Overview

Picture a house-sized granite boulder rising from white sand, with clear blue water lapping at its base and fish darting just below the surface. In Seychelles, scenes like this are part of an ordinary beach day. It’s little wonder Seychelles tourism draws travellers who’d rather linger over grilled fish by the sea than rush from one attraction to the next.

The archipelago has 115 islands, but most first-time visitors start with Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Mahé has mountain trails and lively markets, Praslin is known for its palm-fringed beaches, and La Digue is made for slow rides past Creole houses and quiet coves. You could spend your days snorkelling, wandering through small villages or simply finding a beach you won’t want to leave.

White Trails’ Seychelles packages from India make it easier to plan a trip that feels like yours, from a romantic beachside honeymoon to a family holiday spent exploring the places to visit in Seychelles.

Places to Visit

Each island has its own charm, so visiting two or three gives you a better feel for Seychelles. Here’s what you can expect from the main islands, plus a few smaller ones worth the trip.

Mahé is the gateway, home to the international airport, the capital Victoria and the widest choice of hotels. Spend a morning in Victoria, where the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market sells spices and the day’s catch, and the Victoria Botanical Gardens shelters giant Aldabra tortoises and the coco de mer palm. Indian travellers often stop at the colourful Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple, which stands out among the town’s pastel buildings.

Beau Vallon Beach is a good spot for swimming, water sports and evening food stalls along the shore. Anse Intendance Beach stays windy, with strong waves rolling over the shore all day long, making it better for a beach walk than a swim. For a change of scenery, hike the Anse Major trail to a quiet cove or explore the forest trails in Morne Seychellois National Park.

Praslin, a short flight or ferry ride from Mahé, is greener and quieter. At Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can walk beneath towering palms, spot the unusual coco de mer and listen for the rare black parrot.

Anse Lazio is a favourite for its soft sand and clear water, which is great for snorkelling. Anse Volbert is livelier, with restaurants just a short walk from the beach. For a quieter day by the sea, try Anse Georgette, but check access permissions in advance as the route passes through a resort.

Many travellers base themselves here for a Seychelles honeymoon, since luxurious, serene villas sit close to the water. Day trips to Curieuse, La Digue and Cousin leave from Praslin’s jetties, and Curieuse adds free-roaming tortoises and a mangrove boardwalk.

La Digue is best explored on two wheels. Hire a bicycle near the jetty and follow the island’s lanes to its beaches. Anse Source d’Argent is the one you’ve probably seen in pictures, with huge granite boulders scattered along the shore and clear, shallow water between them. Go early, before the beach gets busy.

You’ll enter La Digue through L’Union Estate, which charges a small fee and has a historic copra mill and giant tortoises. Anse Patates is popular for snorkelling, while Grand Anse and Anse Cocos are worth the walk if you prefer wilder beaches and fewer people. You can also visit the Veuve Nature Reserve to look for the rare Seychelles paradise flycatcher.

As evening sets in, head to the La Passe jetty to watch the sky change colours, then indulge in a delicious seafood dinner.

Day trips and short stays add variety to an itinerary. 

  • Cousin Island Special Reserve: a bird sanctuary where hawksbill turtles come ashore to nest. You can visit only on a guided walk.
  • Silhouette Island: a quiet island with rainforest trails and a handful of places to stay.
  • Bird Island: home to large seabird colonies during nesting season, with short flights available from Mahé.
  • Sainte Anne Marine National Park: glass-bottom boats and easy snorkelling over coral, close to Victoria

Our Seychelles island-hopping itinerary combines Mahé, Praslin and La Digue with ferry transfers handled for you.

Best Time to Visit Seychelles

Weather in Seychelles stays warm all year, with sea temperatures hovering around 27 to 29°C. The best time to visit Seychelles depends on your plans and budget. Calmer seas suit swimming and snorkelling, while off-peak dates may offer better accommodation rates.

Transition Season

April to May 29°C to 32°C

Hot, calm and mostly dry

Light winds and clear water make this a strong window for snorkelling and diving. Days are sunny and warm, with gentle breezes and little rain to interrupt outdoor plans.

Southeast Trade Wind Season

June to September 27°C to 30°C

Cooler, drier and breezy

The southeast trade winds can make beaches on the island’s eastern and southern coasts quite breezy, while Beau Vallon on Mahé tends to be more sheltered. This period overlaps with Indian school holidays, so accommodation can fill up quickly.

Transition Season

October to November 28°C to 31°C

Warm and calm as the winds shift

Seas settle down, and visibility is good, which suits first-time snorkellers and long days on the beach. The winds ease as the season changes, bringing warm days and generally comfortable conditions for boat trips.

Wet Season

December to March 28°C to 32°C

Hot, humid, with heavier rain in December and January

Rain usually comes in brief bursts, with sunny spells in between. Seychelles sits outside the main cyclone belt, so tropical cyclones rarely affect the islands. It can feel muggy at this time of year, and afternoon showers are fairly common. For a Seychelles honeymoon, April, May and October are good choices for calmer seas and a more peaceful beach escape.

Top Things to Do in Seychelles

The best things to do in Seychelles go beyond beach days, from snorkelling over coral reefs to cycling around La Digue and exploring its lush interior. White Trails’ Seychelles packages from India help you fit in the experiences you’re most excited about.

Snorkel and Dive Among Coral Gardens

Slip into the water, and you’ll discover a whole new side of Seychelles, with colourful fish darting between coral and sea turtles gliding past. Sainte Anne Marine National Park, off Mahé, is a good place for beginners, with shallow reefs just a short boat ride away. For a snorkel straight from the beach, try Anse Lazio or Anse Volbert Village on Praslin. If you fancy scuba diving, local dive centres offer beginner sessions, so you can give it a go without certification. Between August and October, you may even spot a whale shark off Mahé’s west coast, though sightings are never guaranteed.

Snorkel and Dive Among Coral Gardens

Hop Between Islands by Ferry or Catamaran

One morning, you could be watching Mahé’s green hills disappear behind you; by lunchtime, you’re stepping onto Praslin or La Digue, ready for the next one. Island hopping is one of the best things to do in Seychelles, and the Cat Cocos ferry makes it easy to travel between the main islands. The ride from Praslin to La Digue takes around 15 minutes. While you’re out on the water, book a catamaran trip with stops at Curieuse or St. Pierre Island. Spend the morning snorkelling around the reefs, then return to the catamaran for lunch with views of the surrounding islands. Just leave some breathing room in your itinerary, as rough seas can affect ferry schedules.

Hop Between Islands by Ferry or Catamaran

Stroll Through the Forest Trails

Fancy a change from lazy beach days? On Mahé, follow the Copolia Nature Trail past granite boulders and pitcher plants to witness scenic views over Victoria. On Praslin, walk beneath the towering palms of Vallée de Mai and keep an eye out for the rare Seychelles black parrot in the canopy. On La Digue, the Nid d’Aigle trail climbs to a viewpoint with sweeping views across the island and the sea. Some paths are steep or rocky, so wear shoes with good grip, carry plenty of water and set off early before the heat builds.

Stroll Through the Forest Trails

Encounter the Island Wildlife

Keep your camera handy on Curieuse, where giant Aldabra tortoises roam freely around the island, sometimes right along the paths. On Praslin, head into Vallée de Mai and listen for the Seychelles black parrot among the palms. Birdwatchers will enjoy Cousin Island, home to warblers, fodies and nesting hawksbill turtles. If you visit Bird Island between May and October, you may see thousands of sooty terns gathered along the coast. Watch from a respectful distance and let the wildlife go about its day.

Encounter the Island Wildlife

Plan a Romantic Escape

Imagine waking up to the sound of waves, spending the afternoon on a beach with barely anyone around and watching the sun set from a catamaran with your favourite person beside you. A Seychelles honeymoon gives you plenty of ways to make those moments yours. Stay in a private villa on Praslin and split your time between the buzz of Mahé and the slower pace of La Digue. Our Seychelles honeymoon packages help you plan your days around the experiences you both love, leaving you free to enjoy the island escape together.

Plan a Romantic Escape

Try Paddleboarding and Deep-Sea Fishing

Out on the water, Seychelles looks completely different. At Beau Vallon, you can paddle along the coast, drift over clear shallows and stop to take in the view from your board. If you’d rather bring home a bigger story, book a deep-sea fishing charter from Mahé or Praslin. Sailfish and yellowfin tuna are among the possible catches, though the season makes a difference, so check with the crew before setting off.

Try Paddleboarding and Deep-Sea Fishing

Discover Seychelles’s Local Culture

Try Creole curries, listen to sega music and browse local markets for handmade crafts. Our Seychelles tour packages leave room for these everyday encounters, so you get to know the islands beyond their beaches.
Food

Fresh fish is a staple in Seychelles, usually grilled and served with rice or Creole sauce. Octopus curry is another local favourite, while ladob, made with fruit or breadfruit cooked in coconut milk and sugar, is a popular dessert. For a quick lunch, look out for small takeaway spots serving Creole dishes. On Mahé, you can tour the Takamaka rum distillery and sample SeyBrew, the islands’ popular local beer.

Festivals

If you’re visiting in October, look out for Festival Kreol, when Seychelles celebrates its culture through Creole food, music, dance and community events across the islands. The programme’s schedule changes each year, so check the dates and events before you book.

Shopping

Victoria’s market is a handy stop for local spices, including cinnamon and vanilla. For Seychelles-made souvenirs, browse the craft stalls at Domaine de Val des Près on Mahé, where local artisans sell handmade macramé, local teas, vanilla- and coconut-based treats, jewellery and wooden crafts. Coco de mer nuts are also available as souvenirs, but buy them from an authorised seller and make sure they come with the required certificate.

Travel Essentials for Your Seychelles Trip

Seychelles is compact, but its islands are spread across open water, so a little planning goes a long way. White Trails builds Seychelles packages from India with transfers and ferry timings already worked out.

Indian passport holders do not need a tourist visa to visit Seychelles, but you must apply for a Seychelles Travel Authorisation before departure. You can simply apply online, provided you have your travel details and bookings ready.

  • Visit the official Seychelles Electronic Border System
  • Fill in your personal details and travel information
  • Upload your passport photo page, a recent photo, flight details and accommodation bookings
  • Pay the applicable fee and submit your application
  • Save your approval on your phone so it’s easy to show when needed


Your passport must be valid for the duration of your trip and return journey. You should also have a confirmed return or onward ticket, accommodation details for your stay and enough funds to cover your visit. Apply through the official portal, where the standard Travel Authorisation fee is listed as €10.90; check the current fee and processing options before applying.

The Seychelles rupee (SCR) is the local currency, and many hotels quote rates in euros. Keep these points in mind:

  • Cards work at hotels, larger restaurants and shops on Mahé and Praslin
  • Carry some rupees for markets, local cafés, taxis and other small purchases
  • ATMs are available on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. They dispense Seychelles rupees, and your bank may charge a withdrawal fee
  • Tipping isn’t compulsory, but a 10% tip is appreciated for good service

Buses are a cheap way to get around Mahé and Praslin, though a rental car gives you more freedom to explore. Taxis are handy for shorter trips, but agree on the fare before you set off. Driving is on the left, as in India, and some roads are narrow and winding.

To travel between islands, take a 15-minute Air Seychelles flight from Mahé to Praslin, or catch a ferry. On La Digue, hire a bicycle to get around the island at a pace that suits you. Leave some leeway in your plans in case rough seas delay ferries.

Pack light clothes for the tropical heat, along with a few essentials for rainy spells and time at the beach:

  • Light cotton clothing and a sarong or cover-up
  • High-SPF sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
  • A snorkel mask and water shoes
  • A light rain jacket or small umbrella for passing showers
  • Mosquito repellent, especially for evenings
  • A Type G travel adapter for UK-style three-pin sockets (220–240V)
  • A reusable shopping bag, as Seychelles restricts single-use plastic bags
  • Copies of your passport, Travel Authorisation and travel insurance
  • Prescription medicines in their original packaging, with a copy of your prescription

A friendly greeting and a little consideration go a long way in Seychelles. Keep these simple points in mind while exploring the islands:

  • Say ‘Bonzour’ for good morning or ‘Bonswar’ for good evening
  • Keep swimwear for the beach or pool, and cover up when visiting towns or places of worship
  • Avoid topless sunbathing and nudity, which are not accepted on public beaches
  • Leave shells, coral and other marine life where you find them, especially in protected areas
  • Give tortoises and other wildlife space, and never feed them
  • Check Seychelles’ drone registration and flight rules before taking off, as some areas require specific authorisation

You can use your Indian SIM in Seychelles or pick up a local one. Other ways to get online include the following:

  • Check international roaming packs with your Indian mobile provider
  • Buy a travel eSIM before your trip if your phone supports it
  • Get a prepaid SIM from a local operator at the airport
  • Use Wi-Fi at your hotel or cafés, though the connection may be weaker in remote areas

FAQs

Quick answers to the most common queries about travelling in Seychelles.

April, May, October and November are good months for a Seychelles trip, with calmer seas and lighter winds that make swimming and snorkelling more enjoyable.

Indian passport holders don’t need a tourist visa for Seychelles, but all visitors must obtain an online Travel Authorisation before departure.

Seychelles is an excellent honeymoon destination for couples seeking quiet beaches, ocean-view stays and private boat trips. White Trails’ exclusive Seychelles honeymoon packages cover your stays and transfers, so you can enjoy your trip without focusing on logistics.

Yes, Seychelles can be expensive for Indian travellers compared with many Asian beach destinations. Guesthouses, local eateries and early bookings can help manage costs.

Mahé, Praslin and La Digue suit family holidays, with accessible beaches, nature walks and wildlife encounters.