Seychelles, island by island
Mahé, Praslin & La Digue, made easy
Ferries, boat trips and beaches, explained in plain words. Which island to sleep on, how to get between them and what is worth an early start.
Before you book anything
Two questions everyone asks first
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Where to sleep
Praslin or La Digue?
Base on Praslin and day-trip La Digue, unless you want car-free, bike-paced days.
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The classic day out
Is the Curieuse trip worth it?
Yes for the giant tortoises and the mangrove boardwalk, if you go early.
The lay of the land
How the islands fit together
Most first trips use three islands. You land on one, sleep on one or two, and reach the rest by boat.
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Mahé
The international airport, Victoria and the ferry quay.
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Praslin
Anse Lazio, the Vallée de Mai and more places to stay than La Digue.
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La Digue
Bikes instead of cars, and Anse Source d’Argent. Fifteen minutes from Praslin by boat.
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Curieuse & St Pierre
Day boats only: giant tortoises, a mangrove boardwalk and a snorkel stop.
Islands & beaches
Places worth the boat ride
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Praslin Anse Lazio North-west Praslin
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Praslin Vallée de Mai The coco de mer forest
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Curieuse Curieuse By boat from Praslin
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La Digue La Passe Where the ferry lands
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Praslin Baie Ste Anne Praslin’s ferry jetty
Kreol words you’ll hear on the islands
- Bonzour (hello)
- Mersi (thank you)
- Koman ou sava? (how are you?)
- Bonswar (good evening)
- Orevwar (goodbye)
Fresh from the desk
Guides to read before you go
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Seychelles
Languages in Seychelles: Creole, English & French (Plus 17 Phrases for Visitors)
Seychelles has three official languages: Creole, English and French.
10 min read November 2026
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Seychelles ferries and transport
Taxi Boats & Private Boat Transfers in Seychelles: Prices and When to Use
A private boat from Mahé to Praslin takes about as long as the ferry.
10 min read November 2026
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Seychelles
Where to See Giant Tortoises in the Seychelles (and Where You Can't)
Curieuse is the place to see giant tortoises roaming free.
9 min read November 2026
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Praslin
Vallée de Mai Praslin: Entry Fee, Opening Hours, How Long & Fond Ferdinand Compared
Vallée de Mai costs SCR 450 to enter, opens 08:30 to 16:30 (last entry 15:30) and suits a 60 to 90 minute walk.
8 min read November 2026
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Seychelles
How Much Does a Seychelles Trip Cost? 2026 Daily Budget Table (Praslin & La Digue)
Plan on about EUR 95-120 per person per day for guesthouse-style travel, assuming a EUR 80 room shared by two, and EUR 155-200 with a EUR 170 hotel room.
13 min read November 2026
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Seychelles boat trips
Curieuse & St Pierre Boat Trip from Praslin: Costs and Fees
Curieuse and St Pierre day trip from Praslin: SCR 300 park fee (card only), who pays it, boat prices, the day stop by stop, rough seas and what to ask.
9 min read November 2026
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Seychelles boat trips
Island Hopping in the Seychelles Without a Package: Routes, Costs and Day Plans
Island-hop the Seychelles without a package: ferry times, fares in SCR and EUR, and three plans for 5, 7 and 10 nights, plus a weather plan B.
18 min read November 2026
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Seychelles ferries and transport
Praslin to La Digue Ferry: Times, Last Boat Back and Fare (2026)
The Praslin to La Digue ferry takes 15 minutes from the Baie Ste Anne jetty.
8 min read November 2026
Quick answers
Short answers to the usual questions
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Can I day-trip La Digue from Praslin?
Yes. The boat takes about 15 minutes, but Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday are poor day-trip days on Cat Cocos.
Ferry times -
Praslin or La Digue as a base?
Praslin works as a base for a whole short trip. La Digue is for one or two quiet nights.
Compare them -
When is the sea calmest?
April to May and October to November, between the two wind seasons.
Best time to go -
Is a private boat cheaper for a group?
Usually not: the 8-seat boat priced in the guide never gets as cheap per head as a €90 shared full-day tour.
Private charters
Written by Ivy Underhill, the pen name of our editorial desk.
Photos on this page: Anse Patates, La Digue – Giles Laurent / CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped; An Aldabra giant tortoise on Curieuse – NorbertNagel / CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped; Vallée de Mai, Praslin – NorbertNagel / CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped; Inter Island Quay, Victoria – Radosław Botev / CC BY 3.0 PL, cropped; La Digue, looking west to Praslin – Bjørn Christian Tørrissen / CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped; Above Victoria, Mahé – Remi Jouan / CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped; Anse Lazio, Praslin – Bjørn Christian Tørrissen / CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped; La Passe, La Digue – NorbertNagel / CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped; Baie Ste Anne, Praslin – David Stanley / CC BY 2.0, cropped.