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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When to Go & Weather
Best Time to Visit Praslin & Seychelles: Month-by-Month Table (2027)
April-May and October-November suit most people: light winds, a calm sea, little rain.
14 min read November 2026
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Snorkelling & Diving
Is Seychelles Good for Snorkelling? Honest Guide for 2027 (Sites, Season, Coral)
Yes, with caveats: the sea is usually calm and clearer in April–May and October–November, but coral cover is down after the 2024 heat event.
12 min read November 2026
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Seychelles boat trips
Private Boat Charter or Shared Tour in the Seychelles? Cost Break-Even Table
On public November 2026 prices the 8-seat private boat priced here never gets as cheap per head as a €90 shared full-day tour.
9 min read November 2026
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Seychelles ferries and transport
Cat Cocos Ferry Seychelles: Timetable, Fares, Classes, Luggage (2026)
Cat Cocos ferry in the Seychelles: fares per class in rupees, departure times by weekday, luggage allowance, check-in, refunds and rough-sea rules.
13 min read November 2026
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Where to Stay
Where to Stay on Praslin: Area-by-Area Guide With Transport Times (Table)
Stay on the Côte d'Or and Anse Volbert strip if you are new to Praslin and have no car.
11 min read November 2026
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Seychelles
Anse Source d'Argent: Fee, Best Time, Tides and How to Get There from the Jetty
Anse Source d'Argent is inside L'Union Estate: fee paid at the gate, how to read the official tide table, when to go, and the bike route from La Passe.
9 min read November 2026
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Seychelles
Praslin or La Digue? Comparison Table and How Many Days Each Needs
Praslin or La Digue: our pick by traveller type, a comparison table, the 15-minute ferry link and how to split 3, 5 or 7 nights between the two.
10 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.