Seychelles Itinerary for 5 Days from India (Plus a 10-Day Version)

Written and fact-checked by the Yalla Travel editorial team

What is the best 5-day Seychelles itinerary from India?

The best 5-day Seychelles itinerary from India is Mahé for the first night, Praslin for two nights and La Digue for one, then a ferry back to Mahé for your flight home. Moving in one direction through the three main granite islands avoids backtracking and gives you the archipelago's most famous beaches and its unique palm forest in a short trip.

India is one of the closest major countries to the Seychelles, so a five-day break is realistic. Air Seychelles has operated nonstop flights from Mumbai, and other routes connect through Gulf hubs or Addis Ababa; check current schedules from your city. This plan also suits Israelis who add the Seychelles to a longer trip in India, as well as travelers based in India.

The plan at a glance

5-day Seychelles itinerary: day by day

Each day below is built around one main highlight, leaving time for swimming and for the slow island rhythm that makes the Seychelles special.

Day 1: Arrive on Mahé

International flights land at Seychelles International Airport on Mahé, the largest island and home to the small capital, Victoria. Check in on the northwest coast near Beau Vallon, a long, sheltered beach with calm water for much of the year, restaurants and a good sunset. If you land early, stop at Victoria's Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market for fruit, spices and fresh fish.

Day 2: Praslin and Vallée de Mai

Take the morning catamaran ferry from Victoria to Praslin, a crossing of about an hour, or a short domestic flight if the sea is rough or you prefer to fly. After lunch, visit Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage palm forest where the giant coco de mer grows and where you may hear the rare black parrot. End the day at Anse Lazio in the northwest, one of the most photographed beaches in the Indian Ocean.

Day 3: Curieuse and St. Pierre

Join a half- or full-day boat trip from Praslin. Curieuse Island is home to free-roaming Aldabra giant tortoises and a boardwalk through the mangroves, and the tiny granite islet of St. Pierre is a classic snorkeling stop. In the afternoon, relax at Côte d'Or (Anse Volbert), Praslin's main beach.

Day 4: La Digue by bicycle

The inter-island ferry from Praslin to La Digue takes only a few minutes of open sea. La Digue has very few cars, so rent a bicycle at the jetty. Ride to L'Union Estate, an old coconut plantation with giant tortoises, and walk through to Anse Source d'Argent, famous for its pink granite boulders and shallow turquoise water. The estate charges an entry fee, and the beach is best around low to mid tide.

Day 5: La Digue to Mahé

Cycle across the island to see the wild east coast at Grand Anse and Petite Anse, but be careful: strong currents make swimming there dangerous for much of the year. Take a ferry back to Mahé, either direct or via Praslin, and go straight to the airport. Choose an afternoon or evening flight, and check that ferry times leave you a comfortable buffer.

How do you extend it to a 10-day Seychelles itinerary?

For a 10-day Seychelles itinerary, keep the same order but spend three nights on each island, with a final night on Mahé before your flight.

• Days 1–3, Mahé: a boat trip in Sainte Anne Marine National Park, a hike in Morne Seychellois National Park (the Morne Blanc and Anse Major trails are popular), and the southern beaches such as Anse Intendance and Anse Takamaka.
• Days 4–6, Praslin: Vallée de Mai, Anse Lazio, Curieuse and St. Pierre, and a slow day at Côte d'Or or Anse Georgette (access is through a resort, so ask ahead).
• Days 7–9, La Digue: Anse Source d'Argent, the jungle and coastal walk to Anse Cocos, and a snorkeling trip to nearby islets such as Coco Island.
• Day 10, Mahé: a final night close to the airport, a visit to Victoria and the botanical garden, then departure.

If you want more variety, replace one Mahé night with a stay on a smaller island such as Silhouette or Denis, both reached by boat or small plane and better suited to bigger budgets.

When is the best time to visit the Seychelles?

The best time to visit the Seychelles is during the calm transition months of April–May and October–November, when winds are light, the sea is clear and snorkeling is at its best.

The islands are warm all year, so the choice is mostly about wind, rain and sea conditions rather than temperature. Indian school holidays and Diwali can push prices up, and Israeli holiday periods such as Sukkot and Passover fall close to the calm transition months.

How do flights, ferries and entry rules work?

Flights from India go to Mahé, and the main islands are linked by catamaran ferries and short domestic flights.

• Flights: Air Seychelles has offered nonstop service from Mumbai; otherwise expect one connection through the Gulf or Africa. Check current schedules.
• Ferries: catamarans run between Victoria (Mahé), Praslin and La Digue several times a day, weather permitting. Book ahead in high season and check luggage limits, which are stricter than on flights.
• Domestic flights: Air Seychelles flies between Mahé and Praslin; the flight is short and avoids rough seas.
• Entry: the Seychelles is visa-free for visitors of all nationalities, including holders of Indian and Israeli passports, but you need an approved online Travel Authorization before departure, plus a return ticket, accommodation details and sufficient funds. Use only the official government website. Israelis should also check the National Security Council (NSC) and Foreign Ministry advisories for the Seychelles and any transit country.

What practical tips should you know before you go?

The most useful tips concern money, getting around, beach safety and food.

• Money: the currency is the Seychelles rupee. Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants, but carry some cash for taxis, small shops and beach kiosks.
• Getting around: on Mahé and Praslin, rent a car (traffic drives on the left, as in India) or use buses and taxis. On La Digue, bicycles are the norm.
• Beach safety: currents can be strong, and beaches change with the wind season. Ask locally before swimming on exposed beaches, and wear water shoes on rocky sections.
• Budget: the Seychelles is expensive. Self-catering guesthouses and Creole takeaway restaurants keep costs down compared with resorts.
• Food: Creole cuisine features fish, octopus curry and coconut. Vegetarian travelers should ask about ingredients, as many dishes are fish-based. For kosher food or Shabbat arrangements, check with the local Jewish community or Chabad house in the region before you travel.
• Nature rules: do not take shells, coral or coco de mer nuts; exporting coco de mer requires official permits.

Common mistakes on a short Seychelles trip

The most common mistake is trying to see the islands as day trips from a single hotel on Mahé, which wastes hours on ferries.

• Booking the last ferry on departure day. Sea conditions can delay or cancel crossings; leave several hours before your flight.
• Swimming at Grand Anse on La Digue. It is beautiful, but currents make it dangerous.
• Ignoring the tide at Anse Source d'Argent. At high tide the beach shrinks; at very low tide it is too shallow to swim.
• Overpacking. Ferry luggage limits and bicycles on La Digue make a smaller bag far more practical.
• Skipping travel insurance. Medical evacuation from small islands is expensive.