Seychelles

April–May and October–November are the calmest periods — the inter-monsoon windows when seas are calm, winds are light, and diving visibility is excellent. The northwest monsoon (November–March) makes the northwest coast of each island choppy; the southeast trades (May–October) do the same to south-facing beaches. The key insight is that no month is uniformly good or bad — different beaches perform differently in each season, and you can always find calm water somewhere on any island.

Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue are all distinctly worth doing. Mahé is where you fly in and has the capital, forest hiking, and the busiest beach scene. Praslin has the Vallée de Mai and Anse Lazio. La Digue has Anse Source d'Argent and the island's most relaxed atmosphere. A 7-night trip covering all three is achievable; 10 nights lets you move at a reasonable pace. Doing only Mahé on a short trip is a significant miss.

The coco de mer palm (Lodoicea maldivica) is endemic to Praslin and Curieuse islands and produces the world's largest seed — up to 25kg, with a shape that inspired centuries of Creole legend and eroticised symbolism. The Vallée de Mai on Praslin is its primary natural habitat and the reason the forest received UNESCO World Heritage status. A genuine coco de mer nut costs $300–500 as a souvenir (all sales are licensed by the government); the official stamp is important to clear customs.

Yes, significantly. It is one of the Indian Ocean's most expensive destinations. Budget guesthouses on Praslin and La Digue start at $100–150/night; mid-range boutique hotels run $250–450/night. A simple restaurant meal costs $20–30; resort dining much more. The outer island private resorts ($1,000–3,000/night) represent the Indian Ocean's most expensive accommodation. Economising is possible through self-catering, the inter-island ferry, and guesthouse cooking — but Seychelles is not a budget destination.

The Cat Cocos catamaran ferry links Mahé and Praslin (1 hour, $30–35 each way) and Praslin and La Digue (15 minutes, $15 each way). Seychelles Air operates inter-island flights (Mahé–Praslin: 15 minutes, faster for those with early morning connections). Helicopters are available through Island Helicopters for direct transfers. The ferry timetable is limited — check schedules when planning inner-island itineraries as afternoon connections on La Digue are few.

Anse Source d'Argent on La Digue is the most photographed and most iconic — the granite boulder backdrop is unique. But 'best' depends on criteria: Anse Lazio on Praslin is considered the best for swimming quality and overall composition. Anse Georgette (Praslin) is the most exclusive beach and requires a short walk from Lemuria Resort land. On Mahé, Police Bay and Anse Intendance are long, dramatic, wave-washed beaches. Ask again depending on whether you want calm swimming, dramatic scenery, or solitude.

Giant Aldabra tortoises are the flagship species — accessible on Curieuse Island (day trip from Praslin), Cousin Island, and on the grounds of some hotels. The Seychelles black parrot is endemic to Praslin's Vallée de Mai. Cousin Island (Praslin) hosts nesting hawksbill turtles (October–February), fairy terns, and bridled terns. Bird Island has millions of sooty terns nesting May–October. In the water: hawksbill turtles, reef sharks, manta rays, and whale sharks (occasionally at Mahé) are all present.

Yes, particularly for those who want healthy coral and diverse pelagic life rather than dramatic walls. Mahé has several good sites; the best diving is around the outer islands and atolls — Alphonse, Desroches, and Coëtivy all have extraordinary underwater environments but require flights. On the inner islands, the north tip of Mahé, around Silhouette Island, and the channel between Praslin and La Digue are the strongest sites. Diving visibility is best in the inter-monsoon periods (April–May, October–November).

Among the Indian Ocean's best honeymoon destinations. North Island Lodge, Four Seasons Desroches, Silhouette Island Lodge, and the Anantara Maia on Mahé represent the Indian Ocean's finest properties. Private island dinners, snorkelling with sea turtles, and waking up to empty beaches are all standard. La Digue is the most affordable honeymoon-grade setting — guesthouses overlooking the beach, bicycle rides to Anse Source d'Argent, and a pace that feels genuinely restorative.

Seychellois Creole food combines African, Indian, French, and Chinese influences. Grilled red snapper with chili and lime, bouillon bréde (leafy vegetable broth), shark chutney (yes, a real preparation — pickled and spiced), ladob (sweet banana or cassava in coconut milk), and octopus curry are the core dishes. The Victoria Saturday market has the best range of prepared food. Most guesthouses offer Creole dinner by arrangement — better value and usually more authentic than restaurant menus.

Cousin Island is a Special Reserve north of Praslin, managed by Nature Seychelles for conservation. It has nesting hawksbill turtles (October–February), nesting seabirds, giant tortoises, and the Seychelles warbler (recovered from near-extinction here). Day visits by boat are available from Praslin — guided tours only, no independent access. The boat trip takes 15 minutes; tours run Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings. Booking through your Praslin accommodation is easiest.

Aldabra is remote (1,100km southwest of Mahé) and has strictly controlled access — it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and research station, not a tourist destination. A small number of liveaboard dive charters visit annually with special permits arranged months in advance. Some luxury sailing itineraries include Aldabra on an extended outer-island circuit. For most visitors, the giant tortoise experience is best accessed via Curieuse or Cousin Island near Praslin.

Yes, strongly. La Digue has a pace and character the other islands don't replicate — golf carts and bicycles only (no private petrol vehicles), a pace defined by the tides and the ferry timetable, and beaches like Anse Source d'Argent and Anse Cocos that justify the trip independently. Two nights minimum; three gives you time to cycle the whole island and wait for the best light. The 15-minute ferry from Praslin is simple — the logistical effort is minimal.

Lightweight reef shoes or water shoes for rocky beach entries. Rash guard for snorkelling (sun exposure in tropical water is significant). Reef-safe sunscreen (standard petroleum-based sunscreen is banned — biodegradable mineral sunscreen only). Light layers for evening on La Digue and Praslin even in peak season. A dry bag for beach days. Mosquito repellent (dengue exists). Power adapter (Type G, UK plug).

Several. Reef-safe (mineral) sunscreen is required by law — standard chemical sunscreens are banned. Avoid touching coral or disturbing marine life while snorkelling. Giant tortoises may not be ridden. The coco de mer nut is protected — buying an unlicensed nut risks confiscation at customs. Seychelles takes marine conservation seriously: fishing zones, turtle nesting areas, and protected reserves are enforced. Many operators and lodges are actively certified in sustainable practice.

The Maldives consists of coral atolls — flat, with no terrain, no forest, no wildlife beyond the reef. Seychelles has ancient granite islands with real landscapes: mountains, national park forest, endemic species, and Creole culture. Maldives excels at over-water villa privacy and the most immaculate lagoons; Seychelles adds nature, hiking, markets, and a cultural dimension. Both are expensive; Seychelles has a broader range of activities and can be explored more independently.

Standard 10-night structure: 3–4 nights Mahé (Beau Vallon, Morne hike, Victoria market, west coast beaches); ferry to Praslin: 3 nights (Vallée de Mai, Anse Lazio, Curieuse tortoise day, snorkelling); ferry to La Digue: 3 nights (Anse Source d'Argent, Anse Cocos walk, Anse Patates). Return ferry to Praslin, catch the Cat Cocos to Mahé for your flight. This hits the three-island loop without rushing any island.

Possible but not easy. The minimum realistic daily spend (guesthouse, self-catered breakfast and lunch, one restaurant dinner, ferry travel) is around $100–120/day. La Digue guesthouses run $80–120/night and are the best budget-grade accommodation in the inner islands. Cooking some meals, taking the ferry rather than helicopter transfers, and staying in Creole guesthouses rather than resorts cuts costs meaningfully. Seychelles is never a backpacker destination but it is not exclusively luxury either.

The granite. Unlike volcanic or coral island beaches, the inner Seychelles islands have enormous rounded Precambrian granite boulders — some over 600 million years old — piled onto white sand beaches above shallow turquoise lagoons. The visual effect is immediately recognisable and genuinely unusual. No other beach destination in the world has this particular combination of scale, colour, and geological age. Anse Source d'Argent is the canonical example but the same granite appears on beaches across Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue.