October Kicks Off Holiday-Planning Season: A Step-by-Step Guide from Booking to Beach on Cousine Island
October is when the most successful Seychelles holidays begin — not in flight lounges or on beaches, but in planning. From mid-November through January, demand for villas, yachts and inter-island transfers rises sharply, and the most sought-after private islands lock in reservations months in advance. Late October and early November is the quiet window in which you can still secure the best of everything, including a leisurely stay on Cousine Island — a conservation-driven, privately-run island that accommodates only a handful of guests at a time.
Calmer seas, easing winds, and clearer underwater visibility, as noted in the Eco-Calendar, make October the ideal time when both logistics and conditions align, allowing travelers to design multi-island holidays that culminate in complete seclusion.
Step 1
Choose Your Route and Reserve the Finale
A classic inner-island progression is Mahé → Cousine → Praslin → Mahé. The momentum of sightseeing, restaurants and ferries early and late in the trip gives way to stillness on our island. Guests typically spend most nights on Cousine, from where they enjoy curated day trips and excursions to nearby islands. Coming home to the peace and privacy of Cousine after a day of markets, shopping, and island activities is a true blessing.
Mahé International Airport is the first stop in Seychelles when planning to travelling to Cousine Island
Step 2
Secure International and Inter-Island Transfers
Those finishing on Cousine may arrive by sea from Mahé or Praslin, by helicopter (EC120), or via a Mahé → Praslin flight followed by a short sea transfer. Because luggage limits differ between aircraft and boats, booking these movements early keeps routing elegant rather than improvised at the last minute. Transfer options are detailed across the island’s main pages, including rates and booking terms.
Inner island flights over the turquoise waters of the Seychelles are incredibly scenic
Step 3
Select Accommodation on Cousine
Cousine offers four Luxury Beach Villas and one Presidential Beach Villa, all with absolute privacy and immediate beach access. The Presidential Villa includes two master suites, a study and a gym, making it suitable for extended or celebratory stays. Full-island rental — combining all villas with the Pavilion and Spa — is available for families, multi-generation trips or private events, as described under Private Villas and the applicable Rates & Terms.
Guests planning longer retreats often begin with one of the Packages & Special Offers, particularly when combining slow travel with conservation or wellness-oriented stays.
Privacy is guaranteed on Cousine Island with a maximum of 12 guests
Step 4
Match Experiences to Traveller Types
Because Cousine does not admit day visitors, access to nature is unshared. Couples build their days around spa appointments, private beach dining, and at-sea mornings; families participate in guided nature quests and turtle conservation walking experiences; friends or multi-generational groups book catamaran excursions, fishing charters, or guided snorkelling. These are outlined under Activities & Experiences.
Step 5
A 10-Night High-Level Template
A commonly used structure for peak-season travellers is:
Night 1-2 — Mahé (arrival, culture, acclimatisation)
Night 3-8 — Cousine Island: conservation, quiet water, restricted occupancy, private-villa living
Day Trip — Praslin (Vallée de Mai, beaches)
Day Trip— La Digue (bicycles, coves, slow living)
Day Trip — Snorkeling/fishing/island hopping
Night 9-10 — Praslin and/or Mahé (last minute shopping, departure)
Spending most of the time on Cousine with nights on Mahé and day trips to other islands allows for a restorative, private breakaway that still allows for plenty of adventure, cultural experiences, and shopping in the markets and curio shops unique to the Seychelles. International guests with late arrival and early departure flights benefit from a night spent on Mahé to avoid transfer delays that can be caused by weather.
Step 6
Reserve the Elements That Disappear First
The items that typically book out by November are: villas, inter-island transfers, private dining, spa appointments, and timed conservation experiences such as turtle briefings. These should be secured before finalising the remainder of the itinerary.
Day trips & Excursions
Our reservations team can help you plan seasonal adventures to unique islands like Praslin and La Digue. We work closely with local guides and curated companies to plan unforgettable day trips that showcase the rich diversity of our beloved island nation. Each experience is weather dependent and our excellent partners are in high demand so planning ahead (and having a plan B) is crucial.
Packing & Planning Notes
Soft luggage travels best on helicopters and smaller boats; reef-safe sunscreen is strongly encouraged; a red-light torch allows for ethical night beach walks when hatchlings or nesting turtles are active. Most importantly, itineraries should remain slightly elastic — Cousine’s Eco-Calendar illustrates that nature, not the schedule, dictates the strongest days for certain activities.
Plan Early, Enjoy Privately
October is not simply another month in the Seychelles; it is the threshold before scarcity. Those who plan now can secure the most exclusive segment of their journey — the majority of days on an island without day guests, traffic or intrusion — where wildlife, climate and guest experience are choreographed with minimal interference.
Explore Private Villas, Packages & Offers and the island’s Activities & Experiences to begin designing the closing chapter of your itinerary.
