything (and everyone!)

Day 5  and Day 6

For the next leg of your Seychelles adventure, take the hour-long Cat Rose ferry from Praslin to La Digue.

La Digue feels like one big, happy community, where everyone knows everyone else and their aunt.  Commercial vehicles aside, you will see few petrol cars ; cycles are the preferred mode of transport for locals and tourists alike. Most Airbnbs have them available for rent. Regular cycles don’t have headlamps, and the island is not consistently well-lit, it’s good to carry a torch, or make sure your phone is fully charged and functional, if you plan to be out after dark.

Source DArgent is one of the most photographed beaches in the world for good reason! The beach is tucked away inside Reunion Estate, an 18^th-century vanilla and coconut plantation. Entrance to the estate requires an entry fee, but if you enter the park after 4:30 pm (the park closes at 6 pm ), you can get a ticket that is valid for the following day too! The estate has some beautiful cycling paths, through vanilla farms, old plantation houses.

The best food we had at Seychelles was at Ray and Josh’s Café in La Digue. Their simple food, and warm hospitality attracts a thick lunch crowd. We recommend their chicken curry ( a delicious creole gravy poured over chicken, served with rice and fat chips ), samosas, and home-made lemonade.

6 to 8 Day Itinerary

If you have a few extra days, consider doing a half-day hike in Mahe. Both sides of the coast have well-defined trails – ie you don’t need a guide, and you could either do the Copolia trail in the morning or Morne Blanc for beautiful sunsets.

Another highlight in the capital is Taka Maka rum distillery. The unofficial national drink, Taka Maka is a tropical rum, distilled by one of the Island’s oldest families and it is now an internationally known brand. A visit to the factory premises is free, you’ll have to pay for the tastings.

Seychelles has some of the world’s friendliest and welcoming people. It has an atmosphere of carefree naiveté, where everyone does a little bit of everything and that makes the Island hum along in its own unhurried rhythm. An IT consultant runs a hotel, a boat pilot double-hats as a gardener. Leave your anxiety-fueled checklists, planners and Chat at home, come to Seychelles to lay down on the rough sand, and watch the clouds chase each other, enjoy a tall, iced cocktail, staring into a rainbow, take a long walk looking for the black parrot. Come to Seychelles, to come back again!

P.S : When you get your passport stamped at immigration take a look at the unique stamp! Incredible that its an official seal!