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How many days in the Seychelles? 6 days on three islands: Mahé, Praslin and La Digue
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
The Seychelles are 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, but the classic trip uses the three granite ones linked by ferry: Mahé, with the capital and the mountains, Praslin, with the coco de mer forest, and La Digue, where people get around by bike. Six days, two on each, is the shortest stay that does not feel rushed, given the flights from Europe or the Gulf. The beaches change by season with the wind, so ask locally each morning which side of the island is calm.
Short answer
Four days works if you stay on Mahé and take one day trip to Praslin and La Digue. Six days lets you sleep on each island and see the beaches early and late.
The 6-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Mahé: Victoria and Beau Vallon
Morning. Walk Victoria, one of the world's smallest capitals. Start at the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market, with fish, spices and fruit (busiest on Saturday mornings), then the silver Clock Tower from 1903 and the colourful Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Hindu temple.
Afternoon. Visit the Botanical Garden (about SCR 150) for giant Aldabra tortoises and the coco de mer palm, then cross the island to Beau Vallon, the long west-coast beach with calm water from October to April.
Evening. On Wednesday evenings, the Beau Vallon Bazaar sells grilled fish, curries and juice from stalls, about SCR 100-200 a plate.
Car hire on Mahé costs about €40-60 a day; driving is on the left on narrow mountain roads.
Day 2: Mahé: mountains and the south
Morning. Hike in Morne Seychellois National Park: the Copolia trail (about 1.5 hours return) climbs to a granite summit with views over Victoria and the islands. Or walk the Anse Major trail along the coast from Danzilles to a beach reached only on foot.
Afternoon. Drive the Sans Souci road past the Mission Lodge ruins and its tea-country view, then south to Anse Intendance (rough sea in winter, good for photos) and Anse Takamaka.
Evening. Visit the Takamaka Rum Distillery at La Plaine St André for a tasting (about SCR 300-500) in an old plantation house.
Bring water and start hikes early; the humidity is high all year.
Day 3: Praslin: Vallée de Mai and Anse Lazio
Morning. Take the Cat Cocos fast ferry from Victoria to Praslin (about 1 hour, roughly €55-65 one way) or a 15-minute flight.
Afternoon. Walk through the Vallée de Mai (about SCR 550), a UNESCO-listed palm forest of the coco de mer, the world's heaviest seed, and listen for the rare black parrot.
Evening. Swim and stay for sunset at Anse Lazio in the north, with granite boulders at both ends.
Rent a car or use the buses on Praslin; buses cost about SCR 10-25 and stop at most beaches.
Day 4: Praslin: Curieuse and St Pierre
Morning. Take a boat tour (about €80-120) to Curieuse Island, where giant tortoises roam freely, and walk the mangrove boardwalk to the old leper colony doctor's house.
Afternoon. Snorkel around St Pierre, the tiny granite islet with palms that appears on many postcards, then return to Praslin.
Evening. Dinner in Grand Anse or Côte d'Or, with Creole fish curry about SCR 300-500.
Anse Georgette is one of the most beautiful beaches but is reached through the Constance Lémuria resort; non-guests must ask for access in advance.
Day 5: La Digue by bike
Morning. Take the 15-minute ferry from Praslin to La Digue (about €15-20). Rent a bike at the jetty (about SCR 150 a day) and ride 10 minutes to L'Union Estate (about SCR 150 entry) for Anse Source d'Argent, with its smooth granite boulders.
Afternoon. Cycle to Grand Anse and walk 20-30 minutes over the headland to Petite Anse and Anse Cocos.
Evening. Eat in La Passe, the island's village, about SCR 200-400.
Strong currents at Grand Anse can make swimming dangerous; check the flags.
Day 6: La Digue's highlands and back to Mahé
Morning. Hike to Nid d'Aigle (Eagle's Nest), the highest point of La Digue at 333 m, or visit the Veuve Reserve to see the black paradise flycatcher.
Afternoon. Take the ferry back to Mahé (about 1.5 hours direct by Cat Cocos, or via Praslin).
Evening. Spend the last evening near the airport, or fly home.
Leave a buffer for ferries; rough seas can delay the crossings.
Only have 4 days?
With 4 days, stay on Mahé and take a day trip by boat to Praslin and La Digue, often sold as a package (about €250-300 per person).
Got extra days?
Add a day for snorkelling at Sainte Anne Marine Park near Victoria, or the island of Silhouette, or fly to Bird Island to see hundreds of thousands of sooty terns from April to October.
Where to stay in Seychelles
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Self-catering apartments on Mahé | Kitchens and local shops; prices often in euros. | SCR 1,500-2,500 |
| Mid-range | Beau Vallon (Mahé) | Beach hotels and guesthouses near restaurants and buses. | SCR 3,000-5,000 |
| Mid-range | Grand Anse / Côte d'Or (Praslin), La Passe (La Digue) | Guesthouses near beaches and the ferry. | SCR 2,500-5,000 |
| Comfort | Resorts on Mahé and Praslin | Beach resorts with pools and spas. | SCR 8,000-20,000 |
Getting around
On Mahé and Praslin, buses run from about 6:00 to 19:00 for about SCR 10-25; rental cars cost about €40-60 a day. On La Digue, bikes and walking are the way. Ferries (Cat Cocos, Inter Island Ferry) link Mahé, Praslin and La Digue; book in advance.
What to eat in Seychelles
Seychellois Creole food uses fish, coconut, chilli and spices. Try octopus curry with coconut, grilled red snapper, ladob (bananas or breadfruit in coconut milk) and fresh juice. Takeaway stands sell curry plates for SCR 80-150. Restaurant mains cost SCR 300-600, and Seybrew beer about SCR 50-80.
Best time to visit
April to May and October to November: calm sea, warm (28-31°C) and clear water. The south-east trade winds from June to September bring rougher seas on some coasts. December to March is the wettest, with short tropical rains.
Month-by-month weather for Seychelles →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | SCR 900 | SCR 2,200 | SCR 6,000 |
| Food & drink | SCR 500 | SCR 1,000 | SCR 2,000 |
| Sights & tickets | SCR 200 | SCR 600 | SCR 1,500 |
| Local transport | SCR 200 | SCR 800 | SCR 1,500 |
| Total per person, per day | about SCR 1,800 | about SCR 4,600 | about SCR 11,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices in Seychelles rupees (about SCR 15-16 to €1; many hotels and ferries price in euros), averaged with the ferries. Visitors pay an Environmental Sustainability Levy of roughly SCR 25-100 per person per night depending on the hotel size.
Before you go
Common questions
Do I need a visa for the Seychelles?
No visa is needed for most nationalities, but all visitors must apply online for a Travel Authorisation before departure on the official Seychelles government site. You need a return ticket, proof of accommodation and enough funds. A visitor's permit is issued on arrival, usually for up to three months.
Can I visit on a budget?
More than people think. Self-catering guesthouses, takeaway Creole plates and public buses keep daily costs down. Many of the best beaches, such as Anse Lazio and Beau Vallon, are free. The ferries and Vallée de Mai entry are the biggest expenses, so plan for them.
Which island is best?
Mahé for hiking, the capital and the biggest choice of hotels; Praslin for Vallée de Mai and Anse Lazio; La Digue for slow days by bike and Anse Source d'Argent. Most visitors spend two nights on each, or one base on Praslin with a day trip to La Digue.
Is the sea safe for swimming?
In calm seasons, yes, on most beaches. But currents can be strong when the trade winds blow, especially at Grand Anse on La Digue and Anse Intendance on Mahé. Check local flags and ask your hotel, and snorkel only in protected bays or with a guide.
How this guide was made
Compiled by TonyPlan from official tourism, transport and attraction sources and on-the-ground travel knowledge. Prices are approximate for 2026 and change with season; anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.
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