Lazing on Seychelles beaches is the main pastime and the spread-out archipelago has them in every corner so do as little or as many things to do as you like. The Seychelles is also very well known for its scuba diving thanks to the great visibility, warm waters, accessibility and an abundance of marine life.
The water is king in these parts and the boating unrivalled, with cruises and fishing trips both major pastimes. You may have also heard about the birdlife in the Seychelles and there are whole islands devoted to rare species. In addition, most islands are small enough that visitors can traverse them on foot or by bicycle.
Most people come for the weather and beaches and there are 70 of the latter on Mahé alone. Chief among them is Beau Vallon, which is close to Victoria, the capital city. It has hotels and restaurants, great swimming and there are several other beaches to the north and west. All islands have beaches, with Praslin Island especially well endowed. It is home to the much celebrated Anse Lazio, while the nearby La Digue hosts Anse Source D’Argent, which is noted for its rock formations. Beaches are good for sunbathing year-round.
Water sports rule the Seychelles, thanks to the near perfect beaches, warm, inviting waters and glorious weather. Water-skiing and sailing in particular are popular, and with a sea kayak you can explore the nooks and crannies of various reef islets on your own. Windsurfing is the most popular May through October, when the trade winds are strongest and the skies are drier. All the main beaches have companies renting out equipment.
Seychelles scuba diving is right up there with the best in the world. The water is warm and clear year-round and the rich coral reefs attract all kinds of tropical fish. All main islands offer diving expeditions and your hotel is sure to be able to organize a trip. Beau Vallon has the best facilities for beginners where they offer dive courses at Blue Sea Divers and Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort. Along with diving, nearby Baie Ternay is also a great place to tour by glass-bottomed boat. On La Digue, Azzura Pro-Dive is a good outfit, while snorkelling is available everywhere.
It goes without saying that boating in the Seychelles is a major pastime. After all, the islands are plentiful and spread out, so this is a main form of transportation. Power boats, catamarans, and yachts all ply the waters and can be rented, while taxi boats, like Sagittarius in Praslin, will run you to nearby islands. Sea charters and tours are also hugely popular and the Seychelles is especially well-known for its marlin fishing October through December. Bluewater Charters is a well-known fishing operator in the region.
Bird watching is the most popular land-based activity in Seychelles. There are many rare species where they call entire islands home. The top destination is Cousin Island, a small islet that houses hundreds of thousands of birds lying just west of Praslin. Species here include the Seychelles’ warbler and fody, black parrots, and white-tailed tropicbirds. Other bird-centric destinations are Aride Island, north of Praslin, and Bird Island, northwest of Mahé. The latter is also a famous fishing destination.
All islands are good for walking, too, and in particular Praslin, Mahé and La Digue. Walking tours are offered at each and you can also rent bicycles from most hotels.