Best Areas to Stay in Seychelles (Mahé, Praslin, La Digue)

Picking the right base in Seychelles (Mahé, Praslin, La Digue)

In Seychelles (Mahé, Praslin, La Digue) the neighbourhood you book decides how much of your trip is spent in transit. Cat Cocos catamaran Mahé ↔ Praslin 1h US$70; Cat Rose Praslin ↔ La Digue 15 min US$20. Inter-island flights (Air Seychelles) Mahé ↔ Praslin 15 min US$130. On Mahé + Praslin rent a car US$60–80/day (left-hand). La Digue is car-free — bike US$10/day. Buses SCR12 on Mahé + Praslin. Private-island resorts (North, Frégate, Denis, Bird) include seaplane transfer.

Mahé — Beau Vallon / Northwest

Main beach strip, snorkelling — Hilton Northolme, Constance Ephélia, Story Seychelles.

Mahé — South (Anse Intendance / Anse Takamaka)

Wild south, best beaches — Banyan Tree, Four Seasons Petite Anse, Kempinski Baie Lazare.

Praslin — Côte d'Or

Vallée de Mai gateway + Anse Georgette — Constance Lémuria, Raffles Praslin, Paradise Sun.

La Digue

Car-free island — Anse Source d'Argent (world's most photographed) — Le Domaine de L'Orangeraie, Le Repaire, Le Nautique.

Private islands

North Island (Beyoncé + Wills honeymoon), Frégate Island, Denis Private Island, Bird Island, Six Senses Zil Pasyon (Félicité).

Victoria (Mahé capital)

Smallest capital in Africa — Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke market, Hindu temple, Clock Tower — half-day cultural stop.

Which area suits which traveler

• First-time visitors

  3-island classic: 3 Mahé + 3 Praslin + 2 La Digue with Cat Cocos ferries — 8 nights.

• Families

  Constance Ephélia + Kempinski + Four Seasons + Raffles Praslin all have strong kids' clubs — 6+ ideal (not baby-friendly).

• Luxury travelers

  North Island, Six Senses Zil Pasyon, Four Seasons Petite Anse, Constance Lémuria, Raffles Praslin, Frégate Island Private.

• Budget travelers

  Chambres d'hôtes on Mahé + Praslin US$80–150, ferry US$70 vs US$130 flights, La Digue bike US$10/day.

Booking hotels in Seychelles (Mahé, Praslin, La Digue)

Rates in Seychelles (Mahé, Praslin, La Digue) move with events and season, so compare live prices across the areas above for your exact dates rather than assuming one neighbourhood is always cheaper.