Island Hopping in the Seychelles

Yes, but it is a long day, and that is the single most common planning mistake here. The Cat Cocos ferry takes about 1 h 15 min from Mahé to Praslin and a further 15 min on to La Digue, so a day trip from Mahé runs ten to eleven hours door to door. If the islands matter to you, it is usually better to sleep two or three nights on Praslin or La Digue than to commute.

No. The reserve on Praslin is open daily from 08:30 to 16:30, entry costs SCR 450, and free guided walks start at 09:00 and 14:00. A booked tour buys you transport and a guide for the whole day, which is worth it without a car on Praslin and not worth much with one.

The shoulder months of April to May and October to November sit between the two trade winds and give the calmest, clearest water. From May to September the southeast wind brings breezier, drier weather that suits walking and sailing, but it also pushes seaweed onto some beaches and cancels the occasional boat day. December to March is hotter and wetter with lighter winds.

Possibly, and no operator can promise it. Whale sharks pass the islands broadly between August and November. Hawksbill turtles nest roughly from June to September and green turtles from October to January. These are wild animals on their own schedule – treat any listing that guarantees a sighting with suspicion rather than excitement.

On Mahé it makes the island much easier, and on Praslin it saves you a lot on organised day tours. On La Digue there are essentially no cars for visitors at all – you get around by bicycle, and that is part of why people go. Note that the Seychelles drive on the left and the mountain roads on Mahé are narrow and steep.

More than most island destinations. Across the 131 tours listed here the cheapest starts at €46.53 and the median is €195 per person. Shared island day trips sit near the lower end, private boats and guided days near the top. We would rather say that plainly than let the headline price set an expectation the checkout will break.