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When you picture Africa, greenery, dense forests, and wildlife come to your mind, but imagine this. Turquoise water sloshing against your feet, hues of blue, pink, and gold painting the sky, and fresh scent of flora and fauna. Such is the vibe of Seychelles, a small country located in the Indian Ocean, off East Africa.
Consisting of 115 islands perfect for a romantic getaway, Seychelles has become a go-to honeymoon destination for couples across the globe. These archipelagos are divided into two parts, 40 central granitic islands and 70 outer coralline islands. They are the home of the numerous breathtaking beaches of Africa.
Best time to travel
Have a beach trip in mind to the isolated, beautiful islands of Seychelles?
The best month to explore the beauty of the land is November, as it marks the start of the summer season in Seychelles and is less crowded compared to December. Other than November, the next ideal months are from April and May or October when the humidity is less and you can relax under the shade of tropical trees.
The Perfect Destination for Thalassophile (one who loves beaches)
The beaches of Seychelles are ideal not just for thalassophile but also for diving enthusiasts. The coastline of Seychelles is spread with soft white sand and turquoise blue water, offering an idyllic view. It is home to remote and secluded beaches to the world-renowned Anse Lazio, every single one of them being a treat for your eyes and soul.
These beaches not only offer a soothing retreat but also a wide range of activities like surfing, snorkeling, and paraboarding. It is a paradise for divers offering the underwater beauty of coral reefs, shipwrecks, rock formations swarming with colorful fishes, sea turtles, and whale sharks. One of the best diving spots of Seychelles is Aldabra Atoll offering over a thousand species of fish and seven hundred species of corals.
Let yourself immerse in these captivating beaches of Seychelles –
1. Anse Source d’Argent (La Digue Island)
This beach is known as the most photographed beach in the world and photographers and filmmakers love coming to this beach. Surrounded by naturally sculptured granite boulders and sheltered by reefs, this beach is a sight to behold. However, this beauty comes with a price as you need to pay a small entrance fee to access this beach.
2. Anse Lazio (Praslin Island)
Being one of the most popular beaches globally, it attracts a lot of crowds. It has a broad stretch of soft white sand merging with calm, tranquil clear turquoise water with a slight gradient, and beautiful granite rocks on both ends. This beach is the perfect destination for swimming and snorkeling enthusiasts.
3. Anse Intendance (Mahe Island)
Located in the far south of Mahe Island, this beach is jaw-droppingly beautiful. It is spread over half a mile, where you can find the whitest sand with the backdrop of lush greenery, palm trees, huge boulders, and forest-covered hills. With no reef, the waves are much larger than other beaches in the country, making it the perfect beach for surfing.
4. Anse Cocos (La Digue Island)
Want to get away from the chatter of the crowd and immerse yourself in calm and peace? Then this hidden gem is the perfect spot for you. Tucked away on the eastern coast of La Digue Island, this beach has similar vibes as Anse Source d’Argent beach, having the advantage of less to no crowd. To reach here, you have to take a hike for about 30 minutes from Grand Anse.
5. Petite Anse (Mahe Island)
Surrounded by two giant granite cliffs, it offers powder-white sand and clear water. This beach faces northwards so you get to enjoy the mesmerizing views of Mahe Island’s verdant peaks. To gain access, you have to register at the gates of Four Seasons Resort and take a fifteen-minute walk down the hill. You can avoid this hassle by staying in the resort itself.
Exploring The Seychelles Culture
The Islands of Seychelles reside around 90,000 people with 90% of that population located in the main island of Mahe. While the official languages are Creole, English, and French, most of the population speak their own Creole variant called Seychellois Creole or Seselwa – a mix of African languages with French influence.
Seychelles holds a multi-ethnic culture, with the majority of its population being of Creole descent and others of European origin. Furthermore, this country also has roots in France, India, the UK, and China.
The majority of the Seychelles population follows Roman Catholicism followed by Anglician Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam. Some minor populations also indulge in the spiritual belief of witchcraft, magic, and superstition.
Following the enthusiasm and beauty of African dances, the two dance forms prevalent in Seychellois society are sega and moutya, mirroring its customs. These dance forms which were originally performed under the moonlight under the beats of drums are sensual and bends religion and social relations.
Dive Into Mouth Watering Cuisine
The Creole or Seychellois cuisine’s flavors are majorly influenced by France, China, and India having its own unique blend of herbs and spices. Dominated mostly by seafood, you can also find a wide range of vegetarian and vegan-friendly options. It has an array of native and fresh tropical fruits, juices, and some bizarre food options that you might want to try at least once.
Being a tropical land with exotic fruits, it has over 23 banana species. The people of Seychelles use banana leaves for cooking as well as storing. Coconut husk is used as a tinder in the grill fires, giving the meat of coconut a sweetened flavor and aroma.
Some of the dishes you can try are:
- Bouyon Blan (a thick soup made with whitefish, loffa, and bilenbi)
- Salted fish
- Giraffe Crab soup
- Octopus curry
- Breadfruit Chips
- Shark Chutney
- and Ladob (a dessert made with banana/sweet potato and coconut milk).
If you want to experience authentic Creole cuisine, local restaurants like Le Reduit restaurant, Mimi’s Cafe, and Mi mum Takeaway are good options.
Find Your Perfect Cozy Stay
If you are traveling for the first time, we recommend staying in Mahe, where you can find many budget-friendly options. The next best options are the dreamy islands of Praslin and La Digue.
Cozy Stays In Mahe –
- Constance Ephelia (Luxury Hotel)
- Story (Luxury Hotel)
- Carana Beach (Mid-range hotel)
- L’Habitation Cerf Island (Budget friendly hotel)
- Vallon (Budget friendly hotel)
- RedCoconut Villa (Airbnb)
- Cozy House (Airbnb)
Cozy Stays In Praslin –
- Sea Splash (Budget friendly hotel)
- Paradise Sun (Mid-range hotel)
- Terrasse Sur Lazio (Luxury Hotel)
Cozy Stays In La Digue –
- Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie (Luxury Hotel)
- La Digue Apartments (Budget friendly hotel)
- Le Repaire (Mid-range hotel)
- Villa Familia (Airbnb)
Go Wild With These Activities
Apart from scuba diving, sunbathing, shopping, and island hopping, try some of these adventurous activities –
- Rock Climbing – Constance Ephélia Resort offers various grades of rock climbing, from beginners to advanced. Challenge yourself with this one of the best adventure sports of Seychelles.
- Copolia Trail in Mahe Island – This trail leading to the granite hilltop offers an enchanting view and is absolutely free and a perfect activity to try for trekkers and hikers.
- Vallee de Mai Tour – Love birds? Then you must visit Vallee de Mai. It is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is one of the rarest places where coco de mer palm (sea coconut) grows in its natural form.
- Coconut Plantation House – One of the best things to do is to explore the vintage plantation house of La Digue which showcases its historical and cultural significance.
What To Know Before You Visit?
- The currency of Seychelles is Rupee, but US dollars and Euros are widely used.
- Credit cards are accepted in hotels and resorts.
- Expenses like rentals, entry fees, etc. are quoted in Euros and US dollars.
- Seychellois Rupee is mostly used in shops and local stores.
- No visa is required to visit Seychelles, though you should have your passport the whole time.
- Carry lightweight clothes, trekking essentials, and smart casuals for your stay.
The Perfect Haven
If you want to escape the hustle and stress of your life, this small county can be your next destination. Imagine cold and gentle waves touching your feet in the summer heat and calming your soul, vibrant hues of dusk and dawn casting upon the turquoise water, and a peaceful time with your loved ones. Seychelles offers an amalgamation of different ethnicities with African culture and should be a part of your bucket list.
