Why go
The islands reward a choice of pace as much as a choice of beach. Use Mahé for the capital and upland scenery, Praslin for the coco de mer forest, and La Digue for a smaller island setting. The remote coral islands belong to a different kind of journey, so plan those separately.
What to look for
- Victoria is the capital on Mahé, the largest of the main islands.
- Praslin and neighbouring Curieuse are home to the coco de mer palm.
- The Outer Islands extend far beyond the main granitic group.
Useful to know
- Choose an island base before grouping beaches and nature visits; the archipelago is spread across a large sea area.
- Check local sea conditions before making swimming or boat trips the centre of a day.