Seychelles
Granite boulders, empty white beaches and giant tortoises across Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, made for slow island hopping.
In this guide
When to go
The islands are warm all year, 27 to 31°C, so timing is really about wind and sea. From May to September the southeast trade winds stir up beaches on the south and east coasts, while from December to March the northwest monsoon brings more humidity and heavier showers. April, May, October and November sit in between, with the calmest water and the best diving visibility.
Hawksbill turtles nest on many beaches from October to February. Christmas and New Year are the most expensive weeks, and Eid holidays are popular with UAE couples, so book three to four months ahead.
Where to stay and how to plan the route
Most guests split their stay across three islands. Mahé has the international airport, Victoria's market and hikes in the Morne Seychellois National Park. Praslin, about an hour by fast ferry or 15 minutes by small plane, has Anse Lazio and the Vallée de Mai. La Digue, a short ferry hop from Praslin, is best explored by bicycle, with very few cars.
Our island-hopping honeymoon spends two nights on Mahé, three on Praslin and two on La Digue, with every connection booked. Daniel Okafor and Joanna Dela Cruz both know the islands well and match hotels to the season, choosing sheltered beaches when the trade winds blow.
Things to do
- Cycle to Anse Source d'Argent on La Digue at low tide
- Walk the Vallée de Mai, home of the coco de mer palm and the black parrot
- Swim at Anse Lazio on Praslin
- Snorkel Sainte Anne Marine National Park off Mahé
- Meet giant tortoises on a day trip to Curieuse Island
- Hike the Copolia trail for views over Victoria
- Browse the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market in Victoria on a Saturday morning
Food, money and practical tips
Seychelles is expensive day to day, so half board is usually good value. Creole curries, grilled fish and octopus are excellent; halal food is available but not universal, so we flag halal-friendly restaurants and ask hotels to prepare halal meals. Cards are accepted at hotels, but carry rupees for ferries, taxis and small cafés. Driving is on the left, and Mahé's roads are steep and narrow. Strong currents affect some beaches in trade-wind season, so swim where locals swim.
Rules change; we confirm the current requirements before you apply.
Seychelles holidays from Dubai
Visa services for Seychelles
Seychelles: questions we are asked
Do UAE residents need a visa for Seychelles?
What is the best month to visit Seychelles?
How many days do we need?
Is Seychelles for honeymoons or families?
How do we travel between the islands?
Can we combine Seychelles with a Kenya safari?
Travellers back from Seychelles
Gorgeous islands. The ferry from Mahé to Praslin was choppy and quite a few people were ill, us included, so take tablets. To be fair, we had been warned about it in the travel notes. The Creole fish curry at a tiny place on La Digue was the best meal of the trip.
Egyptian couple living in Sharjah. We paid in instalments over three months and every reminder came on WhatsApp, polite and clear. Snorkelling at Anse Lazio and a sunset catamaran were the highlights. Seven nights, three islands, no hassle at all.
Mahé, Praslin and La Digue in seven nights, with every ferry ticket printed before we left Dubai. Cycling to Anse Source d'Argent was exactly the postcard. The plan used small, quiet hotels with character instead of big resorts, and the coco de mer palms in Vallée de Mai were pure magic.
