The classic triangle: Mahé, Praslin and La Digue

The starting point for most itineraries is Mahé, the main island, dominated by the granite peaks of the Morne Seychellois National Park, which encompasses no less than 20 per cent of Mahé’s territory and offers a wide variety of natural environments. From here, the classic island-hopping route winds its way to Praslin and La Digue, three neighbouring islands that are nevertheless profoundly different in terms of pace and atmosphere. To travel from Mahé to Praslin, you can choose to take the Cat Cocos ferries, which connect the two ports in around 60 minutes, or take a quick domestic flight with Air Seychelles, lasting just 20 minutes, ideal for those seeking a spectacular aerial view of the coral reef.

Getting around the islands varies depending on the location. On Mahé and Praslin, which have tarmac roads and longer distances, hiring a car is the best option for travelling independently. In contrast, on La Digue, life seems to follow a different pace: cars are extremely rare here, and the preferred mode of transport is the bicycle, which is used to travel along the flat paths connecting the beaches to the small villages.

Those looking for a wilder alternative, less overrun by mass tourism, can include a two-night stay on Silhouette right from the start of their trip. Situated just 30 minutes by boat from Mahé, it is a mountainous island densely covered by an almost equatorial rainforest, where nature retains its primeval character.