Routes · Africa

Stockholm to the Seychelles: Mahé, Praslin and La Digue

Stockholm → Seychelles (Mahé) → Praslin → La Digue

Granite beaches Best season (general guide): Apr–May, Oct–Nov

The Seychelles' granite islands are known for their beaches, framed by smooth boulders and clear water. From Stockholm the flight usually connects in the Gulf or Europe to Mahé. This route then hops by ferry to Praslin and La Digue, the two most visited outer islands, so each stage gets quieter. The itinerary spends three nights in Seychelles (Mahé), three nights in Praslin and two nights in La Digue.

How to pace it: Spend days one to three in Seychelles (Mahé): day one, beach; day two, Victoria market and botanical garden; day three, Morne Seychellois hike. Then spend days four to six on Praslin: day four, ferry to Praslin, then Anse Lazio; day five, Vallée de Mai; day six, snorkelling or beach day. Then spend days seven and eight on La Digue: day seven, ferry to La Digue, then cycle the island; day eight, Anse Source d'Argent.

Mahé has Victoria's market and botanical gardens, hikes in the Morne Seychellois National Park, and beaches such as Beau Vallon and Anse Intendance. The ferry to Praslin takes you to the Vallée de Mai, a forest of endemic palms where the coco de mer, the plant with the world's largest seed, grows wild, and to Anse Lazio, a much-photographed beach. La Digue is the gentlest stop of all. It's small enough to cycle around, with Anse Source d'Argent and the beaches of the east coast reached by bike or on foot.

The transition months between the trade winds, roughly April to May and October to November, usually bring the calmest seas and clearest water for snorkelling. From around May to September, the southeast trade wind roughens south- and east-facing beaches, while from about December to March the northwest monsoon brings more rain.

Ferries between the islands can be rough on windy days, so take seasickness tablets if you need them. Some beaches have strong currents in certain seasons, so ask locally before swimming.

On Mahé and Praslin, local Creole cuisine is worth seeking out, from fish curries and grilled octopus to breadfruit chips. Creole fish or octopus curry with rice and chutney makes a simple lunch. On La Digue, the L'Union Estate, which you pass through to reach Anse Source d'Argent, has a vanilla plantation inside its grounds.

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