4 Days in Seychelles: First-Timer Itinerary

Four days covers Mahe and Praslin properly, an overnight on each, but La Digue stays out of reach; that needs at least a 5-day trip. Shorter or longer? Drop to the 3-day Praslin-day-trip version, or step up to 5 through 7 days to add La Digue.

Book these before you go

Day Island Ferry/travel Rough daily cost
Day 1 Mahe Airport transfer only SCR 700-1,600 (EUR 45-100)
Day 2 Mahe None, boat tour optional SCR 900-2,200 (EUR 55-135)
Day 3 Praslin Cat Cocos, ~1h, ~EUR 58 one way SCR 1,200-2,400 (EUR 75-150)
Day 4 Praslin then Mahe Cat Cocos return, ~1h, ~EUR 58 SCR 1,400-2,800 (EUR 85-175)

Day 1: Arrival, Victoria and Beau Vallon

  • Land at Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on Mahe, the country’s only international gateway, about 10km/10 minutes south of Victoria. A fixed-fare taxi into town runs roughly SCR 300 (EUR 19-21) for up to four passengers, carry SCR cash since most drivers won’t take a card
  • Check in, then walk the compact capital: the 1903 Clock Tower, a scaled-down replica of the one on London’s Vauxhall Bridge, and the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market five minutes away, liveliest on weekends, both free
  • Afternoon and evening at Beau Vallon, Mahe’s main beach strip, for a swim and sunset. Keep your bag in sight, Beau Vallon is one of the spots flagged for opportunistic beach theft, precisely because it’s the busiest stretch of sand on the island
  • Creole dinner in Victoria or right on Beau Vallon, fish curry and grilled reef fish are the dishes to order

Day 2: Morne Seychellois and the marine park

  • Morning hike in Morne Seychellois National Park, the island’s largest protected area at over 3,000 hectares. The Copolia trail (SCR 100) is the shortest worthwhile option, Trois Freres (SCR 150) climbs higher for better views; current trail status is posted by SPGA
  • Afternoon boat trip to Ste Anne Marine National Park (SCR 200 entry, card-only on-site, cash isn’t accepted at the gate) for snorkeling and a look at Moyenne Island’s free-roaming giant tortoises; a full-day guided version with lunch runs roughly EUR 100-170
  • Prefer to skip the boat cost? The National Botanical Garden in Victoria (roughly SCR 250) covers giant tortoises and coco de mer specimens on dry land instead
  • Evening Creole dinner back in Victoria, or an early night on Beau Vallon before tomorrow’s ferry crossing

Day 3: Ferry to Praslin and Vallee de Mai

  • Cat Cocos ferry to Praslin (about 1 hour, roughly EUR 58 one-way economy including the EUR 2 port fee), check in for an overnight stay this time rather than a same-day return
  • Afternoon at Vallee de Mai (SCR 450 gate, 10% off if booked online in advance through the Seychelles Islands Foundation, under-12 free), the UNESCO-listed forest where the coco de mer palm grows wild and the Seychelles black parrot nests
  • Evening at Cote d’Or beach, Praslin’s own busy strip, for dinner and a swim

Day 4: Praslin’s beaches and the return to Mahe

  • Morning at Anse Lazio (free entry, roughly SCR 100 parking for the day), consistently rated Seychelles’ best beach for swimming, arrive before 10am since the small lot fills fast
  • Afternoon boat trip to Curieuse Marine National Park (SCR 300, boat-access only) to see the hundreds of Aldabra giant tortoises introduced here since 1978, or, if you booked authorisation 3-5 days ahead through your hotel, the resort-gated Anse Georgette instead
  • Evening Cat Cocos ferry back to Mahe (or an early sailing the next morning if your flight allows), then fly out from SEZ. Four days is Mahe and Praslin done properly, La Digue needs at least a 5-day trip, don’t try to squeeze it in

Should I skip Mahe and go straight to Praslin?

Not on a first trip. Mahe is the only international gateway, so you’ll pass through regardless, and skipping its hike and marine park to save a day rarely saves real money since Praslin’s hotels and food both run pricier than Mahe’s. Spend the two Mahe days properly rather than treating them as a layover.

Is Praslin more expensive than Mahe?

Generally yes, a smaller island with less accommodation competition. Expect self-catering and guesthouse rates to run somewhat above Mahe’s equivalent, though Praslin’s takeaway Creole food stays close to Mahe’s SCR 40-60 range if you skip the resort restaurants.

Book the Cat Cocos legs both directions the same week you book flights, July-August sailings fill fast, and treat La Digue as next trip’s opening chapter rather than a rushed half-day add-on here.