Seychelles Diaries: 5 Days in Paradise on Earth!
When you think of paradise, Seychelles instantly comes to mind – a cluster of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, blessed with powdery white beaches, turquoise waters, lush rainforests, and giant granite boulders that look straight out of a postcard.
Often called the “Garden of Eden” and “Paradise on Earth,” this East African gem is a dream destination for travelers seeking both adventure and tranquility.
In July, we set off on a 5-day journey to explore the three main islands – Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue – along with a memorable excursion to Curieuse Island, home to the Aldabra giant tortoises, mangroves, and unique natural trails.
Together, they offered a perfect blend of Creole culture, incredible wildlife, and some of the most breathtaking landscapes on the planet.
Travel Trivia – Seychelles
- Paradise on Earth: Seychelles is often called “The Garden of Eden” or “Paradise on Earth” because of its pristine beaches and lush islands.
- Number of Islands: The country is made up of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean.
- Neighbouring Countries: It is located off the east coast of Africa, with nearest neighbors being Madagascar, Mauritius, Comoros, and Maldives.
- Capital City: Victoria, on the island of Mahe.
- Weather: A tropical climate year-round with warm temperatures. July and August are cooler, drier months, perfect for travel.
- Languages: English, French, and Seychellois Creole are widely spoken.
- Currency: Seychellois Rupee (SCR).
- Country Code: +248.
- Travel Insurance: Recommended to buy, we took Reliance General Travel Insurance.
- Population: Approximately 100,000 people, making it the smallest African country by population.
- Cuisine: Famous for its seafood, Creole curries, coconut-based dishes, fresh tropical fruits, and a fusion of African, French, Indian, and Chinese influences.
- Beer: The most popular local beer is SeyBrew, a light and refreshing lager perfect for the tropical climate. You’ll also find specialty versions like SeyBrew Lite and Eku.
- Takamaka Rum: A must-try! Distilled locally, Takamaka is available in classic white, spiced, coconut, and aged versions, often mixed into refreshing cocktails.
Flights
We took direct return flights with IndiGo, making the journey smooth and straightforward.
Visa
No visa was required for Seychelles, which made the process much easier.
Accommodation
Our stay was at Coco Bay Guest House on Praslin, located in the beautiful Cote Dor, Anse Volbert area. We spent 4 nights here, which gave us the perfect base to explore.
Travel Authorisation
We applied for the Seychelles Travel Authorisation Form, which was approved within 12 hours.
Ferries
We used Cat Cocos ferries for inter-island travel:
- Mahe to Praslin – 29th July
- Praslin to La Digue – 30th July
- La Digue to Praslin – 30th July
- Praslin to Mahe – 2nd August
Excursions booked via Get Your Guide
- A full-day trip to Vallée de Mai and Anse Lazio beach.
- A full-day trip to Curieuse Island to visit Anse Jose beach, home to the Aldabra Giant Tortoises, along with a boat adventure to St Pierre including snorkeling.
Day 1 – 29th July: Arrival in Mahe, Transfer to Praslin
Our journey began at Mumbai Airport T2, where we enjoyed a South Indian breakfast of idlis, filter coffee, and water at Vaango before boarding the flight.
On arrival in Seychelles, we exchanged currency (USD to SCR) at the airport and picked up a 10 GB SIM card from Cable and Wireless, ensuring smooth connectivity. To make local travel easy, we also bought an SPTC bus ticket card from the Airtel counter – a useful pass for our ride to the ferry terminal and all bus journeys during our trip.
At the airport café Seybar, we treated ourselves to a cheese baguette, tea, and banana cake before grabbing some chips from a kiosk. Stocking up on essentials like juice, water, and snacks, we headed for the ferry to Praslin, our base for the trip.
Later that evening, after settling into our hotel, we walked down to Café des Arts, a beautiful beachfront restaurant. Located right by the stunning Côte d’Or Beach (Anse Volbert), Café des Arts is one of the most elegant and highly recommended restaurants in Praslin.
The setting is absolutely dreamy – think white sandy beach, turquoise waters just a few steps away, and candle-lit tables under the stars. The restaurant is known for its stylish décor blending art and island charm, often displaying unique paintings and sculptures that add to its character.
The menu is refined yet comforting, featuring a mix of Creole flavors with a modern twist. From fresh seafood to handmade pastas and creative salads, every dish is beautifully plated and made from the freshest local ingredients.
We enjoyed a delicious truffle pasta, a refreshing caprese salad, and washed it down with a crisp SeyBrew draught beer – the perfect way to end our very first evening in Seychelles.
Day 2 – 30th July: Exploring La Digue – Island of Timeless Charm
We started our day with iced latte and Americano at a small café near the ferry terminal before boarding the ferry to La Digue, Seychelles’ most charming island, famous for its slow pace of life and bicycle-friendly roads.
Our first stop was L’Union Estate, where we explored the Vanilla Plantation, strolled through the old cemetery, admired the giant granite boulders, and saw the historic copra factory.
Interestingly, L’Union Estate also houses the island’s heliport, offering a modern contrast to its otherwise old-world charm. Helicopters occasionally land here, connecting this small island to the outside world.
The highlight was spending time with the giant and baby Aldabra tortoises, a truly unforgettable experience. At Old Piere Café within the estate, we sipped Seybrew beer and fresh mixed fruit juice while soaking in the island vibes.
From there, we moved to the world-famous Anse Source d’Argent, often hailed as the most photographed beach in the world. Its dazzling white sand, shallow turquoise waters, and dramatic granite rock formations created a surreal setting.
We opted for a glass boat kayaking adventure with Robinson’s Kayak, which included viewing colorful corals from the boat, panoramic viewpoint for breathtaking pictures, and sipping fresh coconuts on the beach.
Lunch was at Lanbousie Restaurant, where we savored a Nutella pancake and Seybrew beer.
On returning to Praslin, we picked up snacks near the ferry terminal and enjoyed a hearty dinner at La Mer Pizzeria, with fried rice, pizza, and pinacolada. A supermarket run rounded off the day with bread, beer, baked beans and water for the room.
Day 3 – 31st July: Vallée de Mai & Anse Lazio – The World’s Best Beach
The morning began with a supermarket stop for snacks and water before heading to Vallée de Mai – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, often described as the “Garden of Eden” because of its untouched, primeval beauty. Walking through this ancient palm forest feels like stepping back in time – towering trees, dappled sunlight filtering through giant fronds, and the sound of rustling leaves transporting you into a mystical world.
The highlight here is the legendary Coco de Mer palm, which produces the largest seeds in the world, unique to Seychelles. These iconic double-lobed coconuts, unique only to Seychelles, have fascinated explorers and naturalists for centuries, often inspiring myths and legends.
Locally, the Coco de Mer is also called the “love nut” because of its unusual shape, which resembles human anatomy, and has long been associated with fertility and romance.
Alongside the Coco de Mer, you’ll also find rare species like the black parrot, Seychelles’ national bird, as well as other endemic flora and fauna that exist nowhere else on Earth.
In the afternoon, we visited Anse Lazio, consistently ranked as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. With its powdery white sand, turquoise water, and perfect swimming conditions, this beach felt like paradise come alive. We spent hours basking in the sun, swimming in the crystal-clear lagoon, and taking in the postcard-perfect scenery.
For many visitors, Anse Lazio becomes the quintessential Seychelles memory – a postcard-perfect vision of paradise that captures the essence of why these islands are often called the “Garden of Eden.”
After refreshing ourselves with fresh coconut water at the beach, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch at Mabuya Restaurant, right by the ocean, with Arrabbiata pasta, Quinoa salad and Eku beer.
Back in Praslin, dinner at La Mer Pizzeria was another cozy affair with pizza, noodles, and chocolate pastry, followed by a quick supermarket run for beer and baked beans.
Day 4 – 1st August: Curieuse Island & St Pierre Snorkeling Adventure
The day was reserved for exploring Seychelles’ smaller gems. A boat took us to Curieuse Island – a small granitic island located just off the north coast of Praslin – one of the most fascinating places to visit in Seychelles. Once a leper colony, today it is known for its Aldabra giant tortoises.
These gentle giants roam freely across the island, and visitors can walk alongside them, feed them leaves, and marvel at their sheer size and slow grace. It’s an incredible experience to encounter these ancient creatures in such a natural environment.
The island is also rich in biodiversity – from the thick mangrove forests (which you can stroll through on wooden boardwalks) to rare birds and marine life. We walked through mangrove forests, explored nature trails, and admired the rugged, untouched beauty of the island.
The excursion continued to St Pierre Island, a tiny granite islet crowned with palm trees. It is considered one of the most iconic snorkeling spots in Seychelles, and diving into its turquoise waters revealed a colorful underwater world of corals and tropical fish.
Back in Praslin, we stopped at La Mer Pizzeria for tomato and cheese sandwiches, fries, americano, and cafe latte, followed by refreshing coconut and pineapple popsicles later in the day. We picked up some water from the supermarket and cleared the eco-tax at our hotel that evening.
Day 5 – 2nd August: Back to Mahe & Departure
Our final morning in Praslin began with iced chocolate and water at the ferry terminal before boarding the boat to Mahe. On arrival, we reloaded our bus card and bought a fridge magnet as a keepsake.
At the airport, we stored our luggage and enjoyed a light meal at Seybar, relishing a cheese baguette, veg wrap, Seybrew draught beer, and a daiquiri passion fruit cocktail.
Later, we took a short trip to Beau Vallon Beach, crown jewel of Mahé and one of the most popular beaches in Seychelles, known for its endless golden sands, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant atmosphere.
We dined at Mahek Indian Restaurant, indulging in paneer butter masala, garlic naan, tandoori roti, mango lassi, and a virgin piña colada.
Before departure, we topped up our bus card once again and picked up a few last souvenirs, including a pineapple flavored tortoise shaped handmade soap, hot chocolate, and water from the airport shops. We bid farewell to Seychelles – truly a paradise on earth with beaches, wildlife, and culture that will forever stay etched in our memory.
