Explore Victoria, one of the world's smallest capital cities
Mahé's compact capital features a miniature clock tower modeled on London's Little Ben and a lively local produce market.
diskover·us
Home › Destinations › East Africa › Seychelles
East Africa
Things to do in the Seychelles
Granite boulder beaches unlike anywhere else on Earth, a nutmeg-scented rainforest holding one of the plant kingdom's strangest seeds, and one of the world's most exclusive island-hopping destinations.
Explore Seychelles on the map →Budget$$$
Best for7-9 days
CapitalVictoria
VisaNo visa required for stays up to 30 days for most nationalities including US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders, but a mandatory Travel Authorization must be applied for online before arrival.
CurrencySeychellois rupee (SCR)
LanguagesSeychellois Creole, English, and French (all official)
InternetGood
Typical lodging$90–$240/night
Driving sideLeft
Power & voltage240V / 50Hz (Type G plug)
Time zoneUTC+2 to UTC+3
Emergency number999
Dialing code+248
★★★★★ Beaches★★★★★ Luxury★★★★★ Photography
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled or purified water only. 10% at restaurants; guides and drivers appreciate a daily tip.
The Seychelles' granite islands are geologically unique, remnants of an ancient microcontinent that broke away from the supercontinent Gondwana, giving beaches like Anse Source d'Argent their surreal boulder-strewn look found almost nowhere else. The Vallée de Mai on Praslin Island protects the coco de mer palm, whose seed is the largest and heaviest in the entire plant kingdom, found growing wild in only two places on Earth.
When to go
Dry, cooler seasonMay–September
Cooler temperatures and lower humidity, with steadier trade winds, a popular window despite slightly choppier seas on some coasts.
Hot, humid seasonOctober–April
Warmer, calmer seas and the best visibility for diving and snorkeling, with a slightly higher chance of rain showers.
Cyclone riskGenerally low year-round
The Seychelles sits mostly outside the main Indian Ocean cyclone belt, making it a comparatively low-risk destination for storm disruption.
Shoulder periodsApril, October
Transitional months balancing decent weather with fewer crowds between the two main seasons.
20 things to do
▾
Culture & history
2Explore the Kreol Institute and Creole cultural sites on La Digue
Sites dedicated to Seychellois Creole language and heritage, offering context on the islands' distinct blended culture.
▾
Adventure & outdoors
4Cycle around La Digue, a nearly car-free island
Bicycles and ox-carts remain the primary transport on this small island, offering an unhurried way to explore its beaches and granite scenery.
Snorkel or dive the reefs of the Sainte Anne Marine National Park
A protected marine reserve near Mahé with coral reefs and clear water, easily reached by boat from the capital, Victoria.
Hike the Morne Seychellois National Park trails
Mahé's mountainous interior, covering roughly a fifth of the island, offers hiking trails through granite peaks and dense tropical forest.
Fish for bonefish or marlin in Seychelles' outer islands
The Seychelles' remote outer atolls have built an international reputation for world-class fly fishing and big-game fishing charters.
▾
Beaches
3Visit Anse Source d'Argent's granite boulder beach on La Digue
One of the most photographed beaches in the world, with massive pink-tinged granite boulders framing shallow turquoise water.
Relax on Anse Lazio, consistently ranked among the world's best beaches
A powder-sand beach on Praslin framed by granite boulders and takamaka trees, regularly named one of the finest beaches globally.
Snorkel at Anse Georgette on Praslin
A secluded, resort-adjacent beach often ranked among the archipelago's most beautiful, requiring a short walk or resort access to reach.
▾
Wildlife
5Explore the Vallée de Mai and the coco de mer palm forest
A UNESCO World Heritage rainforest on Praslin protecting the coco de mer palm, whose seed is the largest in the entire plant kingdom.
Watch giant tortoises roam free on Curieuse Island
A nature reserve island home to hundreds of free-roaming Aldabra giant tortoises, among the largest tortoise species on Earth.
Explore Silhouette Island's protected rainforest
One of the least-developed granite islands in the archipelago, largely protected as a national park with limited, low-impact tourism.
Dive with whale sharks near Mahé
Seychelles' waters see seasonal whale shark aggregations, with regulated snorkeling encounters offered by licensed operators.
Watch sooty terns nest on Bird Island
A remote outer island hosting one of the Indian Ocean's largest seabird colonies, with up to a million sooty terns nesting seasonally.
▾
Food & drink
3Eat Seychellois fish curry with breadfruit
A coconut-based curry reflecting Creole, French, and Indian Ocean culinary influences, a genuine everyday Seychellois staple.
Try Seychellois octopus curry (kari zourit)
A rich, spiced octopus curry considered one of the signature dishes of Seychellois Creole cuisine.
Try Seychellois ladob, a sweet plantain and coconut dessert
A traditional dessert of plantain or sweet potato stewed in coconut milk and vanilla, a genuine home-cooking staple across the islands.
▾
Nature & scenery
1Visit the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens in Victoria
A garden showcasing native and endemic plant species, including specimens of the famous coco de mer palm, within the capital itself.
▾
Luxury
1Sail between the inner islands on a multi-day charter
A popular way to see Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue's best beaches without repeated resort check-ins, common among higher-end visitors.
▾
Photography
1Photograph the sunset at Beau Vallon Beach on Mahé
One of Mahé's most popular and accessible beaches, known for calm water and some of the archipelago's best sunset views.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for Seychelles?
No visa is required for stays up to 30 days for most nationalities including US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens, but a mandatory Travel Authorization (roughly €10) must be applied for online before arrival.
▾Which islands should I visit: Mahé, Praslin, or La Digue?
Most itineraries combine all three: Mahé for the international airport and capital, Praslin for the Vallée de Mai and beaches, and La Digue for its iconic granite-boulder Anse Source d'Argent beach and bicycle-friendly pace.
▾What is the coco de mer seed?
The largest and heaviest seed in the entire plant kingdom, produced by a palm found growing wild in only two places on Earth, one of which is the Vallée de Mai on Praslin, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
▾Is Seychelles at risk from Indian Ocean cyclones?
It sits mostly outside the main cyclone belt, making it a comparatively low storm-risk destination year-round compared to Mauritius or Réunion further south.
▾Is Seychelles expensive?
Yes, among the priciest destinations in the Indian Ocean, reflecting its position as a high-end, low-volume tourism market rather than a budget beach destination.
▾How much does it cost to visit Vallée de Mai?
Foreign visitor entry to this UNESCO-listed palm forest, home to the giant coco de mer nut, runs about $30 USD. It's one of the pricier single-site entries in the region, reflecting Seychelles' overall higher cost level.
