Hi, I’m Miki – and the Seychelles will always be a special place for us: this is where we got married. (Our full Seychelles wedding guide is coming soon.) Beyond the romance, these islands are simply unreal – granite boulders sculpted by the sea, beaches that top every “world’s best” list, giant tortoises, prehistoric palm forests and Creole food that’s much more affordable than the resort prices suggest.
This guide brings together everything you need to plan the Seychelles in 2027: which islands to visit, my one-day itineraries, ferries, entry rules, the best time to go, swimming conditions and what things really cost. Short on time? Jump straight to Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.
Why visit the Seychelles in 2027
- Some of the world’s most beautiful beaches – Anse Source d’Argent topped the World’s 50 Best Beaches list in 2023, and Anse Lazio was 6th in Tripadvisor’s World’s Best Beaches 2024.
- Easy island-hopping – Mahé, Praslin and La Digue are connected by fast ferries, so you can see all three in one trip.
- Unique nature – giant Aldabra tortoises, the coco de mer palm in the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai, and rare birds like the black parrot.
- Perfect for couples – honeymoons, vow renewals and beach weddings (we can confirm!).
- Warm all year – temperatures stay tropical in every month; it’s the wind and the sea that change.
My one-day itineraries in the Seychelles
Each guide is a real day from our trip – with routes, prices, where to eat and honest tips about what is (and isn’t) worth it.
Mahé in one dayBeach-hopping by car, big waves, Port Launay and cheap Creole takeaways.
Praslin in one dayThe Vallée de Mai, Anse Lazio and the hidden cove of Anse Georgette.
La Digue in one dayBikes, giant tortoises, vanilla and Anse Source d’Argent.The islands at a glance
Mahé – the main island
Where you land, with the tiny capital Victoria, mountains, rainforest trails and more than 60 beaches. Rent a car, drive slowly on the left and hop from bay to bay – my one-day Mahé itinerary has my favourite beaches, the ones to skip and the best cheap food.
Praslin – Anse Lazio and the Vallée de Mai
About an hour from Mahé by ferry. Home of the coco de mer forest and the famous Anse Lazio beach. See one day on Praslin.
La Digue – the island of bikes
Small, flat and almost car-free, 15 minutes from Praslin. We came for a day by boat, cycled everywhere and saw giant tortoises at L’Union Estate. Read one day on La Digue.
Smaller islands
Curieuse (giant tortoises roaming free and mangroves), St Pierre (the tiny granite islet on every postcard), Cousin and Bird Island are popular boat trips from Praslin and Mahé.
Best time to visit the Seychelles
The Seychelles are warm all year (usually around 25–31 °C). What changes is the wind, the rain and therefore the sea:
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest monsoon | roughly Nov – Mar | Hot, humid, short heavy showers (January is the wettest month). Swell on west/northwest coasts; southeast coasts calmer. |
| Transition | April and Oct – Nov | Often the calmest seas, good visibility for snorkelling and diving – my favourite time to go. |
| Southeast trades | roughly May – Oct | Drier and breezier, strongest wind June – August. Big waves on south/east coasts, calmer western bays; ferries can be bumpy. |
Entry rules and Travel Authorisation (2026)
- Travel Authorisation: all visitors must apply online on the official government platform (seychelles.govtas.com) before departure – ideally at least 48 hours before you fly.
- Fee: the enrolment fee was €10; applications in early 2026 showed a total of about €12 per traveller including government and bank charges.
- Documents: passport valid for your stay, return or onward ticket, accommodation booking and enough funds.
- Visitor’s permit: issued on arrival for a holiday stay – no visa needed for most nationalities.
Getting around: ferries, flights and cars
| Route | How | Time (approx.) | 2026 price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahé – Praslin | Cat Cocos ferry / domestic flight | 60 min / 15 min | about €60 by ferry |
| Praslin – La Digue | Ferry | 15 min | about €20 |
| Mahé – La Digue | Cat Cocos via Praslin | about 90 min | about €75 |
- Cars: they drive on the left and roads are very narrow and winding – we drove around 30 km/h on Mahé.
- Buses run on Mahé and Praslin and are the cheapest option.
- Bikes are the way to get around La Digue.
- Book ferries ahead in high season and check timetables, which change.
How expensive is the Seychelles?
The Seychelles are expensive if you stay in big resorts and eat in hotel restaurants – but you can travel much more affordably with guesthouses, local takeaways and public transport. Prices from our trip and 2026:
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Pizza at Bibi’s take away (Mahé) | 150 SCR |
| Hamburger at Bibi’s | about 50 SCR |
| Meals at Leo’s fast food (Mahé) | up to about 200 SCR |
| Transparent kayak at Port Launay | about 500 SCR |
| L’Union Estate entrance (La Digue) | 150 SCR |
| Vallée de Mai entrance (Praslin) | SCR 450 (official website) |
Tourism levy: since 1 January 2026, medium hotels (25–50 rooms) charge SCR 75 and large hotels (more than 50 rooms), island resorts and yachts SCR 100 per person per night. Small establishments are exempt, and so are children aged 12 and under.
Money: the currency is the Seychelles rupee (SCR); in 2026 €1 was roughly 16–17 SCR. Cards work in hotels and bigger restaurants, but carry rupees for takeaways, bikes and small entrance fees.
Food you have to try
- Creole curries – fish, octopus or chicken curry with rice and chutneys.
- Grilled fish – red snapper, tuna or jobfish straight from the sea.
- Takeaway boxes – huge portions of rice, curry, lentils and salad at local takeaways like Leo’s and Bibi’s on Mahé.
- Fresh coconut and tropical fruit – bananas, papaya, breadfruit and passion fruit.
- SeyBrew – the local beer, and freshly squeezed juices.
Safety and local tips
- The sea is the main risk – currents and big waves can be dangerous, especially with the trade winds. No lifeguards on most beaches.
- Drive carefully – narrow roads, steep bends and driving on the left.
- Don’t leave valuables on the beach or visible in the car.
- Respect nature – don’t touch corals, don’t take shells, and coco de mer nuts need an official permit to export.
- Mosquito repellent for forests and evenings.
- Emergency number: 999.
Getting married in the Seychelles
We said “yes” on a Seychelles beach, and it was everything we hoped for. Popular wedding beaches include Baie Lazare and Takamaka on Mahé, and many hotels organise ceremonies. Our full guide to getting married in the Seychelles – paperwork, costs and tips – is coming soon.
Work with me
Hotel, tourist board or travel brand in the Seychelles?
I create honest, practical one-day itineraries read by travellers planning their next trip – plus photos, drone shots and Instagram stories from the road. I’m open to collaborations with hotels, apartments, restaurants, wineries, tour operators and destinations across the Seychelles: sponsored itineraries, destination features, press trips and social media campaigns.
Work with me Get in touchSeychelles travel FAQ
Do I need a visa for the Seychelles?
Most nationalities don’t need a visa, but every visitor must apply online for a Travel Authorisation before travelling. The enrolment fee was €10, and in early 2026 applications showed a total of about €12 including charges.
Which island is best in the Seychelles?
For a first trip, combine Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Mahé has the most beaches and food choices, Praslin has Anse Lazio and the Vallée de Mai, and La Digue is perfect for cycling and Anse Source d’Argent.
When is the best time to visit the Seychelles?
April and October to November are often best, with calmer seas between the two trade-wind seasons. The islands are warm all year; from May to October the southeast trades bring wind and rougher seas on south and east coasts.
How do you travel between the Seychelles islands?
Cat Cocos fast ferries connect Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Mahé to Praslin takes about an hour, and Praslin to La Digue about 15 minutes. There are also short domestic flights from Mahé to Praslin.
Is the Seychelles expensive?
Resorts and hotel restaurants are expensive, but local takeaways are good value: we paid 150 SCR for a pizza and about 50 SCR for a burger on Mahé. Guesthouses, buses and bikes keep costs down.
Which side of the road do they drive on in the Seychelles?
They drive on the left. Roads on Mahé and Praslin are narrow and winding, so drive slowly.
Is there a tourist tax in the Seychelles?
Yes. Since 1 January 2026 medium hotels charge SCR 75 and large hotels, island resorts and yachts SCR 100 per person per night. Small establishments and children aged 12 and under are exempt.
Can you get married in the Seychelles?
Yes – it’s one of the world’s most popular wedding destinations, and we got married there ourselves. Our detailed wedding guide is coming soon.
Ready for the Seychelles?
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