19 Best Sights in Seychelles

This small bay of white sand punctuated by granite boulders could certainly contend for Praslin's prettiest beach—a complete lack of development and difficult access keep it so. Unfortunately, road access passes through the Constance Lemuria Resort, and nonguests must get permission to enter, which is not always an easy task. Call or email the resort at least 24-hours in advance if you want to be sure to get in. Alternatively, there is now a forest path from Anse Lazio, but it takes about an hour to walk between the two beaches, and decent shoes are needed. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling, swimming.

If you want a calmer experience, head for Anse à la Mouche, a crystal clear bay on the southwest coast of the island, where shallow, calm water reigns year-round. Good for kids. Amenities: food. Best for: swimming.

If you're near Anse Source d'Argent but want more privacy, the neighboring beach of Anse Bonnet Carré has the same white sand and shallow warm waters, but fewer rocks and people. It requires a short walk, and thus is often deserted, but it's great if you want a dip rather than a proper swim. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming, walking, solitude.

To get away from it all, head to this beach in the southeast. The sea, as you approach Anse Marie Louise (just past the Anse Forbans Chalets), can be rough (it's a favorite spot for surfers), but you may have the whole thing to yourself. The nearby Surfer's Café is a nice place for a snack or a drink. Amenities : none. Best for: solitude, surfing, swimming.

A bit longer than Anse Patates, which makes it perfect for walking, this beach on the island's northern end has soft, white sand and calm seas. However, dangerous currents make it unsuitable for swimming or snorkeling. Amenities: none. Best for: walking.

A half mile of powder white sand, this is one of Mahé's most picturesque beaches. It's also one of the wildest, with the lack of a reef creating a large swell that makes it a favorite for surfers; swimming can be rough. It's also a favorite spot for sunbathing. The Banyan Tree Seychelles dominates the northern side of this beach, but it is open to nonguests. If you are organized, you could make a reservation at one of their excellent restaurants for lunch or dinner. Anse Intendance is one of the few places on Mahé where turtles still nest. Amenities : parking, toilets (only for hotel guests). Best for : surfing.

Closer to La Passe, this long, beautiful beach has fine views of neighboring Praslin Island. La Digue's most built-up beach in terms of surrounding hotels and restaurants, it's also great for snorkeling and swimming. Amenities: Food and drink; toilet. Best for: Snorkeling; swimming; walking.

Praslin's most famous beach is located on the island's northeastern tip. A long strip of golden sand with stunning granite boulders on either end and takamaka trees providing much coveted shade, this calm beach is known for excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities. Unfortunately, this postcard perfect spot can get extremely crowded, diminishing the magic for some.

When you arrive, head left and look for a nook at the very end between the boulders.

The bus doesn't reach here, so you'll have to drive or walk about 20 minutes from the closest bus stop. Two restaurants operate on either end of the beach, about a ten minute walk away from one another.

food and drink, parking, toilets (at restaurants).

snorkeling, swimming.

Next to the longer Anse Gaulettes, this smaller beach on the island's northernmost end has soft, white sand and calm seas, making it well suited for swimming and snorkeling. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming, snorkeling.

If you're near Anse Source d'Argent but want more privacy, the neighboring beach of Anse Pierrot has the same white sand and shallow warm waters, but fewer rocks and people. It requires a short walk, and thus is often deserted. It's great if you want some privacy and a dip rather than a proper swim. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming, walking, solitude.

A large and beautiful white-sand beach fronting one of the larger "towns" in Mahé's south, Anse Royale hosts calm waters, plenty of shady palms, and a few restaurants, hotels, and shops supplying amenities just a few feet away. During the northwest monsoon this stretch of coast is calm and tranquil, making the stretch of small rock-fringed coves near the Anglican church great for swimming and snorkeling. Swim out from the rocks at "Fairyland" and up to the small island just off the coast. This area is enclosed by a reef and fairly shallow. Beware of currents, however. Les Dauphins Heureux restaurant is a great option when all the swimming and sunning have made you ravenous. Amenities: food and drink (at nearby restaurants and take-aways); toilets (at restaurants). Best for : snorkeling; swimming.

A calm, jade-blue bay fringed with granite boulders borders this great swimming beach. Its golden sands are a popular and photogenic spot, made more so by the Anse Soleil Café—the only public property on the beach—where you can enjoy a fantastic seafood meal. Just offshore, massive underwater boulders make for good snorkelling, and onshore, large trees create good shade for committed beach lovers. Getting here is something of an off-the-beaten-track journey, but well worth the extra effort. Amenities: food, parking, toilets (at the restaurant). Best for : snorkelling, swimming.

If you're feeling adventurous, hire a guide (you can ask at the Loutier Coco restaurant, or organize one in advance) to take you to the beautiful, wild beaches at the island's southern tip. About a 20- to 40-minute walk from Grand Anse, Anse Songe is lovely and surrounded by trees so you can enjoy some shade. Another 20–40 minutes along from Anse Songe, Grand Marron's empty beach is a stunning and worthy reward for the adventurous.

The hike from Anse Songe to Grand Marron involves climbing over some seriously rocky outcrops and is only for the fit and well prepared (good water shoes are advised).

La Digue is home to some of the world's best beaches, including one of the most photographed, Anse Source d'Argent (the film Cast Away was filmed here). With its soft, white sand, clear turquoise water, and huge granite boulders, it's easy to see why this would be the case. However, the crowds it attracts could outweigh the beach's stunning natural attributes. In either case, it's worth visiting and deciding for yourself. The beach is accessible only through L'Union Estate, for which you must pay the normal entry fee of Rs100. Amenities: Food and drink; toilet. Best for: Snorkeling; swimming; walking.

Mahé's most popular beach, this 3-km (2-mile) crescent on the northwest coast enjoys surf from September to April, safe swimming year-round, and many hotel and dining facilities. The only beach where motorized water sports (Jet Skis, waterskiing) are allowed, there are also numerous recreation and water-sport operators to choose from. With a lifegurad on duty, and no strong currents, rocks, or corals, it's safe for children. It's also a popular beach for an evening run. On Wednesday evenings a food market is held along a promenade between the Coral Strand and Savoy hotels: come join locals who buy delicious takeaway curries and treats to enjoy on the beach at sunset. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; toilets (at hotels). Best for: swimming, walking, partiers.

Cote d'Or Beach (also known as Anse Volbert) is an extensive and stunning white-sand beach that frequently appears on best-beach lists. There are quite a few hotels and restaurants nearby. The only downside to this gorgeous strip of sand, probably Praslin's most popular, is that you won't be alone, and you may get hassled by beach boys selling boat trips and the like. Amenities: Food and drink; toilets (at hotels). Best for: Swimming; partiers; walking.

Grand Anse on the southwest coast is another large stretch of sand with several hotels and restaurants. Lovely from October to March, it can be the recipient of a lot of mucky sea grass the rest of the year. Good for swimming and water sports when sea grass is absent, there are also plenty of places to rent equipment for the latter. Amenities: Food and drink, toilets (at hotels). Best for: Swimming, walking.

On La Digue's eastern side, this picturesque beach is known for its huge waves. The sea may look inviting, but there is an extremely strong undertow, so beware. Strong surfers may find a ride, but picnics and sunbathing are the recommended activities here. Grand Anse is home to the Loutier Coco restaurant. Petite Anse, just across the rocks from Grand Anse, is more private and great for picnics, but shares the same rough conditions as its big sister. Amenities: food and drink; toilet (at restaurant). Best for: solitude; surfing; walking; sunrise.

For great swimming and snorkeling, head to this small beach in the northwest, where turtle sightings are common and sunsets are breathtaking. Enjoy a sundowner at the Sunset Beach Hotel bar, where drinks come with mouth-watering baked coconut and plantain chips, as well as a perfect sea view. A good fringe of palms and trees makes this a lovely place to spend a day. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming; snorkelling; sunsets.