Anse Source D’Argent, Seychelles – Click the most photographed beach in the world

We can arrive at any time today and take a short transfer to our accommodation.

A short walk from our accommodation will take us to a line of authentic Creole street food and handicraft stalls.

Supper tonight can be a picnic on the beach and is a perfect introduction to the delicious seafood barbecues and coconut-laced curries you will come to enjoy over the next two weeks. Combined with a magnificent Indian Ocean sunset what better way to start your holiday?

(Overnight in Mahé)

Post breakfast we set out to spend this morning exploring Mahe’s capital, Victoria, on foot.

Whilst it may be more of a capital town than a capital city, Victoria is definitely worth a visit. Independence Avenue, the modern shopping area, is as charming and full of life as the old colonial quarter. The heart of the city is around the cathedral and famous clock tower, which is a perfect (smaller) replica of London’s Big Ben.

We include a visit to the market with its abundance of colorful fruit, vegetables, and freshly caught fish before continuing on to the tranquil Botanical Gardens. Here we see the famous coco de mer nut, giant tortoises and a collection of rare exotic plants. Colonies of fruit bats roost overhead and regularly take flight across the giant palms.

We return to our hotel around lunchtime and this afternoon is free to enjoy the facilities and simply relax.

(Overnight in Mahé)

Mahé Island is Seychelles largest island and is the political and economic centre. It has beautiful beaches with powder white sand, graceful palms and clear turquoise waters.

Today we take a trip which takes in all of the island’s highlights. Travelling by bus and on foot we follow the short Glacis Trois Freres Trail, passing through lush rainforest and a tea plantation, ending at the factory where you may take a short guided tour or simply sit with a brew and take in the magnificent Indian Ocean views. We will also visit the Mission, a place of historic importance after the slave trade.

Arriving at Baie Ternay Beach around lunchtime there will be opportunities for swimming and snorkelling before taking a stunning coastal drive right around the southern peninsula, stopping to take photographs and admiring the incredible scenery and vivid island colours.

Return to your accommodation for the night.

(Overnight in Mahé)

Today we set out on a boat ride to the St Anne National Park and explore other islands and their wonderful marine life.

The boat is glass bottomed and sails from Victoria to the St Anne Marine National Park, a cluster of islands off the northeast coast. The calm crystal waters are perfect for snorkeling and sightings of turtles are very common.

We land on one of the protected reserves and say hello to the giant tortoises who reside here. We enjoy a barbecue lunch before taking to the waters once more, swimming as we anchor alongside a beautiful beach.

Return to your accommodation for the night.

(Overnight in Mahé)

This morning we leave Mahé and take the one-hour crossing to Baie Saint Anne, Praslin, the second largest island in the Seychelles archipelago.

Keep a look out for dolphins on the journey as they are regularly spotted in these waters.

Upon arrival, we check into our accommodation. Late morning, we set out to explore the Vallee de Mai.

Praslin is home to one of the Seychelles World Heritage Sites – the Vallee de Mai. It is a primeval rainforest containing the famous coco de mer palms that have the largest and heaviest coconuts in the world. Vanilla orchids, a variety of lizards, frogs and some of Earth’s rarest birds also reside here. The walk follows a designated pathway and is shaded almost throughout as the trees provide an enormous rainforest canopy offering a welcome relief from the hot sun.

Our entrance ticket is valid all day so we can spend as long as we wish here before taking the simple downhill walk back to our hotel. This evening there are several restaurants close by to try out, plus there are also take away options. Whilst seafood and aromatic curries may dominate the menus in this part of the world, there is plenty of choice with pizzerias and Italian restaurants popular too.

(Overnight in Baie Saint Anne, Praslin)

Praslin is an ideal place from which to take a boat trip and explore other islands in this vast archipelago. Departing after breakfast we take a full day boat trip which visits the island of Curieuse and anchors at the snorkelling spot, St Pierre.

Disembarking at Curieuse we are greeted by giant tortoises who amble freely, close to the waterfront. An hours’ walk through the interior takes us across boardwalks above the mangrove swamps. Hundreds of mud crabs scuttle into their holes as we approach. As we get close to the water’s edge listen out for splashing; small sharks and rays are often sighted here. The conditions may be hot and humid but the majority of the walk is flat and in shade.

A delicious barbecue lunch is served back on board before continuing to St Pierre Island, a pristine snorkelling area with colourful fish and the occasional turtle. We arrive back at our hotel around tea time so can freshen up before venturing out later for supper.

(Overnight in Baie Saint Anne, Praslin)

Post breakfast we set out for a walk exploring the endemic fauna, listening for birdlife and take in the stunning panoramic views. We cross to the other side of the island and arrive at our first beach and swim and snorkel before continuing on towards the headland.

The scenery is magnificent as we look out across the ocean and other islands. Anse Lasio is our final destination, arguably the most beautiful beach in Praslin. Here we spend some time enjoying the crystal clear waters and soft white sand. Again we swim and snorkel enjoying the marine life right from the shore.

Head back to the accommodation for the night.

(Overnight in Baie Saint Anne, Praslin)

Today, we depart Praslin and take a short fifteen-minute ferry ride to laidback La Digue. This island is the smallest of the three on our itinerary and is the epitome of idyllic isolation. It has a real traditional charm about it with plantation houses and dusty roads. Arriving here is like stepping back in time.

Upon arrival, check into the accommodation.

Transport is very closely controlled on La Digue and the most popular form of travel is by bicycle. The beaches are simply breathtaking; it is a pure photographers dream.

This afternoon we take to our bikes and cycle along the top of the island. La Digue is geared up for cycling offering smooth paths which run parallel to the beach and virtually no traffic. The water is so clear marine life may even be spotted from your saddle. There is ample time to stop wherever you choose, enjoy the incredible scenery and maybe spot a giant tortoise seeking shade under a tree.

Return to your accommodation for the night.

(Overnight in La Digue)

After breakfast, we will take a walking tour of L’Union Estate, a working coconut plantation.

We will be taken through the whole process from the coconut dropping from the tree to producing coconut milk and oil. The plantation sits in a lovely garden setting and the buildings offer great examples of Creole architecture.

It is also located close to a succession of stunning beaches. The rest of the day is left free to enjoy this island paradise.

Return to your accommodation for the night.

(Overnight in La Digue)

Today we explore three of the most stunning beaches found on the island.

These are off the beaten track and so we will enjoy these shores almost to ourselves. The start of the walk takes us past La Digue Vev Reserve. This is home to the paradise flycatcher, a bird endemic to La Digue which has quite remarkable colouring. The male is a blackbird with a bright blue bill and blue around its eyes; it appears to be wearing bright blue sunglasses!

We then continue towards the beach and after half an hour or so will reach our first beach of the day, Grand Anse. We are greeted by an enormous expanse of white sand, turquoise water and huge boulders jutting from the sea. After a refreshing drink we continue further to the second beach, Petit Anse.

This walk takes a rocky path, shaded in places, providing glimpses through the vegetation of the incredible blue sea and white sand below.

Our third and final beach, Anse Coco, is worth the effort of a further thirty minute walk. This beach not only has the powder sand and crystal waters of the others, it also has a hidden gem – a large secluded rock pool hidden behind a cluster of enormous boulders. It provides the most perfect swimming spot. T

he afternoon is quite flexible with the option to stay at the beaches as long as you wish, relaxing, snorkelling and just taking in this incredible paradise.

Return to your accommodation for the night.

(Overnight in La Digue)

We return to Mahé Island by ferry and proceed to the airport for the flight home.