Seychelles Travel Guide: Islands, Private Resorts & Seasons

The Seychelles are an archipelago of 115 islands spread across the western Indian Ocean. The granite inner islands — Mahé, Praslin, La Digue and their neighbors — are famous for sculpted boulders and jungle-backed beaches, while the outer coral islands are remote, flat and fringed with reefs.

Nature is the draw: giant tortoises, rare birds, the coco de mer palm and excellent snorkeling. This is a destination for privacy and natural beauty rather than nightlife, which is exactly why honeymooners love it.

Most visitors base themselves on one or two of the inner islands, or choose a single private-island resort.

Fast ferries connect Mahé and Praslin in about an hour, and Praslin and La Digue in roughly 15 minutes. Short domestic flights link Mahé with Praslin and some outer islands, and helicopter transfers reach several private islands. Ferries can be choppy in the windier months, so flights are worth considering if you’re prone to seasickness.

Most travelers spend a few nights on Mahé or Praslin, then move to a smaller island or a private-island resort. Two bases over a week works well; three can feel rushed.

The Seychelles are warm year-round. The calmest periods are the transition months of April–May and October–November, with light winds, clear water for snorkeling and diving, and pleasant temperatures. From about May to September, the southeast trade winds bring drier, breezier weather and choppier seas on exposed coasts; December to March is hotter and more humid, with more rain.

Because the winds switch direction seasonally, the calmest beach on each island changes through the year, so a good resort choice takes your travel month into account.

The Seychelles connect easily with Kenya via Nairobi and with Tanzania, making a superb safari-and-beach honeymoon. They also pair with a stopover in Dubai or Doha on the way home. To compare Indian Ocean options, see our Maldives guide and Mauritius guide.