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Land Sports
Golf
There are only two opportunities in Seychelles to play golf. The new 18 whole Lemuria Resort Championship Golf Course on Praslin has been rated among the top 50 in the world. And on Mahe, the Reef Hotel has a 9-hole course at Anse aux Pins just south of the International Airport. For both, visitors can obtain temporary membership and rent equipment at the clubhouse. There also is a miniature golf course at Le Meridien Barbarons Hotel.
Racquet Sports
Many international hotels have tennis and squash courts. Badminton is also available.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is available at a stable across the street from Le Meridien Barbarons Hotel.
Casinos
There are several casinos on Mahe (two in Victoria and one each at the Plantation Club and the Beau Vallon Bay Beach Resort) and one, Casino des Iles, on Praslin. Foreign currency is required at the usual games including slot machines, blackjack, roulette and baccarat.
Hiking & Walking
Seychelles' natural paradise is spectacularly appreciated at ground level and walking tours introduce the islands' exotic flora and fauna "up close and personally." Guided tours can be arranged through hotels and Travel Services Seychelles, or you can set out on your own, for the excellent trails on Mahe, Praslin, Silhouette and Aride in particular. Descriptions of some of them are provided here.
Organized and well posted walks in Mahe, Praslin and La Digue are graded Easy, Medium or Difficult. Informative guidebooks and experienced guides are both available, usually through your hotel or can be provided by Travel Services Seychelles. Some pre-walk planning is recommended: choose the difficulty level best suited to your ability; wear sturdy shoes, a hat and bring water, snacks and a plastic bag to pack out litter. As the saying goes, paradise is fragile; please leave only footprints and take only photographs.
Water Sports
Scuba Diving
Coral reef diving is the main sporting attraction in the Seychelles islands. Fish are unafraid of divers and spear fishing is absolutely forbidden. The waters are home to more than 900 fish species and over 100 species of coral, and visibility enables perfect underwater photography conditions.
The Seychelles Underwater Center, a 5 Star IDC Center, operates modern, safe dive boats from the Coral Strand Hotel on Mahe. They also offer introductory scuba lessons as well as complete certification and advanced courses.
The Indian Ocean Explorer is the first scuba diving live aboard vessel to stay in Seychellois waters all year round. With a maximum capacity of just 16 divers, the Explorer visits all of the prime diving destinations in the country, the Inner Islands, the Amirantes and Aldabra. Four times a year it features 2-week diving trips between Mahe and Aldabra. There are also several Whale Shark Expeditions in conjunction with the Whale Shark Institute.
The Indian Ocean Explorer has also pioneered something new for the scuba world: 3 and 4 night options on their Inner Island and Whale Shark Expeditions. This allows divers to get more diving done on limited schedules.
SV Sea Shell has 6-night itineraries around the Inner Islands starting every Sunday, with scuba diving being one of their main activities.
Snorkeling
In addition to the excellent scuba diving, there is excellent snorkeling almost everywhere one would look. Many of the snorkeling spots are close to the beach, although the best spots are just off rocky shorelines. Most of the larger hotels on beaches have snorkeling equipment (masks, snorkels and fins) available for rent or complimentary for guests and will be pleased to direct you to the best spots. Day cruises such as those from Water World provide opportunities to charter a powerboat and visit remote beaches for snorkeling and beach barbeques. SV Sea Shell sails the waters of the Inner Islands and has plenty of opportunities for snorkeling and diving.
Sailing
This is an all year round sailing location. Charter a powerboat, cabin cruiser or yacht for fishing or leisurely exploration at your own pace.
There is an excellent selection of yachts, sailboats, catamarans and powerboats which one can charter, bareboat or crewed, by the week or longer. Half day and full day Yacht Charters, with captain and sometimes crew, can also be booked in advance or simply stop by the Seychelles Marine Charter Association at the Harbor in Victoria. Day excursions usually include drinks and a light lunch.
For sailors, there are two tides a day with a range of 1.5 - 2 meters at high water springs. There are two seasons, wet and dry.
The wet season is October to April with showers November through January. Wind speeds range force 2 - 5 from the northwest. Sailing winds are ideal; the best anchorages are on the south and east coasts of the islands or in sheltered bays.
Surfing
At Grand Anse on the western coast of Mahe, surfing is ideal between November and April as huge waves roll. Windsurfing is excellent almost everywhere. On Mahe, boards are available for rent at The Plantation Club. On Praslin, the Paradise Sun is the only place.
Each year there is the Mahe/Praslin Windsurfing Competition, usually in September, which starts from Victoria, Mahe and finishes at Maison des Palmes Beach on Praslin.
Wakeboarding and water skiing are available at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Beach Resort on Mahe (the only place for those activities).
Beaching
Ranking among the best in the world the silver white sands encircle the islands. Crystal clear water invites swimming in the safe, reef-protected waters. Outstanding beaches include Beau Vallon, Anse Intendance, Anse Royale and Anse Takamaka on Mahe; Cote D'Or and Anse Lazio on Praslin; and Anse La Source d'Argent, Grand Anse and Petit Anse on La Digue.
Windsurfers, canoes and sailing dinghies may be hired on the more popular beaches and water skiing and paragliding are offered at the main resort areas.
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