7-Night Inner Islands — Mahé to La Digue
Route Overview
The Route
Day 1 — Mahé: Embarkation
Board at Eden Island Marina or Victoria Harbour — the world's smallest capital, surrounded by the extraordinary granite mountains of the Morne Seychellois National Park. The Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market (fresh fish, tropical fruits, spices) and the Natural History Museum provide an introduction to the extraordinary biodiversity of the archipelago. Welcome dinner at Mahé's finest restaurant, Marie Antoinette, in a colonial house above Victoria.
Day 2 — Silhouette Island
Sail northwest to Silhouette — the third-largest Seychelles island, almost entirely covered by national park and home to the luxury Hilton Seychelles Labriz resort. The island has the most pristine rainforest in the inner Seychelles; the trail to the summit of Mont Pot à Eau offers extraordinary views across to Mahé and the outer islands. Snorkelling on the fringing reef at Anse Lascar is exceptional.
Day 3 — Praslin: Anse Lazio
A 25-mile passage northeast to Praslin — the second-largest Seychelles island and home to the extraordinary Vallée de Mai. Anchor at Anse Lazio on the island's northern tip — consistently ranked among the world's most beautiful beaches. Pink granite boulders, takamaka trees overhanging the water, and sand of extraordinary quality.
Day 4 — Vallée de Mai & Coco-de-Mer
A morning visit to the Vallée de Mai — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only place in the world where the coco-de-mer palm (Lodoicea maldivica) grows wild. The coco-de-mer produces the largest seed in the plant kingdom (25kg); the forest also shelters the rare Seychelles black parrot. An otherworldly and profoundly beautiful experience.
Day 5 — Curieuse Island
Sail to Curieuse — a protected island with a giant tortoise breeding station. A ranger-guided walk through the giant tortoise enclosure (hundreds of ancient tortoises roaming freely) and snorkelling on the extraordinary fringing reef. The red earth of Curieuse contrasts dramatically with the turquoise water.
Day 6 — La Digue
Arrive at La Digue — the most romantic and unhurried of the inner islands. No cars (ox carts are the traditional transport, bicycles the modern equivalent). Anse Source d'Argent, with its extraordinary sculptured pink granite boulders and shallow turquoise water, is the most photographed beach scene in the Indian Ocean. Overnight at the charming La Digue Island Lodge.
Day 7 — La Digue: Free Day
A full second day on La Digue — cycle to the remote Grand Anse and Petite Anse (accessible only on foot), snorkel off the rocks at the island's eastern tip, or simply rest on Anse Source d'Argent in a setting of pure, unadulterated natural beauty. Final dinner at the Zerof restaurant.
Day 8 — Return to Mahé: Disembarkation
An early morning passage back to Mahé for disembarkation. Seychelles International Airport serves Dubai, Doha, Nairobi, Paris and other international hubs directly.