18 Dreamy Days and Nights in the Seychelles

My wife and I visited the Seychelles from 22 October 2017 to 9 November 2017 and had a wonderful holiday there. We booked our accommodation, all transfers by land and water, as well as our hire car on the main island of Mahé, through SeyVillas. Once again, a huge thank you to the SeyVillas team for the perfect organisation, and to the Creole Travel Service team, who provided sensational service locally.

Praslin

Our first island in the Seychelles. We spent five nights here at the Indian Ocean Lodge. The hotel is situated on Grand Anse, the longest beach on the island. It is a manageable size, and we felt very comfortable there.

Sunset at the Indian Ocean Lodge There are several inexpensive takeaways nearby, which we enjoyed visiting, as well as a supermarket, petrol station, pizzeria, cashpoint, etc.

We hired a car for 2 days to explore the island.

View of Cousin and Cousine islandsAnse Volbert I would particularly like to highlight what is probably the best-known national park in the Seychelles, Vallée de Mai, which is truly worth seeing (among other things, the world’s largest seed, the coco de mer, grows there)

Coco de Mer and, representing all the other gorgeous beaches, Anse Lazio.

Anse Lazio, Praslin At this beach, we enjoyed a very well-prepared ‘octopus salad’ at the Bonbon Plume. Unfortunately, the five nights passed far too quickly. With mixed feelings, we continued on to the island of La Digue.

La Digue

We booked a Beach Chalet for five nights at the La Digue Island Lodge. The hotel is considerably larger than the one on Praslin. It is situated directly on the beautiful Anse La Réunion.

Anse La Reunion Once again, there are various takeaways nearby, including Kwen Ideal. One morning, we pre-ordered a freshly caught fish there for that evening. What can I say? It was exquisite.

Kwen Ideal takeawaySupermarkets, restaurants, bureaux de change and cashpoints are all close by. We hired bicycles for three days,

Bike ride with the cycle hire shop located directly at the hotel entrance, and used them to explore the island, which is almost car-free. After nearly 15 years without cycling, it was quite strenuous at first, but is still highly recommended. Some of the cycle paths run directly past the numerous beaches

Grand Anse, Mahé and through areas of lush vegetation.

Grand Anse, Mahé L' Union Estate, Granite RockWhile cycling, we had to watch out for the many free-roaming dogs,

which were keen to accompany us on our tour, and a giant tortoise also

Encounter with a giant tortoise crossed our path. La Digue is home to what is probably the most photographed beach in the world, Anse Source d'Argent,

Anse Source d'Argent which can be reached through the L'Union Estate & Anse Source d'Argent nature reserve (daily admission: 100 SR, approximately €6.30).

Cocktail bar at Anse Source d'Argent In the morning, it was almost deserted, but unfortunately still in the shade. It was busier in the afternoon, but the light was better. We also enjoyed a wonderful sunset here with a good cocktail and a fresh coconut.

However, all the island’s other beaches are also worth seeing, although some can only be reached with a guide. Once again, these days passed far too quickly, although we were already looking forward to Mahé.

Mahé

From 1 November 2017 to 9 November 2017, we stayed on the island of Mahé. We were accommodated at Clef des Iles, in one of four units directly beside the fine white sands of Beau Vallon. This is by far the best-located accommodation we have ever stayed in. You simply cannot get any closer to the beach than being right on it. Absolutely wonderful. Sleeping with the balcony door open and the sound of the sea in the background was a dream. The magnificent view of Silhouette and North Island from the room was fantastic.

Clef des Isles Guesthouse Directly adjoining the four units are the Baobab Pizzeria, serving very good pizzas and pasta, on one side and a diving school on the other. Nearby, there are several small supermarkets, the Boat House, where we enjoyed a drink or two almost every day and also had an excellent lunch, as well as various restaurants, takeaways, a bureau de change, etc. Naturally, we also explored Mahé by hire car and discovered wonderful beaches that were almost deserted.

Anse Takama, MahéPort Lunay Beach We had also planned to visit the Takamaka Rum Distillery , but unfortunately it was closed on Saturday. Driving around Mahé naturally also takes you into the mountains. Among other places, you can enjoy a superb view from the Tea Factory. We took a public bus to visit what is probably the world’s smallest capital. Sights worth seeing include the Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke Market, Hindu Temple - Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar, etc.

Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke MarketSir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke MarketBus station in VictoriaHindu temple in Victoria Unfortunately, these days also passed far too quickly, and we had to leave the Seychelles early in the morning on 9 November 2017. The three islands we visited could not be more different. However, each island is worth a visit in its own right. The Seychellois are extremely friendly, although somewhat reserved.