SEYCHELLES TRAVEL GUIDE: Expert Tips, Travel Budget, Top Spots & Honest Advice
How to Reach?
Getting to Seychelles isn’t the cheapest or easiest trip from India. I flew from Mumbai with a stop in Dubai on Emirates and honestly it sucked. The layover was long, the flight was delayed, and by the time I landed on Mahé I was wiped out. Direct flights are rare and usually more expensive.
From Delhi or Bangalore you’ll probably need to connect through Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Nairobi or Addis Ababa. Air Seychelles and Etihad are decent options but book at least 3-4 months ahead if you want decent prices. I paid ₹48,000 for a round trip which wasn’t terrible but wasn’t a steal either.
Once you land at Pointe Larue Airport on Mahé, you can catch a ferry to Praslin or La Digue. The ferry to Praslin takes about an hour and costs around ₹3,000 one way. Don’t expect luxury – it’s a basic boat and it can get rough when the sea is choppy. I actually threw up on the way back. Ngl, not my finest moment.
If you’re only doing one island, just fly into Mahé and stay there. Domestic flights between islands are quick but stupidly expensive for what they are.
Where to Stay?
I stayed in three different places and the experiences were pretty mixed.
On Mahé I booked a small guesthouse in Beau Vallon called Petite Marie. It was clean, had a tiny kitchenette, and the owner was sweet. Cost me ₹4,200 a night. The beach is literally across the road which is convenient. Downside? The walls are thin and I could hear every conversation from the room next door. Also the wi-fi was garbage.
For Praslin I went with a self-catering apartment near Grand Anse. This was easily my best stay. Two bedrooms, proper kitchen, big balcony, and only ₹5,800 per night. I cooked breakfast most days and saved a ton of money. The location was perfect for catching the bus and getting to different beaches without drama.
La Digue was the biggest disappointment accommodation-wise. I stayed at this “boutique” guesthouse that looked cute in photos but was overpriced at ₹7,500 a night. The AC barely worked, the shower leaked, and they charged extra for everything. Never again. Next time I’d just book a basic room for half the price.
If you’re on a real budget, look for self-catering apartments on Airbnb or Booking.com. Hotels here love to charge resort prices for average rooms. To be fair, some places do include breakfast and it’s usually decent – fresh fruit, bread, and decent coffee.
What to Eat?
The food situation is honestly hit or miss. Seychelles has this creole cuisine that sounds exciting but gets repetitive fast. Fish, rice, and some kind of sauce became my daily reality.
I loved the grilled red snapper with a spicy tomato chutney. That was genuinely good. Also try the octopus salad if you’re into that – I had it once on Praslin and it wasn’t bad. But after a week I was seriously craving dal-chawal.
The curries are decent but they’re not as spicy as Indian food. They use a lot of coconut milk which makes everything taste a bit samey after a while. My favorite cheap eat was the street vans that sell “fish and chips” Seychelles style – battered fish with fried breadfruit. Costs about ₹400 and actually fills you up.
Restaurants are expensive. A basic meal for two with drinks can easily set you back ₹4,000-5,000. I started cooking more in the apartment and just ate out for dinner. Saved me a fortune. The supermarkets have decent stuff but imported Indian spices are crazy expensive. Bring your own small packets if you can’t live without proper tadka.
Don’t waste money on fancy beachside restaurants unless it’s a special occasion. Most of them are average at best and the views are the only thing worth paying for. I had one meal at a “romantic” restaurant that cost me ₹9,000 and the fish was overcooked. Seriously disappointing.
Best Time to Visit
I went in December and it was a mistake. The weather was all over the place – sunny one minute, pouring the next. The sea was rough and some beaches had a lot of seaweed. Everyone says April to May or October to November are better. I believe them now.
June to August is when the southeast trade winds blow and the water on the east coast gets really choppy. West coast beaches are more protected then. If you want calm water and good snorkeling, avoid July and August.
The absolute worst time is January to February during peak season. Prices go crazy and everywhere is packed with European tourists. I paid almost double what I would’ve paid in shoulder season.
Honestly the shoulder months seem smartest. Less rain than the wet season, fewer people than December, and prices that don’t make you cry.
Budget (Indian Rupees)
Let me be brutally honest – Seychelles is not cheap. Anyone telling you it’s a budget destination is lying or they have very different standards.
For one person on a tight budget you’re looking at minimum ₹7,000-8,000 per day. That’s staying in basic guesthouses, eating smart, and using buses. For two people sharing it comes down to about ₹5,500-6,500 each per day.
Here’s my actual breakdown for 10 days:
– Flights: ₹48,000 (round trip from Mumbai)
– Accommodation: ₹52,000 (mix of guesthouses and apartment)
– Food: ₹28,000 (I cooked a lot)
– Local transport (buses, ferries, occasional taxi): ₹18,000
– Activities (snorkeling trips, entrance fees): ₹15,000
– Random stuff and beers: ₹9,000
Total: around ₹1,70,000 for one person. If I’d shared accommodation and cooked even more it could’ve come down to ₹1,35,000. Still not cheap.
The most expensive parts are alcohol, eating out every meal, and taking too many taxis. The bus system actually works pretty well on Mahé and Praslin. On La Digue you mostly walk or rent a bike.
Tips for First-Timers
Don’t try to do all three main islands in one short trip. I did it and felt rushed the whole time. Pick two and actually relax.
The beaches are obviously beautiful but some are way better than others. Anse Lazio on Praslin was my favorite – the water color is insane. Beau Vallon on Mahé is convenient but gets busy and isn’t as clear. Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue is as pretty as the photos but it gets ridiculously crowded by 10am. Get there early or skip it.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen. The sun is brutal and the regular stuff damages the coral. I learned that the hard way after getting burned on day two.
The buses stop running fairly early. Last bus on Mahé is usually around 7pm. Plan your day properly or you’ll be stuck paying for expensive taxis.
Mosquitoes are a thing, especially after rain. I got eaten alive one night because I didn’t use repellent. Don’t be dumb like me.
If you’re Indian, you’ll get stared at a bit on the smaller islands. Not in a bad way, just curiosity. Some locals asked me lots of questions about India which was actually nice.
Don’t expect fast service anywhere. Things move at island time. Just accept it or you’ll lose your mind.
Pack light but bring good walking shoes. Some of the best spots require a bit of walking and the paths can be rocky.
FAQ
Is Seychelles worth the money?
It depends. The beaches are legitimately beautiful and the water is crazy clear. But if you’re expecting amazing food and lots of activities, you might feel it’s overpriced. For a relaxed beach holiday it’s great. For value for money? Not really.
Can you do Seychelles on a budget?
Yes but your definition of budget needs to be realistic. Self-catering, using buses, avoiding alcohol and eating out less – that’s how you keep costs down. Don’t expect to do it for ₹50,000 total unless you’re staying one week and really pinching pennies.
Is it safe?
Pretty safe. I walked around alone at night on Mahé without any issues. Just use normal sense – don’t flash expensive stuff and be careful with your drinks in bars.
Do I need a visa?
Indians get visa on arrival for 30 days. You need to show return ticket and hotel booking. They can be strict about proof of funds sometimes so carry a bank statement.
Should I rent a car?
On Mahé and Praslin it makes life easier but it’s expensive (₹4,000+ per day). The buses are decent if you don’t mind waiting. On La Digue you don’t need one – just rent a bike for ₹800 a day.
What about the Seychelles creoles?
Most people speak English and French. The creole language is beautiful but you don’t need to learn it. People are generally friendly once you start talking to them.
Is the snorkeling actually good?
Some spots are decent but I’ve seen better in Indonesia and even parts of Andaman. The marine park near Praslin was good though. Rent gear for ₹1,200 a day rather than buying cheap stuff that breaks.
Look, Seychelles is beautiful. The water really does look photoshopped in real life. But it’s also expensive, the food gets boring after a while, and you need to plan properly to avoid getting ripped off. If you go with the right expectations – clear water, white sand, not much else – you’ll have a good time. Just don’t expect it to be perfect because it isn’t.
I’d go back but only if I found cheap flights and could stay longer in one place. Rushing between islands was exhausting and honestly not worth it. Pick your island, book a self-catering place, and just chill. That’s the real Seychelles experience.
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