Things to see and do in Seychelles

Attractions in Seychelles

Aldabra: get close to giant tortoises

Aldabra, the world's second largest coral atoll and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to more than 150,000 giant tortoises. To visit Aldabra, you must first get a permit from the Seychelles Islands Foundation, then you can either hire a private yacht or take a bi-monthly supply boat that is managed by the Island Development Company to Aldabra.

Birdwatching in Seychelles

With 238 species recorded, Seychelles offers fantastic birding opportunities throughout the year, though the period between October to mid-December is often considered the best. The islands of Aride, Bird and Cousin are some of the best places for birdwatching.

Denis Island: big game fishing

With excellent conditions for big game fishing, Denis Island attracts budding and professional fishermen who are after Blue Marlin, Yellow Fin Tuna, Bonito, Barracuda, to name but a few. While you can fish year-round, June to September will see charter prices rise. Apart from Denis, you can also try other outer islands including Alphonse, Bird, Desroches and Poivre.

Frégate: feel like a castaway

Frégate Island Private, the most easterly and isolated of the granitic islands, is home to the almost extinct magpie robin, 3,000 free-roaming Giant Aldabra Tortoises and the biggest flora nursery in Seychelles. The conservation project is funded by visitors who rent one of the 16 ultra-luxury villas or even the entire island.

La Digue: Anse Source d’Argent and L’Union

Featured in countless advertisements, Anse Source d’Argent is perhaps the most famous beach on La Digue. Just a short distance north of Anse Source d'Argent is the L'Union Estate Farm. Take a bicycle ride through the farm and check out the traditional copra mill, the old boatyard, cemetery of the first settlers, and see the giant tortoise in front of the granite boulders. A little further up north from the farm lies the Veuve Nature Reserve, home to the endangered Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher.

Mahé: natural and cultural highlights

The largest island in the Seychelles archipelago has plenty of stunning beaches which are often less crowded than the touristy islands of Praslin or La Digue. Other highlights include the vibrant Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market, Victoria (for Creole architecture) and the Botanical Garden (which is also home to the Aldabra Giant tortoises).

Praslin: Anse Georgette and Anse Lazio

Fringed with large granite boulders, the power-white sandy Anse Lazio is another award-winning beach in the Seychelles that calls for kicking back and absorbing the panoramas. Just 7km (4 miles) away is another gorgeous beach called Anse Georgette – you need to book beach access with Constance Lemuria Resort in advance.

On Praslin, the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve is also home to a palm forest, the habitat for endemic coco-de-mer.

Scuba diving in Seychelles

The best scuba diving spots in Seychelles are Aldabra, Brissare Rocks, Dredger Wreck, Ennerdale Wreck, L'ilot and Marianna Island. The best months for scuba diving are from March to May, and September to November.

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