As you plan your trip to Seychelles it can seem almost cruel to look at the endless pictures and videos of strikingly white sand colliding with shimmering waters and knowing you haven’t made it there…yet. Thankfully, Seychelles is one of the few places in the world where you can just pick up and jet off without having to worry about seasonal weather changes. Their weather sits steady between 26 and 29 degrees and in recent years has become more accessible to all travellers—not just the mega-wealthy.
Their tourism office has started promoting and encouraging all visitors to make the trip, and there are affordable and comfortable accommodations popping up all over the place. Pick an island (or three), pack your suitcase for a trip to paradise and head to the Seychelles for a fairy tale holiday that won’t be easy to forget. There are many more than five things to do in the Seychelles, but if you want a well-rounded experience on-island, try these activities to get a true taste of life on the Seychelles.
Island Hop
The Seychelles is comprised of 115 island in the Indian Ocean with incredible white-sand beaches and nary a one are crowded for space. Whether you want a slight change of scenery or just want to get off the main island of Mahe, you’ve got your choice of unspoiled beaches beckoning for you in every direction. Every island has a different flavour, different geographical landscape and different history. Depending on where you’re headed you can take a day trip off the main island or extend your stay overnight for a truly exotic island getaway.
Visit Victoria
The little town of Victoria is the capital of Seychelles and you can expect many of the usual trappings of capital cities—with a little extra flavour and history thrown in. You’ll also be able to see the entire city just by taking a short two-hour stroll around the streets. On your way around town, you’ll spot a clock tower similar to London’s Little Ben and the Natural History Museum.
Another bonus of Victoria being a smaller capital is the lack of crowds—like most of the Seychelles the only time there are really busy streets is Saturday morning as people head to market and socialise. Follow the group on Saturday morning and see the fishermen lay out their daily catch of colourful fish and other vendors with fresh tropical fruits, vegetables and spices.
Get Lost In the Jungle
Chances are you will be on the main island of Mahe during your stay in the Seychelles, even if just for a day or night. While you are there, take advantage of the luxurious green forests found all over the island. There are plenty of hiking trails that run through the Morne Seychellois National Park and on your way, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife galore. Tiny frogs, massive, lumbering tortoises, wolf snakes (they’re harmless) and many more. If you only have a short amount of time to see something in Mahe, then take the Morne Blanc hiking trail. It takes 45 minutes to climb and when you reach the top you’ll be treated to the finest view of the Indian Ocean on Mahe.
Dive Below the Surface
Strap on your mask and your snorkel and head into the waves for an entirely different Seychelles experience. Once you peek at what’s going on below the surface, it’ll be hard to come back on land. There are thousands of kinds of fish swimming all over the place and if you prefer to snorkel with a guide, there are plenty of outfitters that can take swimmers out for a half-day trip. If you are tackling the activity on your own, head to any of the beaches on Mahe or Praslin for a chance to spot parrotfish, butterfly fish, sea turtles, rays and various corals.
Sunset Strolling
In the northwest of Mahe is a favourite bay for locals and tourists alike, called Beau Vallon. Like mentioned above, even though this is a prime location for watching the burning sun dip below the horizon and watching the night fall over the water, you will never be scuffling for a spot to sit. Even at the height of activity, Beau Vallon is generally calm and relaxed. Along with this stretch of sand more than a few hotels and restaurants have popped up so you can enjoy your choice of meal—even pizza—as the sun sets.
Whatever your choice, the Seychelles are a perfect getaway from the day-to-day stress of life. Unwind on sunny beaches, explore below the waves with your snorkel and mask, or trek through dense jungles to see tortoises and more in their natural habitats. The Seychelles set themselves apart from so many other holiday destinations because of the incredible diversity of places to stay and see and because of luxury feel of the destination that adds a dimension of luxury to any holiday package. Stay safe and stay covered with Cover-More New Zealand’s Options Travel Insurance policy. With the superb benefits and high-quality cover, it’s no wonder the Options policy is our most popular plan for luxury destinations.