What it is
About 28 km long, with a granite spine rising to 905 metres at Morne Seychellois. Victoria, the capital, is one of the smallest in the world and takes an hour to see. Beau Vallon in the north is the main swimming beach with calm water and the most restaurants. Anse Intendance and Anse Takamaka in the south are wide, unprotected and beautiful, with real surf and no reef in front. Morne Seychellois National Park covers the interior, with the Copolia and Anse Major trails the two most walked.
Why go
It is where you land, and it has the most variety: mountain walks, the only real town, and the widest spread of places to stay at every price. Two nights at the start and one at the end is a common shape.
When to go
Any month. Swim at Beau Vallon in the northwest monsoon, December to March, and on the southern beaches in the trade wind season. The unprotected southern beaches can have strong shore break and rip currents; there are no lifeguards on most of them, and people drown there. Look before you swim.
Most people stay 2-4 nights.