When planning your dream holiday, ensuring you make the most of every moment is essential! That doesn’t mean constantly being on the go but does mean taking time to enjoy the sights, especially in a destination as scenic and gorgeous as the Seychelles. We know that you don’t want to miss a thing – which is why we’ve put together this travel guide to luxury holidays in the Seychelles from the UK!
How To Get To The Seychelles From The UK
Since Covid, airlines no longer fly directly from the UK to the Seychelles, so the journey is a little longer than it used to be, but it’s part and parcel of the adventure you’re embarking on and adds to the sensation that you’re visiting an unspoilt part of the world. If you haven’t flown indirectly before, it couldn’t be easier. We tend to favour the airlines that go through the Middle East – Etihad, Qatar or Emirates. The airports in the Middle East are fantastic and have everything your heart desires, so it’s very easy to occupy yourself for a short while during your layover. With a brief connection in Doha, you can get to the Seychelles in around 14 hours, or, alternatively, why not fly with Emirates and break up the journey by adding a city-stint in Dubai. Getting to Mahé is only the first step! The Seychelles is a beautiful archipelago worthy of exploration, so from here, you can take short domestic flights, private helicopters or boats, depending on what your tailor-made itinerary has in store for you.
Best Islands & Private Islands In The Seychelles
We would always recommend visiting at least two or three islands, depending on the duration of your holiday, so that you can make the most of what the country has to offer. From granite to coral islands, each one offers new experiences and changing landscapes; island hopping is the best way to fall in love with the Seychelles. Personally, I didn’t think it could get better than Mahé….until Praslin totally blew me away! The islands vary in size, with Mahé large enough to drive around to secluded island retreats such as Six Senses Zil Pasyon on Felicite. Mahé and Praslin are great combinations to start with. Mahé is the largest, main island, and it’s the most built up. However, it has excellent national parks and beaches to uncover and explore. The capital, Victoria, also gives you an insight into local life. Praslin can be reached on a 15-minute domestic flight, and by contrast, it’s much smaller, and a lot of it feels untouched. Simply beautiful! There is no huge town, just a lot of lush greenery and the iconic granite bolder scattered beaches. And, if you’ve got time, spend a night or two on La Digue, a stone’s throw away from Praslin, but an entirely different experience altogether with ox-carts as the transport of choice, it follows a back-to-basics philosophy. In a dream world – you’d also incorporate a Robinson Crusoe-type island experience into your itinerary to fully switch off and relax. Denis is all about simple luxury; located on a working farm with no Wi-Fi, the hotel tries to be as self-sufficient as possible.
Best Things To Do & See In The Seychelles
Things To Do In Mahé, Seychelles
- Morning activity: visit the charming (and supposedly the tiniest) capital in the world – Victoria which boasts a replica of the Elizabeth tower. You can explore the local market and grab yourself souvenirs, and wander the fresh fish and vegetable stalls.
- Do some endemic bird-spotting at the Morne Seychellois National Park, located on the North of the island.
- Visit Port Launa Marine Park for some great snorkelling with turtles and tropical fish.
- Go rum tasting at the Takamaka Rum Distillery after a tour of its factory and plantation house.
Things To Do In Praslin Island, Seychelles
- Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve is home to the endemic coco de mer palm. You can walk through hour-long trails, but I recommend booking a private guided tour here!
- Anse Lazio is heavenly- so an afternoon on the beach here is a must. Try a little local restaurant that lines the sand, serving octopus curry.
- Experience sunset at Anse Georgette.
- Soak up the breathtaking views during a round of golf at Constance Lemuria.
Best Luxury Hotels, Villas & Resorts In The Seychelles
On Mahé, the best of the best is Four Seasons Mahe which offers private pool villas and incredible dining and service. Mango house is perfect for couples seeking a small, exclusive feel hotel. Whereas, Constance Ephelia is a great choice for families – the large resort has an abundance of facilities to keep everyone happy. Raffles is one to have on your wishlist for a handful of nights on Praslin. Constance Lemuria is fantastic for golf enthusiasts, whilst L’Archipel is an independent traveller’s dream. The Four Seasons Desroches is the closest you’ll get to a Maldivian island experience and Alphonse Island cannot be beaten for active guests and nature lovers. Fishing, diving, and bird watching are on the cards here!
We hope our Seychelles travel guide has provided you with some inspiration for your next holiday. Looking to learn more about holidays to the Seychelles from the UK? Visit our Seychelles Luxury Holidays page to browse even more luxury hotels and travel tips or contact our Holiday Experts to start planning your very own tailor-made holiday today!
