Paradise Found – Our Journey Through Cerf Island, Mahé, Praslin & La Digue

Our 12-day trip to the Seychelles began with four nights on the small, peaceful island of Cerf Island, where we stayed at the charming Villa de Cerf. The island is only about 10 minutes by boat from Mahé, yet it feels like a secluded paradise. Cerf Island As soon as we arrived, we received a warm welcome with a drink and immediately felt at home. Our highlight there was the food! As vegetarians, we were delighted by how thoughtfully and lovingly our dinner was prepared for us each day – the best curry of our entire trip! Half board was perfect for us, and the staff were exceptionally friendly and attentive. On our first day, we took the opportunity to relax, snorkel straight from the beach and kayak around the island. Kayaks are available free of charge at the accommodation. The water was crystal clear, and we spotted lots of colourful fish and coral. You need to swim out a little further to see the underwater world in all its glory.

The next day, we took the hotel boat to the main island of Mahé, where we had hired a car. Our first excursion took us to the famous Botanical Gardens in Victoria, where we marvelled at tortoises among tropical plants and enormous palms – it really felt like being in the jungle. Victoria Botanical Gardens We then explored the small capital of Victoria, which is considered one of the smallest capitals in the world. We particularly enjoyed the market, where we bought fresh spices such as pepper and curry powder, as well as tea. Market in Victoria (Mahé) We rounded off the day with a walk and a swim at the popular Beau Vallon beach before returning to Cerf Island. Day three had something a little more active in store: hiking the Copolia Lodge Trail . The trail is steep in places, but quite manageable with a reasonable level of fitness. Copolia Track (Mahé) Once at the top, we were rewarded with a breathtaking view across the island – turquoise waters, lush jungle, enormous granite rocks and even carnivorous plants. Copolia Track (Mahé) Later, we visited the secluded Grand Anse beach – hardly anyone was there, and the wild, towering waves made it an impressive natural experience. Our fourth day was devoted to swimming and relaxing: we spent the morning at Anse Intendance, a vast dream beach with dramatic granite formations and powerful waves. Anse Intendance (Mahé) In the afternoon, we continued to Anse Takamaka, a picturesque beach with shady trees and a small restaurant nearby. Takamaka Beach (Mahe) That evening, we savoured the peace and quiet of Cerf Island one last time and watched numerous crabs making their way across the sand.

On 14 April, we took the ferry across to the island of Praslin – a relaxed yet adventurous crossing. Our home for the next few days was the L'Hirondelle Guesthouse, directly opposite Anse Volbert (Cote d'Or). The accommodation was very tastefully furnished, the welcome cocktail was delicious, and our breakfast was lovingly prepared in our kitchen every morning. A particularly nice touch was that some members of staff spoke German and gave us helpful travel tips.

A hire car was already waiting for us. The following day, we visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site Vallée de Mai, a pristine palm forest where the famous Coco de Mer grows. We learnt fascinating facts about this rare species of palm, including that there are male and female trees and that geckos pollinate them. The jungle atmosphere was incredibly intense – an absolute must on Praslin! Vallée de Mai (Praslin) Afterwards, we drove to Vallée de Mai, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Calm water, palm trees, white boats and vendors selling fresh coconuts – simply heavenly. Anse Lazio (Praslin) On 16 April, we visited the Black Pearl Farm, where we gained fascinating insights into pearl cultivation. Afterwards, we made our way to Anse Georgette, our absolute favourite beach on Praslin. The route there crosses the golf course at the Constance Lemuria hotel – about a 30-minute walk – and you should make sure to register with the accommodation beforehand. When we arrived, we found turquoise water, impressive rocks and a relaxed atmosphere. Anse Georgette (Praslin) There was one small mishap: I was hit on the arm by a golf ball – fortunately, I was not hurt. In the evening, we went to Les Lauriers Eco Hotel for the Creole buffet, which had plenty of vegetarian options and a special atmosphere.

The following day, we took a boat trip to Cousin Island, Curieuse and St. Pierre. On Cousin, we encountered numerous friendly birds and learnt a great deal about conservation. Cousin Island On Curieuse, we met free-roaming giant tortoises that enjoyed having their necks stroked – a real highlight! After a barbecue, we hiked across the island before continuing to the small island of St. Pierre, where we discovered a colourful underwater world while snorkelling. Curieuse In the evenings, we often ate at La Mer Pizzeria, an affordable and very tasty takeaway – it is worth getting there early, as there is less choice later on. On 18 April, we continued by ferry to La Digue, our favourite island! At Etoile Labrine, we had our own bungalow, with bicycles available on site – almost everyone gets around La Digue by bicycle, which makes the pace of life feel wonderfully unhurried.

In the afternoon, we cycled to Anse Severe, our favourite snorkelling spot in the Seychelles. The colourful fish and the view of Praslin at sunset were unforgettable! The Bikini Bottom Bar on the beach was perfect for a cold drink at sunset.

The breakfast at our accommodation was the best of our trip: every day, there were freshly blended smoothies made with avocado, mango or passion fruit, along with omelettes, spring rolls, banana pastries and fruit from the garden – a delicious start to the day! Afterwards, we cycled to Grand Anse, a dramatically beautiful beach with wild waves. From there, we hiked along the Grand Anse, Petite Anse & Anse Cocos – an absolute dream! Every beach along the way was special in its own way. Anse Cocos also has a small Coco Bar serving fresh juices – ideal for relaxing after the hike.

In the evening, we visited the restaurant and hotel Le Repaire (Le Repaire Boutique Hotel). We had a delicious pizza there, and the atmosphere was wonderful! On 20 April, we visited the famous Anse Source d'Argent beach – admission was around €10, but worth every penny! The iconic granite rocks, calm, crystal-clear water and sunset made this one of the most beautiful photo spots of the trip.Anse Severe (La Digue) . For dinner, we went to ‘Ton Greg’s Pizzeria’. The Italian restaurant is authentic, and the pizza is absolutely delicious. We spent our penultimate day once again at the beaches of Anse Severe and Grand Anse, taking our time to enjoy these special places.

In the evening, we visited Belle Vue restaurant, which is located close to the highest point on the island – from here, there is a breathtaking panoramic view of La Digue, Praslin, Mahé and Silhouette. The Creole buffet was delicious – a perfect way to end the day! Source d’Argent (La Digue) On our final day, 22 April, we took the ferry back to Mahé. We spent the afternoon at Anse Royale, enjoying one last sunset at Kafe Kreol bar before taking a taxi to the airport and finally heading home.