Seychelles: simply sensational!
On Monday, 8 August, my wife and I travelled from Munich via Doha to Mahé, the main island of the Seychelles. When it came to choosing an airline, the combination of service, price and journey time (12 hours) tipped the balance in favour of Qatar Airways rather than the Condor flight from Frankfurt. We had already flown with Qatar Airways to Thailand and Sri Lanka and, based on those experiences, can recommend the airline without reservation.
After arriving on Mahé, we headed straight to the nearby domestic terminal, from where we took our onward flight to the island of Praslin (15 minutes). As my wife is prone to seasickness and you need a taxi, or at least the bus, to get from the airport to the harbour on Mahé, we opted for the short flight. The view from the small propeller aircraft over the many islands, reefs and white beaches made us even more excited about the holiday ahead.
After a short walk from the airfield, we were welcomed to Praslin in true island style with a coconut by the exceptionally friendly staff at Ocean Villa. The accommodation itself enjoys a wonderful location directly on Grand Anse and immediately impressed us with its well-equipped rooms, stocked fridge, helpful staff and impeccable cleanliness.
Over the following six days, we visited several beaches around Praslin and were never disappointed – everywhere we found snow-white, powder-soft sandy beaches, the obligatory granite rocks washed by crystal-clear turquoise waters, and always a peaceful spot away from the tourist crowds.
For all beaches, whether on Praslin or La Digue, we generally recommend visiting before 9.00 am or after 4.00 pm, when many beachgoers have already left, both for taking photographs and enjoying the atmosphere. All the beaches can be reached by bus; at most, you may need to walk for a few minutes, for example to Anse Lazio. We particularly liked the following beaches: Anse Volbert (Cote d'Or), Anse Georgette,Anse Lazio, Anse la Blague. In my opinion, only the excursion to Curieuse Island is not worth recommending, as it is somewhat overpriced (around €40 per person), and the beach there is nothing particularly special by Seychelles standards.
Admittedly, there are giant tortoises there in abundance and, yes, they are absolutely adorable, but on La Digue you will come across them around almost every corner, free of charge and also roaming in the wild, for example at Anse Source d'Argent or Anse Severe. Anse Georgette is well worth visiting, but you need to register with Constance Lémuria Resort the day before because the beach is located within the hotel grounds.
After six days on Praslin, we took the ferry to La Digue on the 14th. The crossing takes just over 15 minutes. We were also offered a drink when we checked into our room on La Digue, and here too the owners took wonderful care of us and were always happy to help.
On La Digue, it is advisable to hire a bicycle, as there are no buses or hire cars. Incidentally, scooters cannot be hired anywhere in the Seychelles, as this is prohibited. La Digue also boasts exceptionally beautiful beaches, although the surf is rougher, the waves higher and the atmosphere more rugged, particularly at Grand Anse, Petite Anse and Anse Cocos, so swimming is not always safe.
If you happen to be there around 15 August, you should not miss the solemn open-air service at the Marian grotto, followed by the procession to the church. The bishop and many Seychellois travel to the island especially for the Feast of the Assumption, then celebrate until the early hours with music, grilled specialities and plenty of alcohol. The public holiday offers an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and join in the celebrations.
On 19 August, we travelled by boat back to Victoria, Mahé, from where we caught our flight home that evening.
Overall, our conclusion about this holiday could be summed up as follows: unforgettable beaches, friendly locals, good infrastructure, pleasantly warm temperatures and acceptable value for money – all of which make the Seychelles a rewarding and highly recommended destination.
