Hear about our Reservations Manager Chris’s unforgettable island-hopping journey through the Seychelles.
By Chris Smart
Reservations Manager
During my 14 years at Beachcomber Tours, I’ve been fortunate enough to visit and stay at nearly all the properties we offer. In that time, when it comes to natural beauty, the Seychelles stands head and shoulders above the rest. On my most recent visit, I followed an island-hopping itinerary, staying on Praslin and Denis Island, an experience that perfectly showcased the diversity of this remarkable destination.
Arrival in Mahé & Transfer to Praslin
My colleague and I arrived on a gloriously warm and sunny May morning, where we were met by a representative from Masons Travel, our ground handlers in the Seychelles. A cold towel and a welcome seat in their air-conditioned office set the tone immediately. After collecting our information packs, we were transferred just ten minutes to the port to board the Cat Cocos ferry to Praslin, the Seychelles’ second-largest island.
I approached the ferry crossing with a little apprehension, as it can be choppy at times, but after roughly 40 minutes we arrived feeling absolutely fine and ready to explore. That said, having visited Praslin previously, I would still personally recommend flying from Mahé where possible. The 15-minute flight offers spectacular aerial views of the coral islands below and avoids the potential discomfort of rough seas during certain seasons.
Our accommodation on Praslin was L’Archipel, a charming 30-room property located just ten minutes from the jetty. Set in a beautiful bay, the hotel has a tropical yet colonial feel, with accommodation dotted along a gentle slope facing the ocean. Large terraces invite you to sit back, relax, and soak up the warmth and views through the mature gardens.
As we were only staying for one night, we made time to visit the world-famous Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO-listed forest and home to the extraordinary Coco de Mer, the world’s heaviest seed. We spent about an hour wandering the shaded, well-maintained trails, learning about this unique ecosystem and its fascinating natural history. If time allows, I would absolutely recommend spending longer on Praslin to explore its beaches and laid-back island atmosphere.
That evening, we enjoyed cocktails by the infinity pool before dining in one of the hotel’s two restaurants. While the menu was fairly limited, the food itself was very tasty and captured the essence of the Indian Ocean, one of those meals that reminds you exactly why you’ve travelled so far to a tropical destination.
After a very comfortable night’s sleep in an enormous bed, it was time to head back to Mahé via ferry before boarding a light aircraft to Denis Island.
The flight to Denis Island took around 30 minutes, but it absolutely flew by (sorry for the pun). By way of background, I spent the first five years of my career at Beachcomber Tours working extensively with our Africa programme, staying in some truly exceptional safari lodges. Denis Island is the closest I’ve come since to replicating that sense of exclusive, immersive luxury.
Landing on the grass airstrip and being collected by golf buggy by a welcoming member of staff is an experience in itself. You’re immediately transported into a different world.
There are just 25 cottages on Denis Island, all individually built using timber and resources grown on the island itself. The craftsmanship is exceptional, with cottages ranging from 90 to 325 square metres, each featuring outdoor showers, mature gardens, day beds, and wonderfully oversized beds. The same care and attention is evident throughout the island, from the bar and restaurant to the library and communal areas.
We took a golf buggy tour around the island, learning how it operates as a working ecosystem. We passed the farm with its animals, the vegetable gardens, the workshops where everything is made, and even a small chapel where weddings often take place. It was genuinely fascinating and offered a deeper understanding of both the island and the Seychelles as a whole.
A Truly Privileged Experience
After swimming in crystal-clear waters that genuinely look airbrushed, followed by a lazy afternoon snooze, we discreetly watched a wedding taking place on the beach. It had a wonderfully Robinson Crusoe feel, very tempting, though not quite enough to inspire me to get married just yet!
That evening, we enjoyed drinks in the bar before sitting down to a beautifully prepared dinner. Denis Island is one of those places where you genuinely feel privileged to have spent time, and leaving the next morning was tinged with sadness, though the scenic flight back to Mahé certainly lifted my spirits.
Looking back on the trip as a whole, I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced such a variety of islands within one country. For travellers with 10 to 14 nights available, island hopping is, in my opinion, the best way to experience the Seychelles, offering contrasting landscapes, atmospheres, and unforgettable moments, all within a single journey.
Hear about our Reservations Manager Chris’s unforgettable island-hopping journey through the Seychelles.
By Chris Smart
Reservations Manager
During my 14 years at Beachcomber Tours, I’ve been fortunate enough to visit and stay at nearly all the properties we offer. In that time, when it comes to natural beauty, the Seychelles stands head and shoulders above the rest. On my most recent visit, I followed an island-hopping itinerary, staying on Praslin and Denis Island, an experience that perfectly showcased the diversity of this remarkable destination.
Arrival in Mahé & Transfer to Praslin
My colleague and I arrived on a gloriously warm and sunny May morning, where we were met by a representative from Masons Travel, our ground handlers in the Seychelles. A cold towel and a welcome seat in their air-conditioned office set the tone immediately. After collecting our information packs, we were transferred just ten minutes to the port to board the Cat Cocos ferry to Praslin, the Seychelles’ second-largest island.
I approached the ferry crossing with a little apprehension, as it can be choppy at times, but after roughly 40 minutes we arrived feeling absolutely fine and ready to explore. That said, having visited Praslin previously, I would still personally recommend flying from Mahé where possible. The 15-minute flight offers spectacular aerial views of the coral islands below and avoids the potential discomfort of rough seas during certain seasons.
Our accommodation on Praslin was L’Archipel, a charming 30-room property located just ten minutes from the jetty. Set in a beautiful bay, the hotel has a tropical yet colonial feel, with accommodation dotted along a gentle slope facing the ocean. Large terraces invite you to sit back, relax, and soak up the warmth and views through the mature gardens.
As we were only staying for one night, we made time to visit the world-famous Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO-listed forest and home to the extraordinary Coco de Mer, the world’s heaviest seed. We spent about an hour wandering the shaded, well-maintained trails, learning about this unique ecosystem and its fascinating natural history. If time allows, I would absolutely recommend spending longer on Praslin to explore its beaches and laid-back island atmosphere.
That evening, we enjoyed cocktails by the infinity pool before dining in one of the hotel’s two restaurants. While the menu was fairly limited, the food itself was very tasty and captured the essence of the Indian Ocean, one of those meals that reminds you exactly why you’ve travelled so far to a tropical destination.
After a very comfortable night’s sleep in an enormous bed, it was time to head back to Mahé via ferry before boarding a light aircraft to Denis Island.
The flight to Denis Island took around 30 minutes, but it absolutely flew by (sorry for the pun). By way of background, I spent the first five years of my career at Beachcomber Tours working extensively with our Africa programme, staying in some truly exceptional safari lodges. Denis Island is the closest I’ve come since to replicating that sense of exclusive, immersive luxury.
Landing on the grass airstrip and being collected by golf buggy by a welcoming member of staff is an experience in itself. You’re immediately transported into a different world.
There are just 25 cottages on Denis Island, all individually built using timber and resources grown on the island itself. The craftsmanship is exceptional, with cottages ranging from 90 to 325 square metres, each featuring outdoor showers, mature gardens, day beds, and wonderfully oversized beds. The same care and attention is evident throughout the island, from the bar and restaurant to the library and communal areas.
We took a golf buggy tour around the island, learning how it operates as a working ecosystem. We passed the farm with its animals, the vegetable gardens, the workshops where everything is made, and even a small chapel where weddings often take place. It was genuinely fascinating and offered a deeper understanding of both the island and the Seychelles as a whole.
A Truly Privileged Experience
After swimming in crystal-clear waters that genuinely look airbrushed, followed by a lazy afternoon snooze, we discreetly watched a wedding taking place on the beach. It had a wonderfully Robinson Crusoe feel, very tempting, though not quite enough to inspire me to get married just yet!
That evening, we enjoyed drinks in the bar before sitting down to a beautifully prepared dinner. Denis Island is one of those places where you genuinely feel privileged to have spent time, and leaving the next morning was tinged with sadness, though the scenic flight back to Mahé certainly lifted my spirits.
Looking back on the trip as a whole, I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced such a variety of islands within one country. For travellers with 10 to 14 nights available, island hopping is, in my opinion, the best way to experience the Seychelles, offering contrasting landscapes, atmospheres, and unforgettable moments, all within a single journey.
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