A luxury Seychelles holiday works best when you match the island to the month and the beach to your family. For most people that means ten to fourteen nights split between Mahé and Praslin, with a day on La Digue, travelling in April, May, October or November when the sea is usually calmest. My Seychelles trips start from £3,980 per person, and I plan every ferry, flight and transfer for you.
Seychelles at a glance
| Flight time | About 10 to 12 hours via the Gulf or Addis Ababa |
|---|---|
| Time difference | 3 hours ahead of the UK in summer, 4 in winter |
| Entry | No visa for UK citizens; an online travel authorisation before you go |
| Best months | April, May, October and November for the calmest seas |
| Ideal length | 10 to 14 nights across two or three islands |
| Best for | Families, couples, safari-and-beach trips and remote outer islands |
Why choose the Seychelles
- Island hop between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue by boat or light aircraft, discovering a different landscape, character and pace each time you arrive somewhere new.
- Explore Mahé beyond its beaches, following forest trails through Morne Seychellois National Park before visiting Victoria's colourful market and tasting the islands' distinctive Creole flavours.
- Walk beneath the rare coco de mer palms of the Vallée de Mai on Praslin, an ancient forest alive with endemic plants, birds and wildlife.
- Discover La Digue by bicycle, following quiet roads between traditional Creole houses, small beachside cafés and extraordinary coves framed by enormous granite boulders.
- Sail to Curieuse Island to meet free-roaming Aldabra giant tortoises, before swimming and snorkelling in the clear waters surrounding Praslin's smaller islands.
- Retreat to a secluded resort or private island, where your villa is hidden between tropical forest and the sea and the rest of the day can be left beautifully unplanned.
Scattered across the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands shaped by nature. Mountainous granite islands rise from clear water, ancient palms shelter rare wildlife and remote coral atolls stretch far beyond the better-known shores.
The real beauty of the Seychelles lies in travelling through it. Mahé combines forested peaks, hidden beaches and colourful Creole life. Praslin brings a gentler pace, ancient palms and sweeping bays, while La Digue is explored by bicycle, following quiet roads between enormous granite boulders and small beachside cafés. Beyond them are private islands where villas disappear into the forest and days revolve around the sea.
There is plenty to fill your days. Hike to viewpoints, sail between islands, snorkel with sea turtles, meet giant tortoises or wander through Victoria's market before trying fragrant Creole curries in a local restaurant.
Or do very little. Retreat to a quiet beach, order lunch beside the water and leave the rest of the day beautifully unplanned.
That is what makes the Seychelles so special: it has all the relaxation of an exceptional beach holiday, but with the landscapes, wildlife, culture and variety to make it feel like a real journey.
Island Hopping
Travel between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue to discover a different landscape, character and rhythm on each island.
Untamed Nature
Walk through ancient palm forests, meet giant tortoises and snorkel in clear waters filled with tropical marine life.
Island Seclusion
Retreat to a private villa or secluded island, where you can snorkel, explore forest trails or leave the day beautifully unplanned.
Feeling inspired?
Start Planning Your Luxury
Seychelles Holiday
Tell me who is travelling and what you would love to experience. I can create a relaxed family island-hopping adventure, a private-island honeymoon or a longer journey combining the Seychelles' most beautiful beaches and distinctive places to stay. I'll bring together the right islands, flights, transfers and experiences, with every detail taken care of from your first enquiry until you are safely home.
Best time to visit the Seychelles, month by month
The Seychelles is warm all year, so the real question is the wind and the sea. These decide which coast to choose and when the snorkelling is at its best, and they shift through two gentle wind seasons with calm months in between.
| Month | Wind and sea | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| April and May | Lightest winds, calm seas | The clearest water of the year and excellent snorkelling and diving. |
| June to September | South-east trade winds | Drier and a little cooler, with livelier seas and some seaweed on exposed south and east-facing beaches. |
| October and November | Winds ease, seas calm again | Warm water and good underwater visibility. |
| December to March | North-west winds, hot and humid | Warm sea with short tropical downpours, heaviest in January. |
| August to November | Calmer water off western Mahé | The best months to snorkel with whale sharks. |
| October to March | Quiet nesting beaches | Green and hawksbill turtles come ashore to nest. |
Which Seychelles island is right for you?
Mahé
Best for: variety, the easiest arrival and the widest choice of hotels. The largest island and the natural starting point for most Seychelles holidays. Beyond the small capital of Victoria, you'll find mountainous rainforest, walking trails and beaches ranging from lively Beau Vallon to quieter coves hidden around the coast.
Mahé offers the widest choice of hotels and works well as either a complete holiday or the beginning of a longer island-hopping journey.
Praslin
Best for: a gentler pace, beautiful beaches and easy island-hopping. Praslin feels quieter and more relaxed than Mahé. It is home to the Vallée de Mai, where the rare coco de mer grows beneath an ancient palm canopy, as well as beautiful beaches including Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette.
Stay here for easy access to neighbouring islands, unhurried beach days and a gentler pace.
La Digue
Best for: a slow, independent stay explored by bicycle. La Digue is small enough to explore by bicycle, with quiet roads, traditional Creole character and beaches framed by enormous granite boulders.
Visit Anse Source d'Argent, see giant tortoises at L'Union Estate or find a quieter stretch of sand away from the most photographed parts of the island.
Private and outer islands
Best for: privacy, seclusion and remote wilderness. Beyond the three main islands lies a scattering of private and outer-island retreats. Félicité and North Island sit within easy reach of Mahé and Praslin, while Desroches, Alphonse and Cosmoledo lie far out in the ocean, reached by light aircraft.
Choose them for exceptional villas, barefoot seclusion and days built entirely around the sea. On the furthest atolls, conservation, diving and fly-fishing replace the crowds, and you may have a beach to yourselves.
The Seychelles for families
The Seychelles can be a wonderful family holiday, but the beach matters as much as the hotel. Some of the prettiest bays have strong currents or seasonal seaweed, so I look for calm, shallow water, short transfers and a resort that genuinely works for children.
On Mahé, Constance Ephelia is my usual starting point for families. Spread between two beaches beside Port Launay Marine Park, it has five pools, a large spa, an excellent children's club and accommodation from rooms to multi-bedroom pool villas, with kayaking, snorkelling, forest trails, ziplining and rock climbing on site. It pairs easily with a few nights on Praslin or a day on La Digue, so children see more than one island without long journeys.
Older children and teenagers tend to love the mix of giant tortoises, boat trips, snorkelling and cycling, while younger ones are happiest with a calm beach and a pool close by.
Seychelles or Maldives?
Both are beautiful, but they suit different holidays. Choose the Maldives if you want to stay put in one place, with an overwater villa and the reef on your doorstep. Choose the Seychelles if you want more to do: granite beaches, forest walks, giant tortoises, Creole towns and the chance to move between islands.
The Maldives is often the easier choice for a honeymoon built around a single resort. The Seychelles tends to win for families and for anyone who gets restless after a few days on the same beach, because there is so much more within reach. If you still cannot decide, tell me how you like to spend a holiday and I will talk you through the trade-offs.
Where to Stay
A glimpse of the Seychelles' places to stay, from family-friendly island resorts to barefoot private-island seclusion. Many more are available.
Family Friendly
Constance Ephelia
Overlooking Port Launay Marine Park and spread between two beaches, Constance Ephelia is a spacious Mahé resort with five pools, an extensive spa and accommodation ranging from rooms to multi-bedroom pool villas. Varied dining and an excellent children's club make it particularly well suited to families. Best for: families who want space, pools and a great kids' club.
Contemporary
STORY Seychelles
Set on the long sweep of Beau Vallon beach, STORY Seychelles offers elegant suites and private-pool villas within easy reach of Victoria. Beachfront dining, yoga, guided snorkelling and marine-conservation experiences combine with a tranquil spa and children's club. Best for: a stylish first or last stop close to Victoria.
Exclusive
North Island
Reached by private helicopter and home to just 11 villas, North Island offers exceptional privacy in a dramatic natural setting. Conservation shapes the experience, while private dining, in-villa spa treatments and unhurried days of cycling and water sports are tailored around each guest. Best for: once-in-a-lifetime privacy and honeymoons.
Barefoot Luxury
Four Seasons Resort at Desroches Island
A 35-minute flight from Mahé brings you to Desroches, where every suite, villa and residence has a private pool and direct beach access. Nine miles of sand, a tortoise sanctuary, cycling, kayaking and an open-air spa create plenty of space for families and couples. Best for: a private island with room to roam, for families and couples.
Adventure
Cosmoledo Eco Camp, Blue Safari
More than 1,000 kilometres from Mahé, Cosmoledo Eco Camp gives adventurous travellers rare access to one of the Indian Ocean's wildest atolls. Eight thoughtfully designed Eco Pods provide a light-footprint base for snorkelling untouched reefs, kayaking between sandbars, wildlife expeditions and extraordinary stargazing from November to April. Best for: divers, anglers and adventurous travellers.
Secluded and Romantic
Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas
Set within 12 acres of tropical gardens on a secluded Mahé peninsula, Anantara Maia has just 30 villas, each with an infinity pool and private host. Private dining, couples' spa treatments and villas designed for complete seclusion make it particularly well suited to honeymoons and anniversaries. Best for: honeymoons, anniversaries and complete seclusion.
Why plan your Seychelles holiday with me?
I'm Rachael. I plan tailor-made holidays for curious travellers who love comfort. New experiences, lovely places to stay and someone looking after the details.
Design
I listen first, then shape your holiday around what you enjoy and what makes you comfortable. From the route to your room, with time to explore and time to relax.
Discover
With trusted specialists and local experts, I find distinctive places to stay and experiences that help you get to know a destination, chosen around your interests.
Travel well
I contact your hotels before you arrive, reconfirm your stay and share your preferences. I ask about upgrades and thoughtful extras where available, and support you until you're safely home.
Luxury Seychelles Tailor-Made Itineraries
These itineraries are just a few examples of what is possible. I can tailor any of them to suit you or create something completely from scratch around the Seychelles experience you have in mind.
Seychelles Family Island Adventure
4 nights · Praslin
Fly from Mahé to Praslin for family beach time, snorkelling and gentle walks beneath the coco de mer palms of the Vallée de Mai. Take the ferry to La Digue to explore by bicycle and meet giant tortoises at L'Union Estate.
6 nights · Mahé
Continue to Constance Ephelia for swimming, kayaking, forest trails, ziplining and rock climbing, with plenty of time left for the beach. Explore Victoria's markets or take a boat into Sainte Anne Marine Park to snorkel around its smaller islands.
Sailing the Inner Islands
2 nights · Mahé
Begin beside the beach on Mahé, with a private day exploring Victoria, mountain viewpoints, Creole heritage and the island's quieter coastline.
4 nights · Inner Islands Cruise
Board MY Pegasus for an all-inclusive cruise between Curieuse, Cousin and Aride. Meet giant tortoises, walk with nature guides, visit important seabird and turtle habitats and anchor beside the remarkable beach of Anse Lazio.
3 nights · Praslin
Disembark on Praslin for three nights at Constance Lemuria. Cycle around La Digue, walk through the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai or slow the pace with time beside Praslin's beautiful northern beaches.
From the Mara to Mahé
4 nights · Mara Naboisho Conservancy
Fly by light aircraft into a private conservancy bordering the Masai Mara. Search for lions, elephants and cheetahs on morning, afternoon and night drives, with walking safaris and sundowners away from the busier areas of the reserve.
1 night · Nairobi
Return to Nairobi for a restful night in Karen, giving you time to pause between the adventure of the safari and the slower pace of the Seychelles.
7 nights · Mahé
Fly to Mahé for a week at Constance Ephelia, where beaches, pools, water sports and the spa make it easy to unwind. Explore Victoria and the island's forested interior, or leave whole days free beside the Indian Ocean.
The Wild Outer Islands
1 night · Mahé
Begin at STORY Seychelles on Beau Vallon beach before flying more than 1,000 kilometres into the remote Outer Islands.
3 nights · Astove Atoll
Stay in the six-bedroom Coral House beside a vast lagoon and the dramatic Astove Wall. Dive, snorkel, fly fish and explore the reefs with marine biologists, conservationists and expert island guides.
4 nights · Cosmoledo Atoll
Travel by boat to one of the wildest atolls in the Indian Ocean, staying in one of eight thoughtfully designed Eco Pods. Explore remote cays, snorkel healthy coral reefs and look for turtles, giant trevally and extraordinary birdlife.
3 nights · Alphonse Island
Fly to Alphonse for a gentler finale of beach living, reef walks, kayaking and paddleboarding. Join conservation experiences monitoring turtles, manta rays and giant Aldabra tortoises, or simply slow down beside the water.
1 night · Mahé
Return to Mahé for a final night at secluded Mango House before your flight home.
Pairing the Seychelles with a safari
A safari and a Seychelles beach stay make one of the most rewarding long-haul pairings, and Kenya is the natural partner. My From the Mara to Mahé itinerary spends four nights in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, a private reserve bordering the Masai Mara, before a restful night in Nairobi and seven nights at Constance Ephelia on Mahé. You go from early-morning game drives and sundowners to quiet beaches and warm water, with the wildlife first so you arrive at the coast ready to slow down.
Tanzania works just as well. You can read my guide to a Tanzania safari and Zanzibar and swap Zanzibar for the Seychelles, or pair a South Africa safari with time in the Indian Ocean. Whichever you choose, I plan the internal flights and timings so the two halves of the trip join up smoothly.
Your Seychelles, Designed
Around You
Your Seychelles holiday might combine Mahé's forested mountains and Creole flavours with the quieter beaches of Praslin and a few days exploring La Digue by bicycle. It could take you from giant tortoises and ancient palm forests to a private island where your villa is hidden between the trees and the sea.
I'll help you choose the islands that belong in your journey, how active or unhurried you would like it to be and where greater privacy or a more exceptional stay is worth the investment. Then I'll bring together your flights, transfers, hotels and experiences so every part of the journey feels effortless.
Start Planning Your Seychelles HolidaySeychelles holiday FAQs
It's warm all year, so the real question is wind and sea. April, May, October and November are usually calmest, with clear water for snorkelling. May to September brings drier weather and livelier seas on exposed coasts; December to March is hotter, wetter and more humid.
Yes, if you choose the beach as carefully as the hotel. Some of the prettiest bays have strong currents or seasonal seaweed, so I look for calm, shallow swimming, a good kids' club and short transfers.
The Maldives if you want to stay put with an overwater villa and the reef on your doorstep. The Seychelles if you want more to do: granite beaches, forest walks, giant tortoises and moving between islands. Children who get restless after a few beach days often prefer the Seychelles.
For ten to fourteen nights, two or three islands, usually Mahé and Praslin with time on La Digue. Every island change costs half a day, so I keep the moves to a minimum.
Mahé, Praslin and La Digue are linked by ferries and short flights. Private and outer islands are reached by light aircraft, helicopter or boat, timed to your international flights.
Yes, and Kenya is the natural partner. My From the Mara to Mahé itinerary spends four nights in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy before seven nights at Constance Ephelia.
Sometimes, depending on the month and the coast. The islands are small, so a clear beach is rarely far away, and I match your hotel's beach to the month you travel.
No visa is needed, but you must apply online for a travel authorisation before you go. Check GOV.UK for the latest entry rules before booking.
No wildlife sighting can be guaranteed, although sea turtles are one of the more likely encounters, whether while snorkelling or during the nesting season from around October to March. Whale sharks are more seasonal, with the best chances generally between August and November, particularly off western Mahé. I'll plan around the seasons and choose responsible excursions that give you the best opportunity for your dates.
No. Its privacy and beautiful hotels make it a natural honeymoon destination, but the wildlife, beaches and easy island adventures are also wonderful for families. It can work particularly well for a special family holiday with older children or teenagers.
It can be, but it depends on what you want from the holiday. For a honeymoon or anniversary, the privacy, personal service and feeling of retreating somewhere truly secluded can make the additional cost worthwhile. Private islands can also be wonderful for families, although Mahé and Praslin usually offer more variety and easier access to days out. I'll help you compare the options openly, so you can decide whether the added privacy and seclusion are worth the extra investment for your holiday.
More places I love
Luxury Jamaica Holidays
Port Antonio hideaways, the Blue Mountains and the best of the north coast.
Luxury Spain Holidays
Family resorts, Andalucía by train and city-and-coast trips.
Luxury Malta Holidays
Valletta palazzos, Gozo farmhouses and thousands of years of history.
More reading: private-island holidays and a Tanzania safari and Zanzibar.