Advertorials
7 Things to Do in the Seychelles Beyond the Overwater Villa
Granite boulder beaches, a prehistoric palm forest, and car-free islands, the Seychelles rewards leaving the villa deck a lot more than the brochures let on.
Jul 23, 2026 · BigTravel.in
The Seychelles gets sold almost entirely on its overwater villas, and the villas are genuinely worth it, but the 115 granite and coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean hold a lot more than a private plunge pool. Here are seven places worth leaving the resort for, each with a direct map link to find it.
1. Anse Source d'Argent, La Digue
The single most photographed beach in the Indian Ocean, giant pink granite boulders framing shallow, almost impossibly clear water. Arrive before 9am, both for the light and because the beach genuinely fills up by mid-morning once the day-trip boats from Praslin land.
2. Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, Praslin
A UNESCO-listed palm forest and the only place on earth the coco de mer, the world's largest seed, grows wild. It feels genuinely prehistoric inside the canopy, and the reserve's short, well-marked trails make it an easy half-day addition to a Praslin stay.
3. Anse Lazio, Praslin
Regularly ranked among the world's best beaches, and unlike Anse Source d'Argent it has no entry fee and a genuinely large stretch of sand, so it rarely feels as crowded even in high season.
4. Morne Seychellois National Park, Mahé
Covers roughly twenty percent of Mahé's land area, and the hike to Morne Blanc's viewpoint rewards a sweaty ninety minutes with a genuine cloud-forest panorama over the west coast, a version of the islands most villa guests never see.
5. Sainte Anne Marine National Park boat trip
A short boat ride from Victoria out to a cluster of protected islets, with snorkelling over coral gardens and glass-bottom boat options for non-swimmers. Book the earliest morning slot for the calmest water and best underwater visibility.
6. Victoria Market, Mahé
Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market, the capital's central produce and spice market, is the fastest way to see ordinary Seychellois daily life rather than the resort version, particularly lively on Saturday mornings before it winds down by early afternoon.
7. Cycling La Digue's car-free lanes
Almost the entire island runs on bicycles and ox-carts instead of cars, and renting a bike for a full day to loop between beaches at your own pace is consistently rated the best single thing to do on La Digue, cheaper and slower than any organised tour.
Traveller tips
- Book inter-island ferries between Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue well ahead in July-August and December-January; sailings are limited and do sell out.
- Carry cash in euros or Seychelles rupees for smaller beach kiosks and La Digue's bicycle rentals; card acceptance drops sharply outside resorts.
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen specifically; several marine park areas now restrict standard sunscreen to protect the coral.
- Rent a car on Mahé for a day to reach Morne Seychellois independently rather than booking a tour; the roads are well maintained and parking at trailheads is free.
Where this is
Anse Source d'Argent, La Digue