country
SeychellesSesel
First trip: 3 nights on Mahé, 3–4 on Praslin and 2–3 on La Digue, moving by inter-island ferry; with under a week, choose Mahé plus one other island.
Seychelles is an archipelago, and every island change costs half a day between check-outs, the ferry or flight, and check-ins, so fewer islands with more nights work better. Mahé has the international airport; Praslin and La Digue are reached by ferry, and Praslin also by short flight. Trade winds shape the beaches: some coasts are rough in one season and calm in the other.
All regions, cities and parks in Seychelles (Atlas) →
Regions
Airport, Victoria, the Morne Seychellois hills and west-coast beaches
2–4 nights
Vallée de Mai (coco de mer palms) and Anse Lazio
3–4 nights
Bicycles, Anse Source d'Argent and a slower pace
2–3 nights
Arrive
SEZ
Seychelles International (Mahé)
The only long-haul gateway; ferries to Praslin leave from Victoria
Time math
- 5 days
- Mahé 2 + Praslin 3 (La Digue as a day-trip)
- 8 days
- Mahé 2 + Praslin 3 + La Digue 3
- 12 days
- Mahé 3 + Praslin 4 + La Digue 3 + Mahé 2 (before the flight)
Country rules
- Seychelles requires a travel authorisation for visitors; apply only on the official government portal and check the rules for your passport before you fly.
- Check with a travel clinic whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from or through a country with yellow fever risk.
- Do not take shells, coral or coco de mer nuts without an export permit; the Vallée de Mai and Aldabra are protected sites.
Etiquette
- Cover up away from the beach; nudity on beaches is not allowed.
- Seychellois Creole, English and French are official languages.
- South-east trade winds (roughly May–Oct)
- Rougher seas on some coasts and ferry crossings; seaweed on some beaches.
- Christmas–New Year and Easter
- Hotels and ferries book out; rates rise.
Money & passes
Cash necessity: 2/5
- Currency is the Seychelles rupee (SCR). Cards work in hotels, most restaurants and larger shops; carry rupees for small shops, buses and bicycle hire on La Digue.
- Seychelles is expensive; self-catering guesthouses cut food costs.
Before you fly: eSIM before you fly · Visas and entry
Safety
- Swim only where conditions are calm: currents and waves can be dangerous on exposed beaches in the windy season.
- Petty theft from beaches and parked cars occurs; do not leave valuables unattended.
- Driving is on the left and Mahé's mountain roads are narrow and steep; drive slowly.
Seychelles connects to the Gulf hubs, Mauritius, Réunion and East Africa by air; pairing with a Kenya or Tanzania safari is common.
Sources
- UK FCDO travel advice — Seychelles (official)
- Wikivoyage — Seychelles (secondary)