Discover everything you need to know about Seychelles Tours and Excursions across the islands of Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue. Learn what types of tours are available, where to book them, and which languages the guides speak. I’ll walk you through the most popular options, highlight the ones worth your attention, and share plenty of useful tips that can save you time—and sometimes even money.

General Information about Seychelles Tours and Excursions

Let’s start with general points, some obvious, some not so much. This way, you’ll Let’s start with the basics—some things may seem obvious, others less so—but this overview will help you better understand how the excursion scene works in the Seychelles.

Today, excursions on the islands generally fall into two categories:

  1. Water-based activities — boat trips, catamaran cruises, and snorkeling adventures.
  2. Land-based island tours — mostly by car, on Mahé and Praslin.

When it comes to car tours, it’s important to know that the Seychelles isn’t packed with man-made attractions. There’s only one town—Victoria—and its center can be explored on foot in just a couple of hours.

Most land-based tours are scenic drives to beaches, viewpoints, and national parks in a guide’s car. These are ideal if you’re not renting a car yourself. On the other hand, if you do plan to rent a car on Mahé or Praslin, you’ll easily be able to explore most key spots on your own. (Check out my article about renting a car on the islands, including personal tips and common pitfalls.)

seychelles tours
It’s certainly possible to rent a buggy and circle the island yourself, but a classic car with a roof is the smarter choice—it rains more often than you’d expect in the Seychelles.
  • When paying for excursions locally, you can use Seychellois rupees, euros, or US dollars. Prices are usually quoted in euros, and it’s typically the most cost-effective currency to use. If you want to pay in rupees, that’s not a problem—local operators usually apply a fair exchange rate. (More details about money matters, card payments, and what to bring are available in the linked article.)
  • Bargaining is not common in the Seychelles—not just for tours, but in general. Locals aren’t keen on haggling. If you’re buying a tour “off the beach,” you might manage a 10% discount at best, but don’t expect much more. Honestly, it’s rare these days to even find tour sellers directly on the beach. But more on that below.

Important Note: Card-Only Entry Fees

There’s a unique quirk in the Seychelles: at certain attractions—like botanical gardens or mountain trails—entrance fees are card-only. Cash is not accepted. This is no issue if you’re on a guided tour. Even if entrance tickets aren’t included in the price, the guide will pay with their card and you can reimburse them in cash.
tour mahe seychelles
For example, some jungle hiking trails end with stunning viewpoints only accessible by car. A personal guide or private vehicle solves that logistical hurdle. Guides know every trail—paid or free—and where to find the most breathtaking vistas.

You can find a detailed list of Seychelles attractions with card-only access in my article: Top 20 Sights in the Seychelles.

Guides, Prices & Where to Book Excursions in the Seychelles

Now for the practical side of things:

Everyone in the Seychelles speaks English—even children. Around 80% also speak French. So, 100% of tours are available in English, and many are also offered in French.

In the digital age, the entire excursion market has moved online. On most beaches, you won’t find anyone selling tours in person. To be honest, the only beach where you can still book a tour in person is Beau Vallon on Mahé. On other beaches, there are simply no sellers. (See my Mahé beach guide to learn where to stay and why travelers love the Seychelles—for the record, it’s the secluded beaches.)

where to buy excursion seychelles
Take Port Launay Beach, for example—it’s the second most popular beach on Mahé and still feels deserted. No crowds, no street vendors, no drums or corn sellers. If you’re staying on such a beach, you won’t find anyone offering tours. There’s literally no one to buy from.

Useful to know:

Online offers beat anything you’ll find locally. Tour guides and operators list all their services on major booking platforms, making it easy to compare experiences, prices, and availability.

Here are two top websites for finding and booking excursions in the Seychelles:

  • Viator – Here, guides offer about a hundred tours in various languages. Tours are private, group, catamarans, hiking. Here, you will definitely find what you need.
  • GetYourGuide – The largest selection of excursions in the Seychelles. You’ll find everything here: group tours, private tours, catamaran cruises, hikes, and more. You’re almost guaranteed to find what suits you—but no promises. 😉

Popular Excursions in the Seychelles: Recommendations

Now that you know where to find and book excursions, here are some of the most popular and in-demand experiences among travelers. Use this as a reference to see what’s on offer and decide what interests you:

Water-Based Excursions

All-day combos — Visit 2 islands with tortoises, enjoy a snorkeling session, then relax with a Creole-style lunch or dinner on the beach.

Uninhabited island tours — Visit islands like Curieuse, a national park home to hundreds of giant tortoises roaming freely.

Snorkeling trips — Guides know the best spots. You’ll get fins and a mask, and may see stingrays, turtles, and even reef sharks. Learn more about snorkeling in Seychelles.

Catamaran cruises — Often combined with beach barbecues and sunset views.

excursions seychelles price
My wife and I snorkeling off the coast of Mahé—an unforgettable experience

Land-Based Excursions

  • Walking tours in Victoria — There’s only one city in the country, so these are exclusive to the capital.
  • Private full-day island tours by car — More affordable than a taxi. Your guide will drive you around in their car, following a custom itinerary based on your interests. Ideal for travelers without a rental car—you can see a lot in one day.
  • Mountain hiking on Mahé — These hikes lead to incredible viewpoints. Many travelers hire a guide, but to be honest, you don’t need one. The trails are clearly marked and often free. The real challenge is getting to the trailhead—no public transport goes there.

If you’re an active traveler without a car, it makes sense to book a full-day driver who can drop you off and wait while you hike. You’ll find trail coordinates and descriptions in my hiking article.

seychelles guide
Here’s a photo from one of the scenic viewpoints on the Anse Major trail. You’ll often see tourists here with guides, but the trail is easy to follow on your own. The only tricky part is getting to the start—no buses go there.

Travel Tips & Final Recommendations

To summarize:

  • Try any water-based activity that interests you. I especially recommend tours to Curieuse Island from Praslin or La Digue, and snorkeling tours to Sainte Anne Island from Mahé. You’ll find plenty of options. Note: from Mahé, the boat ride to Curieuse is quite long, so most tours to that island depart from Praslin.
  • City tour of Victoria? That’s up to you. If you enjoy guided city walks with stories and insights, go for it. If not, Victoria is easy to explore solo. Check out my guide to Victoria with attraction coordinates, parking tips, and visit suggestions.
  • Private island tour by car with a guide — highly recommended for those without a rental car. Make a list of places you want to see (including hikes), and let the guide handle the rest.
  • Always book excursions in advance—at least 5–7 days ahead. During peak season, book 2–3 weeks early. The best guides with the most interesting tours and fair prices get booked fast.

In Conclusion

If you’re comfortable with an English-speaking guide, there are excursions for every taste in the Seychelles. No, this isn’t a destination for architecture lovers or castle tours. You won’t find grand cities or cathedrals here.

What the Seychelles offers is pure nature—the ocean, lush jungles, rugged mountains, exotic wildlife, and pristine beaches. And when it comes to those kinds of experiences, you’ll have more options than you can imagine.

IMPORTANT: essential links to organize your dream trip to the Seychelles:

  • FLIGHTS: WayAway – direct flights and best deals.

  • CAR RENTAL:
    • Mahe and Praslin, no deposit required – LocalRent

    • The most famous car rental company – DiscoverCars.

  • TOURS and EXCURSIONS:
    • GetYourGuide – 90+ activities and tours in the Seychelles.

    • Viator – 130 + activities in Seychelles.

  • TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA.

  • HOTELS, VILLAS, APARTMENTS:
    • TripAdvisor compares prices among a dozen other services and platforms and offers to choose the best one.

    • Trip.com – one of the most popular accommodation booking platforms.

  • PACKAGES: from budget to luxury – CheapOair.

  • AIRPORT TRANSFER: Intui.

  • INTERNET: eSIM of local telecom operator – Airalo.