Safari destination

Seychelles

Granite islands in a glass-clear sea.

An archipelago of pristine beaches, lush granite peaks and rare wildlife, including the ancient coco de mer palms of the Vallée de Mai.

Seychelles

Seychelles

Granite islands, barefoot luxury

The Seychelles look like nowhere else: sculpted granite boulders rising from water so clear the boats appear to float on air. The inner islands, Mahé, Praslin, La Digue, and a scatter of private-island resorts deliver the purest beach-and-villa luxury in the Indian Ocean, with giant tortoises for neighbours.

For the unhurried heart of it, read our love letter to La Digue, the untouched jewel.

Common questions

Seychelles, answered.

Read more about Seychelles
Which islands should I combine?
The classic trio: Mahé for arrival and mountains, Praslin for the Vallée de Mai and Anse Lazio, La Digue for bicycles and the granite coves. Add a private-island resort if the budget stretches; ferries and short flights link everything.
When is the best time to visit?
April, May, October and November are the calm, clear crossover months and the divers' pick. The trade winds swap the exposed coasts through the rest of the year, but the Seychelles are genuinely year-round; your beach just moves.
Seychelles or Mauritius?
Seychelles for raw natural beauty, granite drama and private-island seclusion; Mauritius for resort polish, golf and value. Honeymooners split on exactly this line, and either finishes an African itinerary in style.
Is it only for honeymooners?
No, though they dominate the postcards. Families do wonderfully on Mahé and Praslin's calmer beaches and at the resort kids' clubs; sailors, divers and slow travellers get the archipelago's best.
How does it pair with a safari?
Best with East Africa: direct regional connections make it the natural decompression after Kenya or Tanzania, the same role Mauritius plays for the south. A week is the sweet spot.
What does it cost?
The Seychelles sit at the premium end of the Indian Ocean, especially the private islands, with guesthouse-style value hiding on La Digue and Mahé. Malaria-free throughout, and no visa needed for most nationalities.
Indian Ocean Islands Guide preview

Brochure

Indian Ocean Islands Guide

Four ready-made bush-and-beach journeys, each pairing a safari with the island that balances it. Safari first, sea to finish.

Where to stay

Lodges in Seychelles.

Budget

4 lodges

  1. Four Seasons Seychelles
    Lux

    Four Seasons Seychelles

    Experience the ultimate in luxury at Four Seasons Seychelles, where 71 expansive villas and residences are set along stunning white-sand beaches. Every villa and residence is designed with a private pool, an indoor-outdoor bathroom, and a relaxed island ambiance. Relax on your outdoor terrace or sway in a hammock beneath the star-filled sky. Enjoy unmatched comfort and sophistication in these Seychelles accommodations, ideal for a tranquil escape.

    From $1,075 per person · night

  2. Le Domaine de L'Orangeraie Resort and Spa

    Le Domaine de L'Orangeraie Resort and Spa

    Le Domaine de L'Orangeraie Resort & Spa is a tranquil retreat located on La Digue Island in the Seychelles, surrounded by lush landscapes and crystal-clear waters. This 4-star resort offers serene views of the Indian Ocean and is just a short distance from the iconic Anse Source d'Argent beach.

  3. Le Nautique Waterfront Hotel
    Premium Live availability

    Le Nautique Waterfront Hotel

    Le Nautique Waterfront Hotel is a boutique retreat on the island of La Digue in the Seychelles, set directly on the waterfront with the Indian Ocean as its backdrop. Guests cycle between powdery beaches, granite boulders and coral reefs, returning to elegant rooms, a Creole-influenced restaurant and a relaxed island pace that makes it an easy bush-and-beach add-on after an African safari.

    From €400 per person · night

  4. Secret Garden Villa

    Secret Garden Villa

    Discover a hidden paradise where luxury and nature exist in perfect harmony. The Secret Garden Villa offers a unique stay immersed in the lush jungle, where your accommodation blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Experience the magic of La Digue while embracing an authentic and eco-friendly retreat.

Rates per person sharing, per night.

January

Northwest trades: warm, showery

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Best time to visit

The granite year.

No cyclones, no winter: the trade winds simply swap your beach twice a year, with two glassy pauses between.

The calms Apr-May, Oct-Nov The crossover pauses: glassy seas and the year's best diving.
Trade-wind seasons Dec-Mar, Jun-Sep Warm year-round: the winds just choose which beach is perfect.

Seychelles

Your guide to Seychelles.

When

  • January is ideal for escaping the European winter, with warm temperatures, high humidity, and occasional afternoon showers.
  • February is perfect for snorkelling and diving on islands like Fregate, Denis, Praslin, and Mahé, despite brief rain.
  • March offers a high chance to witness turtle hatchlings making their way to the ocean.
  • April is hot with little wind or rain, popular for beach relaxation, while May sees slightly lower humidity, and the southeast trade winds make the west coast more favourable.
  • June is excellent for hiking, kayaking, and sailing thanks to stronger winds. July is the coolest month, perfect for those wishing to avoid the heat and enjoy surfing.
  • August offers similar conditions, ideal for hiking. September provides warm weather, great for swimming or sunbathing.
  • October is pleasant but marks the approach of the rainy season, while November sees the start of summer, with rising temperatures and rainfall, making it a quieter time to visit.
  • December is busier due to the festive season, with trade winds and rain.

Where

The Seychelles comprises the Main Islands (Mahé, Praslin, La Digue) and the Private Islands (North, Denis, Desroches). Accommodation ranges from city hotels to island resorts and eco-lodges.

Mahé, the largest island, is home to Victoria, one of the world's smallest and most charming capital cities.

Praslin is a UNESCO World Heritage site, while La Digue inspired Robinson Crusoe.

The Private Islands offer exclusivity: North Island is a luxury retreat, Denis Island is famed for its birdlife, and Desroches offers a classic resort experience.

Accommodations range from Desroches’ villas to Mahe’s Four Seasons, with North Island Lodge offering unparalleled luxury. For a more traditional hotel, Praslin’s Constance Lemuria is ideal.

Seychelles is perfect for diving, snorkelling, hiking, cycling, and exploring local history.

Photos from our guests

A traveller's view.

Every photo below was taken by a guest of ours on a recent trip to Seychelles. No stock imagery, no marketing shots. What they saw, on their cameras.

Our CEO at SAFARI.COM and his wife visited La Digue to test their service. They arrived by helicopter, cycled around the island daily, toured all the beaches by private boat, and enjoyed close-up encounters with tortoises.
Our CEO at SAFARI.COM and his wife visited La Digue to test their service. They arrived by helicopter, cycled around the island daily, toured all the beaches by private boat, and enjoyed close-up encounters with tortoises.
Guest photo from Seychelles
Our CEO at SAFARI.COM and his wife visited La Digue to test their service. They arrived by helicopter, cycled around the island daily, toured all the beaches by private boat, and enjoyed close-up encounters with tortoises.
Our CEO at SAFARI.COM and his wife visited La Digue to test their service. They arrived by helicopter, cycled around the island daily, toured all the beaches by private boat, and enjoyed close-up encounters with tortoises.
Our CEO at SAFARI.COM and his wife visited La Digue to test their service. They arrived by helicopter, cycled around the island daily, toured all the beaches by private boat, and enjoyed close-up encounters with tortoises.
Our CEO at SAFARI.COM and his wife visited La Digue to test their service. They arrived by helicopter, cycled around the island daily, toured all the beaches by private boat, and enjoyed close-up encounters with tortoises.
Our CEO at SAFARI.COM and his wife visited La Digue to test their service. They arrived by helicopter, cycled around the island daily, toured all the beaches by private boat, and enjoyed close-up encounters with tortoises.
Our CEO at SAFARI.COM and his wife visited La Digue to test their service. They arrived by helicopter, cycled around the island daily, toured all the beaches by private boat, and enjoyed close-up encounters with tortoises.
Our CEO at SAFARI.COM and his wife visited La Digue to test their service. They arrived by helicopter, cycled around the island daily, toured all the beaches by private boat, and enjoyed close-up encounters with tortoises.
Our CEO at SAFARI.COM and his wife visited La Digue to test their service. They arrived by helicopter, cycled around the island daily, toured all the beaches by private boat, and enjoyed close-up encounters with tortoises.
Our CEO at SAFARI.COM and his wife visited La Digue to test their service. They arrived by helicopter, cycled around the island daily, toured all the beaches by private boat, and enjoyed close-up encounters with tortoises.
Our CEO at SAFARI.COM and his wife visited La Digue to test their service. They arrived by helicopter, cycled around the island daily, toured all the beaches by private boat, and enjoyed close-up encounters with tortoises.
Guest photo from Seychelles
Our CEO at SAFARI.COM and his wife visited La Digue to test their service. They arrived by helicopter, cycled around the island daily, toured all the beaches by private boat, and enjoyed close-up encounters with tortoises.
Our CEO at SAFARI.COM and his wife visited La Digue to test their service. They arrived by helicopter, cycled around the island daily, toured all the beaches by private boat, and enjoyed close-up encounters with tortoises.
Our CEO at SAFARI.COM and his wife visited La Digue to test their service. They arrived by helicopter, cycled around the island daily, toured all the beaches by private boat, and enjoyed close-up encounters with tortoises.
Our CEO at SAFARI.COM and his wife visited La Digue to test their service. They arrived by helicopter, cycled around the island daily, toured all the beaches by private boat, and enjoyed close-up encounters with tortoises.
Our CEO at SAFARI.COM and his wife visited La Digue to test their service. They arrived by helicopter, cycled around the island daily, toured all the beaches by private boat, and enjoyed close-up encounters with tortoises.
Our CEO at SAFARI.COM and his wife visited La Digue to test their service. They arrived by helicopter, cycled around the island daily, toured all the beaches by private boat, and enjoyed close-up encounters with tortoises.
Our CEO at SAFARI.COM and his wife visited La Digue to test their service. They arrived by helicopter, cycled around the island daily, toured all the beaches by private boat, and enjoyed close-up encounters with tortoises.
Our CEO at SAFARI.COM and his wife visited La Digue to test their service. They arrived by helicopter, cycled around the island daily, toured all the beaches by private boat, and enjoyed close-up encounters with tortoises.

Imagery

Seychelles, in pictures.

Recent travellers

Word from people who have just been to Seychelles.

Quotes pulled directly from Trustpilot. Where we have specific reviews mentioning Seychelles, those come up first. Otherwise these are recent five-star notes from across the trips we have planned.

"Appreciated the overall trip planning and guidance. Effectively put two of their suggested itineraries together upon request. Also, appreciated was their ability to arrange our trip extension to Cape Town and Seychelles."
January 2025 · USA · Verified on Trustpilot ↗

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