The Seychelles – A Dream Destination for Solo Travellers Too

My Condor flight took off two hours late, but was otherwise relatively smooth. Next time, however, I would choose a different airline, partly because Condor did not operate the return flight itself but used HiFly instead. Although this flight was also very smooth, I expect different standards from Condor.

Approaching the Seychelles by air After arriving on Mahé, I continued to the harbour with Creole Travel Services. All my transfers with Creole went smoothly, and the staff were friendly and attentive. I would happily arrange and book all my transfers through SeyVillas again, as a trip like this involves quite a few different stages. The only change I would make next time would be to replace the onward ferry journey to Praslin with a domestic flight. This would save a great deal of time and quite a few frayed nerves when the sea is rough.

Even the journey to my accommodation, the Beach Villa Guesthouse, left me amazed. The water in Praslin’s harbour shimmered in magnificent colours, and on the way through the famous Vallée de Mai, I caught my first glimpses of the gigantic Coco de Mer palms.

The accommodation was located on Grand Anse, where there was some seaweed during my visit. Nevertheless, I can wholeheartedly recommend it. The rooms are spacious, very clean and comfortably furnished with wooden furniture. Each morning, guests could decide whether they wanted to dine in the restaurant that evening, except at weekends. I gladly took advantage of this several times, as the food was excellent.

I can also thoroughly recommend the boat trips offered by the owner, Martin. He shares plenty of information about the island, and the beaches look completely different from the water. The price also includes a superb lunch of grilled fish, rice and salad. For me, this was the best meal I had in the Seychelles.

Boat trip to Curieuse with views of Anse Georgette Giant tortoise on Curieuse Island The bus stops are only a few metres from the guesthouse. Mont Plaisir bus stop is around 15 minutes away by bus. From there, you can hike to Anse Georgette or Anse Lazio. The hike to Anse Lazio is also perfectly manageable on your own. Anse Georgette can only be reached via a path through the Constance Lémuria Resort. However, you need to register in advance.

If you would like a closer look at the Coco de Mer palms, you can visit Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve. The climb through the reserve rewards you with wonderful views of palm-covered hillsides and the surrounding islands.

What I particularly loved about Praslin was that you could stop almost anywhere and find yourself looking at a beautiful, usually completely deserted beach. I would therefore strongly recommend hiring a car, as this allows you to discover quieter beaches such as Anse Citron, which are every bit as lovely as the famous Anse Lazio. Although the island is also easy to explore by bus, a car means you are not restricted by timetables or particular bus stops.

After a week, I sadly had to say goodbye to Praslin, and a short ferry crossing later I arrived on La Digue. The harbour was bustling when I arrived, and a taxi took me to my next accommodation. Unfortunately, I only saw the much-mentioned ox carts once on La Digue, while the number of cars listed in many guidebooks could also do with being updated. However, if you do not let that bother you, you will soon settle into La Digue’s otherwise relaxed pace of life.

I also really liked the Etoile Labrine Guesthouse. The bungalows are surrounded by a lovely green garden filled with colourful flowers, and the small terrace in front of each room is perfect for reading and relaxing. At reception, I was able to arrange a bicycle for my stay, which a local provider then delivered directly to my terrace.

I had dinner at the guesthouse several times; you simply need to let them know in the morning. However, it is also easy to cater for yourself on the island, pick up food from various inexpensive takeaways or dine in restaurants. Gala Take-Away serves a wide selection of curries, while Pizzeria at Gregoire’s offers good pizzas if you fancy an alternative to rice.

L’Union Estate Park on the way to Anse Source d’Argent The island is great to explore by bicycle. The rock formations on the beaches are truly distinctive and unique. To reach the famous Anse Source d’Argent, you need to pay an entrance fee of 100 rupees for L’Union Estate Park. The path then takes you through the park, past an enclosure with giant tortoises and through the lush vanilla plantation, before reaching the beach framed by granite boulders. I also really liked the other beaches, including Anse Patates and Anse Severe, which are definitely worth visiting.

If you fancy an excursion, you can complete the southern circuit with a guide. However, as the hike is fairly strenuous in the heat, I would recommend a boat trip to Sister Island instead. The island, with its small pond, colourful flowers and abundance of palm trees, is truly beautiful. Several giant tortoises also roam freely and are very happy to be offered bananas. The trip there is usually combined with a few snorkelling stops, which also gave me the chance to discover the Seychelles’ underwater world and its many colourful fish.

The Seychelles are definitely a suitable destination for solo travellers. They offer not only relaxing days on the beach, but also opportunities for hiking and boat trips. The people were very friendly, and I never felt uncomfortable or harassed at any point. Quite the opposite: everyone was always helpful and happy to have a friendly chat.

Next time, I would plan to spend a few days on Mahé or Cerf before flying home, so that the return journey would feel less rushed. As I was very impressed by the service from SeyVillas, I would happily book my next trip with them again.