If you’re planning a special trip and looking for that perfect exotic tropical getaway, the Seychelles (pronounced say-shells, not suh-chell-ies, the silly mistake we made for quite a while) are probably high up on your list, and you’re already in the trip planning stages and looking up Seychelles vacation packages. Or maybe you’ve never heard of the Seychelles before. What (and where) the heck are the Seychelles, anyway?
Choosing Amongst Seychelles Vacation Packages
The Seychelles is a cluster of islands (about 115) in the middle of the Indian Ocean, located off the eastern coast of Africa. The Maldives are a comparable island chain in the region as well, but they offer very separate experiences, so it’s really just a matter of what you’re looking for—or what’s available, especially if you’re looking at different Seychelles vacation packages last minute.
Picking which island(s) to visit during your trip to the Seychelles can be a bit daunting, so we’ve rounded up some of our favorites, which can help you narrow down those options for the different Seychelles vacation packages you may be considering.
Mahe Island, Seychelles
Mahe is the main island in Seychelles, and for many travelers to the region, this is their final destination. It’s easy to see why, as there’s plenty to do on Mahe and tons of beautiful beaches. However, if you don’t have a lot of time in the Seychelles, we don’t recommend spending too much of it here.
Praslin, Seychelles
The second largest islands in the Seychelles, Praslin offers those iconic, picturesque beaches that you automatically think of when you think of the Seychelles. If you can only stay on one island during your trip to the Seychelles, we’d recommend Praslin. You can reach Praslin from Mahe with a short plane ride (about 15 minutes) or take a ferry. Top beaches include Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette.
La Digue
La Digue is the third largest inhabited island in the Seychelles, although it does offer some resort options if you’re looking to stay on the island. With a close proximity to Praslin, it makes for an easy day trip or excursion, so that may be your better option if you’re already staying on Praslin. Don’t miss the beautiful Anse Coco Beach, Anse Source D’Argent, and Grand Anse—definitely worth the trip!
Silhouette Island
This island is easily accessible from Mahe, and what makes this island special is its exclusivity. It’s home to just a single resort—the breathtaking Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa, a five-star luxury experience that makes this island worth the trip. Although the beaches somewhat pale in comparison to those offered on Praslin and La Digue, they’re certainly nothing to sneeze at, either. Silhouette Island is also home to an abundance of wildlife, so if you’re looking for some more adventure and beyond lounging on the beach all day, Silhouette Island can be a great choice.
Best Time to Visit Seychelles
Is there ever a bad time to go to the amazing Seychelles? Well, yes. After all, you want the weather to be cooperative, and constant thunderstorms won’t make for an enjoyable trip. While it’s difficult to know for sure, your best bet at beautiful weather is visiting from April-May, and again from October-November.
Flights to Seychelles
Even though the Seychelles are seemingly disconnected from much of the world, they are easily accessible from just about anywhere by plane. Depending on where you’re flying from, you’ll likely connect somewhere in Kenya or Ethiopia, with the final leg of your flight likely being on Air Seychelles. Travel search engines like FlightHub make it easy to compare your different options.
Seychelles Resorts
A big part of your Seychelles experience is the resort you pick, so while you’ll want to choose wisely, it’s difficult to go wrong with all of the beautiful hotel options. The Seychelles is known for nothing but luxury accommodations, including all-inclusive options that make it easy to stay on the property for the entire duration of your stay, if that’s what you prefer. Some of the most luxurious resort options include the Constance Lémuria Seychelles, Raffles Seychelles, Banyan Tree Seychelles, and The Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa.
Have you been to the Seychelles before? What tips do you have for those visiting for the first time?