©Justin Foulkes/Lonely Planet

Seychelles

Mother Nature was unbelievably generous with the Seychelles, a fabled paradise whose islands lie scattered across the Indian Ocean. Spellbinding beaches are the main attraction, and what beaches! Exquisite ribbons of sand lapped by turquoise waters and backed by lush hills, palm trees and Dali-esque boulders. Beyond the beach, diving and snorkelling are brilliant in the warm waters amid abundant marine life, while few places on the planet do ocean-side luxury quite like the Seychelles. Mahé is the largest island and entry point to the Seychelles, with some fabulous resorts, restaurants and beaches, not to mention the small capital city of Victoria. But it's also the busiest island, with glorious Praslin and La Digue a short boat ride away. Even further out, there are real lost-world islands to be found.

Explore Seychelles

  • Anse Lazio

    Anse Lazio, on the northwest tip of the island, is picture-perfect everywhere you look and often turns up in lists of the world's most beautiful beaches…

  • A
    Anse Marron

    Perhaps the most stunning natural pool and beach combo on the planet, Anse Marron sits nestled behind Gaudíesque granite boulders at the remote southern…

  • Vallée de Mai

    Gorgeous World Heritage–listed Vallée de Mai is one of only two places in the world where the rare coco de mer palm grows in its natural state (the other…

  • Anse Source d'Argent

    Famed for being one of the most photographed beaches on the planet, Anse Source d'Argent is a sight to behold. Its dazzling white sands are lapped by…

  • National Museum of History

    Housed in Victoria's restored colonial-era Supreme Court building (1885), this terrific museum opened in late 2018. While the architecture itself is worth…

  • Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market

    No trip to Victoria would be complete without a wander through the covered market. It's small by African standards, but it's a bustling, colourful place…

  • Takamaka Bay

    On this popular tour you learn the story behind the island's main distillery and about the rum-making process. The tour runs for between 30 and 45 minutes…

  • Anse Volbert

    This long, gently arching beach is among the most popular strands on the island. It's great for safe swimming and sunbathing, and it's also good for water…

  • B
    Beau Vallon Beach

    A beautiful semi-circle of sand backed by palms and takamaka trees, Beau Vallon beach is Mahé's most popular. The swimming is excellent, but there can be…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Seychelles.

  • See

    Anse Lazio

    Anse Lazio, on the northwest tip of the island, is picture-perfect everywhere you look and often turns up in lists of the world's most beautiful beaches…

  • See

    Anse Marron

    Perhaps the most stunning natural pool and beach combo on the planet, Anse Marron sits nestled behind Gaudíesque granite boulders at the remote southern…

  • See

    Vallée de Mai

    Gorgeous World Heritage–listed Vallée de Mai is one of only two places in the world where the rare coco de mer palm grows in its natural state (the other…

  • See

    Anse Source d'Argent

    Famed for being one of the most photographed beaches on the planet, Anse Source d'Argent is a sight to behold. Its dazzling white sands are lapped by…

  • See

    National Museum of History

    Housed in Victoria's restored colonial-era Supreme Court building (1885), this terrific museum opened in late 2018. While the architecture itself is worth…

  • See

    Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market

    No trip to Victoria would be complete without a wander through the covered market. It's small by African standards, but it's a bustling, colourful place…

  • See

    Takamaka Bay

    On this popular tour you learn the story behind the island's main distillery and about the rum-making process. The tour runs for between 30 and 45 minutes…

  • See

    Anse Volbert

    This long, gently arching beach is among the most popular strands on the island. It's great for safe swimming and sunbathing, and it's also good for water…

  • See

    Beau Vallon Beach

    A beautiful semi-circle of sand backed by palms and takamaka trees, Beau Vallon beach is Mahé's most popular. The swimming is excellent, but there can be…

Guidebooks

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks

Get to the heart of Seychelles with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.