10 Things you can’t miss in the Seychelles.

For the longest time, the Seychelles has been one of those tropical paradise islands that we longed to visit. If you know us at all, you know that we are bonafide beach bums, clinging fiercely to coastlines and would happily choose island life ( for at least half of every year at least).

So finally getting to visit this archipelago off the coast of East Africa was an island dream come true. And best of all, we got to experience it with Caleb and enjoy everything that the ocean, markets, beaches and bays had to offer families. I could wax lyrical about how it’s a 5.5 hour flight from Johannesburg and all it’s brilliance, but for everyone’s sake, I’ve narrowed it down to a few things you can’t miss while there:

1. Eden Island and Eden Bleu.

This was the our very first port of call upon landing in Mahe and a perfect choice for families. Driving across the bridge leading to Eden Bleu, we could never have imagined the port of luxury that awaited us here. Our balcony offered up the finest view of the marina and there were many times we forgot we were on a tropical island and along the ( Italian revera) instead.

Handsome yachts and the most luxurious of vessels parked in the marina as crew came and left the boats they worked on. We lounged in the pool by day with Caleb and loved our evening dinners split between the outside area and indoors. Aside from its sleek and chic interiors, this hotel is right beside the Eden Island mall with many convience stores such a SPAR ( one of the only places in the seychelles where you can find affordable food and drinks) as well as a brewery, aquarium and coffee shop.

2. Victoria Market

While Vaughan and Caleb relaxed at the hotel I visited the Victoria Market in the heart of Mahe. Colourful and busy with locals and foreigners alike, this market was filled with the fresh catch of the day, every kind of fruit and vegetable you can imagine as well as chillies and other spices. Ladies smiled widely as they weighed my fruit and up above me I shuddered at the myriad of spider webs forming a blanket on the roof of the market with the hugest spiders. Way too high above me to pose any problem, I continued my walk out the market and past the Hindu temple.

3. Mission Lodge

After a plethora of turns and mountain bends, our driver stopped at a parking lot somewhere near the top. We passed the stony remains of a mission lodge and made our way to a wooden platform boasting the most magnificent view of the island.

Lush hills rose out of forested areas and dropped to meet the turquoise oceans. We sat on the grass and surveyed the environmentally rich land of the seychelles. Unknown to use at the time, we sat atop Sans Souci, the highest mountain in Mahe which happened to fall within the Morne Seychellois national park.

The only remaining structure from Venn’s Town ( largely used for vanilla and cocoa cultivation), this lodge was originally set up as a school by the Church Missionary society, in 1876-1889 to accommodate children of liberated slaves.

4. Constance Ephelia, Mahe

This was my first Constance stay and I can honestly say that this place is a reason alone to visit the Seychelles. Not all staff, restaurant waiters or service providers on the island were friendly or seemed willing to help, but here, from the moment we walked in- we felt true welcome. Staff members smiled easily, made every effort to help us especially as we had a toddler. Mauritian Manager, Ehad,was the absolute best host and recalled his time on the island with his wife.

The cuisine at every meal proved to be some of the best food we had on the island and as we’ve learnt countless times before- the people always make at least 70% of your experience. We enjoyed early morning swims. Caleb and I enjoyed the beach while Vaughan snorkelled and unfortunately this visit, we had no time to enjoy their ziplining or rock climbing on their property. We also loved their positioning in Port Launay, which brings me to my next island love…

5. SUPPing in Port Launay

Azure ocean waters, mountainous outcrops for good measure and a couple of yachts to make your photos painfully picturesque ( for those not visiting at the time). Caleb and I played in the shade beneath the trees, Vaughan snorkelled and I did some stand-up paddle boarding. With Caleb we always have to tag team so each one of us really got to enjoy the water activities offered by Constance. You have the choice between SUPPing, kayaking and various other water sports.

6. Beau Vallon Night market and the Savoy for Dinner.

While staying in Beau Vallon, we absolutely loved having drinks and dinner at the classy Savoy. Service was just great and waitresses even offered to walk around after Caleb as we ate dinner.

Aside from lovely swims at the Beau Vallon beach, some evenings per week offers up street food and a local market at its best. Serving mostly cocktails, juices and food, this market is perfect to visit in the evening. You can buy your sausage and rice or chicken with vegetables and perch opposite on the beach and listen to some of the music wafting over from the stalls.

7. Anse Lazio, Praslin

Voted one of the 6 best beaches in the world by Tripadvisor we had no idea what awaited us when our driver pulled into a sandy parking lot lined with trees. Stepping over pine leaves we stumbled out onto one of the most beautiful beaches we’d ever laid eyes on and we’ve seen our fair share of incredible beaches around the world). Blue, you can’t find any hue to describe it with and just enough wave to give it life, the fine white sand squeaked beneath my sandals as we ducked beneath the trees giving shade to beachgoers.

8. La Digue: the car-free island.

I’m in love with the idea of any place without cars or traffic and especially when they come in the form of an island and one as mind-blowingly splendid as this one. One of the smaller, habited islands in the Seychelles, you can rent bikes or hop on their old ox wagons and mission around to the tiniest of enclaves and beaches with turquoise waters that beckon you to jump in. Diving and snorkelling are definitely some of the highlights you have to experience here.

9. La Digue’s Union Estate and the Tortoises.

We paid an entry fee at L’union estate and spent some time feeding and watching the giant tortoises from the island of Aldabra ( sadly, the subspecies that lived on La Digue are extinct). We ran beneath the palm trees and in the garden with Caleb and past (vanilla) plantations. We had a demonstration on how oil was once extracted from the vanilla pod with a cattle with a traditional wheel.

10. Anse Source d’argent

It’s true that I’ve saved the best for last because I’d like to think that this is one of my favourite beaches in the world. Tucked between towering boulders and dotted with just enough trees to provide shade, these little enclaves holding tiny beaches are truly romantic in every sense of the word.

Everything here looked photoshopped to the naked eye and I napped with Caleb beside a hammock and swam with him in the water when it got to hot. We didn’t really ever want to leave here and reluctantly made our way past sun worshipppers soaking in the very last rays of the day as the light fell on the boulders.

Where to Stay:

Mahe
Port Launay: Constance Ephelia

Eden Island: Eden Bleu Hotel

Beau Vallon: Coral Strand and Savoy Resort and Spa.

Praslin

Acajou Beach Resort

Planning:

For more information on what to do on the islands of the Seychelles, visit the Seychelles Tourism Board. 

To find out the flight schedule and times of Air Seychelles, visit their website here: Air Seychelles.

We talk Seychelles on TV:

To watch my interview on the Expresso Morning Show broadcast on SABC3 in South Africa, click here: Seychelles on Expresso.