The largest island in the Seychelles archipelago, Mahé is home to the country’s capital, Victoria. The terrain is defined by white-sand beaches, granite peaks, and the Morne Seychellois rainforest.

Known For: As the home of the country’s capital city, the island holds almost 90 percent of the Seychelles’ population. An extraordinary treasure trove of flora and fauna, Mahé mist forests house rare plants found nowhere else in the world. Keep a lookout for the Jellyfish Tree, carnivorous Seychelles Pitcher Plan, and the Vanilla Orchid.

Not to Miss: Travel to the northwestern coast to spend time on the white-sand beach at Beau Vallon. It is the island’s longest (and some say the best) beach. Spy local fishermen selling the day’s catch under takamaka trees. If there’s time, take to the narrow road that hugs the coastline and experience views of private coves at the base of steep cliffs.

Top Table: A local and tourist favorite, Marie Antoinette serves up Seychellois “creole” food—a fusion of Asian, French, and African flavors. Housed in a wood and iron colonial mansion, it is the oldest restaurant in the Seychelles. After enjoying a meal of battered parrotfish, grilled fish, rice, salads (and, if you’re feeling adventurous, the curried fruit bat), be sure to check out the giant Aldabran tortoises in the backyard.

Adventure: Covering at least 20 percent of the land area of Mahé, Morne Seychellois National Park is home to a wide variety of habitats, from coastal mangrove forests up to the country’s highest peak, the Morne Seychellois. Take a hike through the rainforest along the Copolia Trail. Venture to the top of a plateau where there is an amazing view of the entire Mahé Island. Along the way, discover huge coconuts, giant tortoises, and native flora.

As the largest of the Sainte Anne Marine National Park’s eight islands, it’s only four kilometers off the east coast of Mahé and home to the Sainte Anne Marine National Park.

Known For: Most visitors head to Sainte Anne for the beautiful and plentiful beaches; there are six main beaches on the island and all are worth exploring. If on Sainte Anne between November and February, you may have the chance to see sea turtles laying eggs at Anse Royale.

Not to Miss: Opened in 1973, the Sainte Anne Marine National Park was created as a way to preserve native wildlife. It was the first of its kind in the Indian Ocean. The water reserve is the perfect place for a glass-bottom boat tour as well as snorkeling and scuba diving. Witness vibrant tropical fish and other sea animals, as fishing and water skiing are banned from the area.

Adventure: Spend a day paddle boarding around the Indian Ocean. Discover a myriad of fish, brightly colored corals, and other marine life. With or without a guide, you can experience the beauty of the Sainte Anne Marine National Park.

Known For: Praslin is widely considered one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. With stunning white-sand beaches, emerald waters, and lush jungles, the second largest island of the Seychelles is simply paradise.

Not to Miss: You can’t travel to Praslin without spending time at Anse Lazio beach. The clear, turquoise water and white sand lure you in, while its remoteness, despite its fame throughout the world, oozes tranquility.

Top Table: Located right on Anse Bateau beach, Les Rochers is the perfect destination for a sunset cocktail and scrumptious meal. The thatched-roof building offers views from all sides via an open-air dining room. Along with the perfect setting comes a creole-style cuisine of fresh local fish and seafood.

Adventure: Take a morning trip to Cousin Island. The whole island is a nature preserve and home to over 250,000 birds, seven species of seabirds and five species of land birds, the largest density of lizards in the world, and nesting giant sea turtles. A birdwatcher’s paradise, this experience will excite and delight as you learn about all the efforts that have gone into protecting and preserving the native species in the Seychelles.

Known For: As one of the most photographed beaches in the world, Anse Source d’Argent is the definition of paradise. The white sand is dotted with granite boulders along the west coast of the island, and can only be accessed by foot. The route to the beach passes through the old L’Union Estate coconut plantation. Take in the large coconut trees as you make your way to the isolated beach cove. It’s best to go in early morning or late afternoon as the beach is popular spot and the sanded beach area shrinks at high tide.

Not to Miss: Found only on La Digue Island, the rare black paradise flycatcher (veuve) calls the Veuve Nature Reserve its home. You’ll find several walking trails throughout the reserve, which was created to protect the flycatcher’s natural habitat. Paths are dotted with information panels about the local flora and fauna in the area, and the reserve is thought to now have over a dozen pairs of the veuve. Other species within the reserve are terrapins, fruit bats, and moorhens.

Top Table: Loutier Coco’s famous lunch buffet serves the usual Creole favorites like spicy octopus curry, grilled fish, and papaya and mango salad. If you call ahead, you can request a lobster lunch.

Adventure: Spend a day at Anse Severe beach, as it’s one of most famous snorkeling spots. Once on the outer reef, it’s common to see spotted rays, tropical fish, and hawksbill sea turtles just under the surface of the water.

As one of the Inner Islands Group, Curieuse Island is a bio-reserve that is managed by the Seychelles Centre for Marine Technology. Be sure to take advantage of the free hiking tours guided by park rangers. They are offered twice a day and take visitors to spectacular viewpoints.

Known For: Named for its red soil, the island was once a leper colony that did not end until 1965. It is also home to one of the Seychelle’s cultural icons, the Coco de Mer palms.

Not to Miss: Head to the southern part of the island to take in a mangrove swamp, which is traversed by a walkway for visitors to experience seven of the island’s eight mangrove species. You can also find a large hawksbill turtle rookery and several rare bird species, including the Seychelle Black Parrot.

Adventure: Take the walking trail from Baie Laraie to Anse Jose. It passes through a thick mangrove forest, and ruins of the leper colony can be found along the route. Be sure to jump in the water for a snorkel if you end up at Coral Garden or Pointe Rouge.