Seychelles 2026 – Three Friends, a Tall Ship, and Plenty of Stories (by Steffi Presske)

Posted on 20th July 2026

 

Some trips are planned for months. Others really begin long before departure, over a glass of wine, shared dreams, and the question: “Where should we travel to next?”

This time, the answer took us to the Seychelles in May 2026.

What followed were two weeks filled with turquoise bays, sailing adventures, giant tortoises, spontaneous photo shoots, and a collection of moments that simply cannot be planned.

 

 

Finally On Our Way

We each set out from a different corner of the world. Sabine departed from Hamburg, Katrin travelled from Berlin, and I flew in from Cape Town. 

Whilst we were all scattered across continents, we all had the same destination in mind: the Seychelles.

As our plane approached Mahé, it immediately became clear why people travel from all over the world to visit these islands: tiny green specks scattered across the Indian Ocean, surrounded by every imaginable shade of blue and turquoise. Bathed in the first light of dawn, it was a spectacular welcome.

One by one, we arrived on Mahé and finally reunited at the small Chateau Elysium Hotel. Over breakfast with a view of the ocean, anticipation turned into reality.

Naturally, our first stop was Beau Vallon Beach: barefoot in the sand, warm water at our feet, tropical warmth all around us. Within minutes, everyday life felt very far away.

 

Welcome Aboard The Sea Star

A short while later, Steve, our taxi driver, took us to Victoria Harbour, where our home for the next week was waiting: the Sea Star, a beautiful three-masted sailing vessel operated by Silhouette Cruises.

Fresh coconuts greeted us as we stepped aboard. Before long, the lines were cast off and we were sailing into the island world of the Seychelles.

We realised very quickly  that this journey wouldn’t only be about the places we visited – it would also be about the people we met along the way.

There were Udo and Birgitt from Thuringia, Tina and Wolfham, Caro and Juri, Leni and Leo, Benno and Wilma, and many other fellow travellers with whom we shared stories, laughter, and more than a few sundowners.

The crew made the trip just as memorable. Captain Steve always seemed to have everything under control, Sean looked after the divers, and Michael from Sri Lanka made sure nobody ever went hungry – his dinners quickly became one of the highlights of each day.

Every evening at 7 pm, the ship’s bell rang for dinner, and before long, the whole Sea Star family had gathered around the table.

 

 

Beaches That Look Better Than The Postcards Over the following days, we explored some of the most beautiful corners of the Seychelles. At Baie Ternay Marine National Park, our days were filled with snorkelling, kayaking, paddle-boarding, swimming, and simply enjoying life in the warm Indian Ocean. One of our favourite memories was made at a hidden lagoon, where a rope swing hung from a tree. Within minutes we were laughing like children, launching ourselves into the water again and again. Then came Anse Lazio. Everyone has seen the photos: white sand, giant granite boulders, water so impossibly blue it almost looks photoshopped. Anse Lazio is one of those rare places where reality somehow manages to exceed the pictures. When Sabine arrived first, she immediately tried calling us. Thanks to the rather creative mobile reception, her call sounded more like an emergency than a beach recommendation. Within minutes, we were racing towards the shore on our paddleboards. Once we arrived, it was obvious: the effort had been worth it.

 

 

La Digue – Our Island If someone asked us today which island stole our hearts, the answer would hands down be: La Digue. The best way to explore La Digue is by bicycle – no rush, no traffic, just quiet roads, tropical vegetation, and one beautiful beach after another. Naturally, our first stop turned into an impromptu photo shoot. The famous leaning palm tree demanded attention; anyone visiting La Digue without taking a photo at this spot is probably breaking an unofficial Seychelles rule. Along the way, we enjoyed lunch packs prepared by our chef, stopped for smoothies at Karim’s Bar, and spent hours staring out at the ocean, talking about life, travel, and everything in between. Sometimes those are the best travel days: no schedule, no deadlines, just being present.

 

The Quiet Stars Of The Journey On Curieuse Island, we met some of the most relaxed residents of the Seychelles: the Aldabra giant tortoises. They move slowly, seem entirely unbothered by the world around them, and give the impression that they figured out the secret to a stress-free life a very long time ago. One of my favourite moments of the entire trip happened completely by chance. After most visitors had left the island, I found myself sitting alone on a bench, surrounded by giant tortoises. There were no crowds, no noise – just the rustling of leaves, the distant sound of the ocean, and these remarkable creatures quietly going about their day. It was one of those rare moments when everything simply becomes still. Not because of what you see, but because of what you feel.

 

 

Below The Ocean’s Surface

I drift slowly above a coral reef so vibrant and alive that I can hardly believe places like this still exist.

Below me, large schools of golden convict tangs move effortlessly through the water, weaving between coral formations that seem to stretch endlessly into the blue. For a moment, I stop kicking altogether and simply float.

I close my eyes. Holding my breath, I listen.

The Indian Ocean is anything but silent. The reef crackles and pops around me like a bowl of rice crackers underwater. Tiny clicks echo through the coral. Somewhere in the distance, a low grunt carries through the water column, and closer by, I hear the unmistakable crunch-crunch-crunch of a parrotfish scraping algae from the reef. It’s busy, noisy, and wonderfully alive.

When I open my eyes again, I find myself hovering above a magnificent table coral. Beneath its broad canopy, life is unfolding in every direction. The coral doubles as a cleaning station – one of nature’s most fascinating arrangements, and one of my favourite things to watch underwater.

If coral reefs had car washes, cleaner fish would run them. These tiny workers spend their days removing parasites, dead skin, and unwanted hitchhikers from much larger fish. In return, they get a meal, while their clients get a health check-up – one of the ocean’s most remarkable partnerships.

Then something unexpected happens. A curious cleaner fish approaches me. Then another. One gently brushes along the fine hairs on my arm while a second investigates a mosquito bite on my leg. For a few brief seconds, they treat me no differently from the fish that visit their station every day.

And just like that, I am no longer watching this underwater world. I am a part of it.

Only for a moment. But long enough to feel connected to a place that has always felt special to me.

 

Sunsets Under Sail Of course, there were countless highlights along the way: the Vallée de Mai and its famous Coco de Mer palms, the coral reefs around Île Moyenne, the diving excursions, the snorkelling adventures. But when we think back on this trip today, our minds often return to the evenings aboard the Sea Star. Sitting on the upper deck with a cocktail in hand. Watching the sun disappear behind the islands. Sharing stories. Laughing. No meetings. No emails. No rush. Just friends, the ocean, and sails catching the wind. Sometimes that’s all you need.

 

 

Until Next Time Eventually, it was time to say goodbye to the Sea Star. But the journey wasn’t quite over. A few relaxed days at Beau Vallon Beach, dinners with our new friends, and a final memorable evening at the Four Seasons made sure the Seychelles didn’t let go of us too quickly. Soon enough, we all headed home. What remains are thousands of photographs, new friendships, and memories that will stay with us for many years to come. And if everyday life ever starts moving a little too fast again, we know exactly where to find them again – somewhere between the granite boulders of La Digue, or aboard the Sea Star enjoying a sundowner while watching the Indian Ocean disappear into the horizon.