Seychelles Island-Hopping Honeymoon: Praslin & La Digue

The short answer: for a 10–14 night honeymoon, visit two or three islands: Praslin and La Digue for beaches, with Mahé at the start or end because international flights land there. Mahé–Praslin takes about 15–20 minutes by domestic flight or about an hour by fast ferry; Praslin–La Digue is about 15 minutes by ferry. Stay at least three nights per island, and splurge on one private-island resort only if the budget allows.

The Seychelles is one of the best destinations in the Indian Ocean for a pure beach honeymoon, but staying on only one island misses much of what makes the country special. The main inner islands are close together and feel very different from each other, so combining them creates a richer trip without extra borders, visas or long journeys. This guide covers the practical side of island hopping. For a ready-made day-by-day route, see our Seychelles honeymoon itinerary: three islands in 10 nights.

The islands compared

Island	Feel	Best for	Ideal stay
Mahé	Largest island; mountains, coves, widest hotel choice	Arrival and departure nights, variety of restaurants and resorts	2 – 3 nights
Praslin	Relaxed, excellent beaches, easy exploring	A main beach base with resort comfort	4 – 5 nights
La Digue	Tiny, bicycles, granite boulders, very slow pace	Atmosphere and a quiet finish	3 – 4 nights
Private islands	One resort per island; total seclusion	A splurge of two to four nights	2 – 4 nights

Mahé

Mahé is the main international gateway and has the widest range of hotels, dramatic granite mountains, hidden coves and enough restaurants and activities for a longer stay. Many couples use it for the first night to recover from the flight, or the last two or three nights to avoid a same-day connection to their international departure.

Praslin

Praslin is slower and smaller, with standout beaches such as Anse Lazio and easy access to the Vallée de Mai and Curieuse Island. It works well as a romantic resort base without feeling cut off.

La Digue

La Digue is the most distinctive of the three: bicycles, sculpted boulders and a very relaxed pace. Anse Source d’Argent is famous, but the real pleasure is the island rhythm.

Private islands

Several islands, including Félicité, North Island, Frégate, Denis, Silhouette and Desroches, each host a single resort. They offer extraordinary privacy but are among the most expensive stays in the Indian Ocean, and access is by boat, helicopter or light aircraft. Most couples add one for a few nights rather than building a whole trip around them.

How to get between the islands

Route	Fast ferry	Domestic flight
Mahé → Praslin	About 1 hour	About 15 – 20 minutes
Praslin → La Digue	About 15 minutes	No airport on La Digue
Mahé → La Digue	About 1.5 hours via Praslin	Fly to Praslin, then ferry
Mahé → private islands	Some by resort boat	Helicopter or light aircraft, arranged by the resort

Ferry or flight? Ferries are cheaper and connect harbour to harbour, but the Mahé–Praslin crossing can be rough when the trade winds blow, especially from June to September. Domestic flights are quicker and smoother but cost more and have tighter luggage allowances. A good compromise is to fly Mahé to Praslin and take the short ferry to La Digue.

Island-hopping tips

Pack soft bags and keep weight down for small planes and ferries.
Avoid tight same-day connections to your international flight; spend the last night on Mahé if departing early.
Book transfers with your hotels or a specialist so ferry tickets, jetty pick-ups and luggage are coordinated.
Three nights minimum per island — any less and the trip becomes about packing.

How many nights on each island?

Trip length	Suggested split
7 nights	Praslin 4 + La Digue 3, or Mahé 3 + Praslin 4
10 nights	Mahé 1–3 + Praslin 4–5 + La Digue 3–4
12 nights	Mahé 3 + Praslin 5 + La Digue 4
14 nights	Mahé 3 + Praslin 5 + La Digue 3 + private island 3

For longer trips, add nights to Praslin or Mahé rather than adding more islands. Honeymoons benefit from slower transfers and longer stays.

Best time for Seychelles island hopping

Months	Sea and wind	Island-hopping verdict
Apr – May	Calm, light winds	Best for ferries
Oct – Nov	Calm, clear water	Best for ferries
Jun – Sep	South-east trade winds; choppier crossings	Consider flying Mahé–Praslin
Dec – Mar	North-west winds, warmer, humid, showers	Good; occasional rough days

The Seychelles is warm year-round. Choose hotels on the sheltered side of each island for your month. Full detail is in the best time for a Seychelles honeymoon.

How much does an island-hopping honeymoon cost?

The Seychelles is not a low-cost beach destination. Strong romantic resorts commonly range from US$300–800 per night per couple, while top luxury and private-island properties can exceed US$1,000 by a large margin. A mix keeps the total sensible: one indulgent resort, then a boutique hotel on La Digue where the island provides the experience. Add ferries or domestic flights and the cost of eating out, which is high by regional standards. Full 7-, 10- and 14-night budgets are in the Seychelles honeymoon cost guide.

Entry requirements

All visitors to the Seychelles need a Seychelles Travel Authorisation, applied for online before departure. Visitor permits are generally issued on arrival for tourists with a return ticket and confirmed accommodation. Check current requirements for your nationality before booking.

Romantic island-hopping highlights

A private island-hopping boat day with snorkelling stops.
A private catamaran cruise between Praslin, La Digue and the outer islets.
A private sandbank picnic.
Cycling La Digue at your own pace.
A beachfront candlelit dinner on Praslin or Mahé.

Planning a multi-island Seychelles honeymoon?

The main decision is how much time to spend on each island without making the trip transfer-heavy. A specialist can coordinate hotels, ferries and flights — free, with no obligation.

Plan your Seychelles honeymoon

Seychelles Island-Hopping Questions

How many islands should we visit on a Seychelles honeymoon?

For a ten- to fourteen-night honeymoon, two or three islands is ideal, usually Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. More islands can make the trip feel dominated by packing and transfers.

How do you get from Mahé to Praslin and La Digue?

Mahé to Praslin takes about 15 to 20 minutes by domestic flight or about an hour by fast ferry. Praslin to La Digue takes about 15 minutes by ferry, as La Digue has no airport.

Should we take the ferry or fly between Seychelles islands?

Ferries are cheaper and harbour-to-harbour, but the Mahé to Praslin crossing can be rough in the trade-wind months. Flying is quicker and smoother. Many couples fly to Praslin and take the short ferry to La Digue.

Is La Digue worth staying overnight?

Yes. Day trips are common, but staying two or three nights lets you experience the quieter mornings and evenings after day visitors leave.

Which Seychelles island is best for romantic resorts?

Mahé and Praslin have the broadest range of high-end romantic resorts, private islands offer the most seclusion, and La Digue is more about small-scale charm and setting.

Do we need a visa for the Seychelles?

Most visitors do not need a visa in advance, but all travellers must apply online for a Seychelles Travel Authorisation before departure. Check the current rules for your nationality.

Continue planning: Seychelles honeymoon guide · Seychelles honeymoon itinerary · Seychelles honeymoon resorts · Seychelles vs Mauritius.