The Seychelles – Paradise

Although the journey to the Seychelles was long and tiring, our excitement grew the closer we came to the Indian Ocean. When we finally landed safely and were greeted by the warm tropical air, we knew at once that it had all been worth it. We continued by ferry to Praslin, where a bus took us to the Bliss Hotel Praslin – our first home in paradise.

We received a very warm welcome. The hotel grounds were beautifully landscaped and nestled amid tropical greenery. Although the sea directly in front of the property was covered with a lot of seaweed in November, the atmosphere was still magical. A highlight awaited us right beside our bungalow: giant tortoises strolling leisurely around the grounds.

We spent two days exploring the island independently by hire car. The west coast was scenically beautiful, even though many of the beaches had a lot of seaweed. As we were not looking for typical tourist spots but love secluded, untouched natural beaches and hidden coves, we stopped at Anse la Blague. Anse La Blague, Praslin The sight of the turquoise bay was balm for the soul. Further north, we visited Anse Gouvernement, a peaceful, beautiful spot with the finest white sand. A small group of locals were celebrating a birthday at one end of the beach, but this was not at all disruptive; instead, it added an authentic and cheerful touch to the idyllic atmosphere.

Of course, we also drove to the famous Anse Lazio, probably Praslin’s best-known beach. Although it was still quite busy even in the late afternoon and there was a small fee for the car park, the visit was well worth it. The scenery looked like a painting: immense granite boulders, lush greenery and water shimmering in every shade of blue. But the real highlight awaited us beneath the surface. The underwater world here was at its very best.

We also explored Vallée de Mai, an ancient palm forest and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The enormous leaves, mystical light and famous Coco de Mer made the walk unforgettable. Vallée de Mai, Praslin One day on Praslin brought constant rain, which the locals had been eagerly awaiting. Nature had needed it, but it did not bother us – at 30°C, even the rain can be thoroughly enjoyable. So we spent a relaxing day by the pool.

Another unforgettable experience was a trip to St Pierre Island, where the clear water and colourful marine life once again delighted us while snorkelling. We then continued to the wonderful Anse Georgette, a picture-perfect beach ideal for swimming and relaxing. After a delicious barbecue on board, we travelled on to Curieuse Marine National Park, where a fascinating walk through mangrove forests awaited us. The enormous giant tortoises roaming freely there made a lasting impression, as did the warm and welcoming crew, who made this excursion such a wonderful experience. Giant tortoise on Curieuse After the crossing from Praslin to La Digue, we were immediately enchanted by the island’s tranquillity and seclusion.

We stayed at La Digue Self Catering, where a wonderful room and very friendly staff awaited us. We could conveniently arrange breakfast and dinner through our accommodation in partnership with the Fish Trap restaurant – an easy and delicious option.

We hired bicycles and set off to explore the island. The north of La Digue offered several lovely beaches. Anse Patates stood out in particular: a little paradise, perfect for swimming and surrounded by granite boulders and palm trees. A little further south, we also found the best place for snorkelling – Anse Severe – a beautiful spot where the water was clear and the coral reef teemed with life.

One of our unforgettable experiences was an excursion to the island’s east coast by bicycle. The journey was challenging, as we had to leave our bicycles at the first beach and continue the rest of the way on foot, but the effort was worthwhile. The footpath led us to Anse Cocos, a secluded beach that enchanted us with its turquoise water and exceptionally fine sand. At the end of the beach, we found a natural pool that promised a welcome opportunity to cool off. However, care should be taken when swimming here, as the waves at these beaches are often very high and there can be strong currents.

A snorkelling excursion was another highlight. We plunged into crystal-clear water and discovered breathtaking coral reefs with a wide variety of colourful fish. Watching two small sharks was especially exciting – a truly fascinating experience!

In addition to the snorkelling tour, we decided to take a kayak tour at Anse Source d'Argent. The hour we spent on the water was just right for experiencing the island from a new perspective. From the kayak, we could admire the impressive granite formations and appreciate the beach’s full beauty from the water. Anse Source d'Argent, La Digue After our stay on La Digue, we took the ferry to Mahé, the largest island in the Seychelles. The crossing was pleasant, and we arrived at the port in Victoria. To explore the island fully, we had a hire car for our entire stay on Mahé, giving us the freedom to discover the beaches, sights and hidden corners at our own pace. Our accommodation, the Bliss Hotel, was another real highlight.

Our first day on Mahé was a relaxing day by the pool – a welcome opportunity to enjoy the beautiful view of the turquoise sea. Beach at the Bliss Hotel, Mahé But the very next day, the south of the island beckoned, where we discovered some of its most impressive beaches. Many of these beaches are unsuitable for swimming or snorkelling because of strong currents and high waves. Nevertheless, the scenery was a dream: rolling hills, dense forests and untouched nature created the perfect setting.

One of the highlights was Mahé’s Le Jardin Du Roi Spice Garden. The admission fee is certainly worthwhile for experiencing the diversity of tropical plants. You receive a map with the names of the plants and can set off on a short journey through the garden.

Unfortunately, we had to cut our visit short – the mosquitoes had taken a liking to us. Anyone planning to visit the garden should definitely bring long clothing and insect repellent. Mosquitoes aside, the garden was a genuine experience. We then drove to Anse Takamaka, a beautiful beach that is perfect for relaxing.

Another adventure awaited us on a hike to the Morne Blanc viewpoint, which offered breathtaking views over the western side of Mahé. The ascent was demanding: steep and very humid. This hike is definitely only recommended for those with a good level of fitness, but the view made the effort worthwhile. The trail itself was also very beautiful, almost a little mystical, surrounded by dense forest. The view across the island, sea and coastline was simply breathtaking. After the hike, we headed to Port Launay North Beach, an idyllic beach that was ideal for snorkelling. The beach in front of our hotel, Bliss, was simply gorgeous – we would say it was our favourite beach – with fine sand and turquoise water. While snorkelling, we also spotted a shark and a turtle here. The sunsets were absolute highlights too. Sunset at Bliss Hotel On our final day, we visited the capital, Victoria. The city itself is charming, but for us it was not a must-see. It was nice to have visited once, but we are more “nature lovers” and preferred enjoying the untouched beaches and landscapes.

The local people in the Seychelles were incredibly kind, friendly and accommodating. Their warm manner and unobtrusive courtesy made us feel welcome at all times. Sadly, our trip came to an end far too quickly, and on the day of our departure we said goodbye to the Seychelles with a suitcase full of memories of breathtaking beaches, impressive landscapes and unforgettable experiences.