Which is the best place to stay in the Seychelles?
By Roslin Dwivedi. March 07, 2023
The chain of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, off Africa’s east coast, is one of the world’s great paradises. The stunning palm tree lined, white sandy beaches, crystal blue waters, tropical vegetation and seas teaming with life, draw millions of people in every year. With luxurious resorts, seaside villages and scenery which often features on the cover of magazines, it’s a wonderful place to find pure relaxation.
Mahé, Praslin and La Digue are the three main islands among the 115 islands. The best island to stay on is Mahé island, with its wide range of activities and attractions. The island boasts striking beaches and hiking trails, some of which are highest in Seychelles, and rewards with a great view at the end of the track. Mahé holds most historical and cultural attractions, noteworthy resorts and standalone restaurants. Basing your stay at Mahe provides freedom for many excursions and trips done by yourself in your rental car.
Most tour itineraries say Praslin and La Digue are visited on a full-day trip. However, staying in Praslin for a few days brings you closer to nature, and your stay in La Digue lets you experience the stark difference in the landscape and slow-paced island lifestyle compared to Mahe.If you are interested in where to stay in the Seychelles, you can also be interested in where to stay in Mauritius or in where to stay in Zanzibar.
Best places to stay in the Seychelles
Mahé Island
Mahé island is the largest island of Seychelles in the context of area and population. And is also home to Seychelles’ capital ‘Victoria’. It is like those metro cities which bring locals to work from other islands. The connectivity to the other islands makes island hopping one of the great day trips from Mahé. Additionally, it gets better access to other excursions and trips for tourists. The island also offers some best hiking experiences, beach retreats and romantic getaways. Some signature places to wander in Mahé are Beau Vallon, Victoria, Eden Island, Baie Lazare and Anse Royale. Furthermore, the island has some of the most charming and luxurious stays.
Victoria
Creole Cuisine / History and Culture / On a Budget
One of the smallest capitals in the world, Victoria, is approximately 15 minutes from the airport in Mahé. Additionally, it is the best place to learn about the daily life of locals and the culture of Seychelles. Take a walking tour to explore the British colonial era landmarks, art galleries, museum of natural history and its local delicacies.
Immerse in Creole cuisine in the local eateries and cafés lined along the fish market and the clock tower. Try your luck in the casinos around or take a drive to the close by night clubs.
Victoria’s best attractions are the Clock tower, a replica of London’s Big Ben, a vibrant fish and vegetable, Sir Selwyn Clarke Market, the Hindu temple and the Cathedral to explore the culture further. A few steps ahead of Victoria lies a Botanical garden featuring rare flora and fauna. Learn about Coco De Mer, one of the rare plants found only in Seychelles.
Beau Vallon
Beaches / Honeymoon / Families
Located 10 minutes from Victoria, Beau Vallon is Mahé’s popular and busiest beach. The area highlights upscale and budget resorts, hotels and self-catering villas. The multiple seaside restaurants, bars, water sports, snorkelling and diving make the beach a must-visit place.
Surrounded by lush mountains, the pristine, broad coastline and shallow, transparent water are much appreciable. The spectacle of the beautiful catamarans and endless dazzling blue ocean on the beach makes it the best sun-soaking tropical and romantic destination for honeymooners and a great family place to stay. The massive granite boulders at the end of the beach provide some excellent beach wedding venues or photo shoots.
On the other side of the beach are souvenir stalls, an open-air gym, tasty restaurants and excursion kiosks allowing the booking of activities like surfing, windsurfing, parasailing, banana boat rides, jet- skiing and island hopping. Watch out for the Beau Vallon Regatta festival, which includes yacht races, the exhibition of local eateries and water events. So booking in advance.
Baie Lazare
Luxury Hotels / Honeymoon / Couples
The district of Baie Lazare, on the island’s southwest side, has a quieter vibe compared to Beau Vallon and Victoria. The beaches are picturesque, secluded, renowned for surfing waves, and often used for destination weddings.
From charming cottage-style guest houses to ultra-luxury resorts overlooking exquisite beaches, this side of the island has something for everyone. Staying at one of these self-catering villas allows the advantage of fresh produce from neighbouring farms and local stores offering kitchen essentials.
Another tranquil beach, Petite Anse, within the luxury Four Seasons Resort, is famous for its powder white sand, protected, well-maintained vegetation, and outstanding hillside location. Dotted with some of the best diners, including Maria’s Rock Café, offering distinctive hot stone self-barbecues, the Anchor Café, well-known for its signature creole dishes and Jardin du Roi (Spice Garden) for a nature walk, serves excellent home-style creole meals prepared with spices grown in their own garden.
Eden Island
Beaches / Nightlife / Families
Between Mahé international airport and the capital, Victoria, lies Eden Island, a must-see Seychelles site. The artificial island, joined by a 200m bridge over the ocean to Mahé, features luxury resorts and self-catering accommodations with access to private beaches, kid’s area and private swimming pools.
The Eden plaza, a mall and a port on the island, features upscale seaside restaurants serving top-notch Japanese, authentic Indian and Chinese and scrumptious Seychellois food with marina and mountain views. It also features high-end clothing, supermarkets, an art gallery and casinos, making it a terrific place for a family to spend their afternoon or have a splendid stay. Feel the serenity, sipping a coffee or local beer at one of the cafés while the kids play around. Pamper yourself at one of the best holistic Spas. Hire a catamaran or a yacht and explore the other islands. Or shake a leg at Boardwalk, get alive at night, especially on weekends.
Takamaka
Beaches / Relaxation / Families
Takamaka, Mahé’s southernmost village district, features a scenic coastal drive. Among its 14 beaches, the most standout is Anse Takamaka and Anse Intendance, offering an expansive coastline, a calm environment and dramatic cool shades.
Encounter Giant tortoises at Chez Batista, a typical beachside Seychellois open restaurant. Several luxury villas, budget hotels, resorts, chalets, wellness centres, and spa retreats are spread across Takamaka, appealing to couples, families and people looking for profound relaxation.The rarely visited hidden rock pool is a short hike away at Takamaka. Fishing, snorkelling, chilling at the beach and relishing the sensational island sunset are excellent activities.
Approximately 24 kilometres away from Victoria, it is not easily accessible to nightclubs. Baie Lazare and Anse Royale, circled Takamaka, is another happening district featuring local hangouts, supermarkets, attractive restaurants, and must-see farms. Anse Royale beach is another packed beach where most locals have barbecue parties during the weekend. Drive ahead of Anse royale to reach Katiolo, the local’s favourite nightclub.
Silhouette Island
Beaches / Nature / Relaxation
Silhouette island is remarkable and Seychelles’ third largest island size-wise, with the most outlandish granite cliffs and a surrounding national marine park extended a mile from its coastline. One hour boat rides away from Mahé, the island is 5 km long and broad. Deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the island preserves authentic Seychellois culture, rare animals, plants and history. The reef has vibrant fish species, green turtles, and marine life.
The island highlights Creole and European culture-influenced architecture in Plantation-house, the local houses, a village church, granite cliffs, and 740 metres high Mount Douban granite cliff. Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort welcomes guests from the bel ombre jetty at Mahé island on private ferries. Features luxury rooms with private pools, several speciality restaurants, a kid’s club, and recreations like guided hiking, fishing, diving, and snorkelling. Take a bike from the resort, explore the island, find secluded beaches and soak up some sun.
Round Island and Ile au Cerf islands
Relaxation / Nature / Beaches
The two enchanted islands on the Mahé’ northeast coast lie Round Island and Ile au Cerf island. 5-10 mins boat ride from port Victoria, the islands are in the middle of the Sainte Anne Marine park. Surrounded by an endearing underwater world, coral reefs, healthy vegetation, and a multi-hued blue ocean make some picturesque island retreat away from bustling Victoria. Enchanted Island Resort on Round island provides luxurious villas, an infinity pool, a restaurant and bar, and a hilltop spa. Green sea turtles often visit the island on the edge of coral reefs, inhabited by an extensive range of flora, fauna, and rare marine life.
Ile au Cerf island, with no shops and roads in the island, one can enjoy the island with its barefoot style environment. The location is the most convenient to explore the Sainte Anne marine park by snorkelling or kayaking.
Hotels in Round Island and Ile au Cerf islands
Praslin Island
A stunning tropical paradise, Praslin island, located northeast of Mahé, is the second largest island in Seychelles. Praslin is reachable by sea and air. Baie Saint Anne, Grand Anse and Cote D’Or Anse Volbert in Praslin have subtle vibes of Victoria and Beau Vallon at Mahe. Famous for the nature reserve, Vallee de Mai, impeccable ivory beaches and crystalline waters, Praslin island is a soothing holiday retreat offering adventurous other island trips, snorkelling and hiking for recreation. With abundant natural beauty and friendly locals, Praslin island has some renowned resorts and self-catering accommodations, making it a perfect getaway spot.
Grand Anse
Beaches / Lively / Honeymoon
A long and peaceful Grand Anse beach has charming hotels, holiday rentals and apartments. An excellent option for families thanks to its tranquil and shallow waters, surrounded by dense green hills and palm trees bordered by the beach, providing plenty of shade to unwind. The beach and the sites are easy to explore on foot. Praslin island’s domestic airport lies at Grand Anse, making it the fastest connectivity with Mahé island.
The extended secluded beach has multiple restaurants, takeaways and shops along the coast at various points. The sunset view point nearby is a lovely place to enjoy the Seychelles sunset. You may climb the palm trees and granite rocks, snorkel, windsurf or swim here. Grand Anse’s closer proximity to Cousin island allows one to explore natural preserves. The beach is usually uncrowded for long periods, making it ideal for anyone seeking privacy and relaxation.
Baie Sainte Anne
Beaches / Families / Water Sports
The inter-island ferry, Baie Sainte Anne, is full of tourists travelling to several parts of Praslin island. The sight of Baie Sainte Anne is mesmerising from the boat before disembarking. Near the ferry terminal are multiple gorgeous chalets and semi-budget hotels a few steps from the breathtaking Baie Sainte Anne beach overlooking La Digue island. A great location to stay near the ferry terminal, primarily if you are holidaying for a limited time, the bay is relaxing with plenty of adventure and exploration opportunities. One is the famous Curieuse Marine national park and the giant Aldabra tortoise sanctuary on Curieuse island, reached via boat.
Another is near Baie Sainte Anne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vallee de Mai reserves, rare flora, fauna, wildlife, and several species of endemic birds like the national bird of Seychelles black parrot. Another reserve highlight is Coco de Mer, found only in Seychelles. Praslin is also a popular spot for sailing, with a wide range of sailing charters available at Baie Sainte Anne.
Anse Kerlan
Relaxation / Couples / Honeymoon
Anse Kerlan is in a secure location on the northwest side of Praslin island. Putting on an advantage of a semi-private beach experience and a more island-like vacation at the villas and chalets along the beach.
Honeymooners paradise, Anse Kerlan, is a secluded beach between the striking Grand Anse and Anse Georgette beaches. 1 km from Praslin domestic airport and 15 km from the ferry terminal, Anse Kerlan has lovely chalets, villas, and luxury resort Constance Lemuria, a family-friendly resort with beautiful family rooms, private pools, kids club, multi-cuisine restaurants and Seychelles’ favourite golf course.
Significant activities include hiking from Mont Plaisir to Anse Georgette brings a jaw-dropping ocean view. Hike from Anse Kerlan for 3 hours to Praslin’s most famous beach Anse Lazio, if you wish to. Other engaging activities include snorkelling, swimming, beach fishing, and golf. The well-preserved beach might show you some signs of tortoises around the coast.
La Digue Island
La Digue is the smallest among the three most populous islands, surrounded by the infinite Indian Ocean, making La Digue look like nature’s artwork. La Digue island reveals indolent Seychellois life in a laid-back environment. Book a 30-minute ferry from Mahe or a 15-minute ferry from Praslin to La Digue.Coming down the jetty, a small marketplace with souvenir shops and restaurants becomes alive as tourists arrive.
Highlights of the island, L’Union estate farm, a walking tour-worthy British colonial plantation house and farm. Discover a famous, secretive beach, Anse source d’argent, cycling through L’Union farm. The beach flaunts a stretch of golden sands, a canal of massive granite boulders, and thick palm trees leading to the main shores. Bike or hike to an exciting Grand Anse beach, known for its high tides, vast soft sand surface, deep turquoise water and huge granite plateau covering the coast sides. Take a helicopter island tour, unwind at the beach, go hiking or feel the island’s peace exploring La Digue cycling.
Our recommended hotels in Seychelles
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in SeychellesNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.
