Seychelles in 3 Days

This three-day plan is for travelers who land on Mahé and want to go straight to the postcard islands of Seychelles. It suits first-timers and couples who prefer beaches and forest over towns, at a relaxed pace with short hops. You will need the catamaran from Mahé to Praslin, the small ferry from Praslin to La Digue, Praslin’s public buses and a rented bicycle on La Digue.

Days 1-2: Praslin, Palm Forest and Marine Park

Take the ferry to Praslin on arrival day and go directly to Vallee de Mai, the UNESCO-listed forest where coco de mer palms rattle overhead and black parrots whistle from the canopy. Allow two hours on the loop trails. Finish at Anse Lazio on the northwest tip, where the water stays clear and calm for an evening swim between granite boulders. Next morning, join a half-day boat trip into Curieuse Marine National Park, which usually combines snorkeling over the reef with a walk past giant tortoises and a mangrove boardwalk on Curieuse Island. Be back by early afternoon for … read more 👉

This three-day plan is for travelers who land on Mahé and want to go straight to the postcard islands of Seychelles. It suits first-timers and couples who prefer beaches and forest over towns, at a relaxed pace with short hops. You will need the catamaran from Mahé to Praslin, the small ferry from Praslin to La Digue, Praslin’s public buses and a rented bicycle on La Digue.

Days 1-2: Praslin, Palm Forest and Marine Park

Take the ferry to Praslin on arrival day and go directly to Vallee de Mai, the UNESCO-listed forest where coco de mer palms rattle overhead and black parrots whistle from the canopy. Allow two hours on the loop trails. Finish at Anse Lazio on the northwest tip, where the water stays clear and calm for an evening swim between granite boulders. Next morning, join a half-day boat trip into Curieuse Marine National Park, which usually combines snorkeling over the reef with a walk past giant tortoises and a mangrove boardwalk on Curieuse Island. Be back by early afternoon for the 15-minute ferry from Baie Sainte Anne to La Digue.

Days 2-3: La Digue’s Beaches

Rent a bike at the jetty and settle into La Digue for two nights, where cars are rare and oxcarts still appear on the coast road. On your full day, ride to Anse Source d’Argent early, before the tour boats, to see the shallow water and boulders without crowds. In the afternoon cycle east to Grand Anse Beach, wide and wild with strong surf, then walk the 30 to 40 minute path over the headland to Anse Cocos, where a rock-sheltered natural pool lets you swim when the open sea is too rough. The ferry back to Mahé leaves the next morning.

For a sunrise you will have to yourself, hike up Nid d’Aigle, La Digue’s highest point at about 330 meters, for a view across to Praslin and Félicité.