Best Road Trips in Seychelles

Calling anything in Seychelles a “road trip” requires a certain adjustment of expectations. The longest drive you can do on Mahe — a full coastal loop — is 65 km. On Praslin, the entire road network would barely qualify as a neighborhood in most countries. These are not road trips in the American or Australian sense. They are more like driving tours where every ten minutes brings a beach or viewpoint worth stopping at, and the total distance driven matters far less than what you see along the way.

We spent three days driving Mahe and two on Praslin, and the only thing we regretted was not having more time. Not because the distances were long, but because we kept stopping. There is a beach called Anse Intendance on Mahe’s south coast that we visited “for fifteen minutes” and left two hours later. This is the Seychelles driving experience: short drives punctuated by long, unplanned stops. Pack accordingly — swimwear, towel, snorkel, sunscreen — and consider the car as a device for connecting extraordinary places rather than for covering ground.

Route Comparison

Route	Island	Distance	Drive Time	Best For
Mahe Full Coastal Circuit	Mahe	65 km	2-3 hours pure driving	Beach-hopping, full island overview
Sans Souci Mountain Crossing	Mahe	12 km	25-35 min	Jungle scenery, mountain viewpoints
Southern Mahe Explorer	Mahe	30 km	1-2 hours	Remote beaches, quiet roads
Northern Mahe Loop	Mahe	35 km	1-1.5 hours	Snorkeling bays, resort coast
Praslin Grand Tour	Praslin	25 km	1-2 hours	UNESCO forest, Anse Lazio
Victoria to Beau Vallon	Mahe	8 km	15-20 min	Evening drive, sunset

Route 1: Mahe Full Coastal Circuit

This is the definitive Seychelles drive. The road circles the entire island, hugging the coast for most of its length with occasional detours inland over small hills. It passes practically every beach, viewpoint, and village on the island. Do this on your first full day with the car to understand the geography and identify the places you want to return to.

Route details:

• Start/End: Victoria (or anywhere — it is a loop)
• Distance: ~65 km
• Drive time: 2-3 hours without stops
• Realistic time with stops: 6-8 hours, or split over two days
• Direction: We recommend clockwise (south along the east coast, then north along the west coast), which puts you on the seaside of the road for the best direct views

Stop-by-Stop Guide (Clockwise from Victoria)

Stop	Km from Victoria	Highlight	Suggested Time
Anse Royale	14 km	Long beach, snorkeling, restaurants	30-60 min
Anse Forbans	18 km	Quiet cove, good turtle habitat	20-30 min
Anse Intendance	20 km	Wild surf beach, stunning granite boulders	1-2 hours
Police Bay	22 km	Southernmost point of Mahe, secluded	20-30 min
Baie Lazare	25 km	Historical landing site, calm water	30-45 min
Anse Soleil	28 km	Tiny cove, great restaurant on the sand	1-2 hours
Anse a la Mouche	30 km	Shallow bay, family-friendly snorkeling	30 min
Grand Anse	35 km	Long beach, strong currents	30-45 min
Port Launay Marine Park	38 km	Snorkeling, whale sharks (seasonal)	30-60 min
Port Glaud	42 km	Village, boat access to offshore islands	15 min
Beau Vallon	50 km	Main tourist beach, restaurants, water sports	1-2 hours
Glacis	55 km	Granite coastline, quiet village	20 min
North Point	58 km	Northernmost tip, deserted beaches	20-30 min
Victoria	65 km	Back to start	N/A

Detailed highlights:

Anse Royale is the first significant beach south of Victoria. It is a long, gentle arc of sand with calm water ideal for swimming and good snorkeling off the southern rocky point. Several restaurants line the beachfront — the JAIA bar at the southern end does excellent grilled fish plates for around 300-450 SCR (22-32 USD). The beach is long enough that even during peak season, finding a quiet stretch of sand is possible.

Anse Forbans is a quieter version of Anse Royale, with fewer facilities and fewer visitors. It is a good turtle nesting beach — Hawksbill turtles come ashore here between September and March. The beach is not the most spectacular on the island, but the calm and the rock pools at the southern end make it worth a stop.

Anse Intendance is arguably the most beautiful beach on Mahe. A crescent of white sand backed by coconut palms, with enormous granite boulders at each end and powerful waves rolling in from the open Indian Ocean. It is not a calm swimming beach — the waves are powerful enough to knock you over — but it is perfect for walking, photography, and watching spectacular surf. The parking area is small (about 15 spots) — arrive before 10:00 or after 15:00 to find a spot. The walk from the parking area to the beach takes about 5 minutes down a short jungle path.

Police Bay is the southernmost beach on Mahe and feels genuinely remote. No facilities, no crowds, just a beautiful crescent of dark sand with powerful ocean swell and dramatic rocky outcrops. Do not swim here — the currents are dangerous — but the setting is extraordinary. A good spot for a solitary lunch with a view.

Anse Soleil requires a short detour down a steep side road (about 1 km from the main road, manageable in any car at slow speed). At the bottom is a tiny cove with the Anse Soleil Beachcomber restaurant, which serves grilled fish literally on the sand, with the Indian Ocean directly in front of you. We had the best fish curry of the trip here, eating with wet feet. Budget 250-400 SCR (18-29 USD) per person for lunch. It gets busy at lunchtime — arrive by 11:30 or after 13:30.

Beau Vallon is the most developed beach on Mahe — restaurants, dive shops, water sports operators, beach hotels, and a long stretch of calm, swimmable water protected by a reef. It is touristy but undeniably pleasant, and the sunset from Beau Vallon is one of the best on the island. The beach is also where most water sports activities are based: snorkeling trips, glass-bottom boat tours, kayak rentals, and windsurfing.

Practical tips:

• The east coast road is wider and faster; the west and south coasts are narrower and more scenic. Do not rush the west coast.
• Several beaches require short walks from the parking area (2-15 minutes). Wear shoes you can walk in, not flip-flops.
• Fuel up in Victoria before starting the circuit — fuel stations are concentrated in the north and east.
• The southern section (Anse Intendance to Baie Lazare) is the most remote — fewer facilities, more beauty. This is also where you are most likely to encounter rough road surfaces.
• Splitting the circuit over two days allows you to spend actual time at beaches rather than just driving past them.

Route 2: Sans Souci Mountain Crossing

This is the single most dramatic drive in Seychelles — a road that climbs from sea level to about 500 meters through dense tropical jungle, crosses the mountainous spine of Mahe, and descends the other side. The entire route is only 12 km, but it packs more scenery per kilometer than roads ten times its length.

Route details:

• Start: Victoria (east coast)
• End: Port Glaud (west coast)
• Distance: 12 km
• Drive time: 25-35 minutes
• Difficulty: Moderate (steep gradients, tight bends, narrow road)
• Best time: Morning, when the eastern light hits the western viewpoints and before any cloud builds on the peaks

The drive:

From Victoria, follow signs toward Sans Souci and the west coast. The road begins climbing almost immediately, leaving the low-lying commercial area and entering dense tropical forest. The gradient is steep — first gear territory for manual transmissions on the steepest sections. Hairpin bends alternate with short straight sections as the road winds upward through a canopy of breadfruit, cinnamon, takamaka, and endemic Seychellois trees. Cinnamon was once the main export crop of the islands, and the trees you see on the hillsides are predominantly naturalized escapees from old plantations.

Bird life: The Sans Souci road is one of the best places on Mahe to spot Seychelles endemics — the Seychelles bulbul, the sunbird, and with luck the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher. Pull over at wider sections and listen. The bird sounds in the canopy here are remarkable.

Viewpoint	Elevation	Views
Lower switchbacks	150-200 m	East coast and airport glimpses through trees
Mission Lodge (Venn’s Town)	~460 m	Full panoramic view of Mahe’s west coast
Sans Souci viewpoint	~500 m	Both coasts visible on clear days
Tea Plantation area	~400 m	Rolling green hills, ocean glimpses

Mission Lodge (Venn’s Town ruins): This is the standout stop on the mountain crossing. The ruins are the remains of a 19th-century school for freed slave children established by the London Missionary Society in 1875. The school operated until the early 20th century and is now an atmospheric ruin surrounded by old trees — jackfruit, takamaka, and enormous breadfruit trees. The viewing platform adjacent to the ruins offers a complete panorama of the west coast. On a clear day, you can see the islands of Therese and Conception offshore, and further out, the hazy blue shape of the open Indian Ocean stretching to the horizon.

The Tea Plantation: Located on the descent toward the west coast, the former tea plantation was once commercially productive and is now partly operated as a tourist attraction. Admission is around 100-150 SCR (7-11 USD) and includes a guided walk through the plantation and a tea tasting. The plantation produces a small amount of tea annually and can sell it directly to visitors. The setting, in the misty upper slopes of the mountain, is quietly beautiful.

Practical tips:

• This road is steep enough that you should use engine braking (low gear) rather than sustained brake application on the descent to avoid brake fade.
• The road is narrow — honk before blind bends to warn oncoming traffic of your presence. This is standard practice in Seychelles and not considered aggressive.
• After rain, the road surface can be slippery with fallen leaves and moisture. The shallow leaf layer becomes like wet rubber on a cold morning. Drive slowly.
• This route is best done in the morning when the east-to-west light illuminates the western viewpoints. By afternoon, cloud often builds on the peaks.
• Combine with the coastal circuit — use Sans Souci as a shortcut from east coast to west coast when you do not want to go via the south.
• The road is also popular with cyclists — give them plenty of room on the steep sections.

Route 3: Southern Mahe Explorer

The southern end of Mahe feels like a different island. It is quieter, less developed, and has some of the most untouched beaches. This route explores the area between Anse Royale and Baie Lazare along the southern coast, including several beaches that receive very few visitors despite being within 30 minutes of Victoria.

Route details:

• Start/End: Anse Royale
• Loop distance: ~30 km
• Drive time: 1-2 hours without stops
• Recommended time: Half day (3-4 hours with beach stops)

Key stops:

Stop	What’s There	Road Access	Swim?
Anse Forbans	Quiet beach, turtle habitat, rock pools	Easy road access	Yes, calm
Anse Marie-Louise	Secluded, beautiful tidal rock pools	Short walk from road	Tide-dependent
Anse Intendance	Wild surf beach, granite boulders	Road + 5-min walk	No (strong currents)
Police Bay	Southernmost beach, dramatic rocks	Road access	No (dangerous)
Anse Takamaka	Beautiful palm-fringed cove, beach bar	Road access	Yes, usually calm
Baie Lazare	Historic bay, calm swimming, snorkeling	Road access	Yes

The road through southern Mahe is the narrowest on the island — single lane in places with passing points. Traffic is minimal, which is fortunate because the road requires your full attention. The jungle crowds in from both sides, and the occasional fallen coconut on the road keeps things interesting. The upside is complete privacy once you leave Anse Royale. You may drive for 20 minutes without seeing another tourist.

Anse Marie-Louise deserves special mention for its unique feature: an extensive tidal rock platform that creates natural pools when the tide retreats. At low tide, you can walk out on the rocks and find pools containing small reef fish, sea urchins, starfish, and sometimes small octopus. Check tide tables before visiting — at high tide, access is limited and the pools are submerged.

Anse Takamaka is a medium-sized bay with calm water, granite boulders, and a row of takamaka trees providing natural shade. There is a small beach bar serving drinks and snacks — cold drinks, fresh coconut water, and simple food. It feels private even when other people are present. The beach is calm enough for swimming year-round on most days, and the snorkeling off the rocks at the southern end is decent.

Baie Lazare was the bay where Vasco da Gama’s Portuguese fleet first anchored in Seychelles in 1502, making it one of the most historically significant spots in the islands. The bay is calm and sheltered, with clear water and good snorkeling over the reefs. The town of Baie Lazare itself is small and pleasant — several restaurants and a church. The Artisan restaurant here has one of the best reputations on the island for fresh seafood.

Route 4: Northern Mahe Loop

The northern end of Mahe is the most developed part of the island, home to most tourist accommodation and Beau Vallon beach. This route explores the quieter northern tip and the west-facing bays that offer excellent sunset views.

Route details:

• Start/End: Beau Vallon
• Loop distance: ~35 km
• Drive time: 1-1.5 hours without stops
• Best time: Afternoon into sunset

Key stops:

Stop	Distance from Beau Vallon	Highlight
Glacis village	5 km	Granite coast, local feel
North Point	8 km	Northernmost tip, small beaches
Cap Ternay	12 km	Marine park, snorkeling
Port Launay	15 km	Whale shark season (September-October)
Anse Major	Accessible from Port Launay	Hiking trail to secluded beach

Cap Ternay Marine National Park protects the reef system around the northwestern cape of Mahe. The park is accessible by boat (organized tours depart from Beau Vallon) but the headland road gives access to several good snorkel spots. September and October are whale shark season in this area — sightings from organized boat trips are common.

Anse Major is one of the few beaches on Mahe that genuinely requires effort to reach, but the effort is well rewarded. The trail from Port Launay Marine Park takes about 45 minutes one way on a coastal footpath through scrubby vegetation above the sea. The beach at the end is a small cove with no facilities and no crowds, which is saying something in Seychelles. The water is calm and clear. Bring water, and wear proper shoes for the rocky coastal path.

Route 5: Praslin Grand Tour

Praslin is smaller than Mahe, and its road network is limited, but what it lacks in mileage it makes up for in destinations. The main attractions — Vallee de Mai (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Anse Lazio (consistently voted one of the world’s best beaches) — are connected by a single road that crosses the island.

Route details:

• Start/End: Baie Ste Anne (ferry terminal area)
• Loop distance: ~25 km
• Drive time: 1-2 hours without stops
• Recommended time: Full day

Key stops:

Stop	Distance from Baie Ste Anne	Highlight	Suggested Time
Anse Volbert (Cote d’Or)	3 km	Main beach area, restaurants, snorkeling	1-2 hours
Vallee de Mai	5 km	UNESCO forest, coco de mer palms	1.5-2 hours
Grand Anse	10 km	Long beach, clear water	1 hour
Anse Consolation	8 km	Quiet bay, scenic cove, few visitors	30 min
Anse Lazio	14 km	World-famous beach, granite boulders	2-3 hours

Vallee de Mai is home to the coco de mer palm, which produces the largest seed in the plant kingdom (up to 25 kg). The forest is ancient and atmospheric — the canopy creates cathedral-like shade, dappled light filters through, and the sounds of endemic birds (the Black Parrot, found only on Praslin) fill the air. Entry is 430 SCR (31 USD) and the walking trail takes 1-2 hours. The coco de mer nuts and their famous suggestive shape are available to purchase at the exit. Entry fee aside, this is one of the most genuinely extraordinary natural sites in the Indian Ocean.

Anse Lazio consistently appears on “world’s best beaches” lists, and for once the hype is justified. Crystal-clear water in shades of turquoise and emerald, white sand, granite boulders at each end of the bay, and palm trees leaning toward the water. The snorkeling off the rocks is excellent. The Bonbon Plume restaurant at the beach serves grilled fish and curries at prices that reflect the postcard setting (500-700 SCR per person for lunch). The drive to Anse Lazio involves a steep descent on a narrow road — take it slowly, especially in wet conditions. Parking is limited to about 20 spots at the beach.

The road to Anse Lazio in detail: The turnoff is clearly signed from the main Praslin road. The track climbs briefly before descending steeply to the beach. The gradient on the final 500 meters is approximately 20%, with two hairpin bends on a road barely wide enough for two vehicles. In dry conditions, any rental car can manage it with care. In wet conditions, the road surface becomes slippery with fallen leaves and the soft granite dust. Use low gear for the descent. If your car does not have low gears (automatic), brake gently and frequently rather than holding sustained brake pressure.

Practical tips for Praslin:

• Rent a car for Praslin separately — you cannot bring your Mahe car on the ferry
• Book Praslin rentals in advance; the island has fewer agencies and vehicles than Mahe
• Visit Anse Lazio early (before 10:00) or late (after 15:00) to avoid crowds and parking issues
• Fuel stations on Praslin are limited — fill up whenever you pass one
• The island is small enough that you can complete the entire route in a morning and spend the afternoon at your chosen beach

Route 6: Victoria to Beau Vallon — The Evening Drive

For a quick evening drive, the road from Victoria over the hill to Beau Vallon is a mini-version of the Sans Souci crossing. It takes only 15-20 minutes but climbs through residential areas into a forested ridge with brief ocean views before descending to the beach.

Route details:

• Distance: 8 km
• Drive time: 15-20 minutes
• Best timing: Late afternoon for sunset at Beau Vallon

The hill between the east coast (airport and Victoria) and the north coast (Beau Vallon) is steep enough to offer views and green enough to feel like a mini-adventure. The road passes through prosperous residential areas before entering a short forested section near the top. On the way down, Beau Vallon and the ocean come into view below.

Tip: Time your arrival at Beau Vallon for 17:00-17:30 to catch the sunset. The beach faces northwest and gets spectacular evening light — orange sky, silhouetted palms, and the mountains of the northwest behind you. This is the classic Seychelles postcard image, and having your own car means you can be there for the ten minutes when the light is perfect.

Multi-Day Itinerary: Mahe and Praslin

For visitors with a week in Seychelles and rental cars on both islands:

Days 1-3: Mahe

• Day 1: Airport pickup, drive the east coast highway orientation, settle in accommodation, Victoria walk-around, evening at Beau Vallon for sunset. Quick, easy start while jet lag settles.
• Day 2: Full coastal circuit clockwise — leave by 09:00, stop at every beach that appeals. Do not rush.
• Day 3: Sans Souci mountain crossing in the morning (start early — leave by 08:00 for the best light), then south Mahe explorer afternoon focusing on Anse Intendance and Baie Lazare.

Day 4: Transfer to Praslin

• Return Mahe rental car at ferry terminal or airport. Board Cat Cocos ferry (departs Victoria 09:30 and 15:30, arrives Praslin 10:30 and 16:30 approximately — confirm current schedule). Pick up Praslin rental at Baie Ste Anne ferry terminal.
• Afternoon at Anse Volbert beach, dinner at Cote d’Or area restaurant.

Days 5-6: Praslin

• Day 5: Early morning at Anse Lazio (arrive before 10:00 for parking and fewer crowds), Vallee de Mai in the afternoon.
• Day 6: Grand Anse beach morning, explore Anse Consolation, afternoon at leisure.

Day 7: Return to Mahe

• Return Praslin rental, board ferry back to Mahe. Depending on flight time, arrange taxi for airport transfer or ask final night’s hotel about parking near the port.

Planning Tips

Car choice: An economy car (Hyundai i10, Suzuki Alto, similar) is perfectly adequate for Seychelles. The roads are slow, the distances are short, and parking spaces are small. An SUV is unnecessary and actually a disadvantage on narrow roads. If you want a slight upgrade for comfort on the longer days, a compact car with reliable air conditioning is the sweet spot.

Air conditioning is essential. Seychelles is tropical. Even with windows down, city driving in Victoria without AC is uncomfortable. Confirm your rental includes working AC and test it before leaving the lot.

Offline maps: Download Google Maps offline for both Mahe and Praslin before your trip. Mobile coverage is generally good but not guaranteed in the mountainous interior or the remote south of Mahe.

Beach supplies in the car: Keep a towel, water, snorkeling gear, and sunscreen in the trunk at all times. You will discover unplanned beaches. Being prepared to stop makes the difference between a drive and an adventure. This is the most important packing tip for Seychelles car travel.

Photography: The granite boulders are the signature Seychelles feature. The best ones for photography are at Anse Intendance, Anse Lazio, Anse Royale’s northern end, and the northern tip of Mahe. Light is best in early morning (07:00-09:00) and late afternoon (16:00-18:00). Mid-day light is harsh and washes out the blue of the water.

Food planning: Seychelles is not cheap for food. Supermarkets in Victoria (STC supermarket near the bus terminal, SMB at various locations) provide supplies for beach picnics. Buying fruit and bread there and eating at the beach is far cheaper than restaurant lunches and allows more time at the beaches. Save restaurant meals for dinners at accommodation.

For driving rules and tips specific to Seychelles, see our driving guide. For cost details and booking advice, check car rental costs in Seychelles. And for inspiration from nearby islands, our Mauritius road trips guide covers another Indian Ocean driving destination.