May 17, 2024, 5:19 am | Read time: 8 minutes
White dream beaches with granite rocks, palm trees, and turquoise sea–these are the images that inevitably come to mind when thinking of the Seychelles. They are accurate, but the islands in the Indian Ocean offer much more than this postcard idyll. High mountains with impressive hiking trails, the world’s oldest giant tortoise, and a prehistoric forest with unique plants and animals, for example. TRAVELBOOK author Angelika Pickardt, who has been there herself, reveals why it’s worth visiting the Seychelles.
The first misconception that many might hold is dispelled upon landing in the Seychelles: The islands are not all flat like the Maldives, also located in the Indian Ocean, but have some quite remarkable mountains. Morne Seychellois, the highest mountain in the island group, reaches almost 1,000 meters and impresses with wild nature and spectacular rock walls. And there are many reasons why a vacation in the Seychelles is worthwhile. TRAVELBOOK took a look around and found nine good reasons why the islands should be high on the vacation bucket list–not just for honeymooners and luxury travelers:
1. The Best Time to Visit the Seychelles? Anytime!
You can vacation in the Seychelles year-round. Due to their proximity to the equator, the climate is always tropical and mild, with daytime temperatures almost constantly around 86 degrees Fahrenheit, rarely dropping below 77 degrees at night. Most rainfall occurs between December and February, usually in short, heavy showers that quickly pass. The months from November to March are ideal for diving and snorkeling because the wind is weak and underwater visibility is particularly good. Those who want to sail, surf, and/or hike should visit the Seychelles between May and October, when a pleasant wind blows and it’s generally drier.
Also interesting: 6 Tips for a More Affordable Vacation in the Maldives
2. A Seychelles Vacation Can Be Affordable
If you think the Seychelles only have luxury hotels, you’re mistaken. While you can stay in a range of exquisite lodgings, which will continue to be of interest to honeymooners, there are much more affordable options. Almost every island has guesthouses, often run by locals. These can be set up like a hotel or offer individual villas, with the beach either right at your doorstep or never far away. Prices start at just 55 euros per night.
3. Almost No Jetlag to Paradise
The Seychelles are located in the Indian Ocean, roughly between Madagascar and the Maldives. There are direct flights from Frankfurt/Main with Condor, taking about 10 hours. With only a one-hour time difference (two hours during European summer time), you won’t even have to deal with jetlag.
4. Every Seychelles Island Is Different
Mahé
Mahé, the main island where you land, is mountainous. Most of the approximately 80,000 residents live here, and there are many hotels of all categories, restaurants, bars, and shopping opportunities. And many cars.
La Digue
The small island La Digue, on the other hand, is much flatter, with bicycles as the main mode of transportation, and it can only be reached by ferry. Many consider it the most beautiful island for a vacation, partly because it can be easily explored by bike, allowing access to hidden bays. Many accommodations on La Digue offer bike rentals.
Praslin
Getting to Praslin is an experience in itself: A propeller plane flies several times daily from Mahé to the second-largest inhabited Seychelles island, with the flight lasting about 20 minutes and offering breathtaking views, less shaky than some might fear.
On Praslin itself, in addition to long sandy beaches and small bays, there’s a unique attraction to admire: the Vallée de Mai National Park, a densely vegetated valley with remnants of a prehistoric forest. In this UNESCO World Heritage site, visitors can also see the symbol of the Seychelles in large numbers: the Coco de Mer, the largest nut in the world.
Silhouette
Almost untouched nature is offered by Silhouette, where there is only one guesthouse and a Hilton resort. If planning a day trip, it’s advisable to contact the hotel in advance to inquire about booking spots on the hotel’s ferry. It’s worth it: Silhouette not only has a long dream beach but also spectacular hiking trails along the coast, where the volcanic origin of the island is clearly visible. There’s also a breeding station for Seychelles giant tortoises, which were considered extinct until the early 1990s. Currently, there are two young tortoises in the breeding station, with a total of 150 now.
Bird Island
The world’s oldest giant tortoise can be admired on the tiny island Bird Island. “Esmeralda” was allegedly born in 1771, making her over 250 years old. Otherwise, Bird Island, as the name suggests, is a nesting place for thousands of seabirds, including the rare fairy tern.
Of course, there are many more islands than those mentioned, a total of 115. Many are difficult to reach, privately owned, or only have individual luxury hotels. Those who want to see more of the Seychelles’ island world during their vacation should book a boat tour. It’s worth it anyway to reach the most beautiful diving and snorkeling spots.
5. Many Beaches to Yourself
All islands have dream beaches, with Anse Source D’Argent on La Digue, with its granite rocks, considered one of the most beautiful in the world, and Anse Lazio on Praslin regularly appearing in best-of rankings. Experience has shown, however, that what is well-known is often quite crowded. In the Seychelles, there are countless lesser-known or even unknown dream beaches that you often have all to yourself. Or they are so spacious that the distance to the neighbor is always large enough.
Also interesting: The Best Beaches in the World–Including One in Germany!
6. Environmental Protection Is a Priority
The government of the Seychelles is committed to environmental protection, as are numerous independent organizations. Hotels and other accommodations must meet certain environmental standards, such as in electricity and water supply, and restaurants may only serve local fish and fruit, with minimal imports. Almost 60 percent of the Seychelles are under nature protection, and plants and animals unique to the Seychelles are strictly protected. Even though the tourism ministry wants to attract more visitors, the islands are not intended to become a mass tourism destination, thanks to strict building regulations that prevent dense or high construction. So you can vacation in the Seychelles with a clear conscience, aside from airplane fuel.
Also interesting: 7 Long-Distance Travel Destinations You Can Visit in 2022 Despite COVID
7. The Friendly People
The paradisiacal environment seems to foster general contentment, as you often see smiling people in the Seychelles. As a tourist, you are warmly welcomed everywhere, and the people are very helpful. A particularly lovely sight: On Sunday afternoons, the beaches are full of local families who grill, play, and enjoy each other’s company until sunset.
The current Seychellois, as the locals are called, are mainly descendants of the former French settlers and their African labor slaves. The language, Seychelles Creole, is a fun-sounding language mix, but English and classic French are also official languages, so visitors can communicate well. By the way, another surprising fact: The Seychelles have left-hand traffic. The reason: After colonization by the French, the islands were a British crown colony for a long time.
8. The Local Cuisine
Freshly caught fish and seafood are on the menu at almost every restaurant, and the preparation is delicious. You should definitely try a fish curry. Particularly recommended: the version with octopus and vegetables. The appetizer salad with smoked marlin and fresh mango is also likely to delight fish fans. And don’t worry: If you don’t like fish or are vegetarian, you’ll find options too.
Restaurant tip on the main island Mahé: La Perle Noire in Beau Vallon
Also interesting: Find numerous delicious recipes in our World Cuisine Special!
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9. It’s Safe
There’s hardly any crime in the Seychelles, and they have been spared from terrorist attacks so far. There are mosquitoes, but none that transmit tropical diseases like malaria. You don’t have to fear poisonous snakes or other dangerous animals on the islands either. However, the Foreign Office warns against venturing too far out to sea, as “there is a risk of pirate attacks and hijackings.” Shark attacks are rare, but the Foreign Office still advises checking with the hotel about the current situation. It’s best to stay close to the coast in shallower water, as this reduces the risk of encountering a shark or getting caught in currents.
The Seychelles on the Map:
The trip was supported by the Seychelles Tourism Board, Air Seychelles, and Hilton. Our standards of transparency and journalistic independence can be found at www.axelspringer.de/unabhaengigkeit