Seychelles is an extremely popular destination that has been praised by critics as one of the best tropical islands in the world.
It’s crystal clear turquoise ocean water and verdant greenery make it a tropical paradise. Whether you want to laze around the white sand beaches, or get the adrenaline pumping with various water activities, this is the place to be! There are so many incredible things to do in the Seychelles – from lounging on the beaches to snorkeling and hiking.
Seychelles, which is in fact comprised of 115 islands and is located approximately 1,500 kilometres east of the African continent, is famous for its beaches and constantly warm weather along with its raw beauty.
Best time to visit Seychelles
The Seychelles has incredible beach weather all year round. The hottest months are December through to April, while the wettest are January and February. Though, don’t be weary of the wet months. They generally have short tropical downpours, then sunny for the rest of the day.
For the best diving opportunities – the best time to visit Seychelles is in the months of April to May and October to November.
Top things to do in the Seychelles
It is indeed one of the few places in the world to have so far been spared man’s destructive tendencies. Although the Seychelles beaches and the great weather have been huge factors in establishing the islands as a popular destination, there are also great attractions that are a must-see for all travelers.
While most people will only care about the beaches when they reach the Seychelles, there are several other things to do in the Seychelles that are quite unique in the world. Whether you are staying in a luxury Seychelles hotels or a simple self catering Seychelles accommodation, you should absolutely take the time to visit all the main islands.
Since it is a tropical island, it is no surprise that Seychelles boasts a few parks and reserves that provide incredible thrills. The main park is the Morne Seychelles National Park which will enthrall visitors with its almost savage beauty. The Vallée de Mai is another exciting reserve that seems out of this world as it boasts an exquisitely green forest where all kinds of fauna can be observed.
The Seychelles islands are also ideal for travelers who love exploring the artistic history of a country. In Seychelles’s case, a few art galleries are located in Mahe, which is one of the most important islands of the Indian Ocean archipelago. The exhibits in these Mahe galleries tell a lot about Seychelles’s culture and have even often received media coverage for including some extremely interesting pieces.
The most important art galleries in the Seychelles are the Antonio Filippin studio and the George Camille Gallery, which are always quite crowded. However, there are also other artistic attractions such as the Craft Village which is always the first place to visit if you are into buying small hand-made souvenirs of your holidays. The craft industry in Seychelles is indeed quite big.
Finally, in spite of its small size, Seychelles is also home to a few museums and monuments that also tell a lot about the island’s history. The national monuments include the Dauban Mausoleum, the Bel Air Cemetery, and Le Jardin du Roi (literally translated as The King’s Garden) which will allow you to get a better insight in the island’s culture. In addition to these, you can also visit the museums which include the Natural History Museum and the Marine National Park which are both coincidentally located in Mahe.
Top places to visit in the Seychelles
1. Mahé Island
One of the most popular places to visit in Seychelles, Mahe Island has some of the highest mountains of this archipelago, which is home to a flourishing biodiversity.
The island is also where Victoria, the capital city is located. This is among the world’s smallest capital cities.
There are about 65 stunning beaches in Mahe, each of which is utterly picturesque!
2. La Digue Island
Stealing the attention with its granite boulders on the seashore, La Digue Island has beaches like Anse Source D’Argent, that will leave you bewitched.
This one is an eco-friendly destination, where people use traditional transportation modes like bicycles and ox-carts.
3. Praslin Island
Praslin Island is majorly known for Vallée de Mai (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and abundant vegetation, especially of coco de mer.
Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette are two of the beaches in this island which are regarded among the most beautiful beaches around the world.
4. Bird Island
Îles aux Vaches, or Bird Island is a bird-lover’s paradise, needless to say.
This place provides a homely comfort to many migratory birds, and you can find many around between May and November. Dugongs or sea cows, are spotted frequently
5. Aride Island
Aride Island is a nature reserve which is inhabited by many endemic flowers and lizards.
It in fact is known to have among the highest lizard density across the world.
The island also happens to be the breeding ground of 18 different species of seabirds.
Other than these listed destinations, Cousine Island, Silhouette Island, Moyenne Island, Fregate Island, and Aldabra Island must be visited if you’re touring the Seychelles.
