Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Seychelles – Mahe – Praslin
100% customisable for you
Your family adventure to the Seychelles begins today as you head to the airport for your 14-hour journey to Mahe, flying overnight via Dubai. After the usual pre-flight ritual – bags checked in and snacks secured, relax in the airport lounge before bundling your little ones into their seats.
Settle in for a night on board, with plenty of films, games and yes, probably a handful of ‘are we there yet?’ moments as you cruise towards the Indian Ocean. With any luck, you’ll all catch some sleep before arriving in Mahe the next day.
When you land in Mahe this morning, you’ll be met at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel on the island’s southwest coast, about a 40-minute drive away.
Your family’s home for the next few nights is located on the beach of Anse Soleil, a peaceful corner of the island far from the crowds, with plenty of space for little ones (and grown-ups) to settle into island life. There’s a pool, there’s the Indian Ocean and there’s plenty of Seychelles sunshine to go around – cue the youngsters making a beeline straight for the water, while parents watch on from the sun loungers – perhaps with a cocktail to celebrate your arrival?
When hunger strikes, our local Concierge will be on hand with plenty of family-friendly restaurant recommendations nearby, perfect for a first taste of Creole cuisine. Then it’s back for an early night, ready to wake up refreshed and raring to go tomorrow.
Rise and shine early this morning – today you’ll head off the beaten track on a guided walk with a local who knows the island like the back of their hand. Swap the beach for lush hillsides in the wild south, where, tucked into the greenery, is the largest cassava plantation in the archipelago.
After a wander through the plantation, you’ll learn all about this staple ingredient and why it plays such a big role in Seychellois cuisine. You’ll also meet the plantation’s owner, who’ll take you behind the scenes, opening the doors to the factory and showing you how cassava goes from root to plate. Then it’s time to roll up your sleeves and unleash your inner chef. Try your hand at peeling cassava and making traditional cassava flour pancakes, a very popular dish in the Seychelles. Who can flip the best one?
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, gather round for a barbecue lunch of local specialties, sampling the flavours you’ve just discovered and chatting more about island life with your guide.
How you spend the next few days is up to you. Want to take it easy? Spend lazy mornings paddling at nearby beaches like Anse Soleil, Beau Vallon, Anse la Mouche and Anse Intendance, all boasting soft sands and turquoise waters, making them perfect for little ones to splash around. Meanwhile, parents can treat themselves to a beachside massage and settle in with a good book, occasionally stepping in as the official sandcastle judges, ranking towers, moats and all the creative masterpieces the little ones build.
Are you a keen hiking family? Hit the trails in Morne Seychellois National Park. The climb is worth every step, with panoramic views and plenty of spots for a well-earned snack. For something extra special, head to La Mission in the morning when the mist lifts – it’s one of the most magical views on the island.
For a dash of culture, take a spin into Victoria, the world’s smallest capital city. Wander through the lively market, with colourful stalls and fragrant spices, meet the locals and pick up some quirky souvenirs. The Botanical Garden is also worth a visit, with shady paths, exotic plants and giant tortoises to spot along the way.
Are your little ones raring to go? Hit the road in a rental car to explore Mahe at your own pace. Take the winding Route de Sans Soucis through the island’s mountainous centre, where your youngsters will be wide-eyed at the views. Stop whenever the mood strikes – chase waterfalls or simply pull over for a panoramic picnic.
We can also help you earn some seriously cool parent points by organising a 4x4 adventure through Mahe’s gems with a local guide who knows all the best off-road routes and secret spots.
After a relaxed few days on Mahe, it’s time to sail across to your next slice of paradise: Praslin. You’ll be collected for your private transfer to the port in Mahe, a short ride of about 20 minutes, before boarding the boat crossing to Praslin. The ferry itself takes just over an hour, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the sea breeze. Who can spot the most dolphins or flying fish along the way?
When you arrive in Praslin, you’ll be privately transferred to the beach of Cote d'Or. Hop out, hand over your bags and herd excitable children straight to your beachfront villa, your home for the next five nights. Sun cream applied, let the little ones loose while parents kick back on the deck chairs, basking in the sunshine and sipping on something cold.
There are plenty of restaurants nearby for supper this evening. The Seychelles is big on flavour, so you may want to ask your server to tone down the spice a notch for the youngsters! Look out for dishes like pwason griye (grilled fish), curry chicken or ladob – a sweet treat that’s guaranteed to fix any dessert cravings.
Today is all about exploring Praslin, the island most famous for its beaches. Start the day with a visit to Vallee de Mai National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the legendary Coco de Mer palms, which produce the world’s largest seeds. Keep your eyes peeled for exotic fruits and bring some binoculars to spot the park’s resident black parrots.
After your forest wanders, head to Anse Lazio, a postcard-perfect beach, considered one of the most beautiful in the world. With soft sands, clear waters and pink granite rocks, there’s plenty to explore both above and below the surface. Dip your toes in the calm shallows, snorkel among colourful reef fish and rays or simply wander along the shore looking for just the right family photo spot. Smile for the camera and then it’s time to treat the little ones to some ice cream.
A day trip to neighbouring La Digue is on the cards today. After a short boat crossing from Praslin, you’ll reach this laid-back island, where calm beaches, swaying palms and charming lanes make it feel like time slows down. The best way to explore? By bike, of course. Map in hand, set off and see where the day takes you.
There’s plenty on the island to keep little ones curious and grown-ups entertained. Cycle past the historic Union Estate, check out the old copra mill, stop by the vanilla plantation to sample its sweet delights, all while meeting giant tortoises along the way.
After all this pedalling, the whole family will have worked up a sweat, so head to the famous Anse Source d'Argent beach, or Grand Anse and Anse Coco for somewhere less crowded. Cool down with a swim in one of the lagoons or simply kick back on the sand and watch your little explorers race along the shoreline, trying to see who can make it from one palm tree to the next first. And the perfect antidote for the tropical heat? Grab a coconut each – likely chopped down from that very shoreline.
By the time afternoon rolls around, catch the boat back to Praslin. After a heavenly out-in-the-sun-all-day snooze, wake up sun kissed and ready for another delicious dinner on the beach.
Buckle in for two days of road-tripping – pick up your rental car and explore every corner of Praslin at your own pace. Whether you’re chasing quiet coves or mountain heights with a view, there’s plenty to discover between beach stops. Roll the windows down, get some local Creole tunes on the radio and let your youngsters call the next stop when they spot a palm-shaded shoreline or a roadside smoothie stand – maybe even set a family mission to find the best tropical juice on the island: mango, papaya, coconut, you name it.
Can’t get enough island hopping? We can also organise a day trip to Curieuse Island, a haven for giant tortoises and mangrove swamps.
And for your last full day, we suggest an early start to make the most of that beach time. By now, the kids will likely have turned into proper water babies, so you can either watch them from the shore or join in and show them how it’s done – underwater headstand competitions encouraged. There are also plenty of water sports on offer if you’re feeling adventurous, from paddleboarding to surfing.
For your final evening, settle in for a sunset on the beach, asking our Concierge for their top restaurant pick to round off your Seychelles family adventure in style.
Sadly, it’s time to say goodbye to the Seychelles today. You’ll be privately transferred to Praslin airport for your 20-minute flight to Mahe, where you can settle into the lounge, grab your last taste of Seychelles cuisine and stock up on a few family-favourite snacks for the journey home.
With an overnight flight of around 14 hours, including a quick stop in Dubai, there’s plenty of time to settle in and start discussing with your young explorers what’s next on their travel bucket list...
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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