The Inner Seychelles: Mahé
Short ferry legs connect three islands that share the same granite-boulder good looks but feel distinct: Mahé has the mountains and the markets, Praslin the primeval Vallée de Mai and Anse Lazio's perfect curve, and car-free La Digue saves the best for last — cycle to Anse Source d'Argent for the most photographed shoreline on earth.
- Best forBeach lovers · Honeymooners · Divers & snorkellers
- In December27°C · 24 rainy days · sea 29°C
- Ideal stay10 nights
- Approx. flying time~20h 30m from Los Angeles
- CurrencySCRSeychellois rupee
- LanguageSeychellois Creole, English and French
- Local time17:103h ahead of the UK
- PlugsType GUK plugs fit
- Drive on theLeftSame as the UK
- Dialling code+248
Why go
Granite boulders weathered into rounded shapes define these beaches and set them apart from the coral islands elsewhere in the Indian Ocean. Mahe has the mountains, the capital and the markets; Praslin has the palm forest of the Vallee de Mai and a famously curved beach at Anse Lazio; La Digue has almost no car traffic and a shoreline of sculpted rock. Ferry legs between the three are short.
Ten days lets you give each island proper time without spending it all in transit. April, May, October and November fall between the two trade wind seasons, with the calmest sea and the clearest water. The islands are expensive, though self-catering guesthouses cost far less than the resorts. Anyone expecting nightlife or a wide choice of restaurants will find things quiet after dark.
- Ideal stay
- 10 nights
- The vibe
- Granite, green, unhurried and pricey
From our guides
Short ferry legs connect three islands that share the same granite-boulder good looks but feel distinct: Mahé has the mountains and the markets, Praslin the primeval Vallée de Mai and Anse Lazio's perfect curve, and car-free La Digue saves the best for last — cycle to Anse Source d'Argent for the most photographed shoreline on earth. April, May, October and November bring the calmest seas.
Featured in Ten island-hopping routes for the perfect beach fortnight
Things to do
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Anse Source d'Argent
La Digue's shallow, boulder-strewn shoreline, reached through a former coconut plantation. Best at low tide and in the late afternoon light.
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Vallee de Mai
A UNESCO-listed palm forest on Praslin, home to the coco de mer and the black parrot, walkable on marked paths in an hour or two.
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Anse Lazio
A wide curve of sand between granite headlands on Praslin's north-west coast, with good swimming and snorkelling at either end.
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Morne Seychellois
The mountainous national park on Mahe, with forest trails, viewpoints and the walk down to the isolated beach at Anse Major.
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Curieuse and St Pierre
Day boats from Praslin visit a giant tortoise reserve and a granite islet that is one of the archipelago's better snorkelling stops.
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Victoria market
The small capital's covered market sells fish, fruit and spices, and gives a sense of daily Seychellois life beyond the beaches.
Getting there
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Fly to
Victoria (SEZ)
The airport is on the doorstep.
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Then
To Beau Vallon
Seychelles International (SEZ) is on Mahé, about 15 minutes from Victoria and half an hour over the hill to Beau Vallon. Onward ferries to Praslin leave from Victoria and take around an hour.
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On the ground
Getting around
Fast catamarans link Mahé, Praslin and La Digue in legs of 15 minutes to an hour. La Digue is effectively car-free and done by bicycle, while Praslin has buses and taxis and Mahé a coastal road worth driving.
Public transport: Ferries are frequent and punctual, and Mahé and Praslin have cheap public buses; La Digue runs on bikes.
Flights
Los Angeles Mahé, Seychelles
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Roughly 20h 30m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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Flight times are estimates; prices open on Google Flights.
When to go
Daytime highs run from about 25°C in August to 28°C in April. Driest in July and August; wettest in December, with rain on about 24 days. The sea is warmest in April at around 31°C, coolest at 27°C.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
December27° · rain 24 days · sea 29°Warm and often wet.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2015–2024 at Beau Vallon (ERA5 reanalysis). Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Self-catering guesthouses and small family-run places have largely replaced the old resort-only picture, though the big island resorts remain. Eating out is expensive, so kitchens matter.
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Best base overall
Beau Vallon, Mahé
The island's main swimming beach, with the widest range of guesthouses, restaurants and dive shops, and Victoria fifteen minutes away. Busier than anywhere else in the country.
Find stays in Beau Vallon, Mahé -
Best with children
Côte d'Or, Praslin
A long calm bay with shallow water, family self-catering and the Vallee de Mai nearby. Practically everything closes early in the evening.
Find stays in Côte d'Or, Praslin -
Best for couples
La Passe, La Digue
Car-free lanes, bicycles and Anse Source d'Argent along the coast. Rooms are limited and the ferry timetable dictates your days.
Find stays in La Passe, La Digue -
Best value
Anse Royale or Takamaka, south Mahé
Local guesthouses on the quieter east coast, cheaper than the beach strips, with buses into town. You will need a hire car to make the most of it.
Find stays in Anse Royale or Takamaka, south Mahé
Worth knowing before you book: Inter-island ferries sell out in the July, August and Christmas peaks, so book boats and rooms together. Many guesthouses charge extra for airport and jetty transfers.
Search everything else in Beau Vallon by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Ferries
- Fast catamarans link Mahe, Praslin and La Digue several times a day, taking about an hour on the longest leg. Book ahead in high season.
- Timing
- South-east trades blow from May to September and bring seaweed to some beaches; north-west trades run November to March. The changeover months are calmest.
- Costs
- Prices are high across the board. Self-catering, guesthouses and the takeaway counters used by locals bring a trip within reach.
- Island transport
- La Digue runs on bicycles, Praslin on a small bus network and hire cars, and Mahe needs a car for the west coast and the mountains.
- Sun and reef
- The equatorial sun is strong even under cloud. Use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid standing on coral when snorkelling.
Similar places
Matira Beach
Bora Bora, French PolynesiaAlso for beach lovers and honeymooners · 27°C in December, as here
The Grenadines: Bequia
Mustique and the Tobago CaysAlso for beach lovers and divers & snorkellers · 26°C in December, as here · cheaper to stay
The Andaman Coast: Phuket
Ko Phi Phi and Ko Lanta, ThailandAlso for beach lovers and divers & snorkellers · 27°C in December, as here · cheaper to stay
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Quick answers
When is the best time to visit The Inner Seychelles: Mahé?
Daytime highs run from about 25°C in August to 28°C in April. Driest in July and August; wettest in December, with rain on about 24 days. The sea is warmest in April at around 31°C, coolest at 27°C.
How long should I spend in The Inner Seychelles: Mahé?
Our suggestion: 10 nights.
How do I get to The Inner Seychelles: Mahé?
Seychelles International (SEZ) is on Mahé, about 15 minutes from Victoria and half an hour over the hill to Beau Vallon. Onward ferries to Praslin leave from Victoria and take around an hour.
Do I need a car in The Inner Seychelles: Mahé?
No. Ferries are frequent and punctual, and Mahé and Praslin have cheap public buses; La Digue runs on bikes.
What currency and language are used in The Inner Seychelles: Mahé?
Currency: Seychellois rupee (SCR). Language: Seychellois Creole, English and French. Plugs: type G.
Who is The Inner Seychelles: Mahé best for?
Best for beach lovers, honeymooners and divers & snorkellers. In a phrase: granite, green, unhurried and pricey.