The Seychelles offers a wide choice of exciting outdoor pursuits for active couples celebrating a honeymoon or romantic getaway.
Scuba diving is one of the most popular activities in the Seychelles with more than 900 species of fish and 100 species of coral easily seen in clear water.
Hiking and walking tours allow you to easily explore the islands’ flora and fauna.
Windsurfers, canoes and sailing dinghies are available for hire on most of the popular beaches, as well as waterskiing and paragliding at many resorts.
Explore the walking trails of La Digue, in the Vallée de Mai and on the east coast of Praslin. Other great trails lie on the islands of Aride, Mahé and Silhouette.
(Mahé Island) – Explore one of Mahé’s major attractions that encompasses an impressive 20 per cent of Mahé.
Choose from a variety of walking trails through thick forest and a variety of flora including coconut palms, rosewood and cinnamon trees.
Don’t miss hiking to the Seychelles highest point at Morne Seychellois (905m) (photo).
And for a stunning scenic drive take the mountain road through the Morne Seychellois National Park from Victoria to Port Glaud.
(Praslin Island) – Hike into the valley’s Eden-like vegetation, a World Heritage-listed site and one of only two places in the world where you can see the marvelous coco de mer palm (photo) growing in its natural state (the other is nearby Curieuse Island).
On your walk try to spot the rare Seychelles black parrot: coloured pale brown-grey, they usually fly in small flocks and are recognisable by a distinctive whistling call.
(La Digue Island) – Look out for the rare black paradise flycatcher bird, found only on La Digue and numbering around 200.
Watch as the male bird (photo), with its blue bill, iridescent blue sheen and long black tail streamers, flitters through Indian almond trees in search of insects with the white, black and brown females.
(La Digue Island) – Hike through the heart of La Digue then climb up to the summit of Nid D’Aigle (333m) – or Eagle's Nest Mountain in English – for panoramic views over the neighboring islands of Praslin, Ile Coco, Felicité, Marianne and Curieuse and crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean beyond.
(La Digue Island) – See one of Seychelles’ unique species, the Aldabra Giant Tortoise, munching on vegetation at L’Union Estate Plantation south of La Passe.
The male tortoises average 120cm in length and weigh around 250kg; some at L’Union are more than 100 years old.
Wander around the Old Plantation House and watch demonstrations of extracting oil from copra (dried coconut flesh).
Explore one of the world’s largest coral atolls, some 22km long east to west, home to tiger sharks and manta rays.
Get up close to one or more of the 200,000 giant land tortoises as well as thousands of seabirds, including the white-throated rail (photo), the sole remaining species of flightless bird left in the Indian Ocean.
Explore numerous dive sites in the waters between La Digue and Praslin Island as well as to the south at Anse Marron Bank. Explore the ocean depths to see various marine life including turtles, parrot fish and sharks.
Spearfishing is illegal in the Seychelles, which is probably why the fish here are unafraid of divers. Don’t miss the annual Subios underwater festival held in November.
Located just off the coast of Praslin Island, Curieuse Island is home to a colony of Aldabra tortoises as well as the Curieuse National Marine Park, which teems with colourful marine life including schools of jack, snapper and butterfly fish. Scuba dive the popular Coral Garden and snorkel at St Pierre.
Head for any of the semi-submerged granite boulders and you’ll be amazed at the number of colourful tropical fish swimming about. For some of the best snorkelling in the Seychelles, take a trip to Felicite, Coco, Sister and Marianne islands.
Hook the big one: go after black, blue and striped marlin, sailfish, yellowfish and dogtooth tuna, wahoo and barracuda – just a few of the game fish found in the waters around the Seychelles. For saltwater fly-fishing, head to Alphonse and Desroches islands.
Explore the calm waters and coves of La Digue, the third largest of the inner isles.
Tee-off at the five-star Lemuria Resort at Anse Kerlan on Praslin Island for 18 holes in a superb setting.
Look for local handicrafts including textiles such as batik, basketwares, table-mats and hats, traditional ornaments and model boats as well as jewellery made from green snail shells.
Many seashells you see along the beaches are used as homes by hermit crabs. Collecting shells is prohibited in nature reserves, marine parks and reserves in Seychelles.
Any flora taken as souvenirs must have a certificate and an official export permit, which must be produced when checking in at the international airport.
Latest update: Things to do in the Seychelles: 27 April, 2022
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