Mahé beyond the beach
Follow the Sans Souci road into the hills, walk in Morne Seychellois National Park and stop for grilled fish with rice and lentils. Mountain paths can be slippery after rain.
The Seychelles.
Granite headlands, Creole kitchens and island days shaped around the sea, from Mahé’s mountain roads to La Digue’s bicycles.
Ideal length
9–12 nights
Gateway
Around 4½ hours nonstop from Mumbai to Mahé when operating; other Indian departures generally require a connection.
Best months
Apr · May · Oct · Nov
From, per person
₹5.5L
Why The Seychelles
What it feels like
when it's planned well.
Best for
Who it suits
CoupleFamilyMulti-generationalFriendsSlow pace
The Seychelles rewards a little movement, followed by several days of doing very little. Mahé brings forested slopes, Victoria’s market and the best choice of restaurants; Praslin has the coco de mer palms of Vallée de Mai; La Digue is best explored by bicycle. Beyond these three, smaller islands offer greater seclusion, though reaching them adds cost and sometimes another flight or boat transfer.
We plan the islands in a sensible sequence, matching beach exposure to the season and leaving space between transfers. For most clients, that means nine or ten nights, a private driver on Mahé and boat outings chosen around the weather rather than fixed promises. One caveat: even expensive beaches can collect seasonal seaweed, and the southeast trade winds can make crossings uncomfortable from June to September.
Highlights
Three things you'd remember.
Praslin’s ancient palms
Walk Vallée de Mai with a local guide to understand the coco de mer forest and look for the Seychelles black parrot, found naturally only on Praslin.
La Digue at bicycle speed
Ride between La Passe, village bakeries and L’Union Estate, then visit Anse Source d’Argent at a suitable tide. Its famous granite shoreline is not reliably quiet.
A shape to start from
The itinerary, before we change it for you.
Every trip we send is rewritten at least once. Treat this as a rhythm rather than a route — then tell your specialist what to cut, slow down or add.
- Days 1–3
Mahé: settle in, then explore
Arrive at Seychelles International Airport and transfer to the coast. Keep the first afternoon free, then spend a morning in Victoria and another on the Sans Souci road, with a guided forest walk if conditions suit.
- Days 4–6
Praslin: palms, beaches and tortoises
Take the short domestic flight to Praslin. Visit Vallée de Mai early, arrange access to Anse Georgette in advance and allow a weather-dependent day for Curieuse’s giant tortoises and a licensed snorkelling excursion.
- Days 7–9
La Digue: leave the timetable behind
Cross by ferry to La Digue and explore by bicycle. Spend time at Anse Source d’Argent and ride towards Grand Anse for the scenery, not an assumed swim: currents and surf there can be dangerous.
- Day 10
Return via Praslin and Mahé
Take the ferry to Praslin and connect by air to Mahé with a generous buffer. Depending on the international departure and sea conditions, we may move the final night to Mahé instead.
- Planning note
Nine nights, adjusted to your flights
The route allows three nights on each island. Families wanting fewer changes can replace La Digue with a day visit from Praslin, although this loses its quieter mornings and evenings.
Where you'd stay
Houses we hold, not listings.
Illustrative private coastal houseSouthern Mahé
Takamaka Coast House
A planning example, not a named operating property. Indicative nightly cost per person on shared occupancy; allow for a driver, as restaurants and beaches are spread out.
From₹65,000 / night
Illustrative serviced pool villaPraslin
Praslin Palm Villa
A planning example, not a named operating property. Indicative nightly cost per person on shared occupancy; beach access, meal arrangements and seasonal exposure require checking.
From₹95,000 / night
Illustrative private garden houseLa Digue
La Digue Garden House
A planning example, not a named operating property. Indicative nightly cost per person on shared occupancy; prioritise easy cycling distance to La Passe over an isolated address.
From₹45,000 / night
Access & experiences
What we can open for you.
Curieuse with a naturalist
Travel from Praslin with a licensed operator to see free-ranging Aldabra giant tortoises and walk the mangrove boardwalk. Park fees apply; landing and walking plans depend on weather and access.
A Creole lunch on Mahé
Arrange a locally cooked meal built around the day’s fish, octopus curry when available, lentils and seasonal chutneys. Discuss dietary requirements beforehand rather than assuming every kitchen can accommodate them.
Snorkelling off Praslin
Choose a sheltered site with the skipper on the day. April and October often offer favourable conditions, but visibility varies and coral health is uneven; fish life is not a promise of pristine reef.
Anse Source d’Argent in softer light
Visit through L’Union Estate, with its entrance charge, early or later in the day. Check tides before planning photographs or swimming, and leave room for other visitors at the best-known granite formations.
When to go
The months that work.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Prime Shoulder — quieter, better value
Good to know
- Visa
- Indian passport holders do not need a visa, but must obtain Seychelles Travel Authorisation before departure. A visitor’s permit is issued on arrival subject to entry conditions, including confirmed accommodation, onward or return travel and sufficient funds. Check current requirements before booking.
- Getting around
- Mahé and Praslin have taxis, private drivers and hire cars; driving is on the left. Domestic flights connect Mahé and Praslin, while scheduled ferries serve the main islands. La Digue is primarily explored by bicycle, with limited vehicle transfers.
- Pace
- Allow at least three nights per island. Inter-island transfers take more of the day than their flight or sailing duration suggests, and a final Mahé night can protect an early international departure.
- Health
- Use mosquito repellent and strong sun protection, and carry travel insurance covering medical evacuation. Specialist care is limited beyond Mahé. Yellow fever certification can be required after travel through a risk country, including certain long airport transits.
- Currency
- The currency is the Seychelles rupee, SCR. Cards are widely accepted at established hotels and restaurants; carry rupees for smaller businesses. International cards enabled for overseas use are more useful than relying on Indian payment apps.
“Choose the coast for the season before choosing the room. In the Seychelles, that decision matters more than an extra category of suite.”
Dev Travels planning note
The Seychelles, in frames
The Seychelles questions
Asked often.
Indicative journeys start from INR 545,000 per person, based on two sharing. The final quotation depends on dates, accommodation, island transfers and meal arrangements; international flights, taxes and all inclusions are specified separately before confirmation.
April and October are often the calmest transition periods, with May and November also good options. June to September is generally drier but windier, especially on southeast-facing coasts. December to February is typically wetter, though showers do not necessarily last all day.
With nine or more nights, Mahé, Praslin and La Digue work well together. For a week, choose two bases. Travellers prioritising privacy may prefer a smaller island, accepting higher costs and fewer dining or excursion choices.
Yes, with careful beach and accommodation choices. Not every beach is safe for swimming, lifeguard coverage is limited and some villas have unfenced pools. We favour shorter transfers, sheltered shores and flexible meals for younger families.
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Ready when you are
Let's plan
something real.
Once-in-a-lifetime, or a long quiet weekend. Tell us what you're picturing — the first conversation is on us.