Seychelles – The Island That Completely Stole My Heart
Exploring Mahé Island
Some places simply leave you speechless.
Seychelles was one of those places for me. An island full of wild beauty, colours, and landscapes that almost don’t feel real. The main island Mahé is incredible on its own, but if you visit Seychelles, make sure you also explore La Digue and Praslin.
Since I’m someone who loves travelling independently rather than through agencies, Seychelles turned out to be a perfect destination. Everything is easy to organize on your own — from accommodation and activities to island hopping.
I rented a car and quickly learned how to drive on the opposite side of the road. After a few kilometers, it actually became fun. One important tip: rent an automatic car so you don’t have to think about shifting gears while adjusting to the different side of the road.
The car that half of the island seems to drive is the legendary Suzuki Jimny –https://www.globalsuzuki.com/automobile/lineup/jimny/ . Before this trip I barely noticed that car, but after ten days in Seychelles I managed to fall in love not only with the island, but also with the Jimny.
If anyone from Suzuki happens to read this — we should definitely talk about a good deal for a Jimny, because that car has been on my mind ever since.
Why You Should Visit La Digue
I visited Praslin and La Digue as part of a guided day tour, but if I could do it again I would probably organize it myself. There is a ferry connection between the islands, and it would be much nicer to stay a few days and explore everything at your own pace rather than rushing from one place to another.
One small regret I have is that I didn’t spend more time on La Digue. The island has a completely different rhythm — slower, calmer and incredibly charming. People move around by bicycle, the beaches feel untouched, and the whole island has a very special vibe.
Next time I visit Seychelles — and I truly hope I will — I would love to take a small plane to Praslin. Seeing the archipelago from the air must be absolutely breathtaking, and the flight takes only about 20 minutes compared to the 1.5-hour ferry ride.
Beau Vallon Evenings
Beau Vallon is probably the most developed and lively part of Mahé, offering a wide range of hotels, apartments, restaurants and beachside bars. Despite being one of the main tourist areas on the island, it never feels overcrowded. Seychelles has managed to preserve a very balanced approach to tourism, focusing on quality rather than mass tourism, which is something I truly admire. It allows visitors to enjoy the beauty of the island without the feeling of being in an overrun destination. Hopefully this philosophy will remain for many years to come, because protecting the island from excessive development is what keeps Seychelles so special and naturally beautiful.
As the day slowly turns into evening, Beau Vallon becomes even more vibrant. The beachfront promenade fills with small food stands, restaurants and relaxed beach bars where locals and travellers mix effortlessly. It’s the perfect place to end the day with good food, a cold drink and the sound of the ocean in the background.
Walking along the promenade, you can find everything from fresh grilled fish and local Creole dishes to simple street food and tropical cocktails. What makes this place special is the atmosphere — relaxed, friendly and full of life, yet never overwhelming.
At Savoy Resort – https://savoy.sc/ , I met Iman, who works at the reception. He is truly the soul of that hotel. Every morning starts with his smile and positive energy. The entire staff at the resort was fantastic, but Iman is definitely someone you remember.
Another beautiful evening happened on the Beau Vallon promenade, where I met two wonderful women who run a small souvenir stand. What started as a quick drink turned into hours of conversations and stories about island life. Listening to locals share their perspective made the experience even more special.
Seychelles isn’t just about relaxing on the beach — although the beaches and cocktails were definitely my favourite part of the day. The island also offers many hiking trails. I managed to visit Anse Major trail, which is stunning, but I have to admit that hiking at 30°C is not exactly my favourite activity.
If you need the perfect balance after a day in the sun, I highly recommend Peppermint Massage Studio in Beau Vallon – https://peppermintspaseychelles.com/. A perfect place for complete relaxation.
Botanical Garden
The Seychelles National Botanical Gardens in Victoria on Mahé are also worth a visit, especially if you want to experience a different side of the island’s nature. The garden is home to many tropical plants, towering palms and colourful flowers, but one of the most memorable moments is meeting the famous giant tortoises. Visitors can actually feed them, which is a surprisingly touching and peaceful experience. Watching these gentle giants slowly move around the garden while enjoying their meal is something that brings a simple kind of joy and makes you appreciate the unique wildlife of Seychelles even more.
Takamaka Rum Distillery
What impressed me the most was the amount of greenery and untouched nature across all the islands. Everywhere you go there is this relaxed Hakuna Matata feeling. And of course, I cannot forget one very important stop: the Takamaka Rum Distillery –https://www.takamakarum.com/our-home . We did the distillery tour and learned about the rum production process, which was surprisingly fascinating. Naturally, we had to taste the dark rum afterwards. Even though I’m not usually a rum fan, I have to admit it was absolutely delicious
The distillery is located close to Anse Royal, which means you can combine a beautiful beach day with a great rum cocktail.
Now that I’ve explored this island, I can only say one thing: This is one of those places I simply know I will return to.
If you are planning a trip to Seychelles and would love to capture your memories on these beautiful islands, I would love to photograph your story there.
If you enjoy relaxed and natural love stories like this one, you can also explore more couple sessions on my website. – https://marinaribarphotography.com/gallery/couple-photoshoot-in-seychelles-anse-royal-mahe-destination-photographer-videographer/
While Seychelles felt like a tropical dream, many beautiful love stories are also captured closer to home, especially along the stunning Croatian coast. – https://marinaribarphotography.com/gallery/engagement-session-parizevacka-glavica-zrmanja-canyon-croatia/
I also love documenting stories in big cities – like this session photographed in New York. – https://marinaribarphotography.com/gallery/engagement-session-new-york-usa/
