Island guide
Seychelles has 115 islands, split into the inner granitic islands (Mahé, Praslin, La Digue and others, with boulder-strewn beaches) and the flat coral outer islands (Desroches, Alphonse and others). Picking an island is really picking whether to add a domestic flight or ferry, and whether to stay on a big island or a private island with the place to yourselves.
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Each ring sits on the average coordinates of the resorts we list. Bigger ring = more resorts; colour is the island’s most common way to arrive. Open a ring and use the link to jump to its section below.
Mahé
The main island and home of the international airport, the easiest landing
Mahé lists 5 resorts: Four Seasons Seychelles, Kempinski, Constance Ephelia, Hilton Northolme and Anantara Maia. It is the easiest place to land and to pair with other islands. Resorts mostly default to bed and breakfast or half board, and Victoria and small beach restaurants make eating out easy.
Access The international airport is on Mahé; our estimate is about 25–30 minutes by car from the airport to the resorts.
Praslin
The second-largest island, known for coastline and scenery
Praslin lists 2 resorts: Raffles Seychelles and Constance Lémuria. It is quieter and less developed than Mahé, good for a calm stay without going to a private island, and the stepping-stone to La Digue.
Access About 15 minutes by plane from Mahé, or by ferry; our estimate is about 60–75 minutes from the airport to the resort including transfers.
La Digue
A small island of bikes and sea, at a slow pace
La Digue lists 2 resorts: Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie and La Digue Island Lodge, both small and close to local life. Bikes are the way to get around, suiting travellers who like a slow pace and accept simpler facilities.
Access Mahé to Praslin, then a ferry across; our estimate is about 150 minutes in total (ferry time varies by source, about 45 minutes).
La Digue Island LodgeLe Domaine de L'Orangeraie Resort & Spa
Private Islands
One island, one hotel, the strongest sense of privacy
Private Islands lists 3 resorts: North Island, Six Senses Zil Pasyon and Denis Private Island. With nowhere else to eat, they are mostly full board or all-inclusive at high prices, made for honeymoons and proposals where seclusion is the point.
Access Depends on the island; from Mahé our estimates range about 20–90 minutes (North Island about 20, Denis about 30, Zil Pasyon about 90).
Denis Private IslandNorth Island SeychellesSix Senses Zil Pasyon
Outer Islands
Coral islands far from the main island, focused on diving and fishing
The Outer Islands list 3 resorts: Four Seasons Desroches, Alphonse Island Lodge and Waldorf Astoria Platte Island. These are mostly coral islands with clear water, built around diving, fly-fishing and exploring, and again mostly full board or with most meals included.
Access Usually a small plane from Mahé; our estimates are about 20–60 minutes.
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