Every year around February we move some where to a warm destination to escape the cold in Europe. Similarly this year we were looking for a dream destination with a white beach and a crystal clear ocean.
Often you see on the photos of the Seychelles pearly white beaches with large granite rock formations this is the island of La Digue and can not be reached by plane to get our trip tuned to this. We do a round trip Mahe-Praslin-La Digue-Mahe
We fly from Amsterdam with a stopover in Istanbul and then to the main island of Mahe where we arrive in the morning and take the ferry to Praslin wich you can reach by plane or ferry ,we recommend a ferry because its cheaper and they run on time the airplanes not.
Praslin
After some delay we finally arrived on the island of Praslin where we stay in a spacious resort on the beach with on the backside huge mountains.
After chek in and a fresh shower we walked to the village to buy some snacks food and drinks, there are some small shops and restaurants here and some take away food
The island Praslin is a fairly quiet island. we rented a car so we could easily drive around from beach to beach.
Most beautiful beaches Praslin:
1. Anse Lazio
2. Côte d or Beach
3. Anse Bateau
Of course there are more beaches but we found this 3 worthwhile and easily accessible.
Praslin is known for its beaches and nature, including the Vallée de Mai National Park, a UNESCO nature reserve where the Coco De Mer palm tree grows. Here early in the morning we walked through a fair cool jungle, it is a beautiful park but you walk right through it in a couple of hours.
Most people books with a guide but I found this myself not interesting enough so we walked around by ourself and loved the cool jungle with is huge trees
The days after we go from beach to beach and we drive twice around the island we do not sunbathing to much like many people can hang out on the beach for days we never stay longer than a few hours and have to explore new things
After a 5-day stay on this beautiful island, we take the ferry to La Digue which is not far about 20 minutes by boat from Praslin.
La Digue
Arriving on the island we are welcomed on the pier with a golf car to our next hotel Domaine de L'Orangeraie which is not far from the ferry port and the main village of La Digue. Here we stay in a lovely huge room with balcony and a outside jungle bathroom.
The resort has a lovely white beach, swimming pool and 2 restaurant with sea view where we have breakfast every morning and enjoy the beautiful view from the terrace .
La Digue is almost car free so everyone uses a bicycle which is easy because the island is not that big. The first day we walk around the village enjoy the food and hang around the pool at the hotel just chilling and at evening enjoyed an amazing sunset a real vacation mood here.
The next day we rented a bike and explore the island.
We arrive at Petite Anse Beach which is a fairly nice big white beach with a restaurant and some coconut drink sellers.
From here you can reach 2 more beaches but you have to climb through the jungle over the granite rocks in 40 minutes you are on the next beach Petite Anse Cocos which is the most beautiful beach of La Digue and very few tourists because it is so difficult to reach.
The most famous beach of La Digue is Anse Source d'Argent this is only accessible over a palm plantation so you have to pay entrance but the beach is beautiful and there are several bars and restaurant to find, it is very touristy, it`s better in the evening or morning when the beaches are empty.
Most beautiful beaches of La Digue:
1.Anse Cocos
2. Petite Anse
3. Anse Source d Argent
The following days we cycle around and hang out by the pool to cool watch the most beautiful sunsets on the beach, a real tropical feeling
One day we go around with a catamaran sailing boat to some islands around La Digue, i like the small Cocos island with is huge granit rock on the beach, we do snorkling bbq and more snorkling so time fly. What else i can tell you about the Seychelles? i think just look at the pics crystal clear ocean whit white beach soft sand,granite rocks, palm trees lovely tropical vibes here.
Mahe
After 5 days we have to leave this beautiful resort and island with the ferry to Mahe wich is 1,5 hour from La Digue with a stop at the island Praslin. At Ma we also rent a car which we can return later at the airport. so we dont have to use taxi wich are expensive at the Seychelles.
Mahe is the main island of the Seychelles and a lot busier than the other islands here, most of the Seychelles people live and work here.
We stay at the Savoy Resort & Spa a large hotel on the beach Beau Vallon Beach. Here are many hotels and is very touristy this is definitely not recommended to stay all your Holiday time here but to explore the island it is perfect and in the evening there is a small food market at the boulevard.
Most beautiful beaches Mahe:
1. Petite Anse by Four Seasons resort
2. Anse Intendance
3. Anse Boileau
Set in the heart of a lost Eden, Four Seasons Resort Seychelles offers guests an unrivalled luxury hotel experience in a natural jungle setting wich is located on the most beautiful white beach of Mahe , Petite Anse
Victoria
In the north-east of Mahé, bordered on one side by steep mountain slopes, is the capital of the Republic of the Seychelles here you can find the market a Indian temple , the clock tower and some colorful bouldings.
We also hop here from beach to beach and visit the city of Victoria where a large vegetable and fish market is nice to walk around ,here is also the Indian temple. We drive up to the mountain the next day and enjoyed the view from here drive around and past many beaches visiting the four season resort and that's how our holiday flies by and before we know it we are back in the plane to the Netherlands where spring has started.
Best time to visit
As the Seychelles islands are blessed with a year-long warm, tropical climate, it’s always a good time to visit, although different times of year may be better suited to your particular interests.
The periods of calm between the trades produce fairly warm and wind-free conditions throughout April and also in October. Conditions for swimming, snorkelling and especially diving are superb during April/May and October/November when the water temperature sometimes reaches 29ºC and visibility is often 30 metres plus.
Mahé and the other islands of the Seychelles are home to magnificent animal and plant diversity, which deserves to be explored in the wild or in specially-designated reserves. While hiking through breathtaking landscapes, holidaymakers can experience the treasures of this 'living museum' up-close. Some well-marked hiking trails lead through spectacular areas where you will often find yourself alone amidst unspoilt nature.
Where to Stay at the island Mahe, Praslin and La Digue
Top things to do at the Seychelles:
Anse Lazio beach (Praslin)
Anse Source d'Argent beach (La Digue)
Anse Georgette beach (Praslin)
Anse Intendance beach (Mahé)
Anse Volbert beach (Praslin)
Beau Vallon beach (Mahé)
Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve (Praslin)
Victoria old city (Mahé)
Curieuse Marine National Park
The Seychelles are a group of 115 islands, only a few inhabited, in the Indian Ocean that lie off the coast of East Africa, northeast of Madagascar.
The Seychelles were disputed between France and Great Britain during the age of colonialism, with Britain ending up in control in 1814 after the Napoleonic Wars. The islands achieved independence in 1976; however, free elections did not occur until 1993. The politics of this island group remain in something of a state of flux, although this should not bother the tourist seeking a relaxing beach vacation
Get in
No visa is required, but Seychellois authorities make sure you are not entering to stay for good. Therefore, the following items MUST be presented to the immigration officer:
A passport valid on the date of entry to and exit from Seychelles. Your return ticket. Your hotel voucher. At least 150 USD per day. They will ask for cash, show them. If you have credit cards, show them - you may be asked for the credit balance you have. A statement of good health and a statement that you are not importing plants or infected animals (The flight attendants in your flight will provide you these papers).
Visitors without pre-booked accommodation are likely to be compelled to book one at the airport for the length of their stay before being allowed to leave the airport. An initial entry permit is granted for 1 month but can be extended for a maximum of 3 months at a time up to a maximum of 1 year in total. See the official travel web-site
Climate
Seychelles is hot and humid, with an average yearly temperature of 84°F (29°C), and average sea temperature rarely dropping below 81°F (27°C). However, the heat is usually mitigated by refreshing sea breezes, especially by the beaches. The cooler season in Seychelles is during the southeast monsoon season (May to September) and the warmer season is during the northwest monsoon (November to March). April and October are "changeover months" between the two monsoons, when the wind is variable. The northwest monsoon season tends to be warmer with more rain, while the southeast monsoon season is usually drier and cooler
