Our Top Things To See And Do In The Seychelles

Our Top Things To See And Do In The Seychelles

Thousands of miles from anything, the Indian Ocean paradise of the Seychelles is ideally positioned for doing nothing except relaxing in the sun on some of the most pristine beaches in the world. However, there is more to the Seychelles than just incredible unspoiled beaches and to help you make the most of your holiday to these idyllic islands, our experts have come up with their top things to see and do when you are there.

1. Scuba diving

To a scuba diver, the Seychelles are like paradise. The diving there is unmatched anywhere on the globe because of the amazing beauty of the coral reefs, the water itself, and the aquatic life. There are so many great diving spots to choose from that you'll have something new every day. The outer islands of the Seychelles such as Alphonse are mostly uninhabited, making it perfect for advanced divers. Several locations in the Seychelles have PADI dive centres, and several hotels teach diving to beginners and veteran divers. The best time to enjoy diving is from April to May and from October to November when there are no winds and the water is very warm (29 degrees).

2. Visit Morne National Park

While the dazzling beaches of the Seychelles' many islands are undoubtedly the main attraction, it’s important that you also take the time to explore the interiors of them. One of the highlights of Mahe (the largest island in the Seychelles) is Morne National Park which encompasses an impressive 20% of the land area of the island and contains a wide variety of habitats, from coastal mangrove forests up to the country’s highest peak. It's also home to a wide variety of indigenous fauna and flora.

3. Try the local cuisine 

The cuisine of the Seychelles is a fusion of African, French, Chinese, English and Indian cooking. Being surrounded by sea of course means the food is based to a large extent on fresh seafood, and since the tropical islands abound with coconut trees, coconut milk is also often combined with spices like ginger and garlic. As locals like it hot and spicy, curry powder and chillies are also generally added to the mix.

4. Watch turtles hatch on the beach

Situated east of Praslin, Coco and Felicite are beautiful islands with white sandy beaches frequented by turtles. Between the months of October and January is the best time to see hawksbill turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. A couple of months later (Dec-Mar) the hatchlings scuttle back to the sea during the night. The rare green turtle can also be seen from June to September.

5.  Holiday like a royal on North Island

Rumoured to be where Prince William spent his honeymoon with Kate Middleton, North Island is a remote and super luxurious private island resort built from sustainable materials. Each of its huge villas has its very own private stretch of beach as well as its very own private pool, butler and buggy for getting around the island, which is why it has been the discerning choice of those seeking ultra-privacy such as royalty and rock stars. A very expensive property, but do take into account that everything, including unlimited diving, is included in the cost.