7-Day Seychelles Itinerary: Beaches, Islands & Hidden Coves

Seychelles spans 115 islands across the western Indian Ocean, and seven days is the realistic minimum to cover its three flagship islands — Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue — plus one day reserved for the lesser-known coves most travelers miss. This itinerary gives you a workable day-by-day plan, transport logistics, a budget reference, and a clear answer on how to get from island to island without wasting half the trip on ferries.

The biggest decision before booking flights is transport. Inter-island ferries cover the standard Mahé–Praslin–La Digue triangle, but they run on fixed timetables and skip every uninhabited island in between. A yacht charter in Seychelles removes the timetable, opens access to Sister Islands, Coco Island, and Aride, and turns transit into part of the experience. Both options are compared below, followed by the full day-by-day plan.

How to Get Around – Yacht Charter vs Inter-Island Ferry

Two practical transport models cover this itinerary. The right choice depends on group size, budget, and how many islands beyond the standard three you want to reach.

Inter-Island Ferries – Fixed Routes and Schedules

Cat Cocos runs the Mahé–Praslin route in roughly 60 minutes, and the Inter Island Ferry handles the 15-minute Praslin–La Digue hop. Both services depart 3–6 times daily, depending on the season. The ferry network is reliable for the standard three-island loop, but it cannot reach Curieuse, St. Pierre, Sister Islands, or Aride directly — you’ll need a separate boat excursion for any of those.

Yacht Charter – Flexibility and Hidden Cove Access

A skippered or crewed charter compresses transit time, eliminates ferry queues, and unlocks anchorages outside the ferry map. Bareboat options start around €450/day for groups with a sailing license; crewed catamarans range from €1,500 to €4,000/day depending on size and season. For couples or families spreading the cost across seven days, a charter often beats four separate hotel stays plus several day-trip boat tickets.

Day 1. Arrival in Mahé and South Coast Beaches

You’ll land at Seychelles International (SEZ) on the east coast. Pick up a rental car or a pre-booked transfer and head 30 minutes south to your first beach — Anse Intendance for surf and dramatic granite, or Anse Takamaka for calmer swimming. Spend the rest of the afternoon decompressing and have dinner at a South Coast Creole restaurant. Save Beau Vallon for tomorrow.

Day 2. Victoria, Morne Seychellois, and Beau Vallon Sunset

Start with breakfast in Victoria, the smallest capital in Africa. The Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market and the Hindu Temple can be covered on foot in under an hour. Drive into Morne Seychellois National Park for a half-day hike — Copolia Trail (about 1.5 hours round trip) is the manageable option, Morne Blanc is the harder one. Finish the day at Beau Vallon for sunset over the Indian Ocean.

Day 3. Praslin — Vallée de Mai and Anse Lazio

Take the early Cat Cocos ferry from Mahé to Praslin (around 1 hour). Drop bags at your accommodation and head to Vallée de Mai, the UNESCO-listed palm forest where the Coco de Mer grows — budget 2 hours. After lunch, drive 15 minutes to Anse Lazio, regularly ranked among the world’s top beaches. Its western orientation makes it the best spot on Praslin for the golden hour, so stay until sunset.

Day 4. Curieuse Island Tortoises and St. Pierre Snorkeling

Book a half-day boat tour from Côte d’Or (Anse Volbert) to Curieuse Island and St. Pierre Islet. Curieuse hosts a free-roaming Aldabra giant tortoise population and a mangrove boardwalk. Most tours include a beach BBQ lunch on Anse St. José. The afternoon stop at St. Pierre — a small granite outcrop ringed by healthy coral and reef fish — is the best snorkel site in the inner islands. Back to Praslin by 4 pm.

Day 5. La Digue — Anse Source d’Argent by Bike

Take the 15-minute Inter Island Ferry from Praslin to La Digue. Rent a bike at the jetty (around €10/day) — there are almost no cars on the island. Ride to L’Union Estate and pay the entry to access Anse Source d’Argent, the granite-boulder beach you’ve seen on every Seychelles cover photo. In the afternoon, ride south to Grand Anse and Petite Anse, or hike the trail to Anse Cocos for a quieter alternative.

Day 6. Hidden Coves Day — Sister Islands and Coco Island

This is the day a yacht charter pays off. Sister Islands (Grande Sœur and Petite Sœur) and Coco Island lie east of La Digue and are unreachable by scheduled ferry. Charter excursions and private yachts cover all three in a single loop, with snorkeling stops over coral gardens that see a fraction of St. Pierre’s foot traffic. If you skipped the charter, book a full-day boat excursion from the La Digue jetty.

Day 7. Return to Mahé and Departure Logistics

Take the morning ferry sequence — La Digue to Praslin (15 min), Praslin to Mahé (1 hour). Plan a 3-hour buffer before your flight; total transit including transfers runs 2.5–3 hours. If your flight is late evening, squeeze in one final Mahé beach: Port Launay for calm water, or Anse Royale on the east coast for proximity to the airport.

7-Day Seychelles Trip Cost — Budget Breakdown

Per-person estimates, excluding international flights:

Mid-range (3-star hotels, ferries, mixed dining): €2,200–2,800
Premium (4-star, private transfers, restaurant dinners): €3,500–5,000
Yacht-based (crewed catamaran, 6–8 guests): €4,500–8,000+

Yacht costs scale down sharply per person as group size grows; a couple-only charter is the most expensive configuration relative to capacity.

FAQ: Planning a 7-Day Seychelles Itinerary

Quick answers to the most common planning questions before you book.

Is 7 days enough for Seychelles?

Seven days covers the three main islands (Mahé, Praslin, La Digue) plus one day for outer coves or Curieuse. It’s the minimum for a complete trip without rushing. For outer islands like Aldabra or Alphonse, you’d need 10+ days and a dedicated charter or domestic flight.

Should you go to Seychelles by ferry or by yacht?

Ferries are cheaper and reliable for the Mahé–Praslin–La Digue triangle. A yacht charter wins if you want to reach Sister Islands, Aride, or Coco Island, prefer flexible timing, or are traveling as a group of 4–8 where per-person cost becomes competitive with hotels plus day trips.

What’s the best month for this itinerary?

April–May and October–November are the calmest, driest, and best for inter-island sailing. June–September brings southeast trade winds with rougher transfers, and December–March is wetter but warmer. Book early for April, May, October, and the Christmas window.

Final Notes

Seven days in Seychelles is enough to see the headline beaches, the UNESCO palm forest, the giant tortoises, and at least one genuinely hidden cove — provided transport is locked in upfront. Decide ferry vs charter before booking flights; everything else slots into place around that single choice.

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Adam Regan: Deputy Editor

Features and account management. 7 years media experience. Previously covered features for online and print editions.

Email Adam@MarkMeets.com