Three islands across seven days, beaches on every coast, two reserves, two boat days, one resort dinner, one Creole takeaway. The trip we’d plan for someone arriving for the first time and not coming back next year.
Day 1. Land on Mahé, get oriented
Fly in late afternoon, taxi north to a Beau Vallon area hotel. Drop bags, walk down to the beach, watch the sun set behind Silhouette Island. Eat at La Plage or Boat House. If it’s Wednesday, you’ve landed perfectly. The Beau Vallon fish market is the best food evening on the island.
Day 2. Mahé north loop
Morning swim at Beau Vallon. Mid-morning, drive to the trailhead at the end of the Bel Ombre road and walk to Anse Major. An hour each way over north-Mahé granite, finishing at a hidden cove. Back for lunch. Afternoon at the Bel Air Cemetery and central Victoria. Fish market, Hindu temple, botanical gardens. Sunset at Mission Lodge for the cross-island view.
Day 3. Mahé south coast
Drive south after breakfast, stopping at the Le Jardin du Roi spice garden for a slow morning walk and Creole lunch on the terrace. Spend the afternoon at Anse Takamaka or Anse Intendance, depending on how strong you swim. Dinner at Chez Plume or 5 Spices.
Day 4. Ferry to Praslin
Cat Cocos catamaran from Mahé to Praslin in the morning (~1 hour). Rent a car at the harbour. Drive to Anse Lazio. Most photographed beach in the country, and the one most people remember. Lunch at Bonbon Plume. Afternoon at a Côte d’Or hotel; book a table at Capricorn or PK’s for sunset.
Day 5. Praslin’s protected places
Half-day at Vallée de Mai in the cool of the morning. The only UNESCO-listed forest of its kind, and home to the coco de mer palm. After lunch, an afternoon boat to Curieuse Island for the tortoise walk and a snorkel at St-Pierre.
Day 6. Day-trip to La Digue
Short ferry from Praslin to La Digue (~15 minutes). Rent a bicycle at the jetty. Spend the day cycling between Anse Source d’Argent (the famous granite-boulder beach) and Anse Cocos. Lunch at Tarosa or Chez Jules. Last ferry back to Praslin late afternoon.
Day 7. Slow morning, fly home
One last swim at Anse Volbert or Anse Lazio, an unhurried lunch, then the catamaran back to Mahé to connect with your evening international flight. If your departure is late, do an early afternoon walk on Praslin’s east coast. Anse Boudin and Anse Possession are quiet and beautiful.
If you can stretch to 10 days
Add a second La Digue night so you don’t have to do it on a day-trip. The island slows down after the day boats leave. Or add a private-charter day to Cousin or Aride for the seabirds.