Dream Destination: Seychelles

Our trip to the Seychelles fulfilled a long-held dream. For years, we had listened to stories from friends and acquaintances who raved about this wonderful destination.

So the destination for our honeymoon was quickly decided – we were heading to the islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean!

We travelled quite comfortably with Emirates to the main island, Mahé. From there, we took a taxi (€25–€30) directly to the Inter Island Terminal for the Cat Cocos ferry. It is worth paying a little extra for seats on the upper deck, as you can enjoy the approach to La Digue from there. Our ferry made a short stop on Praslin (our luggage remained on board, as it was a direct service), and shortly afterwards we arrived at our favourite destination in the Seychelles – La Digue.

This little paradise enchanted us immediately. The entire island has a wonderfully relaxed holiday atmosphere. There are hardly any cars, and bicycles are the main form of transport. If you wish, you can hire a bicycle as soon as you arrive at the harbour, or ask your accommodation to help arrange one. Prices are the same everywhere (SCR 100). At the Belle des Iles Guest House, we received a very warm welcome from our host – and a giant tortoise in the back garden! These large, slow-moving creatures were, and still are, an absolute highlight of La Digue for us. You regularly come across them roaming freely around the island, and if you happen to have a banana with you, you will not get rid of them again in a hurry.

Our room was lovely and clean, and every morning we were served a fantastic breakfast with pancakes, eggs, toast, homemade jam and fresh juices. The two resident dogs were always ready for a cuddle, and the lush garden was a wonderful place to relax. There was always someone available whenever we had any questions. We will definitely come back here!

Garden at Belle des Iles Guest House

It is about 10 minutes by bicycle from our guest house to Grand Anse. There are several hills to tackle, and some people do get off and push on the climbs. Along the way, small bars serving fresh juices invite you to stop for a break.

Once you arrive, the beach is breathtaking, and during our visit the surf was particularly powerful. A little caution is required, and the warning signs should definitely be taken seriously. Proper swimming is not possible, as the currents can be dangerous.

A narrow footpath leads onwards to Petite Anse and from there to Anse Cocos. Each beach is special in its own way and well worth the short walk. Shady spots are scarce, so it is worth setting off either early in the morning or later in the afternoon to secure a good place.

Now that we had warmed up, we decided to take the southern route to Anse Marron. We booked the tour with Henry through our accommodation (around €40 per person). The meeting point is at the helipad at 8.00 am, and the tour finishes around midday at Anse Source d'Argent. You should bring sturdy footwear, such as trainers, and be prepared for some climbing, although Henry helped us throughout. After about half the tour, you reach Anse Marron.

Lunch While we rested in the water, Henry prepared a delicious lunch of fresh fruit for us. The end of the tour is a wet one: you wade through the water with your rucksack held above your head towards one of the island’s most beautiful beaches, Anse Source d'Argent. A fantastic tour with wonderful beaches!

We spent our remaining days on La Digue exploring the northern part of the island. On the eastern side, shortly before the cycle path ends, you will find what is probably the best octopus on the island at Chez Lester. You can sit overlooking the water and enjoy being looked after. For a more affordable option, we recommend Mi Mums Kitchen and Rey und Josh Cafe Takeaway. We left La Digue with heavy hearts and set off for Praslin.

Here, we stayed directly on Anse Volbert (Cote d'Or). With its kilometres-long, exceptionally wide white-sand beach and shallow, calm water, it offered a wonderful contrast to the wild waves in the south of La Digue. If you fancy an excursion, you will find a wide range of options available directly on the beach. The entire island is very easy and straightforward to explore by bus – and fares are incredibly cheap.

Cote D'Or, Praslin We spent the final night before our return flight at Sunset Beach on Mahé. It is very easy to reach by bus or, as in our case, on foot. The water is crystal clear, and even without a diving mask you can see the seabed and the occasional fish. The highlight, as the name suggests, is the sunset. The deep-red sun sets beside Silhouette Island, bringing our final evening in the Seychelles to a wonderful close.

Our holiday was made all the more special by the friendly and helpful Seychellois, the fantastic food and the impressive flora and fauna.

This was certainly not our last visit to the Seychelles...