With its azure waters, fascinating islets, crowd-free sparkling sand beaches, lush peaks, there’s no surprise why Seychelles has been hailed as one of the world’s most gorgeous tropical destinations. Add the archipelago’s abundant nature, rich culture, and famed biodiversity, this haven is simply to die for.
Though getting to the islands isn’t cheap or easy, it offers a myriad of activities and locations, making every trip genuinely worth it for every visitor. Here, discover the top places to visit in Seychelles, so you can plan your getaway better and leave with no regrets. Its also a great exotic cruise destination as well.
Beau Vallon
Beau Vallon is arguably the face of Seychelles on travel brochures and postcards. It is the most popular and most commercialized attraction in the archipelago, brimmed with countless hotels, and resorts, facing the perfect blue Indian Ocean. The beach also offers a wide range of activities, from swimming to sunbathing, jet skiing, and water skiing. Once done, fill your appetite and enjoy fresh treats to pizza and French cuisine with the line of many amazing restaurants. To end the day, enjoy a good stroll on its soft white sand or rest your feet while enjoying the picturesque view of the islands and the horizon.
Silhouette Island
Silhouette Island is renowned for its great biodiversity. You can see chameleons, turtles, skinks, fruit bats, birds, and geckos. Plus, the carnivorous pitcher plant can also be found here. If not hidden by the cloud, you can also witness the beauty of the 731-meter high Mount Dauban. Otherwise, check out the great granite rock structures or explore some of the island’s amazing trails and caves. Should you wish some time to indulge in nature, Silhouette Island will provide total bliss.
Victoria
One of the tiniest capitals across the globe, Victoria is Seychelles’ cultural, business, and administrative hub. At its heart lies the Victoria Clocktower, a national structure that resembles the “Big Ben,” ticking for over 117 years. Small and walkable, your eyes would feast on its attractive old colonial buildings, botanical gardens, and history museum. Shops and bazaars are also abundant, with tropical fruits, vegetables, crafts, and other mementos, making it the best place to get your last-minute presents before returning home.
Aldabra
Lying 1,100 kilometers (683.5 miles) south of the capital city, the Aldabra Island is another UNESCO World Heritage site that houses a vast coral atoll, the second-largest in the world. It has marvelous biodiversity, which includes manta rays, sharks, tortoises, flying foxes, and birds, serving as an ideal destination for animal lovers out there.
Vallee de Mai National Park
A true paradise for all nature-loving travelers, the Vallee de Mai National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its palm forests and unique wildlife. It serves as the home of the coco de mer palm tree, which has the largest seed of any plant on the entire planet. Hike its trails and you will see the rare Seychelles black parrot and tiger chameleon, plus other mammals, crustaceans, and reptiles. Its mystical and sequestered nature befits its to be labeled as the present-day “Garden of Eden.”
Curieuse Island
After its grim past under the French colonists, Curieuse Island is now one of Seychelles’ top tourist destinations. Renowned for its unique red soil, coco de mer palm trees, vast mangroves, and great marine wildlife, it provides sheer delight for every nature enthusiast out there.
La Digue
La Digue is Seychelle’s third-largest inhabited island but serves as the laid-back, less busy alternative to the larger Mahé and Praslin islands. Its majority is untouched, and it’s where its charm lies as it allows you to step back in time. Get a bike once you arrive on the island, and explore the villages, witness Creole houses, then get snacks in some of the cafes or restaurants to complete your trip on this spectacular island.
Cousine Island
A refuge of some of the archipelago’s exotic species, such as the Seychelles magpie robin, Seychelles turtledove, Seychelles warbler, and the hawksbill turtle, Cousine Island is a protected reserve that attracts bird watchers and turtle seekers during their peak season. This granite mass also has elegant villas and eco-lodges, and infinity pools overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Baie Lazare
Situated on the southern edge of Mahe island, Baie Lazare’s appeal lies in its rich history. It is where Lazare Picault first arrived in the 1740s and first claimed the archipelago for France. A gorgeous church is also found in the district, which commemorates St. Francis of Assisi and attests to the influence of Europeans in the archipelago. Don’t fret if you love beaches as Baie Lazare has Anse Soleil and Petite Anse that will fulfill your sand and ocean fantasy.
Grand Anse
Hailed as one of the longest beaches in Seychelles, Grand Anse has a striking yellow-white horseshoe-arched shore, dotted with beautiful guesthouses, hotels, and restaurants, accentuated by blossoms from plumeria and hibiscus plants. Its shallow, calm waters are perfect for water sports, such as snorkeling, windsurfing, and swimming. Otherwise, you can just hide under the shade of palm groves while enjoying the natural beauty.
Bird Island
An island that lives up to its name, Bird Island is visited by over a million birds from May to November. If that isn’t enough, it is also the home of sea cows and the largest tortoise on the planet – Esmeralda! Make sure to visit her then check out the island’s winding paths to complete your visit.
Aride Island
Another paradise for conservationists, Aride Island is the northernmost granitic island of the archipelago. This nature reserve is home to a huge population of waterfowls, endemic flowers, and holds the largest concentration of lizards on the planet. Relatively untouched for many years, its wilderness remains intact, giving visitors the closest feel to nature.
Morne Seychellois National Park
The hikers and trekker’s dream, the Morne Seychellois is a wild area, with rugged cliffs, mist-fringed canopies, tropical birds, and a wide array of plants and trees. Then, don’t forget to look out for Venus flytraps and the remnants of cinnamon factories. The national covers about 20% of Mahe Island, and was named after Morne Seychellois, the highest peak in the islands.
Sainte Anne National Marine Park
Comprising eight closely situated islands, the Sainte Anne National Marine Park draws its charm not on what’s above the waters but what is hidden under it. Boaters, free divers, and scuba divers visit the park to see its diverse marine life, coral reefs, and seagrass fields – all of which are a sight to behold.
Fregate Island
Blessed with thick forests and tropical vegetation, the Fregate Island is another must-see destination in Seychelles. It offers different water sports activities from yachting to snorkeling and scuba diving. Plus, it is where Anse Victoria lies, which has been voted as the World’s Best Beach. If you’re in for some privacy, the island will provide the same – you can relax in a jacuzzi or spend quality time with your loved ones.
Takeaway
The places and activities you can visit in Seychelles are endless and unique. It may be one of the smallest countries in the world, but it has a lot to offer. Before visiting the archipelago, make sure to plan your itinerary depending on your interest and get the most out of your trip. Rest assured that your visit to the islands will be breathtaking, and your memories of its natural beauty will last a lifetime.