While Seychelles is renowned for its stunning beaches, a vacation here offers much more than just swimming. Seychelles is, after all, a nature reserve spread across numerous islands. Consequently, excursions in Seychelles are an integral part of the vacation experience.
If you'd like to explore Seychelles through guided tours, you can arrange one through your hotel or a local travel agency on the major islands. These excursions typically cover a wide range of islands, and transportation is usually by boat.
The prices for Seychelles excursions vary based on the distance of the trip and the number of islands included. For instance, a sightseeing tour of Mahe Island, featuring its stunning bays and beaches, might cost around 150 EUR. Meanwhile, a trip to the St. Anne Marine National Park, encompassing a tour of five islands and a glass-bottom boat ride, can start at 500 EUR.
For an adventure to Bird Island, where you can encounter Esmeralda, the islands' oldest turtle, and witness unique bird nesting sites, the cost can reach up to 1000 EUR. This is due to the approximately 8-hour boat journey or a half-hour plane ride required to reach the island.
A tour of Praslin or La Digue typically costs between 300 and 400 EUR. On Praslin, you'll have the opportunity to explore the Vale de Me forest, home to the famous Coco de Mer nut and several other palm species that are endemic to this unique location. These palm species are found nowhere else in the world. The forest also hosts the black parrot, another distinctive Seychelles species that nests here.
Meanwhile, on La Digue, you'll be surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenery in the archipelago. Additionally, you can visit a creole house museum that was once the backdrop for the movie "The Return of Emmanuelle."
A trip to Arid Island, a bird sanctuary, can cost around 600 EUR or more. However, it's a unique opportunity to witness a real bird market, as several different bird species nest here. On the other hand, the excursion to Muayen Island is more about entertainment than education. Here, you'll find beaches, Creole cuisine, and a chance to search for pirate treasure, as legend has it that it's hidden somewhere on the island. The cost of such an adventure typically starts from 800-900 EUR.
Travelers' reviews of Seychelles tours suggest that it's often easier and more affordable to seek assistance from locals. For a relatively modest fee, they can serve as your guides for excursions and fishing trips, showing you unique places that may not be part of the usual tourist routes. You'll also find that communication during your vacation is not a problem, as English and French are widely spoken in Seychelles.
