Your Ultimate 1-Week Seychelles Itinerary for 2024 Adventures

The magical Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 idyllic islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. The allure of Seychelles transcends the mere destination status; it’s an invitation to immerse yourself in unparalleled natural beauty and vibrant culture. To help plan your visit, we have put together a 1-week Seychelles itinerary, including where to stay, what to do, and our favorite spots to eat.

The itinerary includes Praslin, La Digue, and Mahe, and as you’ll see, each island holds a unique story waiting to be uncovered.

Beyond the postcard-perfect landscapes, Seychelles offers a sanctuary for those seeking both tranquility and adventure. Discover the thrill of exploring hidden coves, trekking through lush jungles, or simply unwinding on pristine beaches.

Check out some tips and advice and our 1-week Seychelles itinerary below. Or browse through some complete travel guides right here for more info.

Best Time To Visit Seychelles

Turns out that by coincidence, we ended up visiting one of the best times of the year. In the months of April, May, October, and November, the Seychelles experiences a transition between the hotter winds from the northwest and the cooler ones from the southeast.

This makes the waters much calmer, so it’s perfect for all kinds of water activities. The tradeoff is that the weather is also very humid this time of year. It’s generally in the 80s F (high 20s C), but the brutal humidity we felt is unique to these few months.

One thing to note is that given the location of these islands, clouds and rain are not uncommon. It seemed to rain more in the larger islands like Mahe and Praslin, but it is a thing to consider when choosing whether this is the right spot for you. We welcomed the clouds (especially after getting incredibly sunburned on days 1 and 2) and the crazy rain showers made this Seychelles itinerary even more unique, but good to keep in mind.

How To Get Around The Islands

We used Cat Cocos Ferry to get from one island to the other and overall had a great experience. A couple of things to keep in mind:

• Their schedule was limited while we were there because of Covid, so make sure to check it in advance to make sure you know the right departure and arrival times.
• They can get busy, so we recommend booking your seat in advance to avoid any last-minute issues. If you’re able to print out your tickets, it’ll make your life easier too.
• There are three types of seats available: Coco de Mer (regular indoor seat), Island Hopper Upper Deck (seat in the upper deck, uncovered and outside), and Lazio Lounge (more selective lounge seat). We recommend the upper deck seats. You’ll get to enjoy the great view and we felt more comfortable being outdoors during Covid times.
• The check-in process was quick, but we do recommend getting there at least 30 minutes early if you’re traveling from Mahe. It was very busy, and it was the only location where we had to wait in a separate line to drop off our suitcases. In Praslin and La Digue, they’ll just take them from you as you board the boat. The earlier you arrive, the better chance you have of grabbing one of the better seats.
• They are generally very punctual. We only had a delay from La Digue to Mahe because the ferry makes a stop in Praslin and due to a mechanical issue, we had to switch ferries, which took a bit of time.
• There are a couple different ferry options in addition to Cat Cocos, so make sure you’re in the right line before you wait for too long.

If you’re looking to embark on road trips or explore large chunks of the island, we recommend renting a car. Most of the roads are in good condition, but some of the back roads, particularly around the mountains, tend to be narrow and windy. We went with a local rental car company and were impressed with the service that Macael Rent a Car provided.

But if you’re looking for a larger option with more variety, we recommend using Discover Cars. The site is very user-friendly and aggregates all types of vehicles and prices to make sure you find the best deal. 

Tips for Restaurants

A couple things to note about the overall restaurant scene in the Seychelles:

• Make sure to make a reservation for both lunch and dinner since places do tend to get busy.
• There is generally a service charge included in the bill, so no need to tip additionally. Of course, giving something extra (5-10% of the bill) for great service is always appreciated.

Seychelles Itinerary Guide

We knew very little about the island, and we weren’t sure if we’d ever be back, so we wanted to take advantage of our time. We did a lot of research and spoke to lots of locals to make sure we could come up with a jam packed but doable Seychelles itinerary that allowed us to relax yet see as much of these beautiful islands as possible.

Given the length of the flight (about 15 hours total from Belgrade to Mahe with a layover in Doha), we only really had 8 full days in the Seychelles. We chose to visit the 3 main islands (Mahe, Praslin and La Digue), but focused most of our time on the last two. Note there are over 150 islands that are part of the Seychelles.

Below is our suggested itinerary for an 8-day trip – only including things we did and meals we tried and loved across the Seychelles.

Day 1: Arrive in the Seychelles

Our flight from Doha landed on the main island of Mahe at 9am, but we were eager to get to the smaller islands right away. Our ferry to Praslin did not leave until 4pm, so we had a bit of time to spare.

We decided to rent a car for the day so we could have a place to store our suitcases and change. The rental car we chose was Macael Rent a Car and we were impressed with the service. They had the car ready for us at the airport and allowed us to drop it off right at the ferry port.

Tired from the flight and with time to spare on a beautiful island, we chose to head to the beach. We went with Beau Vallon Beach, on the northwestern part of the island. It’s probably the most popular beach in Mahe, but big enough that we knew we wouldn’t be crowded.

It was a bit challenging at first to find parking because many of the areas that offer beach access were resorts, and at the time they were not allowing outside guests. We ended up parking at La Perle Noire Restaurant, which was less than a 5-minute walk to the beach. We found a great food truck for breakfast that had some great samosas and just spent the day laying on the sand with a book. There are many restaurants in that area that are also great spots for lunch.

Day 2-4: Praslin Island

Praslin is the second biggest island in the Seychelles and as expected, is quite beautiful. The coastline is stunning, and the tropical forest is unique. The island is less than 15 square miles, but it is very hilly and there are not many sidewalks, so we wouldn’t say it’s a very “walkable island.”

We heard that the bus system is reliable and easy to navigate, but we decided to rent a car. We went with the same company we used in Mahe, and again really appreciated the fact that they had someone at the ferry port waiting with the car for us. The roads are generally in good condition, but they are very narrow and winding, and often very close to the ocean.

As part of our Seychelles itinerary, we spent 3 days in Praslin and thought it was the right amount of time. It rained heavily for a few hours during 2 of the days we were there, but again, wasn’t disruptive and only added to the experience in our opinion. Even with a few rain delays, 3 days is enough time to enjoy the good food and explore the beautiful beaches in Praslin, and at the same time take a boat ride to visit some of the smaller islands nearby.

Where to Stay in Praslin

There are lots of hotels in Praslin, and the prices really vary from less than $100 a night to over $1,000. There isn’t really a bad area, but it does make a difference where you choose to stay.

Baie Ste Anne: We went with Colibri Guesthouse, in Baie Ste Anne. We found this to be a good central location, close to the ferry port and easily accessible to all areas we were hoping to visit. It’s right in the middle of the main road that circles the island so that we could get to both Anse Lazio and Grand Anse (at the end of the island) easily. Note that the road doesn’t connect at the northwest of the island, so it’s not really a full circle.

Anse Volbert Village: This is another great location, close to Cote D’Or beach, probably the longest beach in Praslin and one of the most popular. The area also has most of the restaurants on the island, and it’s not as mountainous, making it easy to get around by foot. It’s also close to the road that connects you to the Vallee de Mai forest.

Anse Lazio Beach: This is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, which makes this an incredible area to stay at. However, we would not recommend staying in this area if you’re looking to see most of the island in a short amount of time. The roads are even more winding and hilly in this part of Praslin, and the road will essentially dead-end at one point, meaning you have to turn around to get back to the center of the island or make a whole loop to get to the other side.

Anse Takamaka: This area has some of the best sunsets on the island, close to the Vallee de Mai and Fond Ferdinand forests. However, it is a bit further away from Anse Volbert Village, where most of the restaurants and bars are located.

Where to Eat in Praslin

Les Rochers: We saved this restaurant for our last night in Praslin. and it was one of our favorites. The view and the sunset are some of the best on the island; the food was incredible, and the service was lovely. Our recommendation is to make a reservation a bit before sunset. There are small tables right on a small peninsula that juts into the ocean where you can get a drink before your meal. Then, you can head into the actual restaurant (still outdoors) for an incredible meal.

Café des Arts: The atmosphere in this restaurant is incredible. There are lots of different areas to sit in, from indoors to outside on a terrace to right next to the ocean. A reservation is key if you want one of the better tables. We came here for lunch and had a great time. Note that it can get loud, so check in beforehand if you’re looking for a quieter meal. The food is a bit pricey, but we thoroughly enjoyed the spot.

Les Lauriers: This is a beautiful restaurant with incredible lighting at night. They offer what we hear is a very delicious Creole Buffet, but it wasn’t available the night we went for dinner. We ordered some fish dishes and the octopus curry a la carte instead and really enjoyed it.

La Pirogue: We came here our first night, after a long day of travel and it was exactly what we needed. It’s a quiet restaurant tucked away from the busier areas. The atmosphere is traditional, with a small menu and quick service. It is not the most exciting restaurant on the island, but the food is great, the staff is friendly, and the prices are reasonable.

What to do in Praslin

Check out the beautiful beaches: The top two we would recommend are Anse Lazio and Cote D’Or Beach. Anse Lazio is probably the most famous beach on the island, and justifiably so. We recommend staying here until sunset as the beach is located perfectly for this. It is a bit further away from the center of town, and there aren’t that many restaurants or shops nearby, so come prepared if you plan to spend the day. On the other hand, Cote D’Or Beach is a much longer beach, surrounded by lots of restaurants and bars and perfect for different water activities.

Go snorkeling: To really experience the magic of the Seychelles, you need to get on a boat. You can book the excursion directly here. We took a four-hour boat ride across the islands and got to snorkel around Little Sister, Big Sister, and Felicité. The advantage of coming in spring is the water is crystal clear, and there are tons of fish to spot. We even saw a few turtles, which were incredible to watch.

Visit Curieuse Island: This is a must in your Seychelles itinerary. The island is known for its bare red earth and the unique coco de mer palms that are bigger than your head and only grow here and in Praslin. In the late 1970s, a conservation project relocated the Aldabra giant tortoise to Curieuse, and today there are over 300 of them living on the island. You can check out all the details of the tour here, including a delicious lunch.

Go scuba diving: Neither of us had ever been scuba diving before – but now we are hooked! We chose to go with the Octopus Diving Center and honestly can’t recommend them enough. They are knowledgeable, patient, and so friendly. Our guide knew the water well and was able to spot so many different types of creatures that we would have never seen, including an octopus and even a shark.

Visit Vallée de Mai: This is a stunning nature park with the endemic coco de mer. The walk took us a couple of hours, but it wasn’t very demanding. There are a few other trees to see and some incredible birds to spot, like the black parrot. There is a fee to enter and we were offered a guide at the beginning, but for a very expensive price (€50). We chose to pass on that and were happy we did. For this walk, you certainly don’t need a guide.

Visit Fond Ferdinand: This is a less famous version of Vallée de Mai, with the incredible coco de mer and many of the other fascinating plants. It opened in 2013, and since it’s not yet widely known, it is cheaper than Vallée de Mai, and you even get a guide for free. It’s 6 times bigger, too!  It can be a longer and more challenging hike, as they offer a two-hour journey up to a viewpoint that oversees Praslin and a few of the nearby islands.

Enjoy the sunset on a rock: Seychelles has some of the coolest rock formations we have ever seen. We don’t know the exact location, but we chose to stop to enjoy the sunset on a rock between Pointe Cocos and the Coco de Mer Hotel. The trick is to be able to find a spot where the roads are wide enough to park your car and then a rock that’s easy to hike to. It can be a bit of a challenge, but it’s worth it!

Day 5-7: La Digue Island

La Digue is the fourth largest island in the Seychelles, and probably our favorite in this whole Seychelles itinerary. With less than 3,000 people and very few cars, it feels dramatically smaller than Praslin. It doesn’t have an airport and it’s around 10 km², so it’s very easy to get around on a bike or on foot. That all to say, no need to rent a car. Instead, most hotels will let you rent bikes for the day, and this is by far the best way to get around (even for the less experienced bike riders like Cristina).

Though we absolutely loved Praslin and Mahe, we would say that La Digue was at the top of the list when it comes to favorites. The weather in this smaller island was more predictable and we saw less rain overall, while the small size and ease of getting around made the experience even more unique. Plus, the beaches and hikes were just stunning.

Where to Stay in La Digue

Anse La Reunion: We stayed at Le Nautique Waterfront Hotel in Anse La Reunion and cannot recommend them enough. The entire experience was incredible. The hotel is small and charming and in the perfect location. It was close to the city center, therefore close to restaurants and shops, but because of the way the hotel is arranged, it did not feel noisy or crowded. The hotel has a great restaurant, a beach bar, and a lovely pool right on the shore. Just note that the hotel has stairs to get into the ocean but doesn’t have a formal beach.

Anse Severe: This is a beautiful beach with fun juice bars and two giant tortoises walking around. But it is still centrally located, meaning it’s easy to get to the center of town and to the other main attractions.

Anse Fourmis: This area is also stunning, but it is further away from the town and towards the end of the road. Since the road is like a horseshoe around the island and doesn’t connect, you would need to go back around the island to get to a point that is actually close by.

Where to Eat in La Digue

We should note that there are several delicious restaurants in La Digue, but they are generally catered more for lunches or casual meals. Here is a list of our favorites:

Chez Jules: This is one of our favorite restaurants on the island. It was a bit further away from our hotel, right next to Anse Fourmis, but it was certainly worth the bike ride. They have amazing fresh juices and delicious curry and creole dishes. The restaurant is right next to the beach, and the best part is the way some of the tables are facing. 

Rey & Josh: This is a very casual but unique lunch spot. It was on our way to Grand Anse and was a great spot to refuel. The tables resemble picnic tables, and the atmosphere is light and happy. The food was simple but delicious.

Fish Trap: This is a nice spot for some lunch or dinner. It’s close to the port, so we stopped by for a quick lunch before our ferry back to Mahe. 

Le Nautique Restaurant: This is the restaurant at the Le Nautique Hotel, where we stayed in La Digue. The food is delicious, and the service is great. The best part is the view, overlooking the ocean and offering great sunsets. There are not a lot of tables, so make sure to make a reservation in advance. 

Le Repaire: This is the restaurant at Le Repaire Hotel. It’s a beautiful place, especially if you can get one of the tables in the garden. They specialize in Italian food, so it’s the right place to go if you’re looking for something outside the traditional Creole cuisine. 

Bikini Bottom: Stopping by this juice bar is one of our favorite things to do in La Digue, right on Anse Severe. The place is full of character, and they offer tasty juices, which you can spike with a bit of alcohol, too. Turtle Bar is right next to Bikini Bottom and it’s another great spot to taste some delicious fresh juices.

What to do in La Digue

Hike to Anse Coco: This was one of our favorite things to do in La Digue. It is an awesome hike through a couple of different beaches that ends up at beautiful Anse Coco. You can bike to Grand Anse Beach, but you’ll need to walk the rest, following the Anse Caiman Trail. The hike is not very demanding, but it does get hot and involves two 30-minute walks.

Visit L’Union Estate: This is a former coconut and vanilla plantation that’s been turned into a great park. They have an entrance fee of about €10, but we think it’s worth it. You can bike around and explore the different areas of the park. There is an old cemetery and a plantation house built in the French colonial style that was used as the setting for the film Goodbye Emmanuelle.

Bike to Anse Source D’Argent: This is probably the most famous beach in La Digue. It has amazing rock formations, and the water is unique because of how shallow, calm, and clear it is. They also offer kayak tours on transparent plexiglass kayaks. We chose not to do the tour, but people that did seemed to enjoy it.

Explore the island on a bike: The best way to explore the island is to jump on a bike and stop at different beaches and restaurants. There are some hills throughout, but it’s overall a pretty easy ride throughout and the roads are in good condition. You can ride out to Anse Fourmis for some incredible views, stop at Anse Severe for some swimming, or explore the city of La Reunion for a bit of shopping.

Day 8: Mahe Island

Mahe has almost 90% of the Seychelles’ population and the capital city of Victoria. Given its bigger size, Mahe has many more hotel, restaurant, and bar options, but it’s also much more crowded. It’s not possible to get to many places on foot, so a car or public transportation is needed. We decided to only spend one day on the island. Of course, we would’ve loved to have stayed longer, but we planned a jam-packed road trip and got to see quite a bit in 24 hours.

One-Day Mahe Roadtrip

1. Start out exploring Victoria, and check out the Victoria Market, the Victoria Clocktower, the Hindu Temple, and the National Museum.
2. Drive south to Anse Royale, a stunning beach with a unique rock formation.
3. Make your way to the western part of the island until you reach Anse Takamaka Beach and grab some lunch at Chez Batista.
4. Start heading north to Anse Soleil, another incredibly beautiful beach.
5. Say goodbye to the beach, head north towards Morne Seychellois National Park and explore Sauzier Waterfall.
6. Grab some dinner and enjoy the beautiful sunset at Del Place Restaurant.
7. Finish the day with some drinks at Boat House in Beau Vallon.

Where to Stay in Mahe

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