Travel to Seychelles — everything you need to know
When to go to Seychelles?
April – May — Calm transition : Calm seas, little wind, pleasant temperatures 26–30°C, excellent diving. The year's best underwater visibility.
October – November — Calm transition (again) : Another ideal window: calm between the two monsoons. Smooth sea, blue sky, perfect temperatures.
June – August — South-east monsoon : Winds and swell on the west coast of Mahé and Praslin. Some beaches less accessible. Praslin and La Digue more exposed. Temperatures remain warm.
Weather in Seychelles
Check the weather city by city, starting with Victoria.
Mahé (Victoria): daytime highs from 24 to 26 °C depending on the season, 205 mm of rain per month on average.
What to do in Seychelles?
Seychelles is the most exclusive archipelago in the Indian Ocean: 115 granite and coral islands with exceptional pink granite beaches (Anse Source d'Argent, ranked the most beautiful beach in the world), turquoise waters of absolute clarity, giant Aldabra tortoises (UNESCO, the world's largest population), and the Vallée de Mai (UNESCO) with the coco de mer — the largest fruit in the plant kingdom.
La Digue — Anse Source d'Argent
La Digue is the most picturesque island in Seychelles: Anse Source d'Argent is ranked one of the most beautiful beaches in the world — pink granite boulders sculpted by wind and sea, shallow turquoise waters, coconut palms. You get around only by bike or ox cart. A preserved, timeless island.
Highlights : Anse Source d'Argent — the most photographed beach in the world, Grand Anse La Digue — wild beach on the windward side, Seychelles paradise flycatcher reserve (endemic species), Cycling round the island (15km).
Praslin — Vallée de Mai
Praslin is home to the Vallée de Mai (UNESCO), the smallest World Heritage site: a forest of coco de mer palms whose fruit is the largest in the plant kingdom (25kg). The endemic black parrot nests here. Anse Lazio, often voted the world's best beach, is 20 minutes away. The waters north of the island are ideal for diving.
Highlights : Vallée de Mai (UNESCO) — coco de mer forest (25kg fruit), Anse Lazio — often voted the world's most beautiful beach, Seychelles black parrot (endemic) in flight, Diving at Anse Boudin — manta rays and turtles.
Mahé — Capital and diving
Mahé, the largest island, concentrates the country's infrastructure: Victoria the capital (the smallest in the world), its markets full of spices and Creole crafts, botanical gardens with free-roaming giant tortoises, and diving around the neighbouring islands. Beau Vallon beach (north) is the liveliest in Seychelles.
Highlights : Victoria Market — spices, Creole crafts, Botanical gardens — semi-wild giant Aldabra tortoises, Diving around the islets (nurse sharks, rays), Beau Vallon beach — the busiest, with beautiful sunsets.
Travel budget for Seychelles
Seychelles is one of the most expensive destinations in Africa and the Indian Ocean. An affordable trip is nonetheless possible by staying on the three main islands (Mahé, Praslin, La Digue), avoiding luxury hotels, and self-catering some meals.
Backpacker : 150–220 €/j — Guesthouse + local food + ferry + bike