Explore three very different Seychellois islands on this exotic itinerary.
The lowdown
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What
A 14-day trip visiting Praslin, Bird Island and Mahé, staying in smaller properties which showcase wildlife and local way of life.
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Best For
Those looking to get under the skin of the Seychelles; nature lovers keen on birding.
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When to go:
The Seychelles can get breezy during the trade winds, avoid these by visiting between April and May, and October and November
Why visit one island when you could experience three? On a deep dive into the Seychelles, this two-week trip sees you exploring three different Seychellois islands. The first stop is Praslin, classically beautifully and offering the chance to immerse yourself in local life with a self-catering apartment, before connecting to Bird Island to switch off on this all-natural ornithologist’s paradise, finishing on a small but utterly beautiful beach resort on Mahé.
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Highlights
- Delve deeper on a trip that allows immersion via colourful markets, local restaurants, natural experiences and smaller properties
- See the different sides of the Seychelles from busy towns, remote islands and breath-taking beaches
- Spend three nights on barefoot castaway island Bird Island for incredible nature and birdlife
- Explore Mahé’s capital Victoria – a laid-back town with Creole architecture
- Visit UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve on Praslin, famous for its coco de mer tree
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Day 1-7 Praslin Island
Fly into the tropical surrounds of Mahé and connect to Praslin Island to kick off your holiday. Relax into your new home-from-home at Les Villas D’Or where you can enjoy the tranquil independence and privacy of your comfortable self-catering villa whilst using the villa’s services to advise on great, local restaurants and nearby shops.
As you will have seven nights here, you will have plenty of time to relax on Anse Volbert beach in front of Les Villas D’Or, a stunning swathe of bright-white sand, licked by turquoise water; if you head out with a snorkel you will see rainbow-hued tropical fish and even the odd turtle. Further afield, explore the hilly jungle that makes up the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve. Discover the ancient coco de mer palms with its giant seeds – the largest in the plant kingdom.
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Day 8-11 Bird Island
From the luxe comfort of Praslin, you’ll discover luxury of another kind – the thrill of a castaway island experience, away from crowds, resorts and life’s mod-cons. Connecting via Mahé onto Bird Island in the northern region of the Seychelles archipelago, you will be surrounded by nature from pristine coral reefs and azure waters, sandy beaches where turtles nest and untamed tropical vegetation where an incredible variety of birdlife reside.
Immerse yourself in this all-natural environment for three nights with sunrise hikes around the island to meet giant tortoises, snorkelling trips and fantastic birding opportunities at every turn including sightings of sooty terns, common noddies and fairy terns. You’ll stay at Bird Island Lodge, the island’s only accommodation. This eco-lodge blends harmoniously into the land with a deep respect for its beautiful setting. Food is locally sourced from the land and sea and all the staff are from the Seychelles.
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Day 12-14 Carana Beach
For the last chapter of your Seychelles adventure, get ready for some dedicated beach time at Carana Beach Resort on Mahé, located on the kind of beach that the Seychelles are famed for: smooth granite boulders, lush palm trees dancing to the light breeze, icing sugar sand and an aquamarine Indian Ocean waiting to be dived into.
Against this natural paradise, you’ll find chalets scattered along the shoreline, each view framing an exotic beach scene. Some come with private pools and all have a sense of privacy with encasing tropical foliage. Throughout the resort there’s a contemporary décor and the staff are friendly and helpful – use their knowledge to discover the island. We recommend hiring a car to explore in your own time – there are around 75 beaches to visit and Victoria, Mahé’s capital offers a view of everyday life with its Creole architecture, markets and bustling restaurants.
Sadly, your Seychelles island-hopping adventure comes to an end here, but as you’re already on Mahé, you can enjoy your last minutes of paradise before jumping on your direct flight home.
