​​Close your eyes and picture the perfect powder white beach, lapped by crystal clear water, backed by swaying palm trees and forest clad mountains and throw in some granite boulders……well that is the Seychelles. The picture postcard islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

Made up of 115 islands, some inhabited and some not. The main island is Mahe and is where you will arrive into for the start of your holiday in the Seychelles. Mahe has some stunning beaches and resorts to choose from, but for us here at Stanley Safaris we have our favourite islands that lie further away.

Depending on your arrival into Mahe, you may need to overnight before flying off to your perfect island resort.

Praslin and La Digue Islands are easily reached from Mahe and offer some of the best beaches in the world with crystal blue waters teeming with sea-life. Both offer a slow pace of life, making these the perfect beach locations for the end of your safari in Africa. From both Praslin and La Digue you can visit nearby islands on boat excursions. This gives you the chance to see some of the uninhabited islands that are reserved for breeding birds and turtles.

La Digue is the smallest of the 3 main islands and does not have an airstrip, thus retaining its slightly more off the beaten track feel which therefore comes with a much slower pace of life. With very few cars on the island, the best way to explore is by bicycle.

For us, what makes the Seychelles special are the various private islands offering some of the most exclusive beach holidays in the world. Miles of white sandy beaches, swaying palm trees and turquoise waters to explore and some of the most luxurious accommodations around. If you are looking for something special at the end of your African Safari, then let us add one of these private islands onto your holiday.

North Island is one of our top private island getaways. With its towering forested peaks, bright blue sea and palm fringed beaches, North Island is the stuff dreams are made of. With just 11 private villas where guests can step out of straight onto the beach, this is the ideal barefoot luxury resort. Over the years, the team have reintroduced native plants and animals back to the island, making this one of the best conservation success stories in the Seychelles. Large tortoises walk through the tropical gardens, birds nest in the forests and turtles nest on the beaches. Offshore the reefs are teeming with tropical fish and other sea creatures. With over 100 staff to look after the 25 guests, the service is incredible.

It is the Outer Islands of the Seychelles that make us excited, as these are truly tropical, completely off the beaten track islands where guests feel like they are the first to leave footprints on the white sandy beaches. Some of the Outer Islands are over 1,000km from Mahe, out in the middle of the deep blue Indian Ocean with 22,000 hectares of Outer Islands in 22 million hectares of ocean. The diving and snorkeling here is second to none as the reefs are completely untouched and often drop off into the abyss beyond. Dive and snorkel with manta rays, dolphins, sailfish, hammerhead sharks.

Alphonse Island is an hour flight from Mahe and with just a few beach bungalows for guests, you will have miles of deserted beaches to explore and to find your piece of heaven. This is the perfect location for families as they accept kids of all ages.

Astove Coral House is a rustic beach house with just 6 rooms offering just a few luxury guests an exclusive beach experience with attentive service. For our diving enthusiasts, this is the location of “The Wall”. The shallow coral reefs just disappear into what is described as the Grand Canyon that drops over 1,000 meters into deep blue ocean. This is known as one of the best dive sites in the world.

Even further away and a good 1 hour by boat (the only way to get to the island) from Astove, Wizard Island is a nature lovers paradise. The island and those around it are home to a vast array of endemic birds and the shallow sandy lagoon attracts nesting turtles and tropical fish. The eco-camp is a completely different design for the Seychelles, Cosmoledo Eco camp has just 8 eco-pods situated literally on the beach.

Luxury Holidays to the Seychelles

The Seychelles is what dreams are made of when you think of tropical islands of powder white sandy beaches and turquoise waters teeming with marine life. Dotted across the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa, the islands of the Seychelles make the ideal beach destinations to your safari to Tanzania, Kenya or even South Africa. Whether you are looking for some rest and relaxation after your honeymoon safari, your family safari or your wildlife safari, the Seychelles are the perfect tropical island paradise. Have a look at some of our holiday ideas to the Seychelles and then get in touch and let’s start planning your dream beach break to the Seychelles….

Where are the best beaches to go on in the Seychelles

The Best islands and beaches of the Seychelles

The Seychelles are made up of 115 tropical islands spread out through the Indian Ocean. Lying just south of the Equator, the Seychelles, offer almost year-round sunshine, but with so many islands to choose from, which has the best beaches? When we look at this question, we need to split our answers out by the fact as to whether the islands are private island or public islands.

Mahe Island
Mahe Island is the largest island of The Seychelles and the main access point for everyone heading off to the pristine white sandy beaches of some of the other islands of the Seychelles. This does not mean Mahe is not worth a stay or visit. Mahe is dominated by a mountainous interior that is covered in dense forest forming a beautiful backdrop to some of the island’s best beaches and coves. Mahe is easy to explore by vehicle, so we suggest hiring a car for a day or two and get out exploring on your own, we are sure you will find the perfect beach or cove. Two of Mahe’s best beaches include Beau Vallon, a long stretch of white sandy beaches and clear waters are perfect for swimming, sailing and wind surfing. Another beach worth a visit is Anse Intendance with its powder white beach and palm trees. The water here can get rough with waves, especially during the South-east trade winds.

Aside from the stunning beaches of Mahe, there are plenty other things for you to do including hiking through the Morne Seychellois National Park which covers 20% of the island. The capital city of Victoria is a fun place to explore, especially the Victoria Market where you can get a better idea of local life in the Seychelles.

Mahe is the main access island to neighboring islands including Praslin and La Digue as well as the nearby private islands of North Island, Cousine Island, Denis Island and Desroches Island.

Praslin Island
One of the most beautiful islands in the Seychelles, Praslin is the second largest island in the archipelago. Blessed with some of the world’s best beaches, Praslin is your typical tropical island postcard of turquoise waters, palm fringed white sandy beaches and granite boulders. Even though it is one of the more popular islands for a beach holiday in the Seychelles, Praslin feels quieter than it neighbor, Mahe and with plenty coves and beaches to choose from, you can always find a quiet cove to put your towel down. On the northwest of the island is Anse Lazio, considered to be the best beach on Praslin and one of the best beaches in the world, the perfect selfies beach. Getting around the island is easy, either by taxi, bus or you can hire a car and explore on your own. If you are staying on Praslin, it is possible to arrange boat excursions to some of the nearby islands, including La Digue.

La Digue
The smallest of the 3 main islands in the Seychelles, La Digue has retained its off-the-beaten-track feel. The island is small enough that the best way to explore is by bicycle with flat paths and enough refreshment stands along the way to keep you going. There are plenty coves and beaches to choose from, whether you are looking for a quiet beach to relax on or if you are looking for Anse Source d’Argent, renowned as being the most photographed beach in the world. La Digue, really is the lost island where you can easily lose track of time as you explore or relax.

North Island
North Island is the epitome of private island chic with white sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, turquoise waters and luxury beach bungalows only steps away from the sand. North Island is where the celebrities come to relax away from any crowds. Rising out of the deep blue ocean are the granite rocks that form North Island creating a gently sloping beach and swaying palm trees. Each of the 11 enormous villas are set amongst the swaying trees, just a few steps from the beach and have everything you need. North Island is a conservation success story. Over the years, the island has been eradicated of all alien vegetation and animals restoring the island back to its natural beauty. Biologists and researchers are resident on the island and are on hand to chat to guests about the work that has been done and is still ongoing, like the reintroduction of key species. With several beaches and plenty of activities to keep you busy, North Island is the ultimate in luxury retreats.

Denis Island
Denis Island is a small private island north of Mahe and is surrounded by coral reefs. The small flat island is surrounded by beautiful white sandy beaches and calm waters thanks to the reef which is teeming with colorful marine life. Denis island is the perfect island to relax and enjoy some beach and snorkeling time while staying in the stylish cottages and villas.

Desroches Island
Sitting out in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Desroches Private Island with only one luxury resort situated on it, making it one of the remotest resorts in the Seychelles. 14Kms of white sandy beaches circle the island with calm turquoise waters and coral reefs offshore. The diving and snorkeling here are some of the best in the Seychelles.

Cousine Island
Sitting not far from Praslin Island is the private Cousine Island where giant tortoise roam and turtles nest. This small private island and reserve has a stunning beach which drops off to coral reefs and deeper channels. Guests staying at Cousine Island get the whole island to themselves ensuring the utmost in exclusivity and privacy.

Alphonse Island
400kms south of Mahe lies Alphonse Island, a small private island in the middle of the big blue Indian Ocean. Reachable by 1 hour flight from Mahe, you really get the feeling of isolation out here in the outer islands. Surrounded by flat coral reefs, Alphonse Island offers incredible snorkeling and diving. Offshore as the reefs drop off into the deep blue, manta rays and sailfish patrol, giving guests some of the best snorkeling experiences in the Seychelles. On the island, Alphonse has reintroduced Aldabra tortoises and the beaches are nesting grounds for turtles. There is plenty to do on Alphonse Island that guests are kept busy throughout their stay.

Cosmoledo Atoll
Cosmoledo Atoll is pristine, untouched island surrounded by large sandflats, smaller islands as well as a beautiful lagoon. Located over 1,000km from Mahe, Cosmoledo is as far away from civilization that you can get. Being so far from anywhere else has made Cosmoledo a stopping off point and nesting site for marine bird species including red-footed Boobies. This isolation also means the coral reefs and other marine are unaffected by man, making this one of the best dive sites in the world. With just 1 small eco-camp on the island, guests here are truly experiencing something special and completely off the grid.

Astove Atoll
Located over 1,000kms from Mahe, the islands of Astove form part of the Seychelles outer islands. The island forms a circle around a large inner lagoon and is surrounded by white sandy beaches. The island is home to a myriad of birds and fish species, but the real wow factor here is the “Astove Wall” which drops off into the deep blue ocean beyond. On the island giant Aldabra tortoises roam, while turtles nest on the beaches. Being so far from civilization, Astove’s pristine coral reefs are virtually untouched by man, making the diving here some of the best in the world. If you are looking to get as far away from anything as possible, but still retain the comforts of a luxury resort, topped with conservation efforts and some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world, then the Outer Islands, including Astove Atoll are the perfect place for you.

La Digue Island

Most Instagrammed Beach in the world.

La Digue Island is the fourth largest island in the Seychelles archipelago and the third most populated, with only 2,800 inhabitants who mostly live in the west coast village of La Passe. There is no airport on La Digue which has resulted in the island retaining some of its lost world charm. La Digue Island is linked to nearby Praslin and Mahe by regular ferries that transport tourists and locals. There are few roads and vehicles on La Digue and the fact the island is only 10km2, it is easy to explore on foot or by bicycle, finding that perfect beach or cove to relax on.

Aside from the stunning beaches, La Digue has a small nature reserve called Veuve Nature Reserve and is home to the rare black paradise flycatcher, of which there are only about 100 left in the wild. The highest peak on La Digue is Belle Vue or Eagle’s Nest Mountain and is in the center of the island, but only rises 300 meters above the sea.

Snorkeling off La Digue is amazing with vibrant coral reefs, angelfish, spotted eagle rays and turtles and what’s best is that they are easily accessible directly from the beaches. On the island are several dive operators who offer world class service for any level of diver, accessing some of the best dive sites around La Digue.

La Digue is blessed with some of the best beaches in the whole of the Seychelles. Backed by lush vegetation, crystal clear turquoise water, granite boulders and silky soft white sandy beaches, you will be able to find the perfect beach for you. Some beaches are calm, with shallow waters surrounded by granite boulders, while others are wide sandy beaches with deeper waters and waves. Grande Anse is a large white sandy bay backed by palm trees and crystal blue waters, but the water is deep and there can be waves. Anse Cocos is a quiet beach of white sand, granite boulders and clear shallow water. To get here you need to walk for about 30-minutes, but the effort is worth it when you get there. Anse Source D’Argent is reputed to be one of the best beaches in the world and is renowned as the most photographed beach in the world and when you see it, you will understand why. Surrounded by large granite boulders and swaying palm trees, the white sandy beach and shallow blue waters are perfect for swimming. There is a small entrance fee to get here and because of it popularity, it can get busy, so our suggestion is to head here in the later afternoon when the day visitors have left back to Praslin and Mahe and enjoy the sunset.

When is the best Season to go to The Seychelles?

Seychelles Seasons

Weather of the Seychelles
​Being so close to the equator, the weather of The Seychelles does not have defined seasons, other than a dry season and a wet season. From November the northwest, warmer winds start to blow, brining with it rains and sometimes cyclones which intensify during December and January, but can last until March. By April the winds and rains have stopped and is the calmest month in the Seychelles, until the Southeast winds start at the end of the month. From May the southeast trade winds bring drier weather with it, making the months between May and October the best to travel to The Seychelles. With the winds come seaweed which can “litter” the otherwise picture-perfect beaches. Bear in mind though, that the islands of the Seychelles, are small with plenty of beaches to choose from and so if your hotel beach has seaweed on, there is another cove close by that will be seaweed free. The best resorts and hotels in The Seychelles, look after their stretch of beach and will often clear the beaches of any seaweed, keeping them clean for their guests to enjoy. The daytime temperatures of the Seychelles average between 24°C (75°F) and 31°C (88°F).