Sports and leisure activities Seychelles

Budget & Tips

In the Seychelles, the big show is underwater. There are plenty of diving centers, but you can also enjoy snorkeling with just a mask, snorkel and a pair of fins for not even a rupee. Diving cruises" are a very good idea. With attractive introductory prices, you also save on transport and accommodation. What a bargain! Glass-bottom boats also take tourists who don't want to get wet on Mahé on a discovery tour of the Sainte-Anne marine park. On La Digue, glass-bottom kayaks are also available at Anse Source d'Argent.

If the archipelago is blue, it's also very green as soon as you enter the interior of the islands. There are numerous hiking trails on all the islands. In Praslin, it's the famous Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage site, that attracts tourists curious to discover the famous cocofesses. The free hikes from Bel Ombre to Anse Major on Mahé and from Anse Lazio to Anse Georgette on Praslin are not to be missed.

And as after the effort comes the comfort, spas abound in the archipelago's high-end establishments. Each with a more enchanting setting than the next, in exotic wooden pavilions with palm roofs and breathtaking views. If you're self-catering and are put off by the prices of the big hotels, there are a few addresses offering treatments in Beau Vallon (Mahé).

What's very local

A jog on the beaches of Beau Vallon in Mahé and Côte d'Or in Praslin is a must, a game of soccer or a few passes of beach volleyball during the traditional Sunday picnics with the family on all the beaches of the archipelago, a few exercises on the self-service machines in front of the beach of Beau Vallon and of course snorkeling sessions and fishing parties with friends are a must in the (sweet) Seychellois life.

Your documents please

If life is rather sweet at Sesel, tourism providers will still ask you to prove your identity: don't forget your passport, as well as your driver's license when you pick up your rental car. Divers, also remember to bring your diving card.

To be booked

In high season, and especially during European school vacations, it's best to book your excursions in advance. You can never be too careful! Especially if you want to splash out on a helicopter flight or some other exclusive activity. But even if you're new to scuba diving, clubs usually only offer a few "baptism" sessions a week. So it's best to book your place two or three weeks before you arrive. It would be a real shame to miss out!

Main events

Diving enthusiasts won't miss the Seychelles Ocean Festival in Mahé, an ode to the local underwater life. Also in Mahé, running enthusiasts can't miss the Seychelles Eco-Friendly Marathon (smaller distances are also on the programme), in the heart of the idyllic setting of the northern Mahé peninsula.

Tourist traps

In a small country like the Seychelles, where a large part of our livelihood comes from tourism, the vast majority of service providers are reputable. Just beware of touts who offer excursions and who are not necessarily part of an official tour operator (mainly on the beaches of Beau Vallon on Mahé and Côte d'Or on Praslin).