After three trips, you start to find the Seychelles that doesn’t appear in tour brochures. These are the places we send people on their second visit.
1. Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve (Praslin)
The other coco de mer forest, on Praslin’s southern side. Larger than Vallée de Mai, almost empty on most days, and arguably more pristine. A 1-hour guided walk through proper primary forest.
2. Cap Ternay Marine Reserve (Mahé)
Marine reserve on Mahé’s north-west, accessible by snorkel boat from Port Launay. Coral, fish, sometimes turtles. Much quieter than Sainte Anne Marine Park.
3. Bel Air Cemetery (Mahé)
Seychelles’ oldest cemetery. 200+ years of colonial history climbing up the hill behind Victoria. 30-minute walk, no entrance fee, very few visitors.
4. Conception Island (Mahé offshore)
Uninhabited island visible from west Mahé. Half-day boat from Port Launay. Circumnavigate, snorkel, picnic. Almost nobody goes.
5. Anse Marie-Louise (Mahé south)
Final beach on Mahé’s south-east tip, past Anse Forbans. Small, granite-walled, almost always empty. The drive down is part of the experience.
6. Anse Boileau Friday-evening fish grills (Mahé)
Roadside fish-grill stalls that appear every Friday evening on the road through Anse Boileau. Locals only, no Trip Advisor presence, the catch of the day on banana leaves.
7. The Glacis viewpoint (Mahé)
North-tip Mahé. Park at the small lookout where the road turns inland. Sunset over Silhouette and North Island, almost always empty. The locals know.
8. Domaine de Val des Près (Mahé)
Restored 19th-century plantation in the centre of the island. Batik studio, woodworking shed, leather workshop, restaurant. Quiet on weekday afternoons.
9. La Plaine St-André (Takamaka rum distillery, Mahé)
Mahé’s only rum distillery in a colonial-era plantation house. Self-guided tour, tasting, restaurant. The dark rum is the one.
10. Anse Possession (Praslin)
North-east Praslin, between Anse Volbert and Anse Boudin. Long quiet beach, no resorts directly on it, sometimes used by locals for weekend swimming.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the most overrated Seychelles attraction?
Sainte Anne Marine Park as a day-trip can underdeliver. Too many boats, average snorkelling. Cap Ternay is a better marine-reserve experience.
Where do Seychellois actually swim?
Beau Vallon (locals love it too), Anse Royale, Anse à la Mouche, Port Launay, and the smaller bays on the south-east coast (Anse Forbans, Anse Marie-Louise). Anse Lazio is mostly visitors.