Have you always thought that you could only go to the Seychelles with a luxury all inclusive package, or in honeymoon? Me too, but I was wrong! This earthly paradise can be visited peacefully with friends on a do-it-yourself trip. There are scheduled flights that are not too expensive (I paid around 700 euros for an Ethiad flight bought even a month before departure!) And many types of accommodation (b & b, houses for rent, rooms for rent) that can be booked directly when you arrive. on site.
But let's take a step back .. (I feel very Piero Angela as I write it ..)
THESeychelles archipelago it consists of about 115 islands, three of which three large enough to be able to go around them by car (Mahè and Pralin) or by bike (La Digue). From there they can then take several boat trips to visit the smaller islands.
There are heavenly beaches, landscapes and nature! Nature is uncontaminated, wild… at times “huge”; you often find yourself in front of giant tortoises or under palms other 100 mt (the famous palm trees of the coco de mer, Unesco heritage). The Seychelles sea is definitely the most beautiful sea I've ever seen (and yes, I've seen a little something around the world ..). The inhabitants are very kind and communicate easily, having three official languages: English, French and Creole.
When to go to the Seychelles: the best time
The Seychelles have a tropical climate, with a ridiculous temperature range (the temperature changes very little between day and night). Winter is windier and rainier, and summer drier and muggy, but it happens that it rains even in summer, as happened to us who went in August. In general it is preferable to go there between June and September, when the trade winds blow from the southeast and the air is slightly cooler The water temperature is always warm (26-30 degrees).
How much is spent in the Seychelles
The Seychelles are quite expensive. To sleep (house for rent) you spend about 50/60 euros per pax and to eat out at least 20/30 euros. One solution to save a little is to rent (as we did) houses with kitchens and cook yourself. Shopping at the market is cheap and you can eat excellent fresh fish for two lire.
Health insurance is required
In the Seychelles, our health coverage is not valid. My advice is to always take a classic medical-luggage insurance that can cover you during the trip. I am very happy with many insurance companies, a site that compares the policies of different companies and proposes the most convenient policy for that particular trip. To do this you will have to enter the data relating to your trip (country, duration, etc.) and they will send you an email with the best proposal that you can then buy directly online.
Which islands to see
La Digue
All in all, it is the island of the Seychelles that I liked the most. As soon as you arrive on the island (by hydrofoil from Mahè) you rent a bike and you can go around it all with it or on foot. He has a very relaxed mood and a bit of a hipster.
Among the things not to be missed are the Anse Source d'Argent beach (looks like a photographic set from the Bilboa commercial), the Union Estate (an old coconut plantation with lots of giant tortoises), Grand Anse e Petit Anse (which can be reached with an easy walk), but above all Brown handle, the most beautiful beach ever (which can be reached with a 2h trek, led by Robert of La Digue Tour Guide Seychelles). If you want to give yourself a tone, go for an aperitif at sunset at Le Domain de L'orangerie, a wonderful resort. Spend three / four days in La Digue and you will have forgotten even your name!
Praline
To turn to Praline you have to rent the car. We only did one day trip (for reasons of time ..), but it's worth staying there for a few days. Here is the Vallè de Mai Natural Park, Unesco heritage, a forest of gigantic coconut palms (le coco de mer, symbol of the Seychelles, it is a coconut that weighs 40 kg and is worth hundreds of euros). It feels like a dwarf to turn under these palm trees and walking under them is an incredible experience!
As beaches you absolutely go to Anse Lazio, a very white beach, considered among the most beautiful in all the Seychelles and in the world.
Mahè
Mahè is the largest island in the Seychelles and that's where you land. Here, too, of course, you have to rent a car to get around. Victoria, the capital, is a nice, very colorful and colonial town. It is worth taking a trip to its market or in the evening to eat something out.
We were in a very nice house near Anse a la Mouche, in the south of the island. A very kind French lady manages La Residence in Anse La Mouche, a small area with several very beautiful and well-kept apartments (sea view!). This part of the island is very quiet and not very touristy. Don't miss the Four Season beach (accessible to all!) a Anse La Liberte.
If you want more movement instead you can stay in the area of Beau vallon (to the north, near Victoria); the beach is still beautiful, and you have more bars and restaurants available.
