Seychelles is genuinely friendly to children. Flat water, short ferry rides, reasonable resort food, and the world’s biggest tortoises sitting calmly in a clearing for them to walk up to. Here’s the week we’d plan around a 6–12 year old.
Days 1–3. Mahé base
Stay near Beau Vallon. The safest swimming beach on Mahé, with sand that shelves so gradually you can wade out for hundreds of metres without it ever going past adult-waist. Eden Plaza has a small playground. Plan one morning at Le Jardin du Roi spice garden (kids love the smell-walk: cinnamon bark, nutmeg, vanilla) followed by lunch on the terrace. Another morning at Constance Ephelia for the family-day pass. They have a tide pool and kids’ club.
Days 4–6. Praslin
Cat Cocos catamaran to Praslin. Fast but choppy in trade-wind season, take seasickness tablets for younger kids. Stay at Constance Lemuria or Acajou. Half a day at Vallée de Mai. Easy paths, the world’s biggest seed, and the Seychelles black parrot if they’re paying attention. Day-trip to Curieuse is the must-do. The giant tortoises wander loose and the older ones don’t mind a small hand on their shell. The barbecue lunch on the beach makes the day.
Day 7. La Digue micro-trip
Half-day ferry trip to La Digue. Rent bikes (and kid bikes if available) at the jetty. Cycle to Anse Source d’Argent through L’Union Estate. Flat road, plantation animals to look at along the way, and the lagoons at the beach are knee-deep for kids to wade and snorkel in.
Practical notes for parents
- Reef-safe sunscreen. Strong sun all year.
- Most resorts have kids’ clubs but they’re worth checking before booking. Constance and Hilton both run good ones.
- The pharmacies in Victoria carry standard children’s medications; bring anything specific.
- Public buses are cheap and easy with kids (SCR 7 a ride) but slow. Taxis make sense for longer trips.