Seychelles: Inner Islands Discovery

Duration

7 Days

Embarkation

Mahé (Eden Island Marina)

Disembarkation

Praslin (Baie Sainte Anne)

Best season

April – May, October – November

Total distance

85 NM

Overview

The Seychelles are a natural paradise of 115 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, where giant granite boulders frame pristine white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters teem with marine life. This 7-day itinerary explores the inner islands — Mahé, Praslin, La Digue, and their smaller neighbours — offering an intimate encounter with one of the world's most beautiful archipelagos.

Highlights

• Anse Source d'Argent — world's most photographed beach
• Vallée de Mai — prehistoric palm forest (UNESCO)
• Giant Aldabra tortoises on Curieuse
• Anse Lazio beach on Praslin
• Snorkelling at Coco Island
• Mahé's Victoria market

Day by day

1. Day 1: Mahé — Gateway to Paradise

   Mahé

   Morning: Arrive at Mahé International Airport and transfer to Eden Island Marina. Board your yacht and enjoy a Creole welcome with fresh tropical juices.

   Afternoon: Explore Victoria, the world's smallest capital city. Visit the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market for spices, fish, and local crafts. Drive to the Morne Blanc viewpoint.

   Evening: Dinner at La Grande Maison, a colonial-era restaurant serving refined Creole cuisine in a tropical garden setting.

2. Day 2: Sainte Anne Marine Park

   Mahé → Sainte Anne · 5 nm

   Morning: Short cruise to Sainte Anne Marine Park, the first marine national park in the Indian Ocean. Snorkel among coral gardens and tropical fish.

   Afternoon: Visit Moyenne Island, home to giant tortoises and a legendary buried treasure. Swim in the warm, clear waters of the marine park.

   Evening: Dinner aboard anchored in the marine park, with the lights of Victoria twinkling across the water.

3. Day 3: Praslin — Vallée de Mai

   Sainte Anne → Praslin · 25 nm

   Morning: Cruise to Praslin, the second largest island. The crossing offers excellent dolphin-spotting opportunities.

   Afternoon: Visit the Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site — a prehistoric palm forest that is home to the legendary Coco de Mer, the world's largest seed. It feels like stepping back into the age of dinosaurs.

   Evening: Dinner at Les Lauriers Eco Hotel, followed by a night walk in the Vallée de Mai to spot rare endemic frogs and geckos.

4. Day 4: La Digue — Anse Source d'Argent

   Praslin → La Digue · 8 nm

   Morning: Cruise to La Digue, the most photogenic island in the Seychelles. Anchor in the harbour and go ashore by tender.

   Afternoon: Visit Anse Source d'Argent, consistently voted the world's most beautiful beach — giant granite boulders frame shallow turquoise pools of warm water. Explore the island by bicycle — there are almost no cars.

   Evening: Dinner at Fish Trap, a waterfront restaurant in La Passe, serving the freshest Creole seafood.

5. Day 5: Curieuse — Giant Tortoises

   La Digue → Curieuse · 10 nm

   Morning: Cruise to Curieuse Island, a nature reserve home to hundreds of free-roaming giant Aldabra tortoises. Walk the mangrove boardwalk trail.

   Afternoon: Interact with the gentle giant tortoises, some over 100 years old. Snorkel the reef between Curieuse and St. Pierre, one of the best snorkelling spots in the Seychelles.

   Evening: Beach barbecue on Curieuse's Anse José, prepared by your chef with fresh lobster and tropical fruits.

6. Day 6: Coco Island & Félicité

   Curieuse → Coco Island · 8 nm

   Morning: Cruise to Coco Island, a tiny granite island surrounded by some of the best snorkelling in the Seychelles. The underwater visibility is extraordinary.

   Afternoon: Continue to Félicité Island, home to the ultra-exclusive Six Senses resort. Arrange a spa treatment or simply enjoy the pristine beaches.

   Evening: Dinner aboard anchored off Félicité, with the granite peaks silhouetted against the sunset.

7. Day 7: Anse Lazio & Farewell

   Félicité → Praslin · 10 nm

   Morning: Final morning swim at Anse Lazio, Praslin's most famous beach and one of the world's top 10. The granite boulders and turquoise water are unforgettable.

   Afternoon: Return to Baie Sainte Anne for disembarkation. Transfer to Praslin Airport for your flight to Mahé and onward connections.

   Evening: Or extend your stay at one of the Seychelles' luxury resorts — North Island, Fregate, or Six Senses Zil Pasyon.