Hello, loves! This year has been completely crazy to say the least. I recently got married a month ago and with that, wedding planning, and a bunch of other weddings and events I have been swamped. I am so happy to finally provide you guys with a complete guide to the beautiful Seychelles Islands, where we spent 10 days on our honeymoon.
The Seychelles is rated one of the top honeymoon destinations in the world and it has been on my radar for quite some time. Located off the Eastern coast of Africa in the Somali sea segment of the Indian Ocean, these islands are a must see and a total bucket list destination. The beaches are absolutely breathtaking and rated most beautiful in the world by National Geographic! Aside from the gorgeous beaches and crystal clear waters, the culture, people and resorts are a perfect touch to the most magical honeymoon.
We spent our time at the Savoy Resort and Spa on the island of Mahé and also spent a full day on the island of La Digue, which I highly recommend.
I really couldn’t have asked for a better honeymoon and I’m so happy and blessed to be able to have experienced these underrated islands. Trust me when I say the far journey is totally worth it!
Getting There:
When traveling from the USA there are two ways to get here. Either through Ethiopia or Doha, Qatar. I find it easier to travel through Doha so that you do not need any required shots such as yellow fever. The Seychelles does not have the typical viruses that a lot of other African countries have. With that being said, you are required to fill out an HTA form within 24 hours of departure. It’s super simple and I did it quickly through the Seychelles e-border app. Once approved you will need those documents with you your entire time as well as your passport. It’s super easy to do and seems more stressful than it really is. I go more in depth in my travel vlog on YouTube if you wanna go check that out!
Where to stay:
I recommend staying a week in Mahé, two days in La Digue and two days on another island of your choice to fully experience the Seychelles. Unfortunately with how far the islands are from us (36 hour flight time) We just couldn’t be away for that long to spend the full amount of time here. I will say we still got to experience a lot in our period of time though. Each island is beautiful and unique in their own way so it’s beneficial to see as many as possible. Mahé is the main island in which we stayed and where the capital, Victoria is. There’s tons to do here and good to use as a base when island hopping. As I mentioned above we stayed at Savoy resort and we loved it. Located right on Beau Vallon Beach, AKA sunset beach this hotel was in a prime location. Our resort had three restaurants and the largest pool in the Seychelles, which was the selling point as well for us.
There are tons of resorts that are perfect for a honeymoon getaway. You just have to choose which one best suits your desires. For us location was key. I recommend staying in the northern part of the island, as it’s a prime location and also closer to the airport and easier to get around. Another great resort around the area we stayed is Story.
Culture:
Seychellois culture is made up of British, French and African influences. The food is mostly creole cuisine and it’s delicious and fresh! You can discover some of the freshest seafood here as well. Everyone on the island speaks English as well. The island also felt super safe and the locals are very welcoming.
Getting Around:
Your best option when getting around the island of Mahé is to rent a car. I believe it was around $200 USD for the week, which isn’t bad at all. We were able to come and go as we please which we loved. However, the driving situation on the islands is super nerve-racking, especially if you aren’t used to it. Keep in mind that they drive on the left side of the road here and the roads are extremely dangerous. You have to drive up and down through the mountains and there are barely any barriers on the cliff side. The roads are also super narrow and the winding turns and traffic make it even more sketchy. It is doable but it most definitely takes some getting used to.
You can also take public bus transportation if renting a car isn’t your thing. As for the island of La Digue, renting bikes is your main source of transportation. It will take you about 6 hours to bike around the entirety of the island since it’s so small. It was about $15 each for us to rent bikes here.
Island Hopping:
I cannot recommend the ferry enough when it comes to island hopping. Once in the Seychelles you will see loads of people selling and promoting tours and excursions to explore the other islands. Keep in mind these boats are extremely small and the ocean is very choppy in between islands. Most people DO get seasick and have said it’s miserable. I highly recommend taking the ferry in business class if it’s in your budget. Business class was around $200 USD per person, but in my opinion it’s extremely worth it to not get seasick and be comfortable on your long journey. It takes about an hour and 15 minutes to get to Praslin by ferry and about 20 more minutes from Praslin to La Digue, so it’s worth it to be comfortable. The weather is also super unpredictable in the Seychelles due to the trade winds, which is another reason I recommend the ferry in business class since it’s covered. Make sure you bring your tickets and passports when traveling between islands!
There are also options to take a sea plane from each island. However, we didn’t look into this so I’m not sure how much it costs but it’s good to keep your options open and what works best for you.
La Digue:
This small island is a true beauty and the only other island besides Mahé we explored. I highly recommend at least spending the day here biking around and exploring. Make sure you head to L’union estate park and venture to Anse Source D’Argent (the most beautiful beach in the world.) Spend your day sipping Seybrew beer and taking in the views. This is also where you can find the giant tortoises. Don’t forget to scratch their necks and feed them a yummy plant. They will surely become your new BFF.
Things to do:
Seychelles is mainly a beach destination! If laying by the pool or beach isn’t your thing you may want to pick somewhere more lively. The islands go to sleep around 10:30 p.m. so just keep that in mind if you’re a night owl and looking for late night bars and clubs. You won’t find that here.
The Seychelles, as I mentioned above has some of the most beautiful beaches in the entire world and I highly recommend coming here to see for yourself. There’s so much to explore and see. The crystal clear waters and white sand beaches will truly take your breath away. Some beaches I recommend are Anse Intendance, Anse Source D’Argent, Beau Vallon, Anse Lazio and Anse Royal. The islands are known for its gorgeous granite cliffs in the water. It’s honestly a postcard in real life, a must see!
Hiking and nature trails are also a huge activity in the Seychelles since the islands are very mountainous. Home to the giant Albara tortoises you can catch these gentle giants grazing on the islands as well or head on over to the botanical gardens to check them out. Water sports, fishing and snorkeling are also some fun activities the islands have to offer. Check out the Takamaka rum Distillery or head over to the capital of Victoria to browse around the markets for more fun activities. Eden Island is another beautiful part of the Mahé to spend a day and explore the shops, casino and restaurants on the bay.
Best time to visit:
The best time to book your holiday in the Seychelles is either between April and May or October and November. These are known as transitional months between the trade winds and tend to be a lot calmer in terms of weather. I personally think it’s a gamble no matter which month you choose, since the island Is located between two trade winds therefore the weather is pretty unpredictable. We went in early November and for the most part we had perfect, sunny and hot weather. It is a tropical island though, so keep in mind it could be sunny one minute and then downpour the next. You just never know in the tropics! Humidity and heat is extremely high here as well. It’s some of the most intense sun I’ve ever experienced. On a positive note, the Seychelles does not experience hurricanes!
If you’re looking for an unforgettable honeymoon destination and somewhere extremely unique, then the Seychelles should be on your radar. You guys can also check out my YouTube channel for more in depth vlogs about our time here on the islands.
Cheers,
-Sélah
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