Things to do in

Seychelles

Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue is one of the world’s most iconic beaches — famous for its smooth pale granite boulders, shallow turquoise lagoons and soft white sand. A beach day here combines relaxed swimming, world-class photography, gentle snorkeling among sheltered rock pools and easy walking to nearby coves. Expect picture-postcard views, calm shallow water (protected by reef) and busy mornings with tour groups in high season.

Anse Lazio is one of the Seychelles' most photographed beaches: a wide crescent of powdery white sand sheltered by towering granite boulders and fringed by palm trees. The water is crystal-clear with calm, shallow lagoons ideal for swimming and snorkeling. This activity focuses on relaxation—sunbathing, gentle swims, beachcombing, and leisurely snorkeling—combined with spectacular scenery and easy access from Praslin's main hubs.

A compact, ancient palm forest on Praslin Island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vallée de Mai is famed for its endemic Coco de Mer palm and the rare Seychelles black parrot. The reserve offers well-maintained boardwalks and trails through primeval forest, letting visitors experience unique flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth.

Snorkel clear, warm waters among protected coral gardens at Sainte Anne Marine National Park, a short boat ride from Mahé. The park's shallow reefs and calm lagoons make it excellent for all skill levels. Expect vibrant reef fish, sea turtles, rays, and healthy coral formations within easy swimming distance of islands like Sainte Anne, Moyenne and Longue.

Scuba diving at Shark Bank and Brissare Rocks offers some of Mahé's most dramatic seascapes — vertical walls, isolated bommies and the chance to encounter reef sharks and large pelagics. Both sites are boat-access only, typically combined as a two-dive trip from Mahé. Visibility is usually good (10–30 m) and dives range from shallow coral gardens to deeper walls and pinnacles.

Explore four of the Inner Islands in a single trip. This full‑day island‑hopping tour visits Praslin, La Digue, Curieuse and the snorkeling islet of St Pierre. Experience iconic beaches (Anse Lazio, Anse Source d'Argent), ancient palm forest in Vallée de Mai, giant Aldabra tortoises, and world‑class snorkeling in crystal clear Indian Ocean waters.

Visit Curieuse Island Marine National Park to see the famous Aldabra giant tortoises in their protected habitat. This activity combines a short boat transfer, a guided nature walk through coastal forest and mangroves, time at the tortoise enclosure and free-roaming areas, plus optional beach time and snorkeling around nearby islets. Ideal for wildlife lovers, families and photography enthusiasts.

Overview: A moderately steep, forested trek to the Copolia viewpoint offering sweeping panoramic views of Mahé — including Victoria, Beau Vallon, surrounding islands and the Indian Ocean. The trail passes native woodland, giant granite boulders and endemic plant life; it's short but requires steady footing and basic fitness. Experience level: Moderate — suitable for regular walkers and families with older children.

Morne Seychellois National Park on Mahé is the largest protected area in the Seychelles and offers a variety of rainforest treks across granite peaks, ridgelines and endemic cloud forest. Treks range from short viewpoint walks to full-day ridge hikes that reward you with panoramic views of Victoria, surrounding beaches and the inner islands. Expect rich native flora (coco-de-mer relatives, takamaka, palm species) and endemic fauna such as the Seychelles black parrot. Trails are well marked but can be steep, muddy and slippery after rain.

Gentle, scenic island cycling around La Digue's car-light roads, granite boulder beaches and coconut plantations. Suitable for most fitness levels — routes are mostly flat with short sandy or uneven sections. Choose a self-guided rental for flexibility or a guided tour to learn local history and spot hidden bays. Expect easy sightseeing stops, light snorkeling opportunities, and photo pauses at iconic spots like Anse Source d'Argent.

Anse Georgette on Praslin Island is one of Seychelles' most celebrated beaches — a sheltered, picture‑perfect cove framed by granite boulders, powder-white sand and crystalline turquoise water. Swimming here is idyllic: calm, warm water and a vibrant shallow reef near the shore make it ideal for relaxed swimming and easy snorkeling. The beach is relatively secluded and often far less crowded than Anse Lazio.

Anse Intendance is one of Mahe’s most dramatic and unspoiled beaches: a long sweep of soft golden sand backed by lush hillside, framed by dark granite boulders and exposed to the open Indian Ocean. It’s perfect for long beach walks, sunbathing, photography and — when conditions allow — swimming and body-surfing. The beach is largely natural and undeveloped, offering a wild, scenic experience rather than resort amenities.

Sir Selwyn Selwyn‑Clarke Market, commonly called Victoria Market, is the main public market in Victoria, Mahé. It's a bustling, colorful hub where locals buy and sell fresh fish, tropical fruit, spices, flowers and everyday goods. Visiting is a sensory cultural experience — vibrant stalls, calls of vendors, the smell of spices and the chance to taste Creole street food. The market is partly covered and sits in the heart of Victoria, making it an easy stop during a city walk.

Seychelles National Botanical Gardens (French: Jardin du Roi) in Victoria, Mahé is a compact, lush garden established in 1901 showcasing the islands' rich plant life and a handful of charismatic residents. The garden combines formal colonial-era layout, shaded avenues, spice and endemic plant sections, an orchid house, conservatories and a popular population of Aldabra giant tortoises. It's ideal for a relaxed, educational stroll, quick wildlife encounters, and photography.

Mission Lodge is a historic hillside viewpoint and ruin-turned-garden on Mahé offering sweeping panoramic views across the north-west coast (Beau Vallon and the surrounding bays) and lush, planted terraces. Once part of a missionary school for freed slaves in the 19th century, the site now combines gentle walking paths, interpretive ruins and a small tea-room area — making it a compact, accessible stop for visitors who want scenic photography, a short nature stroll and a slice of local history. Best visited at sunrise or late afternoon for the clearest light and coolest temperatures.

Sunset Catamaran Cruise along the Seychelles islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. A relaxed late-afternoon sailing that combines scenic coastal cruising, wildlife watching (dolphins and seabirds), optional snorkeling or swimming at a calm bay, light refreshments and cocktails, and a prime-position view of the Indian Ocean sunset.

Takamaka Rum Distillery Tour & Tasting — Visit one of Seychelles' best-known craft rum producers on Mahé. The guided experience covers the distillation process, local sugarcane sourcing, maturation techniques and finishes with a curated tasting of Takamaka's signature rums. The site also features a boutique with bottles and branded souvenirs and photo opportunities overlooking lush tropical surroundings.

A combined short cultural and nature experience on Mahé that pairs a guided visit to the local Seychelles Tea Factory with a walk up to a nearby vista point. Learn about tea cultivation and processing in Seychelles, taste locally produced blends, then enjoy panoramic views over the tea plantations, tropical hills and the Indian Ocean.

Birdwatching trips to Cousin or Aride Island offer world-class opportunities to see Seychelles' endemic and breeding seabird colonies in protected, predator-free habitats. Both reserves are internationally important for conservation and are managed to protect nesting seabirds and forest-dependent endemics. Visits are guided, focused on minimal disturbance, and combine seabird colony viewing with forest walks to encounter rare land birds.

Experience the protected reefs and coastal scenery of Port Launay Marine National Park on Mahé by glass‑bottom boat or guided kayak. Choose a relaxed, informative glass‑bottom boat ride for excellent wildlife viewing without getting wet, or an up‑close kayak trip to explore shallow reef edges, small coves and secluded beaches.