Top 10 Hidden Gems of Seychelles

Seychelles’ glossy brochures often stop at Beau Vallon, Anse Source d’Argent and a sun‑lounger at Mahé’s five‑stars. Scratch a little deeper and you’ll discover jungly trails to secret beaches, mangroves humming with biodiversity and private atolls where the only crowds are Aldabra tortoises. In 2025, the islands’ quiet corners are more accessible than ever and locals are spilling the tea. Grab your hiking sandals and a sense of adventure here are ten spots that even your hotel concierge might not know about.

1. Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve

Praslin’s UNESCO‑listed Vallée de Mai gets the hype, but its lesser‑known sibling Fond Ferdinand offers a bigger (122‑hectare) and quieter slice of wilderness. Guided hikes wind through coco‑de‑mer palms and rare endemic plants and end with sweeping views of Praslin, Curieuse and La Digue. An early‑morning tour (around SCR 300/adult, 2025 prices) takes about two hours wear good shoes and expect some steep sections.

Local tourism boards gush over it:

Travel blogger @isabel_travelguide calls Fond Ferdinand “bigger, quieter and just as impressive” as Vallée de Mai and recommends booking a guided tour to get the full story .

Bring water, binoculars and a sense of wonder the towering palms look straight out of a Jurassic Park sequel.

2. Anse Marron (La Digue)

Getting to Anse Marron is half the fun. This secret beach on La Digue’s southern tip can only be reached on a guided hike through jungle, waist‑deep natural pools and narrow granite corridors. You’ll emerge onto a wild coastline where tide pools shimmer between towering rocks and waves crash on powdery sand. A six‑to‑seven‑hour tour costs around €50 (≈ SCR 900) per adult and includes fruit snacks and a return by boat.

Because the path crosses private land, a guide is mandatory. Choose one who knows the tides and brings local stories some will point out hidden sea turtles or share tales of how early settlers survived here.

Adventurers rave that the trek is “challenging but rewarding,” with one 2025 reviewer noting that the secret swimming holes “feel like your own private spa”. Even Safari.com’s CEO couldn’t resist gushing about the place; in February 2025 he posted a reel of himself and his partner “soaking in the stunning beauty of Anse Marron” and calling it “a truly magical escape to one of Seychelles’ hidden gems”.

Just remember to pack reef‑safe sunscreen and a dry bag for your phone.

3. L’Union Estate & Anse Source d’Argent (La Digue)

Yes, Anse Source d’Argent appears on every postcard, but the experience goes deeper when you enter through L’Union Estate. This former coconut and vanilla plantation has a colonial plantation house, working copra mill, vanilla orchids and a herd of Aldabra giant tortoises. The estate fee (SCR 150/adult) gives you access to the entire park and beach. Arrive after 16:30 and your ticket is valid the next morning too  perfect for sunset photographers.

Inside, the path to Anse Source d’Argent winds past palm groves and ends at the world‑famous beach, whose surreal granite boulders and translucent lagoon feature in countless music videos.

Social accounts gush about its otherworldliness:

@seychelles.explore’s July 2025 reel listed it among the three places in Seychelles that “don’t feel real,” praising its giant granite boulders and crystal‑clear water.

A local tip? Rent a transparent kayak and paddle through the shallows to escape the selfie sticks. The estate’s history displays and coconut‑oil demonstrations add cultural context, turning a photo op into a half‑day adventure.

4. Curieuse Island & Mangrove Boardwalk

Curieuse Marine National Park sits just north of Praslin and is accessible only by boat. Past the red‑earth hills and giant tortoise sanctuary lies a raised boardwalk that snakes through a mangrove swamp hosting six of Seychelles’ seven mangrove species. Fiddler crabs scuttle across the mud, mudskippers dart between roots, and the canopy hums with birdlife. The park is open daily (09:00–17:00) with an entrance fee of SCR 300 for non‑residents.

Pack picnic supplies and follow the boardwalk to Doctor’s House, a restored colonial villa at Baie Laraie. Visitors often combine Curieuse with nearby snorkeling at St. Pierre islet bring fins if you want to spot juvenile sharks among the seagrass.

Travel couple @divergenttravelers shared in

August 2025 that their day on Curieuse started by “walking with giants” at the tortoise reserve, continued through mangrove forests with a guide pointing out hidden wildlife, and ended on a quiet beach where they grilled fish until the day‑trippers left. Respect the sanctuary rules: no feeding the tortoises and leave only footprints.

5. Veuve Special Reserve (La Digue)

Hidden behind La Digue’s sleepy villages is the Veuve Special Reserve, a 21‑hectare forest protecting the critically endangered Seychelles black paradise flycatcher (“veuve”).

The reserve is open Monday–Friday 08:00–16:00 and Saturday 09:00–15:00, and entry costs SCR 150 (guided tours SCR 200). Within its mahogany groves you may also encounter Seychelles fruit bats, sunbirds and tiny chameleons.

Rangers lead hourly walks and share how conservation saved the flycatcher from the brink of extinction. The reserve’s tranquil boardwalks and birdwatching towers make it an oasis of calm; if you’re lucky, you’ll hear the veuve’s lilting whistle.

Even the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority felt compelled to brag:

In February 2025 they posted about welcoming an enthusiastic group of Caribbean visitors and said :

Bring insect repellent and support the donation box every rupee helps keep this hidden gem thriving.

6. Anse Major Trail (Mahé)

If you crave isolation but don’t want to leave Mahé, hit the Anse Major Trail on the island’s north coast. The path threads through Morne Seychellois National Park’s dense forest before hugging rocky cliffs that plunge into sapphire water. After about an hour, you’ll emerge onto Anse Major: a secluded beach with powdery sand and calm, snorkel‑friendly water accessible only by foot or by boat.

Pack your own picnic there are no facilities and aim to start early before the midday heat.

Travel account @seyvillas calls Anse Major “one of Seychelles’ hidden gems” and notes that:

Bring reef shoes for exploring tide pools and cash for an optional water‑taxi back to Bel Ombre.

7. Anse Cocos (La Digue)

Sandwiched between Grand Anse and Petite Anse on La Digue’s east coast, Anse Cocos feels like your own private Robinson Crusoe set. To get there you hike 20–30 minutes along a jungle trail past coconut plantations until the trees part to reveal soft white sand, shallow lagoons and dramatic granite. This beach is unserviced, so pack water and snacks.

In July 2025, @seyvillas posted a reel of the Grand Anse–Petite Anse–Anse Cocos trek, calling Anse Cocos

Many travellers linger in the natural pool at the beach’s south‑eastern end where a ring of rocks protects swimmers from ocean swells. Keep hiking to the far end and you might spot fruit bats skimming over takamaka trees.

8. Anse Takamaka (Mahé)

While Beau Vallon reels in the crowds on Mahé, locals seeking tranquility head south to Anse Takamaka. This 400‑metre stretch of golden sand is lined with takamaka and almond trees, creating natural shade. The sheltered bay has calm turquoise water and coral reefs ideal for snorkeling; hawksbill turtles occasionally cruise past the drop‑of. There’s no entry fee; instead, reward yourself with a curry and grilled fish from a beachside restaurant.

In May 2025 the travel experts at @seyvillas posted a photo from another Anse Takamaka (on Cerf Island) and wrote that

Mahé’s Anse Takamaka offers a similar mellow charm: you’re more likely to share the sand with fishing families than selfie‑stick wielders, and sunset here is spectacular as the forested hills glow amber. Bring cash for the local rum punch.

9. Aldabra, Farquhar & Cosmoledo Atolls

Most visitors never make it beyond the inner islands, but the outer islands hold some of Seychelles’ greatest secrets. Aldabra is the world’s largest raised coral atoll, a UNESCO site home to over 100 000 giant tortoises and rare birds; access is tightly controlled and usually reserved for scientific expeditions.

Farquhar lies 770 km south‑west of Mahé and hosts a tiny eco‑resort with bone‑fish flats and pristine dive sites. Cosmoledo, a ring of coral islands, supports vast seabird colonies and sees only a handful of eco‑tourists each year.

Reaching these atolls involves charter flights and liveaboard vessels, so costs run into thousands of euros. However, if you’re a birder, diver or fly‑fisher with the budget, this is the ultimate off‑grid adventure.

Conservationists remind travellers that Aldabra is more than a holiday spot: an August 2025 campaign video by @earthalliance quoted Seychellois activist Vic Duthil saying:

Operators usually arrange permits and conservation fees; plan at least a week and bring everything you need there’s no supermarket in sight.

10. Morne Seychellois National Park’s Hidden Trails

Mahé’s mountainous spine is covered by Morne Seychellois National Park. Beyond popular trails like Copolia lies a network of lesser‑known paths leading to hidden viewpoints and waterfalls. One such gem is the Morne Blanc trail, which snakes through mist forest to a wooden platform overlooking the island’s west coast.

The park also shelters endemic palms, carnivorous pitcher plants and secret waterfalls. Entry is free; just sign the park register and take your litter home.

Start early to avoid the heat and bring plenty of water. From some summits you can see Silhouette Island and even glimpses of the outer islands on a clear day. Hire a local guide for deeper insights into the flora and to point out endemic birds like Seychelles kestrels.

In September 2025, travel blogger @storyateverycorner raved about the Copolia Trail:

Their caption also noted that this former spice plantation is now a dense national park filled with cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla trees.

Seychelles is more than honeymoon clichés and luxury resorts. In 2025, the islands’ most rewarding experiences are found off the brochure hiking up jungle‑clad hillsides, wandering through mangroves and chatting with rangers about endangered birds.

Whether you’re spotting a veuve at La Digue’s reserve, paddling across Anse Source d’Argent at twilight or plotting an expedition to Aldabra, these hidden gems prove there’s still magic in the archipelago. Go now before the crowds catch up.