Seychelles • Planning • Island Hopping
Seychelles Island Hopping: Mahé, Praslin & La Digue Compared
Seychelles island hopping is the best way to experience this Indian Ocean paradise. Most travellers combine three islands: Mahé, the main island with the international airport; Praslin, home to the famous Vallée de Mai; and La Digue, a slow-paced island of bicycles and boulder-framed beaches. Here's how they compare and how to combine them.
Quick answer
- Mahé: arrival point, most hotel choice, mountains and the capital, Victoria
- Praslin: Vallée de Mai and some of the best beaches in the islands
- La Digue: bicycles, island charm and Anse Source d'Argent
- Ideal split for 10 nights: 3 on Mahé, 4 on Praslin, 3 on La Digue
The main island
Mahé
Mahé is the largest island and home to the international airport and the small, colourful capital, Victoria, with its market and botanical gardens. Inland, the forested mountains of Morne Seychellois National Park offer rewarding hikes, while the coast is lined with beaches such as Beau Vallon. It has the widest choice of hotels, from boutique stays to large resorts.
Nature and beaches
Praslin
Praslin is quieter than Mahé and known for Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO-listed palm forest that is home to the coco de mer, the palm with the world's largest seed. It also has some of the Seychelles' most beautiful beaches, including Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette. From Praslin, a short boat trip takes you to Curieuse Island to meet giant tortoises.
Island charm
La Digue
La Digue is small and wonderfully relaxed, with few cars and most people getting around by bicycle. It is home to Anse Source d'Argent, one of the most photographed beaches in the world, with sculpted granite boulders and shallow turquoise water. There is a small entrance fee, as the beach is reached through a historic estate. La Digue works as a day trip from Praslin, but a few nights let you enjoy it at its quietest.
Mahé vs Praslin vs La Digue at a glance
| Mahé | Praslin | La Digue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Busiest, most choice | Relaxed, natural | Slow, village-like |
| Highlights | Victoria, mountains, Beau Vallon | Vallée de Mai, Anse Lazio | Anse Source d'Argent, cycling |
| Getting around | Car or driver | Car or driver | Bicycle or on foot |
| Nights | 2–3 | 3–4 | 2–3 (or a day trip) |
How to travel between the islands
- Mahé to Praslin: a fast ferry takes about an hour, or a short domestic flight takes around 15–20 minutes.
- Praslin to La Digue: a ferry ride of about 15 minutes.
- Mahé to La Digue: usually by ferry, often via Praslin.
Tip: Ferry crossings can be choppy in the windier months, so a flight to Praslin may be more comfortable. Schedules change, so we confirm the best connections when we book your trip.
Sample island-hopping itineraries
7 nights: 2 on Mahé, 3 on Praslin and 2 on La Digue.
10 nights: 3 on Mahé, 4 on Praslin and 3 on La Digue.
Honeymoon: fewer moves, longer stays. See our Seychelles honeymoon guide.
Each island tells its own chapter: Mahé welcomes you, Praslin enchants you, and La Digue slows you down until the only schedule is the tide.
When to go island hopping
The Seychelles is warm all year. The transition months between the trade-wind seasons, typically April to May and October to November, usually bring the calmest seas for ferries and snorkelling. See our guide to the best time to visit the Seychelles.
Frequently asked questions
Which Seychelles island is best?
It depends on your style. Mahé offers the most choice and easy arrivals, Praslin is best for nature and beaches, and La Digue is perfect for a slow, charming island experience. Most travellers combine all three.
How do you get from Mahé to Praslin?
By fast ferry in about an hour, or by a short domestic flight of around 15 to 20 minutes.
Can you visit La Digue as a day trip?
Yes. La Digue is about 15 minutes by ferry from Praslin, so it works well as a day trip, although staying a night or two lets you enjoy it when the day visitors have gone.
How many days do you need in the Seychelles?
Seven to ten nights is ideal for visiting Mahé, Praslin and La Digue without rushing.
Plan your Seychelles island-hopping trip
Tell us how many nights you have, and we'll arrange the islands, hotels, ferries or flights for you.
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