East of Kenya, near the equator, is Seychelles. Nearly half of the island’s land area is protected, and several are marine sanctuaries. From hiking the mountain routes to lounging on the beaches, there is so much to do in Seychelles.
In the pristine water, aquatic activities abound. Seychelles has world-class diving, snorkeling, surfing, sailing, and fertile fishing grounds. The bigger granitic inner islands, such as Mahe, La Digue, and Praslin, are the most developed for tourism, with several luxury five-star Seychelles resorts.
Mahé has the international airport, cruise ship port, and Morne Seychellois National Park. On Praslin, visit the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai, while La Digue has some of Seychelles’ best beaches. Alphonse Island and Farquhar Atoll have fishing cottages. Learn more about the top Seychelles attractions with our list.
Anse Lazio, Praslin
Anse Lazio, also known as Chevalier Bay, is one of the most stunning beaches in Seychelles. It is located in the northern region of Praslin Island. The beach can only be reached by climbing down a steep slope, but believe us when we say that the journey is well worth it.
This extensive length of powdery blonde sand is bordered on each side by rounded granite rocks, and it combines with seas that are very pure with a variety of ethereal blues. The beach is bordered by takamaka trees and coconut palms, providing shady areas where visitors can relax. Also, restaurants are located at the beach’s northern and southern ends.
Beau Vallon Beach
The enticing sweep of glistening sand that makes up Beau Vallon, located on Mahé’s northwest coast, acts as a magnet for visitors worldwide. The rugged silhouette of Silhouette Island shimmers on the horizon as one looks out to sea, offering a picture-perfect scene.
That is an excellent option if you’re searching for a beach always bustling with activity. The coastline is lined with hotels and restaurants, and the neighborhood residents gather for beach picnics on the weekends. In addition, there is a wide selection of water activities available to be enjoyed here, such as banana boats, water skiing, Jet Skis, and paddleboarding.
Lifeguards adequately watch over the beach, and the water usually is still, even more so during the trade winds that blow from the southeast, so this is an excellent option for families with younger children.
Anse Volbert
Anse Volbert, often called Côte d’Or, is a beach located on the northeastern shore of Praslin. It is one of the most renowned beaches on the island. The sands have been bleached by the sun, and the water is warm and shallow where it meets them. Just offshore are coral reefs. The seas are so calm that even swimming with little children is not dangerous.
Anse Volbert is the departure point for a large number of day cruises and various types of island excursions. You’ll find several hotels and restaurants bordering Anse Volbert’s coastline, one of the island’s primary resort regions, such as the Hotel Club Cote D’Or, which has thatched bungalows nestled among the lush vegetation of the surrounding area.
Anse Intendance, Mahé
This tiny and quiet crescent of sand on the island of Mahé’s south coast is a famous surfing site because of its regular huge swells and wild waves. It is considered one of the most incredible beaches in Mahé. This lovely beach may not have a reef for snorkeling, but plenty of other things keep you entertained and happy while you’re here.
Although it is stunning and filled with things to do, this beach could be better for families. When the trade winds come from the southeast, as often from June through September, the absence of a protective reef might make swimming a bit more challenging.
Beachpackers, sunbathers, and photographers will find this palm-fringed stretch of sand attractive and enjoyable throughout the year. A word of advice from the locals: turtles nest along the powdery sands here, so keep your eyes vigilant and cautious where you walk.
Baie Lazare, Mahé
Baie Lazare is a charming town located on the island of Mahé. It was named after the French explorer Lazare Picault, who arrived there in the 18th century after being dispatched by the French government to investigate the islands.
The neo-Gothic Baie Lazare Church, dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi and has a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside, is one of the region’s most popular tourist places.
The magnificent Anse Soleil and Petite Anse are among the most incredible in Seychelles, thanks to the spectacular turquoise ocean and brilliant white sand that can be found at each location. Because it is sheltered by a bay and has sand with a silvery sheen, Petite Anse is considered the most excellent beach in all of Seychelles.
La Digue Island
La Digue, the fourth most significant island in the archipelago, is a paradise for anyone who likes being outside. Bicycles and oxcarts are common forms of transportation on the island, making this a fantastic destination for anybody interested in catching a glimpse of traditional island life.
Anse Source D’Argent is one of the most attractive lengths of sand and water and is surrounded by some of the most breathtaking beaches and granite rock formations. You will have to pay a fee to access the beach at the neighboring L’Union Estate. However, the entrance price will provide you access to a tour of a historic copra factory and a vanilla plantation.
Vallée de Mai National Park, Praslin
Have you had enough of the constant exposure to the beach, sun, and surf? Vallée de Mai National Park is where you want to enjoy the shade and mild temperatures. For those interested in seeing the natural world, Seychelles is a great destination. This lush palm-studded park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was established to protect an ancient forest and is home to at least 4,000 specimens of the rare gigantic coco de mer fruit palm, which is native only to Seychelles.
Visit the visitor center first before setting out on the hiking trails to understand the park’s ecosystem better and to get a closer look at the coco de mer tree’s seeds, some of the biggest in the world. Other types of flora, such as vanilla orchids, palmiste, latanier, spread traveler’s palm, and Chinese fans, can thrive in this park.
Along the nature paths that are well signposted, this reserve may be discovered with relative ease. You can choose from three distinct trails, each of which may be completed in one, two, or three hours. Huge rocks may be strewn over the forest floor, and towering trees provide an overhead canopy that casts a shadow on the paths for most of their length.
Morne Seychellois National Park
The Morne Seychellois National Park is a dream destination for anyone who likes being outdoors and hiking. More than 20 percent of the landmass of Mahé is protected under this national park, making it the most extensive of its kind in Seychelles.
Morne Seychellois, which towers above Victoria at the height of 905 meters and is located inside its verdant boundaries, is the name of the mountain range that is home to the island’s tallest peak and may be found within these green limits. Some prominent species of birds native to Seychelles include the scops-owl, bulbul, and sunbird. In addition, the lush environment has a wide variety of plant life, including several types of indigenous palms, pandanus, pitcher plants, and ferns.
Here on this island, you’ll discover some of the most enjoyable trails to trek on. The town of Danzil is the starting point for hiking routes into the park. Along the way, hikers will pass tea farms and be treated to breathtaking views of the southwest coast of Mahé from the slopes of the mountains. The modest ascent up Morne Blanc is one of the most well-known hikes since it leads to a great vantage point at the trail’s end.
St. Anne Marine National Park
The St. Anne National Marine Park was established in 1973 and was the first national park in the Indian Ocean. The park comprises six islands and may be reached by boat from Mahé near Victoria. The park’s coral reefs are home to an array of marine life, which may be seen via snorkeling, scuba diving, and boat tours with glass bottoms.
Additionally, day trips from Mahé allow visitors to explore most of the islands that are part of the reserve. A handful of the islands also provide overnight accommodations for visitors.
Hawksbill turtles use Sainte Anne Island as a significant breeding ground in great numbers. Despite mangroves and crocodiles, the island was chosen as the location for the first French colony in Seychelles in 1770. The Île Cachée Nature Reserve is a significant breeding ground for noddies and a protected natural area. You may go swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving among the stunning reefs surrounding Cerf Island, or you can relax on the uncrowded beaches there. You can also use the Cerf Island Resort or L’Habitation Cerf Island as your home base while you’re here.
Curieuse Island Day Trip
Curieuse Island, which was once referred to as Île Rouge because of the rusty color of its soil, is a breeding ground for giant tortoises, who are free to wander about the island’s sandy coves.
The island is mainly covered with takamaka and casuarina trees, which shade the white-sand beaches. However, the island is also noted for another distinction: the coco de mer palm grows naturally.
The island was a leper colony; the remains of the leprosarium, which are located on the south coast, and the doctor’s home, which is now a national monument, are both open for exploration.
Conclusion
That wraps up our list of the top 10 cultural attractions that can be found in Seychelles. We hope that reading about them was enjoyable for you and that one day you’ll have the opportunity to go to some of the places discussed. However, Seychelles is not just known for its stunning natural scenery; the islands also contain a significant amount of history and culture that are well worth discovering.
