Where to See Giant Tortoises in the Seychelles: Best Islands and Tours

The Seychelles Islands are a true paradise not only for beach lovers and fans of tropical nature, but also for anyone who dreams of seeing the famous Aldabra giant tortoises. These slow and majestic creatures have long become one of the symbols of the archipelago. They attract travellers with their impressive size, calm character and remarkable history — some of them live for more than a hundred years and have seen more than any person alive today.

In this post I’ll share where you can see tortoises in the Seychelles, how to interact with them properly, and what time of day they are usually most active. I’ll also list places across different islands — Mahé, Praslin, La Digue and others — where tortoises live both in natural environments and in protected areas created by people. You’ll also find some useful tips: whether you can touch the tortoises, what you can feed them, and what you definitely shouldn’t do. If you dream of seeing Seychelles tortoises up close and taking unforgettable photos, this guide will help you understand how to safely interact with them during your trip.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on these links may earn me a small commission at no additional cost to you. However, this helps me keep this site running.

Aldabra giant tortoises are one of the most famous animals in the Seychelles and one of the largest species of land tortoise in the world. Their scientific name is Aldabra Giant Tortoise. Unlike sea turtles, land tortoises spend almost their entire lives on land rather than in the ocean. They move around the islands, feeding on leaves, grass and fruit, and they do not need to swim in order to survive. In the wild, they mainly live on the remote Aldabra Atoll, but today these giants can also be found on many other islands across the archipelago.

These animals are truly enormous. Adult males can weigh more than 200–250 kg, and their shell length can reach around 120 cm. The largest known individual is a tortoise named Esmeralda, who lives on Bird Island and is considered one of the biggest tortoises in the world. She weighs over 300 kg, and her shell is more than 130 cm long.

Another remarkable feature of these animals is their incredible longevity. Giant tortoises can live for more than 100 years, and some tortoises live far longer. One of the most famous long-lived tortoises is Jonathan, who lives on the island of Saint Helena and is recognised as the oldest known land animal in the world. Scientists estimate he was born around 1832, which means he is now over 190 years old.

In the past, giant tortoises lived on many islands in the Indian Ocean, but due to human activity most species disappeared. The population on Aldabra Atoll survived thanks to its remote location and today it is one of the largest in the world — with more than 150,000 tortoises living there.

Today Aldabra tortoises have become a true symbol of the Seychelles. They can be found not only in the wild but also on some islands and in nature parks, where they walk freely and are used to people. For many travellers, meeting these animals becomes one of the most memorable moments of their trip to the Seychelles.

In the Seychelles, giant tortoises have lived close to people for many years, which is why in many places you can get surprisingly close to them. In gardens, parks and on smaller islands, tortoises are usually calm around people and are not afraid of visitors. However, it’s important to remember that they are still wild animals and should always be treated with care.

Can you touch them? In many places you can gently touch a tortoise on its shell or neck if it is calmly standing or walking. Most of the time they barely react to touch and simply continue moving or eating. The most important rule is not to make sudden movements. If the tortoise pulls its head into the shell or starts moving away, it’s best to leave it alone.

What can you feed them? In many places in the Seychelles visitors are allowed to feed tortoises, and this often becomes one of the most memorable experiences. They are usually given lettuce leaves, grass, tree leaves, pieces of fruit. From our experience, tortoises absolutely love hibiscus flowers and oranges. When they see food, they slowly move closer and stretch out their necks — which looks quite funny.

What should you not do near tortoises? Even though these animals are friendly, there are several important rules:

• never sit or ride on tortoises
• do not feed them bread or human food
• do not push or pull them
• do not scare them with loud noises
• avoid sudden movements

Such behaviour can harm the animals and cause serious stress.

Simple rules when meeting tortoises. To make the experience safe both for you and for the animals:

• approach slowly and preferably from the front so the tortoise can see you
• feed them only approved food
• do not disturb them when they are resting
• feed them carefully — tortoises have sharp beaks and can accidentally bite your fingers

Giant tortoises are very slow and peaceful animals, so if you behave calmly you can observe them from very close distance — and even take great photos or selfies.

Giant tortoises in the Seychelles are active all year round, so you can see them at any time. Unlike some animals, they don’t have a clear active season and they do not hibernate thanks to the warm tropical climate.

The best time to observe them is in the morning or closer to the evening. During these hours tortoises move more, search for food and tend to be more active. If you bring leaves or fruit to feed them, they usually respond to food faster during these times.

In the middle of the day, when the heat becomes stronger, tortoises often rest. They may lie in the shade of trees or bushes, sometimes barely moving for long periods. So you can still see them during the day, but most likely they will simply be resting.

On Mahé, seeing giant tortoises is actually much easier than many travellers expect. Many people think you need to travel to remote islands, but in reality tortoises live in many gardens, nature parks and even hotel grounds. Sometimes you can encounter them in quite unexpected places. For example, large resorts like Four Seasons Resort Seychelles and Constance Ephelia have tortoises on their grounds. We even saw them at our small apartments in Beau Vallon (unfortunately they are currently unavailable for booking), where there was a small enclosure with two tortoises. In the Seychelles this is quite common: locals and hotels often keep tortoises on their property, and they become almost as familiar as cats or dogs. Here are a few places on Mahé where visitors most often see giant tortoises.

Seychelles National Botanical Gardens (Mon Fleuri). This is the most famous and accessible place to see giant tortoises on Mahé. The botanical garden is located close to the capital Victoria, so it’s easy to visit even if you are staying in another part of the island. There is a large enclosure with several tortoises where visitors can get very close to them. Many travellers come here specifically to feed them leaves and take photos.

Domaine de Val des Près (Craft Village). Here you can see traditional Seychellois houses, small craft shops and also a small enclosure with a few tortoises. They are not the main attraction of the place, but a pleasant bonus during a short stop.

Jardin du Roi Spice Garden. This is one of the most interesting places in the south of Mahé. Officially it is a spice garden, but in reality it feels like a small zoo. There are many giant tortoises of different ages and sizes living here in a large spacious enclosure. You can also see parrots, tropical birds, rabbits and guinea pigs. With beautiful ocean views and the atmosphere of an old plantation, it’s a very pleasant place for a walk.

Anse Takamaka. On this scenic beach in the south of the island there is an enclosure with several huge tortoises — and they are truly impressive in size. The unusual part is that you can see them simply while walking along the beach.

Cap Lazare Nature Reserve. This nature reserve in the south of Mahé is another place where giant tortoises live. They roam a large green area near the ocean. The reserve is known for its beautiful beaches, tropical vegetation and the chance to see not only tortoises but also rare birds. Visitors usually come here as part of an organised tour or during special events such as dance evenings, yoga sessions or cooking classes.

Anse Lazio is one of the most beautiful beaches not only on Praslin, but in the entire Seychelles. Many people come here for the white sand, granite boulders and turquoise water, but you can also see giant tortoises here. A small enclosure with several tortoises is located near the beach restaurant. It’s not the main attraction of the place, but a nice surprise during a walk along the beach.

Tortoise Sanctuary Praslin. Not far from Raffles Seychelles you can find the Tortoise Sanctuary Praslin. Here you can get close to the animals, observe them and sometimes even feed them. This is a great stop for travellers who want to see tortoises away from the busiest tourist spots and enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere.

Curieuse Island National Park is one of the best places in the Seychelles to see giant tortoises in an almost natural environment. Several hundred tortoises live on the island, and many of them roam freely, especially near the beach and in the mangrove areas. Most excursions to Curieuse Island depart from Praslin. The tour usually ends on the beach near the former leper colony house — this is where you can often see dozens of tortoises at the same time. Unlike the small enclosures on other islands, the tortoises here live on a large natural territory and feel almost as if they are in the wild. Watching them is especially interesting: they slowly move around the island, rest in the shade of trees, or gather near feeding spots.

The L'Union Estate Tortoise Farm is the main place on La Digue where visitors come to see giant tortoises. L'Union Estate Plantation itself is one of the main attractions of the island. Here you can see an old colonial house, a coconut plantation and a traditional mill used for producing copra. On the grounds there is a large tortoise farm with a spacious enclosure where several very large tortoises live. There are also separate enclosures with young and even tiny tortoises, and you can get very close to them.

Anse Severe. On the road near Anse Severe beach you can notice an unusual road sign warning cyclists that tortoises may cross the road. Sometimes giant tortoises really do come out of the green vegetation and slowly cross the road on their way toward the ocean. On La Digue, tortoises are treated almost like full residents of the island.

Anse Fourmis. In the wilder and less visited parts of the island, tortoises can sometimes be seen directly in the forest. For example, near Anse Fourmis we managed to see one of them — it simply walked out of the forest and slowly moved along the road.

Besides Mahé, Praslin, La Digue and Curieuse, Aldabra giant tortoises can also be found on several other islands in the Seychelles archipelago. These places are often included in boat excursions or small conservation projects.

Grande Soeur. On the private island Grande Soeur, tortoises live freely. During our stop on the island we saw them walking among the palm trees in the centre of the island. Here you can enjoy observing tortoises without crowds of tourists and experience a more untouched side of the Seychelles. However, local tortoises are not very used to attention, so it’s best to approach them carefully.

Bird Island. Bird Island is famous not only for its huge number of birds but also for the largest free-roaming tortoise, Esmeralda. Several dozen giant tortoises live on the island and move freely around the territory. You can only reach Bird Island if you book a stay at the Bird Island Lodge resort. At the moment I haven’t found clear information about how to book a villa there. Flights to the island operate as charter flights from Mahé, and tickets are not available without a hotel reservation.

Denis Island. Just like Bird Island, Denis Island can only be visited if you stay at the Denis Island Lodge. Flights to Denis Island also operate as charter flights from Mahé, and it’s not possible to buy tickets separately without booking accommodation. Guests staying on the island can observe tortoises directly in their natural habitat.

Aldabra Atoll is the true home of the Aldabra giant tortoise and has the largest population in the world — more than 150,000 individuals. The atoll is protected by UNESCO, and access is extremely limited. It can usually only be visited as part of a scientific expedition or a special organised group a few times a year. Here the tortoises live completely in the wild, and observing them becomes a truly unique experience.

Meeting Aldabra giant tortoises in the Seychelles is always a special experience. These slow, wise and incredibly patient animals almost feel like they belong to another era. Watching them, feeding them leaves or fruit, or simply sitting nearby and enjoying their calm presence is a moment that stays in your memory for a long time.

If you are planning a trip to the Seychelles, make sure to check out my other posts as well. I share detailed guides to the north and south of Mahé, as well as Praslin and La Digue, and hikes such as Morne Blanc and Anse Major. There you’ll find tips on routes, beaches and nature spots — and sometimes even more unexpected tortoise encounters.

And if you know other islands or places where giant tortoises can be seen that I didn’t mention in this post, feel free to share them in the comments. Your experience might help other travellers discover even more places to meet these incredible animals.

May your encounter with Aldabra tortoises inspire new journeys and discoveries in the Seychelles 🐢💚