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Seychelles

4.68° S, 55.49° E

Granite boulders, steep green hills and some of the Indian Ocean's best beaches, spread across Mahé, Praslin, La Digue and a handful of private islands. Seychelles suits couples who want nature and space more than an overwater villa.

Best season
Apr–May & Oct–Nov
Getting there
Mahé (SEZ) + ferry/short flight
Currency
Seychelles Rupee (SCR)
Typical stay
7–10 nights

Seychelles guides

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Planning a Seychelles trip

Seychelles rewards people who want to leave the hotel. The granite islands have forest trails, empty coves, a lively capital market and ferries linking one island to the next, so a week here usually means two bases instead of one. It suits couples, walkers, snorkellers and anyone happy to trade a vast resort for a small, characterful one. Families do well on Mahé, where the larger hotels and calmer bays are easiest to reach.

When to go

It is warm all year, so the wind decides the best dates. April, May, October and November fall between the two trade-wind seasons and bring the flattest sea and clearest water for boat days. June to September is drier and less humid but breezy, which makes crossings choppier and pushes seaweed onto south- and east-facing beaches. December to March is the hot, rainy stretch; January is usually the wettest month, though downpours tend to pass quickly.

Getting there and moving between islands

Every long-haul flight lands at Seychelles International on Mahé, usually via a Gulf hub. From there, Praslin is roughly a 15-minute Air Seychelles hop or a Cat Cocos catamaran crossing of a little over an hour, and La Digue is a short boat ride beyond Praslin. Private islands such as Félicité or North Island add a helicopter or boat transfer, which the resort arranges.

Where to base yourself and for how long

Mahé has the widest choice of luxury hotels and the simplest arrival. Praslin has Anse Lazio and the Vallée de Mai, and La Digue is the slow, bicycle-paced island best kept to a night or two. My default for seven to ten nights is Mahé then Praslin, with La Digue as a day trip or short finale. Two adults should budget from around US$8,000 to US$13,000 for a week excluding flights.

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