A good Seychelles itinerary moves in one direction across the three main islands. In 5 days, split Mahe and one other island. In 7 days, do Mahe, Praslin and La Digue with two to three days each. In 10 days, add slower time and a day trip or two. Arrive via Mahe, work toward La Digue, and fly out of Mahe. Book ferries ahead, hire a car on Mahe and Praslin, and switch to a bike on La Digue.
Plan your days
Five days, seven or ten. Here is how to spend them.
The Seychelles is made for combining islands, and the best trips treat Mahe, Praslin and La Digue as one route rather than picking just one. The key is to move in a single direction so you are not backtracking, and not to over-pack the days. Here are clear plans for the three most common trip lengths.
How to think about it
Arrive through Mahe, where the airport is, work your way toward La Digue, and fly home from Mahe at the end. Fast ferries link the three islands several times a day. Hire a car on Mahe and Praslin, where the sights are spread out, and switch to a bicycle on near-car-free La Digue.
5 days: a taste
With five days, do not try to see everything. Spend three days on Mahe, the beaches of the south, Victoria and Beau Vallon, then take the ferry to Praslin for two days of Anse Lazio, the Vallee de Mai and a boat trip to Curieuse. Or swap Praslin for La Digue if the famous beaches are your priority. Five days is enough for two islands done calmly.
7 days: the classic
A week is the sweet spot and lets you do all three. Two to three days on Mahe to start, two to three on Praslin in the middle, and two on La Digue at the end. That gives you Mahe’s variety, Praslin’s beaches and forest, and La Digue’s slow, car-free charm, with ferry hops between them. This is the itinerary most first-timers should aim for.
10 days: room to breathe
With ten days you keep the same three-island shape but add slack, more beach time, a second boat trip, perhaps a day on Curieuse or Cousin, and time simply to do nothing. Ten days also leaves room to add a night on a smaller island or a quieter corner of Mahe without rushing the highlights.
| Days | Suggested split |
|---|---|
| 5 | Mahe 3 + Praslin or La Digue 2 |
| 7 | Mahe 2-3 + Praslin 2-3 + La Digue 2 |
| 10 | Mahe 3 + Praslin 3-4 + La Digue 3, plus day trips |
The practical rules
Book ferries in advance, as popular departures fill up. Do not schedule a tight connection straight off a long-haul flight, sleep near the Mahe airport before an early ferry instead. Keep one or two days with nothing planned, because the beaches are the point.
How to plan
Lock in the moving parts early. Check the ferry schedule to line up your hops, hire a car for Mahe and Praslin, and browse verified places to stay on each island in our directory so you have a base near the right beach.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Seychelles?
Seven is the sweet spot for a first trip, enough to see Mahe, Praslin and La Digue without rushing. Five days suits two islands done calmly, and ten gives room for slower time and extra day trips.
How should you split a week in Seychelles?
Two to three days on Mahe, two to three on Praslin and two on La Digue, moving in one direction. Arrive via Mahe, work toward La Digue, and fly out of Mahe.
How do you get between islands on a Seychelles itinerary?
Fast ferries link Mahe, Praslin and La Digue several times a day, and internal flights connect Mahe and Praslin. Book popular ferry departures in advance, as they fill up.
Do you need a car for a Seychelles itinerary?
On Mahe and Praslin a hire car makes the spread-out sights and beaches far easier. On La Digue you switch to a bicycle, as the island is nearly car-free.
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