Seychelles – Solo Trip to a tropical paradise

After many years of dreaming, in June 2025 my dream of visiting the Seychelles finally came true. Since none of my friends were interested in the trip, I decided to embark on this adventure of a lifetime alone. I had waited too long already, and I seized the perfect moment to go. I flew from Split via Vienna and Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airlines to these paradise islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean. I booked all my hotels, local land transfers, and catamaran transportation between the islands with the Seyvillas agency. In June, the southeast monsoon blows, which means sunny weather, cooler temperatures, less rainfall, and a pleasant breeze—just what I was hoping for. After three flights from Europe, I arrived at my dream destination. My travel plan was to visit the three main islands: Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue. I started on Mahé, staying at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay, and spent my first afternoon walking along Beau Vallon with a cocktail in hand, enjoying a stunning sunset.

The next day, I explored the island. I began with the capital, Victoria, where I visited a Hindu temple for the first time in my life and tried some exotic local fruit at the Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke Market. The market mostly sells freshly caught fish, fruits, vegetables, and spices. I walked down the main street—Independence Avenue—and visited the Botanical Garden with its giant tortoises and the famous coco de mer palm, known for its unusually shaped fruit. Heading south, I visited the Takamaka Rum Distillery and acquired a bottle of their famous rum, then stopped at Domaine de Val de Près for local souvenirs. A scenic drive along the island’s western coast brought me to Port Glaud waterfall—nestled in lush tropical greenery and free from crowds, it’s an ideal place to rest or take a dip. I continued on to the Tea Factory and got to sample local vanilla tea before reaching the last destination of the day: the Venn's Town Ruins.

The second day on Mahé was all about the beaches and relaxing in the sun. I visited Anse Royale, Anse Forbans, Anse Intendance, Anse Takamaka, and Anse Soleil. I spent most of my time on the stunning Anse Forbans, swimming in the crystal-clear sea under palm trees—completely alone! Next, came La Digue. The Cat Cocos catamaran ride took about 1 hour and 15 minutes, with a stop at Praslin.

Upon arrival, I was welcomed to a simple and cozy guesthouse, Pension Hibiscus. The host greeted me with a cold drink and was available for anything I needed during my stay on this beautiful island. I spent the rest of the day at Anse La Réunion, just steps from my accommodation.

The next day I set out to visit what many call the most beautiful beach in the Seychelles—Anse Source d'Argent. Most people get around the island by bike, but I decided to walk to the beach through L'Union Estate. There's an entrance fee, but it’s worth it for the unforgettable experience! You walk past coconut and vanilla plantations, giant tortoises, and swaying palm trees, and finally arrive at the beach with its iconic granite boulders. Though it’s always full of tourists, I managed to find a quiet spot under a palm tree for myself. I couldn’t believe I was finally here! I spent two more full days on La Digue, relaxing on Grand Anse and Petite Anse on the island’s east side. The ocean currents were too strong for swimming, but I enjoyed local food while gazing at the endless blue horizon. When I didn’t feel like walking, I just lounged under a palm tree at Anse la Réunion.

The Cat Rose catamaran took me from La Digue to my third island stop, Praslin. The ride lasted just 15 minutes, and staff from Creole Travel Services were waiting to greet me. I quickly got to my hotel—Berjaya Praslin Resort—located on the beautiful Anse Volbert (Cote d'Or). After unpacking, I walked to Café des Arts for a seafood dinner. On the menu: grilled octopus with vegetables. I can’t describe the feeling of barefoot dining on powdery sand, under a palm tree, eating delicious local food.

I planned to spend two full days on Praslin. On the first day, I joined a small group tour to Big Sister Island. We were welcomed with a beach barbecue on one of the most stunning beaches, while giant tortoises relaxed in the shade of the palms. I also had the chance to go snorkeling near the small Ile Cocos. The sun was strong, so frequent sunscreen was a must. On my second day, I headed early in the morning to Anse Lazio, just before high tide. I refreshed with a coconut drink and rented a beach chair. There was also a nearby restaurant for lunch before heading to the Vallée de Mai. This UNESCO World Heritage site is located in the center of the island and covers 20 hectares. Its most famous plant is, of course, the Coco de Mer palm. Around 4,000 of these palms are strictly protected, with the government keeping detailed records of every tree and its fruit. Interestingly, Coco de Mer does not grow anywhere else in the world, highlighting just how special these islands are.

It was time to return to Mahé. For the last night of my journey, I treated myself to a stay at the Savoy Resort & Spa in Beau Vallon. I finally got a good night's sleep and felt ready for the long journey back to Europe.