Seychelles Holidays

Mahé has plenty of rewarding walking trails through tropical forest, mangroves and higher mountain areas. Early starts are especially worthwhile, with cooler temperatures and chances to spot unusual plants, tiny frogs and sweeping views across the coastline.

La Digue is ideal for exploring by bicycle, with very few cars and a relaxed pace throughout the island. Cycling between beaches, palm-lined roads and granite boulders is an easy way to discover quieter corners at leisure.

The clear waters around Seychelles make snorkelling one of the easiest ways to see its marine life. Shallow reefs are home to colourful fish, coral and sea turtles, with gentle beach access available around several islands.

Seychelles offers excellent diving around reefs, wrecks and deeper offshore sites. Around Mahé and other islands, divers may encounter eagle rays, reef sharks, large schools of fish and a wide variety of colourful marine species.

A day on the water is one of the best ways to experience the islands. Sailing and catamaran trips often combine scenic cruising with swimming, snorkelling and stops at quiet beaches, bays and protected marine areas.

Praslin has beautiful forest walks with some of the finest island views in Seychelles. Trails around Fond Ferdinand pass through lush vegetation and coco de mer palms before reaching viewpoints overlooking several neighbouring islands and beaches.

Nature reserves across Seychelles protect some remarkable wildlife. Visitors can see giant tortoises, rare endemic birds and nesting sea turtles, while islands such as Cousin, Curieuse and Bird Island are particularly rewarding for wildlife-focused days out.

Fishing is a popular adventure around the outer islands, where clear waters and rich marine life create excellent conditions. Alphonse Atoll is especially known for saltwater fly-fishing, including bonefish, milkfish and several species of trevally.

Beau Vallon Beach on Mahé is a lively choice for water-based activities. The calm, accessible coastline is well suited to kayaking, paddleboarding and other water sports, with plenty of space for swimming and relaxing afterwards.

Island hopping shows how different each part of Seychelles can feel. Travelling between Mahé, Praslin, La Digue and smaller islands brings a mix of beaches, forest trails, wildlife, marine parks and peaceful local communities.

The National Museum occupies Victoria's restored former Supreme Court building, which began life as the New Oriental Bank. Original details, including its wrought-iron spiral staircase, survive inside. The museum brings together objects, photographs and displays tracing the history and heritage of Seychelles.

Victoria's small Clock Tower is a surprisingly enduring reminder of British rule. Erected in 1903 in memory of Queen Victoria, it was made by Gillett & Johnston in Croydon. Its design echoes the clock once standing near Victoria Station in London.

Unveiled in 1900, this ornate porcelain fountain commemorates Queen Victoria's reign. It is decorated with detailed patterns and three small basins, but the feature that usually draws attention is the tiny statue of Queen Victoria perched right at the top.

The ruins at Mission Lodge, formerly Venn's Town, carry one of Seychelles' more difficult historical stories. A school was established here in 1876 for children of liberated Africans, connecting the site directly with the region's history following the abolition of slavery.

The present cathedral is modern, but the site's story reaches back to the 19th century. Its earlier church sheltered residents after Victoria's devastating 1862 avalanche and later became a cathedral. King Prempeh of Ashanti was also baptised here while living in exile.

Built during the 1850s, Kenwyn House carries the character of a colonial Creole residence. It later became associated with the Eastern Telegraphic Company and Cable and Wireless. Carefully restored, the national monument now houses a gallery displaying work by Seychellois artists.

Mahé's oldest official cemetery is much more than a collection of old graves. French settlers, prominent island figures and colourful characters lie here, while weathered family vaults recall the destructive 1862 avalanche. The site became a national monument in 1985.

Pierre Poivre never actually visited Seychelles, yet his influence remains visible. His efforts led to spice cultivation on Mahé, including cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Cinnamon spread naturally across the hills and later became an important export as well as a familiar Creole flavour.

Beside the cathedral in Victoria stands La Domus, built as a communal home for Catholic priests. Completed in 1934 after around four years of construction, the handsome building reflects the influence of Catholic missionaries and the church's long-standing place in Seychellois society.

Known locally as Moniman Twa Lezel, the three-winged monument was unveiled in 1979 for Victoria's bicentenary. Its sweeping white forms represent the African, Asian and European roots of the Seychellois population, giving a simple city landmark a much deeper national meaning. 

Praslin gets a livelier edge in January when sailing crews arrive for a week of regattas. Catamarans, yachts and traditional pirogues share the water, while a deep-sea fishing competition adds another reason to head towards the coast.

In February, runners take over part of Mahé’s northern peninsula for this annual race. The scenery does plenty of the work, but the event also stands out for its environmental focus and open, international feel.

Mahé celebrates its French cultural links in mid-March with a week of music, literature, art, fashion and food. It feels less like a single festival and more like several small cultural events unfolding across the island.

May brings local artists into the spotlight, from painters and dancers to musicians, chefs and storytellers. Exhibitions, workshops and performances keep the programme varied, while Creole food gives the festival a strong sense of place.

Celebrated on 25 May, FetAfrik is full of rhythm, colour and food. Music, dance and art explore the islands’ African roots, showing how deeply those influences still run through modern Seychellois and Creole culture.

Held on 18 June, Constitution Day marks the adoption of Seychelles’ 1993 Constitution. Speeches, cultural performances, educational events and community activities give the public holiday a more reflective tone than many of the year’s larger celebrations.

On 29 June, Victoria is covered in national colours and the atmosphere shifts noticeably. Parades, music, dancing, family picnics and beach barbecues fill the day, with fireworks usually bringing the celebrations to a bright finish.

La Digue becomes especially busy on 15 August. Churches, homes and altars are decorated, statues are carried in procession and visitors arrive from other islands, turning a religious feast into one of the island’s most important community celebrations.

Towards the end of August, Beau Vallon Beach hosts three days of music, food and social events. Local and international performers appear alongside Seychellois food stalls, with the beach setting keeping the whole weekend relaxed and easy-going.

Fashion takes centre stage in August, with local and international designers showing work influenced by Seychelles and beyond. The event is especially notable for using models of different ages, heights and sizes, giving the runway a more inclusive character.

September brings three days of food, art, music and performance to Praslin. Cooking events sit beside exhibitions and cultural shows, creating a festival that feels varied, social and rooted in the island’s growing creative scene.

October is the big month for Creole culture. Music, Sega dancing, theatre, markets, exhibitions and traditional food spread across Mahé, Victoria and Beau Vallon, making this the strongest all-round introduction to Seychellois identity.

Usually held in November, the Seychelles Ocean Festival turns attention towards the sea. Underwater photography, videography and conservation activities celebrate marine life while also keeping the message clear: the islands’ reefs and waters need protecting.

From November into December, Seychelles Fashion Week brings designers, models and fashion fans together near Fisherman’s Cove. Local influences sit comfortably beside international styles, giving the islands a polished, contemporary event just before the festive season.

Christmas Day falls on 25 December, but the festive mood builds well before then. Church services, family meals, lights, music and Creole dishes shape the celebrations, while the warm weather means beaches and outdoor gatherings remain part of the day.

Victoria's main market is one of the easiest places to see ordinary Seychellois life at close quarters. Stalls are piled with fish, fruit, vegetables and spices, alongside clothing and souvenirs. The colour, noise and constant movement make it far more than a shopping stop.

Praslin Museum looks beyond beaches and resorts to traditional island life. Displays cover local plants, animals and everyday customs, while demonstrations introduce older skills such as coconut dehusking and breadfruit preparation. It gives useful context to traditions still associated with Seychellois households and agriculture.

L'Union Estate preserves an older side of La Digue through its plantation house, coconut industry and traditional copra mill. The estate also has giant tortoises and provides access to Anse Source d'Argent, bringing history, agriculture and one famous beach together in one visit.

Coconut once played a major part in everyday island life, and traditional copra production offers a glimpse of that past. At L'Union Estate, the old mill demonstrates how dried coconut was processed for oil, a product long connected with Seychellois farming and trade.

Local art draws heavily on the islands themselves, from tropical landscapes to Creole life and the sea. Mahé and Praslin have several galleries and working studios, including those associated with artists such as Michael Adams, Nigel Henri, Tom Bowers and Rita Morel.

Seychellois rum has its own place in the islands' modern food and drink culture. Takamaka Rum Distillery occupies a roughly 200-year-old plantation homestead on Mahé, where the tropical setting, historic property and locally produced rum make an interesting combination.

In the heart of Victoria, Gran Kaz is one of Mahé's best-known evening entertainment spots. The venue centres on casino gaming, with modern slot machines and a lively atmosphere, making it an easy choice for visitors looking for something after dinner.

Set near Anse Soleil in Baie Lazare on Mahé, Club Liberté offers a more polished casino experience. Gaming tables and electronic games form the main attraction, while the stylish setting suits travellers looking for an evening out away from the island's beach bars.

Beau Vallon is one of the liveliest places on Mahé after sunset. Beachfront restaurants, bars and casual drinking spots line the area, while the weekly evening market adds local food, music and a more relaxed Seychellois feel to the night.

Takamaka Rum Distillery mixes local history with a laid-back afternoon or evening experience. Visitors can tour the old plantation property, learn how Seychellois rum is produced, sample different varieties and spend time in the attractive tropical gardens.

High above Anse Royale, Le Jardin du Roi offers a quieter kind of entertainment. Fragrant spice gardens, medicinal plants, giant tortoises and a small planter's house museum make it an enjoyable cultural stop, particularly for visitors interested in Seychelles' spice-growing heritage.