Water sports & diving costs

Snorkelling varies by island and bay: many inner-island bays are granite rocks and small fish, with the better coral and fish life in marine parks and on the outer islands; in the southeast-trade season (about May–October) southeast-facing coasts get swell and seaweed, so leeward bays are steadier. Serious snorkelling usually means a boat trip.

Kayaks, paddleboards (SUP) and windsurfers are lent free at most resort water-sports centres; in the windier months (June–September) the range is restricted.

Yoga and other group classes are mostly free (private coaching extra); the gym and main pool are at no extra charge.

Many resorts run a weekly Creole barbecue or buffet with sega music and dance — the easiest free taste of local culture; days and content follow each resort’s programme.

Trips to marine parks such as Sainte Anne, outer reefs and islet surrounds usually offer better coral and fish than the shore; book through the resort water-sports centre or local dive shops, with departure times set by weather and tide.

Dive sites feature granite formations, dramatic topography and, on the outer islands, walls and drop-offs; visibility and wind shift with the season, with the April–May and October–November transition months usually best. Gear rental is normally extra.

Packages of 3–10 dives are common; if you plan to dive a lot, buy one package. Validity and whether gear is included depend on the shop’s rules.

Uncertified guests can start with a discover-scuba session (usually in a resort bay); certification courses take longer, so on a short trip finish the theory at home.

A common route leaves from Praslin and links La Digue, Curieuse, Saint Pierre and other islets, with snorkelling and beach time and sometimes lunch. From Mahé you can also join a full- or half-day trip.

Curieuse island has free-roaming Aldabra giant tortoises and a mangrove boardwalk and is a common island-hopping stop; reserve rules apply — do not touch, feed or ride the tortoises — and fees and opening follow the official or operator information.

A UNESCO World Heritage site on Praslin known for its coco de mer palms, with clear trails; go in the morning and avoid the muggy afternoon.

The island runs on bicycles and walking, and riding to Anse Source d’Argent among its granite boulders is the signature outing; in the trade-wind season the waves are big, so check flags and lifeguard advice and do not treat it as a pure swimming beach.

An evening cruise for the sunset or a chartered fishing trip (catch-and-release rules vary by operator) is a very common paid add-on.

Seychelles has several endemic birds, and reserve islands such as Aride and Cousin can be visited by booking, often as a stop on an island trip; visitor numbers and times are limited, so book ahead.

Parasailing, jet skis, banana boats and the like; some resorts and protected waters do not allow them, and the widest choice is at beach resorts on Mahé.

A common paid add-on for proposals and honeymoons; book ahead by email through the resort concierge and confirm what is included.