Key Takeaways
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A holiday in Seychelles can include days on the beach, walks through native forests, boat trips and time spent learning about island life. Each island has its own sights, from the granite coastline of La Digue to the mountain trails of Mahé and the palm forests of Praslin.
Wildlife is another reason to travel beyond the beaches. You can see giant tortoises on Curieuse Island, look for the Seychelles black parrot in Vallée de Mai or join a guided walk on Cousin Island. Local markets, Creole cooking and a visit to the Takamaka Rum Distillery add variety to the trip.
This guide covers 11 of the best things to do across Seychelles, with the details to help you choose your stops and plan your time on the islands.
11 Top Things to Do in Seychelles
Plan activities around the islands where you’ll be staying, then add boat trips to nearby islands. Keep some flexibility in your itinerary so you can adjust your plans around the weather or spend more time at places you enjoy.
1. Visit Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue
The way to Anse Source d’Argent passes through L’Union Estate, so you can see part of La Digue’s history before reaching the beach. The estate has a former plantation house, a vanilla plantation and reminders of the island’s coconut industry. Its copra kiln shows how they dried coconut flesh before processing it.
At the beach, large granite boulders separate stretches of sand beside shallow water. You could walk along the accessible shore, stop for photographs and spend some time by the sea before returning through the estate.
How to plan your visit: Allow a few hours for both the estate and the beach. This gives you time to stop at the historic buildings rather than passing straight through.
Travel tip: Check the tide times and sea conditions upon arrival, and plan your beach walks around the daily forecast.
2. Walk Through Vallée de Mai on Praslin
Walking beneath the coco de mer palms at Vallée de Mai is one of the unique things to do in Seychelles. These palms grow naturally only on Praslin and Curieuse. At this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can pick up a trail map and species checklist, then choose a walking route of roughly 1.5 to 4 kilometres.
Along the way, you can see the palms that produce the world’s largest seeds and look for geckos among the trees. You may also spot a Seychelles black parrot, though sightings are not guaranteed. If you enjoy wildlife spotting and plant identification, you can walk with an independent guide.
Opening hours and transport: The reserve is open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with the last entry at 3:30 PM. You can reach the entrance by public bus, taxi or rental car.
Facilities: Toilets, lockers, a cafeteria, a souvenir shop and parking are available.
3. Meet Giant Tortoises on Curieuse Island
Curieuse is about two kilometres off Praslin’s northeast coast. A boat trip brings you to an island with Aldabra giant tortoises, nature trails and coco de mer palms. Apart from Praslin, it is the only island where these palms grow naturally.
You can follow a trail between Baie Laraie and Anse José or choose another route included in your excursion. Walking gives you time to notice the island’s red soil, vegetation and granite formations, as well as the tortoises.
How to plan your visit: Local operators arrange boats from Praslin. Confirm how much walking, swimming or snorkelling your excursion includes before booking.
Travel tip: Give wildlife space and follow the ranger’s or guide’s instructions. Leave plants, shells and other natural objects where you find them.
4. Go Snorkelling in Sainte Anne Marine National Park
A boat trip to Sainte Anne Marine National Park gives you time to snorkel in the protected waters off Mahé. You can swim above the reefs and watch fish around the coral, with islands such as Sainte Anne, Cerf and Moyenne nearby. Some excursions include a stop on Moyenne, so you can combine snorkelling with a walk ashore.
How to plan your visit: Choose a half-day trip for snorkelling or a full-day excursion if you also want an island stop. Boats leave from Mahé, and your operator will give you the meeting point. Before booking, check whether snorkelling equipment, park admission and lunch are included and whether the boat stops at Moyenne.
Travel tip: If you are not confident in the water, tell the operator before booking and ask about assistance during snorkelling. Avoid touching coral or standing on reefs, as this can damage fragile marine life.
5. Hike the Copolia Trail on Mahé
The Copolia Trail takes you through the forested hills of Mahé to a granite summit with wide views across the island’s east coast. Located in Morne Seychellois National Park, the trail passes through native palm forest and rocky sections where you may spot pitcher plants and small native frogs.
The climb includes steep steps, exposed roots and uneven rocks, so it requires a reasonable level of fitness. Near the top, a short ladder leads onto a granite plateau overlooking Victoria, Eden Island and Sainte Anne Marine National Park. On a clear day, the view offers a different perspective of Mahé’s green interior and surrounding coastline.
How to plan your visit: The trail starts in the Sans Soucis area on Mahé. Allow about two hours for the walk and a stop at the summit, or longer if you prefer a slower pace. Entry costs SCR 100 (approximately ₹654) per person. If you arrive by taxi, arrange your return pickup before starting the walk.
Travel tip: Wear hiking shoes with good grip, as the rocks and roots can become slippery after rain. Carry at least 1-2 litres of water per person, along with sun protection and insect repellent. Avoid the trail in heavy rain or when conditions are unsafe.
6. Try Water Sports and Watch the Sunset at Beau Vallon
Kayaking and paddleboarding at Beau Vallon are fun things to do in Seychelles if you want to spend part of your beach day on the water. You can try kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing or parasailing. Local dive centres also arrange scuba diving, while boat operators run snorkelling trips.
As the day winds down, stay on the beach to watch the sunset over the bay. You can stroll along the sand, try local Creole dishes from food stalls or enjoy dinner at a beachfront restaurant. La Plage Restaurant is one option for dining by the sea, with views across the bay.
How to plan your visit: Keep half a day or longer if you want to combine water sports with dinner. Book activities in advance, as sea conditions can affect plans.
Travel tip: If you plan to snorkel or dive at Beau Vallon, check seasonal sea conditions before choosing your dates, as underwater visibility and water activity conditions can vary throughout the year.
7. Explore Victoria’s Landmarks and History
Spend a morning walking around Victoria, stopping at the Clock Tower and browsing the market stalls. The Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market building is temporarily closed for renovations, with traders relocated to the former STC supermarket in Victoria. Head to the temporary market if shopping is part of your visit.
For a look at the country’s past, include the National Museum of History. This is a different museum from the Natural History Museum, which is currently closed for renovations.
How to plan your visit: Allow half a day for the market, Clock Tower and museum. A weekday morning works well, though the history museum opens at 9:30 AM and closes for lunch between Tuesday and Friday. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Travel tip: Carry local cash (Seychellois Rupees) for small purchases at the market.
8. Sit Down to a Seychellois Creole Meal
Seychellois Creole cuisine combines African, French, Indian and Chinese influences, with seafood, coconut and spices featuring in many traditional dishes. Trying local food is one of the best ways to experience Seychelles beyond its beaches.
Start with pwason griye (grilled fish), often seasoned with garlic, ginger and lime, or try kari koko zourit, an octopus curry cooked in coconut milk. Other dishes include pwason sale (salted fish), lantiy (seasoned red lentils) and satini pepe, a spicy green papaya chutney. Rice and breadfruit are common accompaniments.
For dessert, try sweet ladob, made with plantain or sweet potato cooked in coconut milk with vanilla and nutmeg.
How to plan your visit: Look for Creole dishes at local restaurants and takeaways across Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Daily specials are a good way to try locally available fish and produce.
Travel tip: Pair grilled fish with breadfruit chips and chilli sauce for a simple taste of Seychellois cooking.
9. Visit the Takamaka Rum Distillery
At La Plaine St. André in Pointe Au Sel, you can join a guided tour of the Takamaka Rum Distillery and learn how its rum is made. There is more to see around the estate, including a small museum, a medicinal plant garden and old plantation ruins. You can also meet Taka and Maka, the resident Aldabra giant tortoises.
How to plan your visit: Free guided tours run at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM or 3:00 PM from Monday to Friday, and at 11:00 AM and 2 PM on Saturdays. Rum tastings cost SCR 175 (approximately ₹1,145) per person. You can stay for food or a cocktail at the Rum Shack after the tour.
Travel tip: If you plan to taste the rum, arrange a taxi or another driver for the return journey.
10. Experience Scuba Diving in Mahé
Mahé has dive sites for different experience levels, from shallow coral gardens at Aquarium and Baie Ternay to deeper sites such as Shark Bank and the Ennerdale wreck. Underwater, divers can see granite formations, reef fish and shipwrecks, with marine life and visibility varying by site and season.
How to plan your visit: If you are new to scuba diving, book an introductory experience with a qualified instructor. Certified divers can arrange guided dives based on their qualifications and experience. March to May and September to November generally offer calmer seas and better visibility.
Travel tip: Give at least 24 hours between your final dive and your flight to reduce the risk of decompression sickness.
11. Join a Guided Wildlife Walk on Cousin Island
Cousin Island, near Praslin, is a good place to spot Seychelles’ native birds and other wildlife. A guided walk through the reserve takes you past native woodland, where you may see Seychelles warblers, magpie-robins, white terns and geckos. Aldabra giant tortoises also roam freely around the island.
How to plan your visit: Book a boat excursion from Praslin through a local operator; your hotel or guesthouse can help arrange one. On Cousin, a reserve warden leads a walk lasting around 75 minutes. The reserve fee is SCR 600 (approximately ₹3,924) for non-residents, with free entry for children under 12. Ask whether this fee is included in your boat-trip price.
Travel tip: Bring drinking water and insect repellent, as there are no shops on the island. Always stay with your warden during the tour, and leave shells, plants, and other natural souvenirs where you find them to protect the eco-reserve.
Final Thoughts
You can spend your whole holiday on one island or divide your stay between a few. What matters is allowing enough time for the activities you choose, including the journeys to reach them. If most of your choices are on Mahé, a longer stay there makes sense. If you want several days on Praslin and La Digue, plan your accommodation around those visits.
You also do not need a guided excursion every day. Beach visits and walks around town can fit between boat trips and other booked activities, leaving some days open.
Plan your Seychelles holiday with Dimaak Tours, with time on each island shaped around what you want to see and do. We’ll help arrange your accommodation, island transfers and excursions to suit your travel dates and budget.
FAQs About Things to Do in Seychelles
1. How can you plan your first holiday in Seychelles?
Choose your main activities before deciding how to divide your stay. Praslin gives you access to Vallée de Mai and boat trips to Curieuse, while La Digue is the island for Anse Source d’Argent. On Mahé, you can plan beach time, hiking and a Sainte Anne excursion. Leave enough time for transfers instead of booking activities immediately after an island journey.
2. What are the best things to do on Mahé Island in Seychelles?
You can walk the Copolia Trail, spend an afternoon at Beau Vallon or take a snorkelling trip to Sainte Anne Marine National Park. In Victoria, visit the Clock Tower and National Museum of History, or browse the relocated market. The Takamaka Rum Distillery is another option for a guided tour and tasting a variety of rums.
3. Which activities in Seychelles are suitable for families?
Families can visit Anse Source d’Argent, walk the trails at Vallée de Mai and see giant tortoises on Curieuse Island. Boat trips to Sainte Anne Marine National Park can also include snorkelling and island visits. Choose activities based on children’s ages, swimming abilities and comfort with boat journeys, and check sea conditions before water-based excursions.
4. Can you try scuba diving in Seychelles without experience?
Yes. Beginners can book an introductory scuba diving experience with a qualified instructor without having a diving certification. The instructor will explain the basics and guide you through the experience. If you already have a certification, you can arrange guided dives at sites around Mahé, depending on your qualification and experience.
