Discover the Seychelles: A Paradise Beyond Bounty

The Seychelles Islands are one of those rare destinations where the reality perfectly matches the tourist’s imagination. Pristine beaches, vibrant colors, and luxurious resorts define the Seychelles. It’s a place that’s far, expensive, and breathtakingly beautiful. For those who love exploratory vacations, the Seychelles offer an experience even more enchanting than the iconic Bounty advertisement.

Beaches

The beaches of several islands in the Seychelles are renowned worldwide, featuring in major international rankings. One beach on La Digue is listed among the top ten globally, while another on Praslin holds the 11th spot. Some beaches are perfect for sunrise views, others for sunset vistas. The giant rocks on certain beaches provide a stunning backdrop for photos. However, the crystal-clear ocean and the whitest sand remain consistent across all the islands.

Palms and Other Endemics

The symbol and main attraction of the Seychelles is the coco de mer, a coconut from a palm tree that grows exclusively on the granitic islands. This coconut will be the first thing you see upon arrival, as it’s featured on the passport stamp. You’ll encounter it everywhere—on the coat of arms, money, logos, paintings, and in countless souvenir forms. You can also see the world’s largest coconut in person by visiting the Mai Valley, a nature reserve on Praslin Island. In the Mai Valley, you can try holding a 20-kilogram coco de mer, which takes ten years to mature on a 30-meter-tall tree. This palm, a pride of the Seychelles, is historically used only for souvenirs and crafts, not for agriculture or construction.

Visiting the reserve is worthwhile not just for the coco de mer. Tourists are guided through a remarkable forest with five other palm species—endemic to the Seychelles. If lucky, you might see and hear birds unique to these islands, such as the black parrot, another symbol of the Seychelles. The guide will proudly show you unique snails, crustaceans, chameleons, flying foxes, geckos, and frogs. By the end of the tour, you’ll be convinced that the journey was worth every moment.

Getting There

Any route to the Seychelles is long and involves transfers, so it’s best to prioritize maximum comfort at a reasonable cost. I recommend Etihad Airways, which offers excellent service in its class. A layover in the UAE also provides an opportunity to explore a beautiful airport with a fantastic duty-free shopping experience.

Capital City

The capital, Victoria, is located on Mahe Island, where the international airport is situated. Victoria is an idyllic small town where most attractions are within walking distance. However, it’s better to explore it independently or with a private guide rather than relying on group tours, which often cover only half of the interesting sites and leave little time for leisurely strolls through the charming low-rise streets.

Must-see attractions include the Clock Tower (locally known as “Small Ben”), fountains, the botanical garden, major temples from Catholic to Hindu, the national museum, a contemporary art gallery, and the main market. The main market is the best place to buy souvenirs, spices, oils, and local goods at the lowest prices on the islands.

If time permits, visit two art galleries: one featuring a single artist and another showcasing works from various contemporary masters.

From any point on the island, you can reach Victoria by taxi (expensive), hitchhiking (cheaper), or bus (the cheapest). Mahe has a well-developed public bus network, with buses running on schedule even to the most remote areas.

Language

In all tourist areas, English and French are widely spoken. Locals communicate in Seychellois Creole, a simplified and altered form of French mixed with languages like Swahili. With some effort and creativity in breaking down French grammar and mimicking local pronunciation, you can manage basic Creole within a week, much to the delight of the locals.

Mahe Island

At the airport, most hotels, and other tourist spots, you can pick up a free map highlighting the main attractions. Renting a car allows you to visit all the distant points of the island in a day, including the gallery of artist Michael Adams, tea plantations, nature reserves, and viewpoints. Public transport is also an option, but it will take two days. The nature reserves offer pedestrian routes suited to different fitness levels.

Half of the excursions on Mahe Island are water-based. Activities include glass-bottom boat tours, catamaran rides, cruises around the southern coast, visits to the marine national park, and fishing trips lasting half a day or a full day. These activities are interspersed with visits to beautiful beaches or walking tours. It’s advisable to book group excursions through travel agencies, as they are well-organized and allow you to see much more than you would on your own.

The most lively spot on the island is Beau Vallon Beach and its surroundings, including the promenade where festivals, dances, and performances are regularly held. During the day, the promenade (less than a kilometer long) is lined with souvenir stalls and offers affordable snacks and cocktails. In the evening, locals gather here to enjoy music, dance, and socialize, creating a lively and cheerful atmosphere.

Praslin Island

Besides the Mai Valley reserve, it’s worth visiting Anse Lazio, one of the world’s top beaches, and observing how pearls are cultivated and mollusks are fed. Public transport on Praslin is limited, so a group excursion with a group transfer helps see all the main attractions in a day and still have time to visit La Digue. These two islands are often combined into one tour, with a 40-minute catamaran ride between them.

La Digue Island

La Digue features traditional Creole houses, a coconut factory, a planter’s residence, vanilla plantations, and some of the most photographed and picturesque beaches. This island is also home to giant tortoises, endemic to one of the Seychelles islands. With shells over a meter long and weighing up to 300 kilograms, these tortoises can live up to 150 years, with some reaching 250 years. Originally from Aldabra Island, where there is now a reserve, these tortoises have been introduced to other islands. Where there is transport, these precious rare reptiles are kept in enclosures at major resorts and hotels. As soon as a group of tourists approaches, the tortoises wake up and gather around, eager to interact. If people don’t immediately understand that they should not only admire and photograph but also pet the tortoises, the creatures stand on their hind legs, almost peeking over the enclosure, until they get the attention they seek.

Dining

All-inclusive options in the Seychelles are available only in a few ultra-luxurious hotels. Most others offer standard meal plans like breakfast or breakfast and dinner. If your basic tour includes only breakfast and the hotel manager offers to add dinner for $30–35, it’s advisable to accept. This will still be cheaper than dining in restaurants. Moreover, buying dinner through the hotel is more economical than eating out.