The ferry from Praslin to La Digue takes just fifteen minutes, but that short crossing separates two worlds — one wrapped in ancient palm forest, the other defined by bicycle spokes and granite boulders that seem to float on turquoise water. For most visitors, these two islands are the heart of any Seychelles trip, and hopping between them is simpler than you’d expect from a remote Indian Ocean archipelago.
A week-long Seychelles island-hopping trip typically runs €1,500–3,000 per person including accommodation, inter-island travel, and activities.
Three islands — Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue — make the classic Seychelles circuit, and you can cover them comfortably in 7–10 days. Praslin and La Digue are the standouts, but don’t skip Mahé entirely; it’s your arrival hub and offers the best food scene and hiking. The catch? Ferries book out in peak season, and La Digue has no ATM, so planning ahead matters more than you’d think.
First-time visitors
Families with older kids
Beach-and-nature mix travellers
Here’s how the three islands compare at a glance before we dive into each one.
| Island | Best For | Signature Experience | Travel Time | Daily Budget (per person) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahé | Arrival, hiking, dining | Morne Seychellois hike + Victoria Market | Gateway island | $80–160 |
| Praslin | UNESCO palm forest, quiet beaches | Vallée de Mai + Anse Lazio | 1 hr from Mahé (ferry) | $80–110 |
| La Digue | Cycling, iconic boulder beaches | Anse Source d’Argent by bike | 15 min from Praslin (ferry) | $60–90 |
Mahé: The Gateway Island That Deserves More Than a Layover
Most itineraries give Mahé two days, and that’s enough to sample its contrasts without feeling rushed. Start at the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market in Victoria — the capital’s clock tower and market stalls give you a proper sense of local life before you head for the beaches. Beau Vallon is the most convenient swim spot, with calm water and a handful of casual restaurants along the shore. If you’d rather hike, the Morne Seychellois National Park has trails that climb through dense forest to panoramic viewpoints; the Morne Blanc Trail is the most popular and takes roughly two hours round-trip.
For a classic Seychelles beach without the crowds, Anse Intendance on the south coast delivers big waves and a wilder feel — it’s less protected than Beau Vallon, so keep an eye on currents if you’re swimming with kids. Car rental runs around €40–50 per day on Mahé, and booking ahead during high season is essential. If you’d rather not drive, guided tours cover the island’s highlights in a day, and taxis exist but add up quickly.
Praslin: Ancient Palms and Two of the Best Beaches in Seychelles
The Vallée de Mai National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the only place on Earth where you’ll find the coco de mer palm growing wild — the world’s largest seed, shaped like a double coconut and wrapped in local legend. Entry costs €20, and the walking trails take you through a prehistoric-feeling palm forest where the Seychelles black parrot still nests. Plan for about two hours on the main trail; it’s easy walking with boardwalks and gentle slopes, suitable for kids who can manage a short hike.
Anse Lazio is the beach everyone photographs, and it lives up to the hype — white sand, granite boulders at both ends, and calm, clear water for snorkeling. It’s on the northwest coast, about a 20-minute drive from Baie Sainte Anne, which is the best base on the island for its ferry access, shops, and restaurants. Anse Georgette is the quieter alternative, but access can be restricted — check with your accommodation or the resort that manages it. For a different perspective, consider a boat trip to Curieuse Island to see giant tortoises or St. Pierre Island for snorkeling; both are popular day trips from Praslin and cost $80–150 for a tour.
If you’re capturing memories, the landscape here begs for a wide-angle lens or a compact drone — the Vallée de Mai canopy and the curve of Anse Lazio are hard to frame from ground level alone. A lightweight option like the DJI Mini 4K fits in a daypack and won’t weigh you down between ferries.
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Anse Lazio fills up by mid-morning on weekends and during peak season (April–May and October–November). Arrive before 9 a.m. to claim a shady spot near the rocks at the southern end — the snorkeling there is better, and you’ll avoid the worst of the sun until lunchtime.
La Digue: Bicycles, Boulders, and the Beach That Launched a Thousand Postcards
The main event is Anse Source d’Argent, the boulder-studded beach that defines Seychelles in almost every travel photo. It sits inside L’Union Estate, which charges €10 entry and also houses a vanilla plantation, coconut-oil press, and a pen of giant tortoises. The beach itself is a series of coves separated by enormous granite formations — you can spend half a day wading between them, and the water is shallow enough for younger kids to paddle safely.
Beyond the famous beach, Grand Anse and Petite Anse offer stronger surf and fewer people, though currents can be dangerous for swimming. A trail from Grand Anse leads over the headland to Anse Cocos, a quieter cove that rewards the 20-minute walk with excellent snorkeling on calm days. If you have only two days on La Digue, spend the first on the east side (Anse Source d’Argent and L’Union Estate) and the second cycling the south coast beaches.
Here’s a practical breakdown of how a full day on La Digue typically flows:
Bikes are available from multiple vendors steps from the jetty. Check the brakes and tyres before you ride — the road to Grand Anse has a slight incline, and a wobbly bike makes it harder. Rates are standardised around €10/day. Check the full La Digue bike route guide for trail conditions.
Entry is €10. See the giant tortoises, vanilla vines, and coconut-oil mill before walking the 2 minutes to Anse Source d’Argent. Arrive by 8:30 a.m. to have the beach nearly to yourself — the tour groups roll in around 10 a.m.
Most guesthouses open their dining rooms to non-guests for lunch. Expect Creole fish curries with coconut rice for around $15–20. The restaurant at L’Union Estate is convenient but pricier; cycling back toward the pier gives you more budget-friendly options.
Grand Anse is a 15-minute bike ride south — strong waves, no shade, and not safe for swimming, but spectacular for a walk. For snorkeling, take the trail from the northern end of Grand Anse to Anse Cocos (20 min on foot). Bring water and reef-safe sunscreen; there are no facilities at either beach.
La Digue has no ATM and only a small clinic for medical needs. Withdraw cash on Praslin or Mahé before you arrive, and carry a basic first-aid kit. Bike tyres also pick up punctures on the sandy roads — a repair kit is cheap insurance.
Booking Ferries, Budgeting Smartly, and When to Go
The logistics of island hopping in Seychelles are straightforward once you know the rhythm of the ferries and the real costs involved.
Ferry schedules and booking
Cat Cocos runs the main routes between all three islands. Mahé to Praslin takes roughly one hour, with departures at 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 5 p.m. Praslin to La Digue runs almost hourly from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and takes 15 minutes. Book tickets 1–2 weeks ahead online during peak season (April–May and October–November) — walk-up tickets sell out, especially for the popular morning crossings. A one-way ticket from Mahé to Praslin costs €50–60; Praslin to La Digue runs $15–20. The total ferry cost for a full circuit across all three islands typically lands between $120 and $150.
What things actually cost
Budget ranges vary more than you’d expect. Guesthouses run $60–160 per night, mid-range hotels $160–375, and luxury resorts $430–1,600+. Meals at hotel restaurants cost $22–52, while restaurants outside hotels average $15–30. Car rental on Mahé or Praslin runs $30–85 per day. A week-long trip including accommodation, transport, and activities typically lands between €1,500 and €3,000 per person — the lower end assumes guesthouses and ferry travel, the higher end includes boutique hotels and a few day tours.
| Expense | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per night) | $60–160 | $160–375 | $430–1,600+ |
| Meals (per person) | $15–30 | $22–52 | $52+ |
| Ferry (Mahé → Praslin) | €50–60 one way | ||
| Ferry (Praslin → La Digue) | $15–20 one way | ||
| Car rental (per day) | $30–85 | ||
Best time to visit
The shoulder seasons — April–May and October–November — offer the calmest seas, stable weather, and fewer crowds than the December–March high season. June–September is cooler and windier, which makes the southeast beaches rougher for swimming but great for hiking. If you’re visiting with kids who want calm water for snorkeling, aim for April–May or October–November; those windows also give you the best chance of smooth ferry crossings. If you’re still weighing which side of the island to sleep on, this interactive map of Seychelles hotels and rentals makes it easier to compare proximity to the beach or the ferry pier.
Domestic flights between Mahé and Praslin take 15 minutes and cost €80–150 one way — a time-saver if you’re short on days, but ferries are more reliable in good weather and let you skip airport transfers. Book ferries early in peak season, avoid same-day island changes, and plan at least two nights per island to keep the pace comfortable.
- Stick to the classic Mahé → Praslin → La Digue route; it’s the most efficient use of ferry connections and accommodation variety.
- Book ferries 1–2 weeks ahead online during April–May and October–November — those are the best weather windows and the busiest months.
- La Digue has no ATM and limited medical facilities; arrive with cash and a basic kit, especially if travelling with kids.
Before You Go — Seychelles Island Hopping
How many days do I really need?
Seven days is the minimum for a comfortable three-island circuit. Ten to fourteen days lets you add relaxed beach days and a side trip to Curieuse or St. Pierre without feeling rushed.
A typical 7-day split is 2 nights Mahé, 3 nights Praslin, 2 nights La Digue. That gives you enough time for the main sights without ferry-hopping every morning.
Can I do Praslin and La Digue as day trips from Mahé?
Technically yes — the ferry runs early enough — but you’ll spend four hours on the water and see very little of either island. Overnight stays on each island are strongly recommended.
If you’re really short on time, a guided Praslin and La Digue island-hopping tour from Mahé covers the highlights in one long day, but it’s exhausting and leaves no room for spontaneity.
Is La Digue safe for kids on bikes?
Yes — the main road is flat, traffic is minimal, and most guesthouses rent bikes with child seats or smaller frames. The ride from the pier to Anse Source d’Argent is under 10 minutes on a sealed road.
The only caution is the stretch to Grand Anse, which has a slight incline and loose sand at the edges. Walk that section if your kids are younger than eight or less confident on two wheels.
What’s the biggest money mistake travellers make?
Not booking ferries ahead in peak season and then having to pay for a last-minute domestic flight ($80–150) or losing a day waiting for a cancellation. Book Cat Cocos online 1–2 weeks out.
The second mistake is arriving on La Digue without cash. There is no ATM on the island, and only a handful of guesthouses accept cards. Withdraw in Praslin or Mahé before the short ferry ride.
Is the water safe to drink?
Tap water is generally chlorinated and safe in hotels and guesthouses, but many visitors stick to bottled water, especially on La Digue where treatment varies. Bottled water is cheap and widely available.
For reef-safe sunscreen and other essentials, stock up on Mahé or Praslin — La Digue’s small shops have limited selection and higher prices.
The Circuit That Keeps Giving
What makes this particular triangle of islands work so well is the way each one resets your expectations. Mahé gives you the energy of a real capital and the heft of mountain trails; Praslin dials it back to a whisper under coco de mer palms; La Digue strips everything away until all that’s left is a bicycle, a beach, and the sound of waves slotting between granite boulders. By the time you ferry back to Mahé for your flight, you’ll have cycled through three distinct versions of the same turquoise sea — and that’s the whole point of island hopping here. For more ideas on stretching your trip without stretching your budget, see our guide to affordable Seychelles island hopping.
References
Good Destino. “Seychelles Island Hopping Guide 2026.” 2025. ↗
Must-See Spots. “7-Day Seychelles Itinerary: Mahé, Praslin & La Digue Adventure.” 2025. ↗
Pack Lightly. “Seychelles Islands Guide.” 2025. ↗
If you’re still building your itinerary, our guides on Seychelles hiking trails and Anse Forbans — a quieter Mahé beach offer more depth for specific days. For practical tips from a local perspective, the Seychelles travel guide from Mahé locals covers transport hacks and dining recommendations that most visitors miss.
Explore Places to Stay in Seychelles
Feel free to zoom in and out of the map to explore the area and find the best place to stay for your trip.