The children are growing up and Christmas time is the only time when everyone has their vacation at the same time. It was difficult to get used to the idea of spending the holidays away from our loved ones and our parents but we still celebrated Christmas afterwards. Our first idea was a road trip to South America, but we quickly gave up because in 9 days (including flights) we wouldn't have had time for anything. We also thought about SriLanka and Kerala (South India) but, as we always decide at the last minute, there were no more flights. Finally, the Seychelles stood out: it was a destination we wanted to do; 9 days left us plenty of time to explore a few islands; there is little time difference; we found reasonably priced flights for Christmas and there were still some accommodations available. The only problem is the rainy season at this time. But the Seychelles are not affected by cyclones and in general, it only rains in the evening (well, that's what we were told). In the end, we only had one day of rain, but from morning until evening without stopping!
Our trip in a few words:
- 22/12 Arcachon-Barcelona by car (we picked up our youngest son who studies there)
- 22/12 Barcelona-Mahé flight via Dubai by Emirates. Night flight, arrival the next day, early afternoon.
- 23/12 Mahé-Praslin flight, on a small 19-seat Air Seychelles cuckoo. It's a 20-minute flight, perfect for flying over the Seychelles islands. We arrived in Praslin at 3:20 p.m.
- 26/12 Flight Praslin-Mahé, at 11:15
- 30/12 Mahé-Barcelona flight, night via Dubai by Emirates. Arrival early in the morning.
- 31/12 Barcelona-Arcachon by car
Praslin – La Digue: Three Days Between Nature and Beaches
We started our trip in Praslin , an island known for its sublime beaches and the famous Vallée de Mai. After a 20-minute flight and having collected our rental car, we checked in at the Lauriers Eco Hotel , on the Côte d'Or , an ideal beach for families with its calm, shallow waters and stingrays swimming nearby. of our feet. The hotel is not directly on the beach, there is a small street to cross but it is really very good. The rooms are large, the swimming pool very pleasant and the meals delicious. We spent Christmas Eve there, around a magnificent buffet. Thanks to Sybille and Edwin for their welcome! If you are gluten intolerant, they will be able to offer you gluten-free bread and there are many options available for meals.
On the second day we took the 15 minute ferry to La Digue to spend the day there (30 euros return per adult). La Digue is a small island without cars. Here, everything is done by bike or on foot, which makes it a perfect place to recharge your batteries.
Upon arriving, we rented bikes and cycled leisurely towards Anse Source d'Argent . You leave the bikes at the entrance, there is no risk to them, even without a lock. The beach is famous for its giant granite rocks, a unique landscape in the world. The water is shallow and very calm, perfect for children. We swam and took photos in this postcard setting. Don't hesitate to come early in the morning to avoid the crowds (even if there are never crowds on the beaches of the Seychelles)
On the way back, we explored the park of L'Union Estate , a former plantation. You can admire the giant tortoises up close. The park also offers an immersion in the history of the island, with its colonial buildings and its immense coconut trees. And you can also admire, for connoisseurs, the house where the film Emanuelle was filmed 😇.
At the end of the morning, we stopped at Grand Anse , a wilder and more spectacular beach. Although swimming is not recommended due to the waves, the walk along the shore was a pleasant time. Then we crossed the center of La Digue (the less sporty got off their bikes) to reach the northern and eastern beaches: Anse Severe, Anse Patate and Anse Banane. We had a quick bite to eat at Anse Sévère and enjoyed a delicious fruit juice at Karim's Fruit Bar .
We took the ferry back to Praslin late in the afternoon.
On December 25, we planned to explore the Vallée de Mai and , a natural park classified as a UNESCO world heritage site and known in particular for its enormous Coco de Mer , endemic to the Seychelles and therefore unique in the world. The fruit of this coconut tree is called coco-Fesse. Unfortunately, we weren't aware but the park is closed for only one day a year... December 25th 🥲 Finally, thanks to Edwin, the charming hotel owner, we were able to rent a boat and set off to explore the curious island , close to Praslin, after a short snorkeling stop around the islet of Saint-Pierre where we had the chance to come across a sea turtle.
Curieuse Island, once a leper colony, is now a sanctuary for giant tortoises. We loved walking among these majestic creatures, which move slowly in their natural habitat. On this island there are also coconut trees on the heights.
After visiting the turtles, we followed a hiking trail to a secluded beach to wait for the boat and improvise a quick swim. Curieuse Island is a real immersion in nature, and this day was very pleasant.
Back on Praslin, we had lunch at the Café des Arts: the view is breathtaking, the lunch OK but a little expensive (but it was our Christmas lunch). We still had a great time. Then, we headed towards Anse Georgette , often ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world. The setting is magical: white sand, turquoise water and enormous granite rocks. To get there, we had to ask permission the day before at the Constance Lemuria hotel (Superb Hotel, by the way). The beaches of the Seychelles are all public, but to access this cove, you must either go through the hotel, come by boat, or hike an hour and a half from Lazio Cove .
Mahé: 4 days
Our last stop was Mahé , the largest of the Seychelles islands. With its magnificent beaches, mountains and lively small towns, Mahé offers a wide variety of activities. We also rented a car so we could visit the island more easily. We had rented 2 chalets on the beach: the Anse Forbans chalets , in the south of the island. The site is superb, the chalets very well equipped and above all the place is very quiet: but it is better to have a car because it is out of the center, which we appreciated. The hosts, a Seychellois family, gave us lots of advice and above all, we were able to cook the fish we had bought on the barbecue.
Day 1: From Anse Intendance to Port Launay
The west coast of Mahé is wild and magnificent. We made stops at Anse Intendance, Anse Takamaka, Anse Soleil, Anse Saint Lazare then at Port Launay where the road ends. We did some very nice snorkeling there. Favorite for the Del Place , where we stopped for lunch. Delicious local meal, top service, magical view and ultimately very good value for money.
Day 2: Sainte-Anne Marine Park
We rented a boat with skipper, via Arno ( Creole Charters ) for the Sainte-Anne Marine Park , an ideal spot for snorkeling. The water is full of tropical fish but there are few corals: since the 2004 tsunami, corals have been slowly growing back. We stopped for a BBQ lunch on Ile au Cerfs: delicious Seychellois meal but far too touristy for my taste.
Day 3: THE full day of rain
We planned to hike in the Morne Seychellois National Park . We were told the trails offered spectacular views of the surrounding lagoons and mountains. Missed opportunity! Instead we went towards Victoria and BeauVallon, which didn't thrill us. On the way back we had lunch at Perry's Grill , in the heights of Anse Royale. It is a small restaurant located in private homes. They also have a delivery service, perfect if you are in Airbnb. It's epic to get there but we ate very well, including a delicious papaya salad and an octopus curry (Zourite in Creole or Octopus in English). We didn't get the lobster, but I regretted it after seeing it on the next table.
Day 4: Day at the Hilton Canopy
Our flight being scheduled for late in the evening, we planned to take advantage of the day after leaving the chalets: on the program, relaxation, swimming pool, beach and nap. Many hotels offer “daypasses” but during this holiday season, many refuse you access. We were lucky enough to be able to spend the day at the Canopy Hilton in Anse La Mouche. The hotel is new and is located opposite a superb beach, especially at low tide. For 500 rupees per adult (or 30 euros), so 400 rupees credit for lunch, we were able to enjoy the swimming pool, the beach and have lunch outdoors.
My opinion on the Seychelles
The Seychelles is made up of 115 islands, of which only 33 are inhabited. I imagine that a catamaran cruise in the islands must offer a beautiful spectacle. We really liked Praslin and La Digue, the beaches and the landscapes are just spectacular; we were a little less enthusiastic about Mahé even if it remains very beautiful. The vegetation is lush everywhere, the beaches magical and deserted. We eat a lot of fish and rice, vegetables and fruits; so it’s perfect for those with gluten intolerance. The Seychellois are adorable but be aware that everything is very expensive because the Seychelles only live from tourism.
Shopping
There are only a few supermarkets (the largest supermarkets are between Eden Island and Victoria: Spar and STC). On Eden Island, where the Spar is located, you will even find a shopping center with a gallery. We did our shopping in small shops run by Indians: Enjoy Supermarket and Chop Shop among others. At Anse Royale you will find many products imported to ISPC. I found frozen gluten-free bread at Chop Shop and many gluten-free products at ISPC, including pasta. In this small village, there is also a superb fishmonger, Fresh Fish. There are of course the numerous markets for fruit and vegetables and street vendors.
Some good addresses
Mahe
Praslin
La Digue
