Seychelles Three Islands Classic Island Hopping
Stay on Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue in sequence, covering Vallée de Mai, Anse Source d'Argent, and Giant Tortoise Island.
The most popular route for first-time visitors to the Seychelles: spend three nights on Mahé exploring the capital, hiking trails, and southern beaches; two nights on Praslin for Vallée de Mai and boat excursions; and one night on La Digue to cycle and avoid the day-tripper crowds. Spend the final night back on Mahé to provide a buffer for your international flight. While time on each island is limited, sacrificing long beach stays allows you to experience all three islands.
April and October offer the calmest sea conditions; from May to September, strong southeastern trade winds can cause rough ferry rides.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival on Mahé & Stay in Beau Vallon
Pick up your rental car or take a transfer to Beau Vallon (approx. 40 mins), and relax on the beach in the afternoon.
Apply for your digital Travel Authorization online before entry, as airlines will verify this during check-in.
Stay: Beau Vallon
Day 2 · Victoria & Sans Souci Mountain Road
Mahé（Victoria Clock Tower & Market、Seychelles National Botanical Gardens、Copolia Trail、Port Launay Marine National Park）
Enjoy a full day of driving: travel from Beau Vallon to Victoria (approx. 20 mins), and head up the mountain road to the west coast (approx. 40 mins).
Enter the city after the morning rush hour; the Copolia Trail is best hiked in the morning and takes about 2 hours.
Stay: Beau Vallon
Day 3 · Mahé Southern Island Loop
Mahé（Takamaka Rum Distillery, La Plaine St. André、Le Jardin du Roi、Anse Intendance、Anse Soleil）
Drive south along the east coast, round the southern tip, and return via the west coast (approx. 2 to 3 hours of driving total).
The distillery is closed on Sundays but offers scheduled guided tours on weekdays; Anse Intendance is not suitable for swimming.
Stay: Beau Vallon
Day 4 · Ferry to Praslin & Vallée de Mai
Praslin & La Digue（Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve、Anse Lazio）
Take an early morning ferry from Victoria (approx. 1 hour 15 mins) or a short flight (approx. 20 mins), and rent a car or hire a taxi on the island.
Ferries often sell out during peak season, so book tickets in advance; Vallée de Mai closes early in the afternoon, so a morning visit is recommended.
Stay: Anse Volbert (Côte d'Or)
Day 5 · Three-Island Boat Trip for Tortoises & Seabirds
Praslin & La Digue（Cousin Island Special Reserve、Curieuse Island、St. Pierre Islet）
Join a full-day boat excursion, departing around 9:00 and returning around 16:30, which typically includes lunch and hotel transfers.
Cousin Island is only open on weekday mornings; if you take a weekend boat trip, the itinerary will swap to other islands.
Stay: Anse Volbert (Côte d'Or)
Day 6 · Cycle La Digue & Anse Source d'Argent
Praslin & La Digue（L'Union Estate、Anse Source d'Argent、La Veuve Special Reserve）
Take a ferry from Baie Sainte Anne jetty (approx. 15 mins) to La Passe, and rent a bicycle at the jetty to explore the island.
Anse Source d'Argent requires paid entry through L'Union Estate; visit early in the morning before the day-trippers arrive.
Stay: La Passe and La Réunion
Day 7 · East Coast Beaches & Return to Mahé
Praslin & La Digue（Grand Anse, La Digue、Anse Cocos） → Mahé
Cycle to Grand Anse in the morning and walk to Anse Cocos; take an afternoon ferry back to Mahé via Praslin (approx. 1.5 hours total).
Grand Anse has no reef barrier and strong currents, so do not swim; check ferry schedules in advance as they vary by day of the week.
Stay: Victoria
Day 8 · Half-Day Marine Park & Departure
Mahé（Sainte Anne Marine National Park）
Take a half-day boat trip from the jetty near Victoria, and drive to the airport after landing (approx. 20 mins).
If your flight is before the afternoon, skip the boat trip and spend the morning shopping in the city before heading to the airport.