Seychelles Holidays

The Seychelles is a melting pot of vibrant cultures, and Mahé celebrates its blended communities in April with the Victoria International Carnival. For three days from the 22nd, the Seychelles’ capital becomes an extravaganza of dancing, music, acrobatics, and parades. Over 1,500 participants represent more than 30 countries, while 30,000 visitors come to watch. If you want to be among them, Constance Ephelia Resort offers family-friendly luxury, just half an hour from the action.

A holiday to the Seychelles offers countless things to do, from reclining on hypnotic white-sand beaches and wading through lush rainforests, to watching exotic birds and snorkelling in crystal-clear waters. Couples and families alike will find plenty of activities on offer here, either for a relaxing retreat or an action-packed adventure.

The capital city of Victoria is the ideal spot for a mini shopping spree. You can wander the colourful streets on your way to an open-air market, where you’ll find all sorts of souvenirs, ranging from vibrant scarves to spiced cooking oils.

For cultural experiences, head over to Grann Kaz on Silhouette Island – the former residence of the Dauban family, who owned the island until 1960. The museum takes you on a journey through time, starting with the island’s discovery in 1742. After learning more about Silhouette Island, you can then head downstairs to enjoy a plate or two of traditional Creole cuisine.

It may sound like a bold claim, but the beaches in the Seychelles truly are some of the most beautiful in the world. Anse Source d’Argent is a beach where glimmering emerald waters meet pearly-white sands, dotted with swaying palm trees and distinctive granite boulders. It’s one of the Seychelles’ most idyllic spots and, unsurprisingly, one of the most-photographed. If you book your Seychelles trip for peak season, make sure you go down early to nab a great spot for the day.

If you can bear to tear yourself away from the sand, Anse Lazio offers fantastic snorkelling. The underwater visibility is excellent, so you can expect to see a fine array of colourful sea life, from damselfish to checkerboard wrasse. Anse Intendance, meanwhile, is a famous turtle-nesting area, where there’s a rehabilitation centre that carries out daily monitoring of these gentle creatures.

Beaches might be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a holiday to the Seychelles, but these islands are also home to an envious collection of national parks. Morne Seychellois National Park, on the island of Mahé, is made up of dense forests, mangroves and crumbling cultural sites. It also offers some of the country’s best hiking trails, thanks to its range of rugged mountains, where the 900-metre Morne Seychellois promises sensational views from its peak.

Similarly, Praslin National Park is dissected by a number of winding walking trails, taking you past an impressive array of native plants, rocky ravines and unique wildlife, including the black parrot.

Sainte-Anne Marine National Park is a treasure trove of white-sand beaches, luxury resorts and tasty Creole restaurants. Comprising six islands, it provides one of the best spots for dolphin watching in the Seychelles, and it’s not uncommon to see turtles feeding in the abundant seagrass meadows.

The tropical climate means temperatures in the Seychelles don’t vary much, and tend to hover between 24°C and 32°C, no matter the time of year. But, being an archipelago, the Seychelles’ climate very much depends on the wind.

Between June and September, the southeast trade winds usher in cooler, drier weather with stronger winds, while accommodation prices hit their peak. But, due to the timing of school holidays, this is also the busiest time to go to the Seychelles. Alternatively, consider planning your trip for April, May, October or November. These months are typically warm, calm and windless, so you’ll be able to explore the islands in comfort – or simply lie on the beach.

It’s best to avoid visiting between December and March, as this is when tropical trade winds bring warmer and wetter airstreams, causing large amounts of rainfall.

Visa: Visas are not required for British passport holders
Language: Seychellois Creole, English, French
Currency: Seychellois rupee (SCR)
Time difference: GMT +3 hours
Flight duration from London: A direct flight takes 10 hours
Capital city: Victoria