7 Days in the Seychelles – 1 week Itinerary

Seychelles is a magical island archipelago located off Africa’s East coast. It consists of 115 islands, some of which are pristine nature reserves, nearly untouched by humans, and others, like the island of Mahé with the capital city Victoria, offer an abundance of various tourist attractions: from beaches and beach bars through temples to a rum distillery!

Not sure where to start or how to plan your one week in Seychelles? Fret not, we have curated a perfect Seychelles one week itinerary for you!

If you’re wondering how many days in Seychelles is ideal or how many days do you need in Seychelles? well it all depends on what your plans are? You could easily spend 2 weeks in Seychelles or 2 months and still not see or do everything.

Below is a great guide on what to do in Seychelles for 2 days because sometimes 2 days in Seychelles is all you have, especially if you’re going over on a cruise or you’re short on time and want to be able to tour some of the other areas within Seychelles.

Before arriving in Seychelles

Before your 1 week in Seychelles can start, there are some practicalities that you will need to take care of. All visitors to Seychelles are required to fill out the Seychelles Islands Travel Authorization Form.

You can access the form online, and you will need to provide your passport and travel insurance information as well as proof of your COVID-19 vaccination.

Once approved, the authorised form will be sent to your email address, and the processing fee is 10 USD (more if you need your form processed within hours). Print out the form before you fly, or have it easily available on your digital device. You might be asked to show it before boarding your plane.

Do not worry about exchanging currency before arrival. You can easily withdraw Seychellois Rupees (SCR) from ATMs in the airport, and restaurants and grocery shops tend to accept credit and debit cards from international issuers.

Seychelles Best Time to Visit

To get the most out of your one week in Seychelles, we recommend you avoid periods with trade winds which cause build-ups of seaweed on some beaches. Thus, it is recommended to visit Seychelles either in April or May or later in the year, in October or November.

The temperature in Seychelles is relatively stable all year, approx. 30 degrees Celsius. At any time of the year, you can still expect tropical showers and the humid breeze blowing from the sea. These can be difficult to predict precisely due to Seychelles’ location in the Indian Ocean.

Seychelles Day 1

You will most likely arrive on Mahé Island where Seychelles’ biggest airport is located. Thus, on your first day in Seychelles, you may want to tour around Mahé Island to get a sense of the local culture and scenery. 

Visiting a local market: Seychelles is home to many busy markets, where you can buy fresh produce, and crafts, and find other local products. Look out for cafés hidden amongst stalls and small shops, like the one on the top floor of Sir Selwyn Clarke Market in Victoria.

Go to the beach: If you would rather relax than wander around a bustling market, let your 7 days in Seychelles start with a trip to the beach and a refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters.

You will find plenty of food and drink options around most beaches in Seychelles. It is a perfect opportunity to get a taste of the delicious Creole cuisine on your first day in Seychelles!

Seychelles Day 2

Woke up rested and relaxed? While still on Mahé Island, we recommend you visit the national botanical gardens. Located just south of the capital city Victoria, the gardens are home to an impressive array of plants and flowers, as well as the famous Coco de Mer palm, which is a rare species, native to Seychelles.

Due to the distinct look of its fruits, Coco de Mer is featured in several legends and even referred to as “The Forbidden Fruit of Seychelles”. We recommend you make the trip to the national botanical gardens in the morning, and you will still have time for more Mahé explorations after lunch.

If you want to learn even more about the natural history of Seychelles, we recommend you visit The National History Museum of Seychelles in Victoria.

It opened in 1964 and is located just next to the city’s main post office. On the upper floor, you will find a display of the Creole cultural past. This gives the visitors a chance to learn not only about the natural history but also the cultural heritage of Seychelles.

Rum connoisseurs and other curious minds should not miss the Takamaka Rum Distillery on Mahé Island! Located along the impressive shoreline, in the southern-eastern part of the island, Takamaka is a fun tourist attraction, easy to visit during your one week in Seychelles.

We recommend you book a guided tour around the distillery. These tours are very informative, and guests can taste and sample – let your palate visit the Seychelles too! Keep in mind that the distillery is only open Mondays through Fridays. 

Takamaka distillery closes at 4.30 PM, which gives you time to go for a sunset walk before dinner! Go for a walk along the beach, take in the beautiful colours and enjoy the serene atmosphere – it is a must on your Seychelles itinerary!

Seychelles Day 3

This Seychelles travel guide would not be complete without recommendations for island tours! Some islands are just a short ferry ride away and make a perfect destination for a day trip, but we can also recommend dividing your stay in Seychelles between Mahé Island and one of the smaller isles.

Praslin Island is a popular day trip destination from Mahé and a true tropical paradise with attractions for every taste. One thing you should not miss is the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve. This natural pearl is located in the very centre of the island, and it is often referred to as the “Heart of Praslin”. It consists of a beautifully preserved palm forest and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You can easily reach the reserve by bus, and if you only wish to go to Praslin Island to see the Vallée de Mai, we recommend booking an organised tour – it will save you a lot of time and provide a great opportunity to learn more about Seychelles’ natural history.

If you want your itinerary for Seychelles to include exercise and activity, we recommend you go on the scenic hiking trail from Anse Lazio beach to Anse Georgette.

An early start is recommended to ensure enough sunlight for your entire hike, and the sunrise at Anse Lazio is an attraction in itself. While hiking, have your ears open! Praslin Island is home to the Seychelles black parrot. It is an endangered species, and it is often recognized by its distinct sounds.

If you decide to visit Praslin Island on a day trip, you can catch a ferry back to Mahé. However, if you are up for trying different accommodations while visiting Seychelles, you can go to La Digue Island at the end of your day 3.

If you are looking for comfortable accommodation, we recommend Repaire Boutique Hotel. The hotel also has a popular restaurant, and it would be the perfect place to wind down and have dinner after an active day of island explorations.

In the coming section, we will provide Seychelles itinerary suggestions for those who decide to move to La Digue Island and those who choose to have Mahé Island as their main base for their one week in Seychelles.

Seychelles Day 4

Whether you arrive from Praslin Island to stay a few days, or whether you take a direct ferry ride from Mahé Island for a day trip, La Digue Island offers attractions for both a short and a long stay. Just be aware that direct boats from Mahé to La Digue go less frequently, so if you want to do a day tour, get familiar with the ferry schedule.

La Digue Island is a great spot for scuba diving, and for those who would rather start safe, there are plenty of opportunities for snorkelling too! While on La Digue Island, do not miss Anse Cocos Beach. You can get there on foot, following a path from Grand Anse Beach.

It is a well-known and popular spot, so the earlier you go, the better. If you want to go for a swim, make sure you check the local tide chart, as during low tide waters can get quite shallow.

If you decide to have Mahé Island as your main base for one week in Seychelles, we recommend contacting a tour operator and booking an island hopping trip to the Aldabra Atoll.

It’s a true crown jewel of Seychelles, recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site. Aldabra is one of the largest atolls in the world, and it is home to giant Aldabra tortoises.

Marvel at the atoll’s colours and formations – it is a natural wonder beyond comparison. One of the reasons why it is so well preserved is its remote location, but do not let it discourage you from visiting!

Seychellois tour providers will assist you with planning your trip, and they can help you with obtaining the mandatory authorisation from Seychelles Island Foundation (SIF) that all tourists must receive before visiting the atoll.

Seychelles Day 5

To balance your Seychelles itinerary 7 days cannot only consist of hikes and trips! Therefore, we recommend you take some time to relax and put the exploring on hold for a day. Instead, you may want to enjoy a relaxing SPA treatment.

Seychelles is known for its many luxurious spas that offer a broad range of massages, facials and other treatments. 

In the afternoon, you may want to try a cooking class. Seychelles is known for its delicious Creole cuisine which merges flavours and spices from Africa, India and the Mediterranean. Book a cooking class and enjoy your creations for dinner!

Some hotels also offer to help you prepare fish if you buy one at one of the local markets. This way you can cook your side dishes and try barbecue fish, carefully cooked using local spices.

Seychelles Day 6

After a relaxing day, you should have the energy for more island-hopping – it is a great way to visit many different parts of Seychelles!

If you stayed at Praslin or La Digue Island, we can recommend a getaway to Curieuse Island. There you will find the famous Giant Tortoises Sanctuary. The sanctuary is thoughtfully planned, giving the animals space and freedom to roam around.

You can reach the sanctuary by a path from “Doctors House” which refers to the island’s past as a leprosy colony!

After visiting the sanctuary, you can relax and enjoy the views at Anse St. Jose. You can expect crystal clear waters, white sand and lush corners where you can find some shade and get a break from the sun.

If you prefer going on a trip from Mahé Island, we recommend a tour to Silhouette Island, one of the “younger” islands in the archipelago. Silhouette Island was created of volcanic syenite that only came after a volcanic eruption that happened a long time after Mahé was formed.

Silhouette is quite undeveloped, which gives visitors the chance to experience the Seychellois wilderness. The island offers many great hiking paths, like the four-hour trail to Grand Barbe.

The path goes through a forest, so there will be shade even in the middle of the day! Silhouette Island is a great choice for the active explorer, and arriving there early is recommended.

Seychelles Day 7

What to do in Seychelles on your final day? As most flights go from the airport on Mahé, on your last day in Seychelles, you may want to spend some time soaking up the beauty of Mahé Island. A must-visit is Beau Vallon Beach. If you go there during the day, it is the perfect spot for swimming and snorkelling. Walk along the beach in the afternoon or around sunset.

Beau Vallon is bustling with charming restaurants and vibrant beach bars. The further north you go, the more local food options you will find, and in the southwestern part of the beach, there are many luxurious resort-owned restaurants.

Whether you are in the mood for a deluxe menu or one last bite of local Creole cuisine in one of the laid-back eateries, dinner along Beal Vallon is the perfect way to end your 1 week in Seychelles.

Do not get discouraged if you cannot find an entrance to the beach when you get there, as designated paths may belong to certain resorts and may therefore be closed for non-guests.

However, all beaches in Seychelles are open to the public and free of charge, so if you encounter a closed path, simply ask around for an alternative way to your beach of choice!

On your final day in Seychelles, you may also want to enjoy some of the activities or attractions you may have missed during your trip.

Have a look at some of the suggestions mentioned earlier in our Seychelles itinerary 1 week guide, or make a final trip to Victoria and visit the Hindu Temple or the Immaculate Conception Cathedral to get a sense of Seychellois spiritual traditions.

Recommended tours in Seychelles

• Beautiful island tour 5-6 hours | Mahé | Seychelles | Private Tour | Day trip
• Semi Submarine Tour in Saint Anne Marine National Park
• Mahe Private full day tour
• Praslin & La Digue (Shared Day Trip)
• Private Nature Tours & Trail
• Cat Cocos: Mahe to Praslin Island Fast Ferry
• Cat Rose: Praslin Island / La Digue Island Fast Ferry
• Private Nature Trail (Hike)
• Full Day Discovery Tour of Vallee de Mai and Anse Lazio on Praslin Island
• Relaxed hike to Anse Major | Mahé | Seychelles | Private Tour | Perfect
• Reef Safari – Snorkeling, Fish Feeding & Lunch (Shared Day Trip)

Read more on the Seychelles:

• Seychelles island hotels
• 12 Things to do in the Seychelles
• 11 of the Best Beaches in Seychelles
• The Only Honeymoon Guide to Seychelles You’ll Ever Need

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