We are staying on Mahe at the Hilton for a week. However we would like to see La Digue and are on a limited budget. Is it possible to enjoy a day trip to La Digue by taking the ferry from Mahe to Praslin to La Digue?

I've looked at the Heli company, and it would be about $550 dollars round trip for 2 direct to la Digue. A flight to Praslin would be about $440 dollars round trip for 2 then a 10 Euro ferry to La Digue. While the ferry would be about 40 euro to Praslin, then 10 Euro to La Digue.

If I go the cheapest ferry route, will I have enough beach time in 1 day?

We are limited to only day trips as our lodging is free on points at the Hilton. So any information on this day trip or alternative day trips from Mahe would be greatly appreciated.

Hi,

We're off there next week and doing the same thing staying at the Hilton with points - I've just booked the boat/air Praslin La Digue day trip (guided)with Creoletravelservice for $195 euro's each ($310) I think doing both is a must.

Hope this helps.

Nigel.

Quote - This is inclusive of return transfer on Mahe, Boat transfer from Mahe to Praslin, return Flight from Praslin to Mahe, visit of Valleee de mai (World Heritage Site where you can find the biggest nut the Coco De Mer), Ferry crossing to La Digue, visit of L’union estate (Copra Kiln) and also one of our famous beach Anse Source D’argent. Lunch would be at a nice Creole Restaurant.

I saw that tour as well. But I think we'd rather be on our own on La Digue to explore the beaches.

To be clear are you flying over to Praslin, then taking the scooner to La Digue. The return would be the same thing correct?

Can you please post back here how the plane ride & scooner trip goes (i.e. is it adequate time spent on La Digue, etc)?

Hi,

Cataraman to Praslin 1.5 hours - tour, ferry to La Digue,tour/lunch, Ferry back to Praslin, plane back to Mahe.

Its a 6am start, but we figured the cataraman would be a nice trip, but perhaps a bit choppy!

You can do fly/fly it's approx 240 Euro

Nigel

If you want to do it on the cheap, go by the first catamaran in the morning to Praslin and transfer directly to the schooner to La Digue. On La Digue, rent a bike as you arrive (in the quay area) and buy your food (grocery store a bit on the main road to the right as you enter the "main road" from the quay. Bring a map, bike on to the beaches, choose site depending on the surf situation - varies with the season. The Grand Anse (see my travelogue section on VT Seychelles pages)is probably the best bet. Deeper water, better swimming than the Anse Source d'Argent, but a tad on the dangerous side if there is strong current and big surf that can trash you. There is a good beach restaurant on the Grand Anse. Find a restaurant in the main town near the quay (see my tips)as you wait for the schooner to return you to Praslin and on by cat to Victoria.

The cat is fast, but in big swell it can be uncomfortable. Do not stuff yourself with breakfast before you go. The schooner is normally smooth sailing, not so exposed to swell.

If you fly to Praslin, you need to recon that you need to transfer to the schooner quay on Praslin, some distance away by taxi. The Valle de Mai is en route, so if there is time, you can take it in, otherwise skip it (too bad....). I have flown and I have taken the cat; I'd go for the cat again. Your time quickly gets eaten up by check-in, security, boarding, disembarking, unloading luggage etc, so it adds up; especially when considering the cost of doing it.

Now check the schedule to find out the feasibility.... It's becoming a while since I were there, so better check for recent news.
Saagar

Hi,

The day trip went well, 6am to 6pm (last flight from Praslin) but they do pad it out.

Cat Rose to Praslin (Cat Coco in for repair) about 1.15 mins, down to Valle de Mar - see a big nut in a forest, not much time for other sites - boat over to la Digue - lunch at Hotel Patatran (very good creole buffet), down to coconut factory (boring) then to the beach for an hour Grand Anse(I think) boat back to Praslin then coach to airport 5pm for 6pm flight, 15 mins max fantastic sunset view from the plan. boat/boat , boat/plane or plane/plane it pretty much a wash time wise as you do have to arrive a little earlier for the flight. If booked independantly a one way flight is 67 Euro - if I did it again I'd go boat/boat and hire bikes - the lunch was good though - oh that's of course if the weather is OK, if not I'd suggest go another day.

Creole Travel or Mason's seem most popular.

Any questions about the Hilton just ask.

Nigel

How could one book a one way flight from Mahe to Praslin for 67 Euro? When I called they wanted more.

Can I wait to book the flight when I get to Mahe? Can the Hilton book the flight?

How were the beaches at the Hilton?

Hi,

There are 20 flights a day to Praslin, I only know the flight price because it was on the ticket I got from Creole Travel.

Why not e-mail Creoletravelservices, speak to Hillary, you could mention my name she'll remember me because she was so excite to meet me in person when I paid for the trip in there office (by the clock in Victoria) she even rang the guide during the trip to make sure we'were having a nice time.

The beach at the Hilton is very small and none existant at high tide. But so you can stay out they do put loungers on the upper level (mostly in shade)if you want a long stretch of beach - you go to either Beau Vallon - the hotel will drop you there and back, or stay at the Banyan Tree (which is very isolated).

Of course the Hilton does have a nice poolside area.

Regards

Nigel

My advice would be to go and stay on Praslin for as long as you can, then take a boat from Baie Ste Anne to La Digue and walk to the nearest beach.
We went to live in Praslin(oct 86 to sep 87) after our daughter was born, and we rented a house where there is now the restaurant "les Rochers".
Mahe was already over-touristed, but on Praslin and la Digue it was perfect.
Do not stay on places like the Hilton, there is nothing seychellois about it! Go and stay in small local accomodation on really deserted beaches!