The best places to stay in the Seychelles

My last trip to the Seychelles was an incredible post-pandemic island-hopping adventure with my family. Of all our travels, it’s the one our kids remember most fondly. 

This time, I had the opportunity to scout out the best places to stay in the Seychelles across several more islands. I fell in love with the destination on my first visit, and I fell in love all over again on this trip. 

The Indian Ocean is definitely one of my favourite regions on the planet. The islands and beaches are simply dreamy. For me, they feel similar to the best beaches in French Polynesia, another place which stole my heart many moons ago.

In this blog, I’ll share my thoughts on the best places to stay in the Seychelles. I’ll caveat this by saying I haven’t visited them all, as there are 115 islands in the archipelago! However, I’ve visited all the most accessible islands to the north of Mahe and over 50 properties of all shapes and sizes. The islands south of Mahe, such as Alphonse, Platte and Desroches, are harder to reach and generally more exclusive, so I’m saving those for another trip!

Why choose an island-hopping holiday in the Seychelles 

Every island I’ve visited in the Seychelles has been very different, so I find it hard to name a particular favourite. They all have their own charms. Each one is stunning in its own way and offers a new perspective on the destination. This is why the Seychelles are perfect for an island-hopping holiday that combines at least two or three islands. As a starter, you can’t go far wrong with a combination of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue.

Let the experts do the hard work 

Admittedly, there are some tricky logistics to navigate on an island-hopping holiday in the Seychelles. This is where it’s essential to use a good tour operator, such as Travel Nation. By logistics, I mean ferries, flights, local boat trips, and getting from A to B on arrival. 

Connecting all these dots can get pretty complex, so it’s better to let the experts handle it. At each step, we’ll ensure that a driver, a boat, or a buggy will be there to meet you. The next step is always taken care of, so all you have to do is enjoy the ride! You can relax, completely unwind, and trust you’re in safe hands.

First stop – Mahe Island 

No first trip to the Seychelles is complete without some time on Mahe, the main island. For a start, it’s home to the international airport and the capital, Victoria. It’s also the busiest island and home to several bigger resorts. 

Some holidaymakers just ‘fly and flop’ here, but there’s lots to explore, and it’s perfect for self-drive. The roads are quiet, and you drive on the left.

If you’re active, Mahe is perfect, with multiple scenic walking trails in Morne National Park. There’s also some incredible snorkelling around Sainte-Anne, and a visit to beautiful Moyenne Island is a must. On Moyenne, you’ll meet giant tortoises and learn the inspiring story of Brendan Grimshaw, who bought this little paradise for £8,000 back in 1962 and transformed it into the beautiful nature reserve it is today.

Where to stay on Mahe Island 

The north of Mahe is busy, as it’s home to the popular resort of Beau Vallon. Many tourists opt to stay here. Personally, I prefer a quieter cove, and Carana Beach gets my vote as a truly Seychellois sanctuary. Every one of their forty chalets has a stunning view of the Indian Ocean, the newly renovated pool area is a delightful place to unwind, and the food is excellent.

Further south, it’s more about local life. I particularly love Mango House, a converted family home where you can snorkel right from the beach. Nearby, Pineapple Beach Villas offers excellent value for money with self-catering accommodation and various little supermarkets dotted about.

If your budget can stretch, Mahe is also home to some of the finest properties in the Seychelles. The pick of the bunch is undoubtedly Cheval Blanc. This place is truly wow! Cradled by the emerald waters of the stunning Anse Intendance, it’s the finest beach on Mahe. Imagine a pristine palm jungle meeting soft white sands and turquoise waters. It’s a soothing retreat for daydreaming and sunbathing.

Praslin – a true slice of paradise 

Praslin is Mahe’s little sister. It’s smaller, calmer, and boasts some of the most stunning beaches on Earth (check out Anse Georgette and Anse Lazio). Praslin reminds me of Moorea, a gorgeous little island in French Polynesia that stole my heart. It has a hilly interior and a stunning coastline, so it really feels like a castaway paradise. It’s one of the best islands in the Seychelles, so I recommend staying here for a good chunk of your trip.

For location, I really like Anse Volbert village on the east coast, where you’ll find the beautiful Côte d’Or beach, as well as various little shops and restaurants. It’s also the jumping-off point for day trips over to nearby Curieuse Island, home to 500 Aldabra giant tortoises, from cute babies to leathery oldies. I strongly recommend a brilliant catamaran experience which combines Curieuse with nearby Cousin Island and St. Pierre for snorkelling.

Where to stay in Anse Volbert 

For accommodation, my favourite resort in Anse Volbert is Le Duc de Praslin, which has two pool areas, one for families and one for adults only, offering the best of both worlds. The food here is outstanding, and the trendy Café des Arts on the beach is perfect for beach dining, lounging, and sundowner cocktails.

Nearby, I also love Les Lauriers, where I stayed with my family a few years ago. This is a little cheaper than Le Duc de Praslin, but perfect if you’re travelling with kids. Another lovely option is L’Archipel, which is renowned for its tranquil private beach and delicious cuisine. To be honest, in Anse Volbert, you can’t go far wrong.

Staying elsewhere on Praslin 

On the north and west coasts, you have to get the timing right, as the trade wind can bring a fair amount of seaweed onto the beaches in certain months. However, the newly renovated Indian Ocean Lodge is excellent. During my stay, I particularly loved their superb Kokosol Bar, where their friendly mixologist Dennis was just brilliant.

If budget permits, the Constance Lemuria is another favourite. Besides being a gorgeous property, it boasts direct access to Anse Georgette, one of the finest beaches in the world. These spectacular sands will knock your socks off! It never gets busy either, as they cap the daily numbers of non-guests permitted to access the beach via the hotel grounds.

The laid-back beauty of La Digue 

‘Should I stay on La Digue or just go there on a day trip?’ This is something I’m regularly asked about when planning holidays to the Seychelles. My response is always the same - stay for a few nights! 

La Digue is home to beautiful Anse Source D’Argent, an iconic Seychelles beach with huge granite boulders. The issue I have with day-trippers is that they can overrun the beach throughout the day, so Anse Source D’Argent is best visited early or late. There is also so much more to La Digue than this famous beach!

La Digue is a laid-back paradise which is virtually car-free, so bicycles are the norm here for all ages. The island is mostly flat, and the only real hill takes you to a totally unspoilt side of the island, with no accommodation and three untouched beaches. 

La Digue has loads of little places to eat. I particularly love Mimi’s Café for some homespun Creole cooking. It’s conveniently located on the bike ride to Anse Cocos, and it’s quite simply delicious!

My favourite spot on La Digue is Anse Cocos. Imagine a sweeping bay with powdery white sand and stunning turquoise waters, all fringed by a palm forest. It’s like it hasn’t changed in 500 years. There’s nothing here but a couple of locals selling coconuts, fresh juices and cocktails from their rustic beach bar. Absolute bliss.

Where to stay on La Digue 

For accommodation, everything is focused around La Passe on one side of the island. My pick of the properties is Le Nautique, a lovely little spot with an excellent restaurant. If you’re on a tighter budget, Casa de Leela is charming, or if you want something more upmarket, Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie is the only real choice.

Splash out on Denis Private Island 

Arriving on Denis Private Island by air is simply spectacular – it’s a proper ‘pinch-me’ moment as you reach the grassy landing strip that cuts through tropical jungle. The vivid turquoise waters surrounding this speck in the Indian Ocean are unbelievably breathtaking. This is undoubtedly one of the best places to stay in the Seychelles. It’s true barefoot luxury.

You’ll quickly realise just how special life on Denis Island is. With only a small island community, there’s plenty to explore and some extraordinary birdlife. This is a place to snorkel, cycle, and unplug, as there’s no mobile signal here. WIFI is available in the main bar area, but the beautiful cottages are free from the noise of the outside world. A stay on Denis Island gives you time to disconnect from technology and reconnect with loved ones.

Back to nature on Bird Island 

Talking of birdlife, where better to spot birds than the aptly named Bird Island, a sanctuary for sooty terns, noddies, and fairy terns, especially from May to October. Located close to Denis, staying on Bird Island is more rustic, though still very comfortable. 

The island is home to just 24 self-catered eco-lodge chalets with traditional Seychellois outdoor kitchens and one little shop. What it lacks in luxury, it makes up for in location, nature, and Robinson Crusoe charm.

Bird Island is about far more than birds, though - it’s also a conservation haven for nesting turtles. I would describe it as another chance to switch off from the outside world and enjoy having a patch of pristine Indian Ocean beach all to yourselves. If escapism is what you crave, then Bird Island is worthy of serious consideration. Flights operate just twice a week, and, as the accommodation is quite modest, it’s surprisingly affordable.

Escape to Silhouette Island 

Lastly, I really enjoyed my time on Silhouette Island. This island is easy to reach via a regular 45-minute shuttle boat from northern Mahe. It’s another biodiversity hotspot with some great walking trails through the mountainous interior, but really the island is all about a relaxing holiday with plenty of deliciously quiet beaches.

There are only two places to stay on Silhouette. The vast majority of tourists head to the vast facilities of the five-star Niva Labriz (formerly Hilton Labriz), which occupies most of the eastern coastline. There’s a huge pool, a range of restaurants, and lots of sports facilities. It’s a resort that works brilliantly if you just want to plonk for a week or so, and it’s particularly popular with families.

Quietly tucked away, you’ll find the more intimate La Belle Tortue. For me, this is one of the best places to stay in the Seychelles if you prefer smaller boutique properties. There are just nine rooms, and the nearby beach is stunning. 

If you’re a foodie, you’ll love it here, as they serve award-winning cuisine. While most visitors to Silhouette hang around the grounds of the Niva Labriz, it feels like guests at La Belle Tortue have the rest of this beautiful island to themselves.

And finally...

I’ve been fortunate to visit numerous paradisiacal islands on my travels, from the Indian Ocean to the Far East, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. With so many countries still to explore, it’s rare for a destination to keep me coming back for more. The Seychelles does just that. When you discover somewhere so beautiful yet still respectful of the environment on which it depends, it’s irresistible. 

Wherever you choose to stay in the Seychelles, you’ll find dreamy beaches, clear turquoise waters, and welcoming locals. It’s certainly not a cheap destination, but you most definitely get what you pay for! There’s a wide range of places to stay to suit all budgets, from smaller local guesthouses to exclusive five-star private islands. I’m already planning my next Seychelles adventure.

Ready to plan your Seychelles island-hopping holiday?

We're experts at creating complex tailor-made itineraries packed with personal touches and unforgettable moments. We'll build you a trip to the Seychelles that perfectly matches your budget and personal interests. To get started, give us a call on 1273 320 580 or send us an online quote request. 

Request a quote