Sprinkled across the equator like jewels of green and gold are the 115 islands that form the Seychelles. A design this perfect almost seems contrived. You have boulders of granite perch atop turquoise shallows, and rare flora dot islands harbouring forests unlike any others on the planet.
White sand beaches are featured on lists of the world’s finest year after year. The only way to miss seeing most of this paradise is to try to visit it by land. Give yourself the chance to see it all by cruising one jewel at a time.
Every itinerary begins with a pacing decision. Do you want to speedcat between Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue, anchoring overnight for the night? Or do you prefer something slower-paced, the small-ship, expedition-style Seychelles cruise that penetrates outer atolls that few resorts even know exist?
It’s appealing to nature enthusiasts craving wildlife sightings on naturalist-led landings away from the crowds. Neither is right nor wrong; it just depends on how disconnected you want to feel.
Almost all cruises to the Seychelles depart from and return to Mahé, which is home to about 90% of the population. The world’s smallest capital city, Victoria, lets you sample colonial architecture and a bustling produce market before you embark or disembark.
Behind Mahé’s coast runs Morne Seychellois National Park. Trails wind through jungles of rare endemic pitcher plants up to granite mountain peaks. Beau Vallon Beach is likely the last expansive beach you’ll visit before exploring the outer islands.
Praslin, the second-largest island, makes time stand still. Located inland, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Vallée de Mai is a palm forest often compared to a lost world. Ancient palms here produce the largest, heaviest seed of any plant in the world, while black parrots flit around under a canopy unchanged for centuries.
At sea level, sandy-bottomed Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette are among the most photographed beaches in the world, complete with boulders and crystal-clear water.
Rental cars are absent on La Digue, and that’s precisely how the locals prefer it. Cyclists and the occasional ox-cart outnumber motor vehicles by a wide margin, and the island’s population of approximately 2,000 couldn’t care less.
Pink granite boulders, polished smooth by the tide pool action, frame Anse Source d’Argent so perfectly that it doesn’t look real until someone walks in front of you for your picture. Cruises spend at most a few hours on La Digue, which makes it feel even more special.
Visiting Aldabra Atoll requires dedication, as it lies far south of the inner islands and is accessible only by boat. But once you get there, you’ll find one of the last truly wild places on Earth. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to over 100,000 giant tortoises, the largest population on the planet.
Mangrove channels cut through Aldabra’s interior, while red-footed boobies nest along its coastline virtually untouched. Few tourists venture this far south, making it one of those unforgettable trips for those who do.
The Seychelles’ reputation was made on beaches, but the water below should share some of the glory. Most islands are encircled by coral reefs where visibility can regularly exceed 30 meters during calm periods. A single snorkel stop might reveal:
- Blacktip reef sharks patrolling near shore
- Hawksbill turtles feeding on coral ledges
- Manta rays cleaning in channel sweeps
- Schools of parrotfish hovering on reef faces
Outer-atoll dives where divers report wall plunges into deep blue with hardly a boat in sight.
The climate of Seychelles is warm year-round; however, winds can make the sailing seasons distinct. April through May and October through November are typically windier periods, with lighter winds and shorter travel times between the islands.
December through March is typically a wetter, more hectic time of year, and mid-year will see stronger southeast trade winds favouring seasoned sailors. Timing your trip has more to do with choosing the appropriate sea conditions than dry weather.
Paradise Only Stays Pristine if Travellers Tread Lightly
That which makes the Seychelles worth visiting also makes them sensitive to visitation. Use reef-safe sunscreen, maintain a respectful distance from nesting seabirds and turtles, and don’t touch the coral, and you’ll help keep the islands healthy.
Daily visitor limits exist on some islands for this reason, and many outer islands’ atolls are nature reserves with special landing restrictions. Treading lightly is just the entry fee to a place this pristine.
A bit of planning will allow you to focus on the islands rather than travel logistics. Citizens of most countries can visit Seychelles without a visa for up to 90 days, but always double-check the Seychelles tourism website for the latest updates before purchasing your ticket. Packing list is relatively short:
- Swimsuits that dry quickly and a sunhat
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a refillable water bottle
- Casual sandals and footwear to hike in
- Dry bag to keep your camera gear dry during arrivals
Also, look into purchasing travel insurance sooner rather than later, as flights to this remote part of the Indian Ocean can be difficult to change.
Not many places left on the planet still feel this unscheduled. Trade busy routes for remote travel at a slower pace, and experience a few islands at a time instead of all ninety-four at once, and the Seychelles will reward you.
Book it as an all-catamaran hop between the granitic inner islands or push your journey further to remote corners like Aldabra at the archipelago’s wildest edge; these islands will recalibrate your idea of a good vacation. If you’re someone in love with water this clear and land this untouched, your only decision left is which island to visit first.