Discover why Seychelles
Beaches are Voted the World’s Finest.
recommends Alphonse Island Lodge on Alphonse island, an hour from Mahé, and Six Senses on Félicité.
“They both have elements based on luxury as well as marine and environmental conservation and activities,” says Sheena Gunnoo, a Travel Specialist at Audley and expert on hidden beaches.
Mahé, Praslin & La Digue With 115 islands, the Seychelles’ biodiversity is as huge as its resident giant tortoises. From lush mountains and deserted sandy beaches to tropical jungle and abundant plant and wildlife, the variety of product on offer is extensive.
Its eco-credentials are first-rate too. Seychelles was the first country in the world to include conservation in its constitution and one of the first to tackle packaging, banning commercial use of plastic utensils in 2017.
Mahé, the biggest of the islands, offers the widest variety of hotels, shops, markets and restaurants as well as the capital city Victoria to explore.
It is often twinned with Praslin - 15 minutes by air or an hour by high-speed catamaran. Here, visitors will find pristine beaches, turtle hatching sites (also on Mahé and Bird Island) and rare plants including the pelvis-shaped coco-de-mer, found only in the island’s Vallée de Mai and on Curieuse.
The Indian Ocean’s warm, crystal-clear waters and abundant marine life are a draw for scuba divers and snorkellers. Sailing around the inner islands is also safe and easy, with less than 32 miles between mooring grounds. Bareboat, crewed boats and day charters on modern yachts and traditional sailing vessels are offered by charter companies on Mahé and Praslin.
Active holidaymakers will find excellent walking on the Salazie nature trail, Mahé, home to the rare Seychelles scops-owl. Golfers will find a challenge on the 18-hole Constance Lemuria course in Praslin and the nine-hole Seychelles Golf Club, Mahé.
Accommodation on the two islands ranges from luxury international brands such as Banyan Tree, Raffles and Hilton to four-star resorts and affordable family-run guesthouses.
This year, Hilton’s Allamanda hotel is offering complimentary car hire to guests to encourage them to explore Mahé. Its Northolme hotel has upgraded its public areas and will add a rum shack.
Club Med is scheduled to open a resort on the island of Sainte Anne, 4km from Mahe, later this year.
Laid-back La Digue is a popular day trip from Praslin (15 minutes by ferry) but it’s worth encouraging clients to stay a few nights. Cycling is a great way to explore La Digue’s L’Union Estate and vanilla plantation or visitors can slow it down and plod along in an ox cart to Rene Payet Veuve Reserve, home to the endemic Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher.
La Digue has one of the world’s most photographed beaches, the white-powder Anse Source d’Argent which has featured in many films and TV advertisements.
“Mahé, the biggest of the islands, offers the widest variety of hotels, shops, markets and restaurants as well as the capital Victoria. It is often twinned with
Praslin”