There is no question that Seychelles should be at the top of everyone’s lists of tropical dream vacations. An Indian Ocean archipelago nation made up of 155 islands, Seychelles offers no shortage of beautiful sights, relaxation opportunities, and exciting activities and adventures. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or for a vacation that the whole family can enjoy, Seychelles has something for everyone. Need more convincing? Here are the top 10 undeniable reasons to visit Seychelles:
1. The beautiful beaches
The number one reason that most people travel to tropical places is to sit on gorgeous sandy beaches while enjoying the sun, the waves, the scenery, and a whole host of beach activities. Seychelles is home to some of the most beautiful white-sand beaches with clear, blue water in the entire world.
Each island is unique in its own way: on some, you will meet elephant turtles, on another, you will enjoy the mysterious underwater world of the Indian Ocean, and the third will conquer you with spectacular landscapes. You’ll feel relaxed the minute you set foot on the sand.
2. The secluded beautiful beaches
It’s true that many places in the world are home to beautiful beaches, so what makes the Seychelles so special? Well, what might entice you is the fact that it is surprisingly easy to find very secluded beaches where you can spend the day and rarely see anyone else. If you’re looking to get away from it all, then the last thing you want to be dealing with is a crowd.
Anse Takamaka is one of such secluded beautiful beaches. The waves on Takamaka are small, and sometimes the ocean is so calm that you can swim. Takamaka is considered one of the best places for scuba diving in Mahe and Seychelles. The beach is wild, as there are no hotels or shops nearby. All this makes Anse Takamaka perfect for solitude seekers.
More: 11 Most Beautiful Beaches Worth Visiting
3. The unique culture
One of the best things about traveling is getting to see different cultures. The culture of Seychelles is very diverse due to the mixture of many segments of the population, races, and religions.
Throughout history, people of French, British, African, and Asian ancestry have settled in Seychelles, bringing their own traditions with them. Some have remained, while others have evolved to make up the current Seychellois culture. Local art, music, and architecture are different from what you will find anywhere else in the world.
4. The equally unique cuisine
The local food is another great reason to visit the Seychelles, and many tourists come mainly for the purpose of trying the delicious seafood dishes. You’ll be treated to a blend of traditional African, English, French, Indian, and Chinese cooking. Therefore, local restaurants offer not only Creole dishes but also Asian and European ones.
Seafood and especially fish are of great importance in the local cuisine; Seychelles chefs cook it with a subtle approach that is not standard for an African state. In addition, the influence of French culture has made a rather primitive cuisine refined and sophisticated.
More: 8 Awesome Destinations for Food Lovers
5. The diving spots
Scuba diving and snorkeling are some of the main activities that tourists can enjoy during their trip to the Seychelles. Among the numerous islands are six different marine national parks that house completely intact and gigantic coral reefs which are always teeming with sea life.
Minimal currents, colorful corals, an incredible variety of fish, and an above-average chance of seeing large ocean life such as manta rays, turtles, and white sharks are an excellent reason to visit the Seychelles, a top-notch diving area.
More: 5 Best Places to Scuba Dive in the Atlantic Ocean
6. The unique flora and fauna
Another reason to visit Seychelles is the fact that this archipelago is a true living museum of natural history, home to some of the rarest species of flora and fauna on earth. Nowhere else in the world you will find such unique examples of endemic flora and fauna as here. In addition, the archipelago can boast a forward-thinking conservation policy that has resulted in an enviable level of protection for the environment and various ecosystems.
Speaking of sea life, the waters surrounding Seychelles are home to an abundance of tropical fish that will astound you with their multicolored diversity. On top of that, you may even catch sight of giant tortoises, hawksbill turtles, and beautiful tropical birds.
The local plant life is also among the rarest in the entire world. The islands are also filled with all sorts of exotic plants such as orchids, hibiscus, and bougainvilleas. Moreover, there are various tropical fruit trees such as bananas, mangoes, papaya, passion fruit, pineapples, and avocados.
7. The hiking opportunities
Maybe your idea of the perfect vacation involves less sitting around on beaches and more exploration. If that’s the case, then you’re in luck, because the Seychelles is home to many picturesque hiking trails with unbeatable views of the islands and the ocean.
The most interesting hiking routes pass through the Mahe, La Digue, and Praslin islands.
8. The opportunity to go island hopping
None of the Seychelles’ 155 islands are exactly alike. They each offer a completely different experience, letting you choose exactly the type of vacation you want by island hopping. Some islands are more developed, while others function as nature reserves.
Visiting more than one island during your stay is a must and adds an unforgettable experience to your vacation in the Seychelles. Transport to and from many of these islands is readily available.
9. The parasailing adventures
Diving is the perfect activity for when you want to see what lies under the waters of the Seychelles, while parasailing will provide you with incredible views of everything on top. Such a sport is sure to appeal to all lovers of outdoor activities and those who are tired of lying on the beach for a long time under the scorching sun.
If you’re heading to Seychelles, then this is one experience that you do not want to miss out on. It will undoubtedly make your vacation in Seychelles perfect and unforgettable.
More: 9 Best Travel Locations for Adrenaline Junkies
10. The unbeatable weather
Temperatures in the Seychelles are a significant reason to visit the Seychelles. The weather is warm and balmy year-round, making it the perfect destination no matter what time of year you are looking to go. The water of the Indian Ocean tends to be quite warm as well, perfect for swimming and for almost any water activity imaginable.
In general, no matter what month of the year you choose to visit the Seychelles, you will definitely not be dissatisfied with the weather! And the heavenly landscapes of the direction are the most conducive to a serene mood during your vacation in the Seychelles.
11. Visit Victoria
The capital of Seychelles, Victoria, is a small city immersed in the shade of sprawling tropical trees. Located on the northeast coast of Mahe Island, this piece of paradise immersed in greenery is not familiar with excessive fuss and haste – only the sounds of waves, dense tropics, and a measured pace of life.
Victoria is also attractive with its originality – cozy low houses with openwork balconies, national markets, souvenir shops, an abundance of greenery, and a calm and measured rhythm of life.
This town has a great choice of restaurants, bars, and cafes where you can taste local and exotic cuisine, spend an evening in a pleasant atmosphere, and dance. All this makes visiting this magnificent town a great reason to visit the Seychelles.
12. Fishing
Seychelles is one of the richest fishing grounds in the world. Fishing for wahoo fish, sailfish, dorado, various types of tuna, and trophy marlin is an excellent experience for both beginners and experienced fishermen.
The most catchy places within the inner islands are concentrated near the islands of Alphonse, Bird, Denis, Desroches, Silhouette, Frigate, Nord, Mahe, and Praslin. Also, a fishing expedition can be organized in the waters of sparsely populated islands such as Providence, Farquhar, and Cosmoledo. Getting a unique experience is a great reason to visit the Seychelles for fishermen.
13. Hiking in the National Park on Mahe Island
An undeniable reason to visit Seychelles for real nature lovers is the Seychelles Morne National Park. It is located on a hill at an altitude of about 900 meters above sea level. Local residents treat the rare inhabitants of the national park with special care; they protect flora and fauna of their tropical forests. In addition, there are tea plantations and the only tea factory in the country on the territory of the park, where excursions for tourists are regularly held.
A fantastic journey gives visitors a great chance to get acquainted with the local fauna and flora of the island. Numerous trails criss-cross the park, with marked trails and maps available, and exploring one of them is the best way to experience Seychelles Morne National Park.
14. Unusual shopping
Shopping in Seychelles is different from European or any other. There are no large cities and shopping centers on the islands. However, shopping in Seychelles gives you a huge amount of unique and original things that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Market Street in Victoria is the largest and busiest shopping street in Seychelles. You can buy hand-sewn clothes from local artisans, jewelry, spices, local rum and products, and memorabilia from sea coconut there.
Particular attention should be paid to jewelry and jewelry with an African national flavor, which can only be bought in Seychelles. Pearls, coral, natural stones, and shells are used to create them.
In addition, you can buy a painting by a local author at art galleries opened on the islands in order to develop traditional Seychelles culture. So, this undeniable reason to visit Seychelles also attracts tourists from all over the world.
15. Carnival
Finally, the last undeniable reason to visit Seychelles is Carnival. The Victorian International Carnival and the annual Creole Festival is the biggest street party in Seychelles and undoubtedly the most anticipated cultural event of the year. This euphoric event takes place annually in October.
One of the main ideas of the Victoria Carnival is not to entertain crowds of people from around the world but to get to know the authentic culture of Seychelles. Therefore, a huge entertainment venue is turned into during the carnival.
Musicians from all over the world will delight the visitors of this event with a unique atmosphere. In addition, famous chefs who came to the celebration from many countries will demonstrate their culinary skills in cooking national dishes on the open verandas of restaurants and hotels. So, having fun at the carnival is one of the opportunities to get close to the culture of the local population.
More: 10 Most Gorgeous Islands in the World
When is the best time to visit the Seychelles?
The Seychelles is one of those incredible places where you can come at any time of the year and plunge into the eternal summer. Even from November to April, you can swim and lie on the beach during the low season in the Seychelles.
What is the best month to visit the Seychelles?
The best time to visit the Seychelles is from May to October. At this time, the archipelago has ideal conditions for swimming and surfing. Comfortable weather for diving is spring and autumn. April, May, September, and October are the best time to get acquainted with the underwater life of the islands.
Which Seychelles island is the best to visit?
The best island in the Seychelles is Mahe. It is the largest island in the archipelago. This is a pleasant place to walk. So all tourists spend most of their time on the beaches, swimming, sunbathing on secluded and picturesque beaches scattered along the coast. In addition, it offers a huge abundance of outdoor activities. Diving, windsurfing, fishing, water skiing, cruises, yachting, banana boat rides – all this and much more awaits tourists from all over the world on this fabulous island, where they can relax not only with noisy company but secluded and calm.
Now that you’re aware of the reasons to visit the Seychelles, what are you waiting for? Book a trip to the Seychelles today and check out the beaches, the culture, the cuisine, and the breathtaking tropical islands for yourself. You’ll never run out of things to do and places to see, you’ll wish that you never had to leave, and you’ll probably be drawn back to this island paradise before long.
