Want a souvenir you made? This sun printing workshop in Mahé teaches an old Seychelles textile method—using the tropical sun and endemic plants to create color and pattern—while you enjoy a panorama over the Indian Ocean. It’s a hands-on class with real local hosts, including Tony and Stephanie, in a small setting where you can ask questions as you work.
I like two things most: the 10-person cap keeps it relaxed and personal, and the process ends with a take-home sarong/pareo you designed yourself (not a mass-made print). One thing to consider: your results depend on the day’s sun and on paying attention while selecting leaves for your pattern, so don’t treat it like a quick craft you can rush through.
In This Review
- Key highlights (what makes this workshop memorable)
- Roots Seychelles Hilltop Start: Ocean Views With Plant Prints in Mind
- Sun Printing in Plain Terms: How the Seychelles Method Works
- From Fabric to Sarong: What You’ll Create (and Why It’s a Good Souvenir)
- The Workshop Pace: What the 3 Hours Feels Like Day-of
- Views, Snacks, and Local Conversation With Tony and Stephanie
- What to Wear and Bring for Leaf-Handling Sun Printing
- Weather and Timing: When Sun Printing Works Best
- Price and Value on Mahé: Is It Worth $134.92?
- Who Should Book This Workshop (and Who Might Skip It)
- Should You Book Sun Printing at Roots Seychelles?
- FAQ
- How long is the sun printing workshop?
- Where does the workshop start?
- What time does it start?
- How many people are in the group?
- What’s included in the price?
- What should I bring?
- Do I need good weather?
- Do I take anything home?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key highlights (what makes this workshop memorable)
- A hilltop view over Mahé’s bay and the Indian Ocean while you print
- Small group limit (max 10) so you actually get hands-on help
- Traditional plant-based sun printing using endemic Seychelles plants
- Hosts Tony and Stephanie guiding the class with lots of warmth and conversation
- You take home your own wearable textile made in the workshop
- Local snacks and juice served while your fabric dries
Roots Seychelles Hilltop Start: Ocean Views With Plant Prints in Mind
This is a 3-hour, small-group craft experience based at Roots Seychelles in Mare Anglaise, Mahé. The start time is 10:00 am, and you finish back at the same meeting point—easy to plan around. You’ll get a mobile ticket, and the location is close to public transportation, which matters on an island where taxis can eat into your day.
The setting is part of the magic. You’re up high enough to take in a sweeping view of the water. Several people describe it as a top-of-the-mountain morning, with bay views that make the whole workshop feel like a mini getaway, not just a class.
And it’s not a sterile studio. You’re working with living material—leaves and plants—so expect an outdoor feeling even when the tools and instructions are set up neatly. That’s also why the workshop is seasonal-ish in practice: it depends on good weather for proper sun drying.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Mahe.
Sun Printing in Plain Terms: How the Seychelles Method Works
Sun printing is the headline, but here’s the practical idea. In Seychelles, people have used native plant materials for generations to create decorative fabrics. In this workshop, you learn an old technique that uses the power of the tropical sun plus fascinating endemic plants to form your print.
You’ll be guided through the full workflow as you create your own design. The class provides paint, fabric, and all supplies, so you’re not stuck hunting for materials on your vacation.
What you’ll do, in real-world terms:
- You’ll choose and prepare plant elements (leaves matter here).
- You’ll apply the plant-based printing approach on your fabric.
- You’ll use sun drying as part of the process so your design sets.
One helpful tip that comes through clearly: you need to be a little smart with leaf selection. Don’t just grab random leaves and hope for the best. Taking a moment to pick leaves that suit your design makes a noticeable difference to the final look.
If you’re a pattern person, you’ll likely enjoy this. If you’re more of a “surprise me” person, the class still works—but you’ll get better results if you take the time to shape your design choices.
From Fabric to Sarong: What You’ll Create (and Why It’s a Good Souvenir)
This is not a “watch someone else do the work” type of souvenir. Your goal is to leave with a wearable textile that looks personal—many people mention a sarong/pareo they designed themselves.
The final product is the big value point. You’re paying for:
- A real process that takes time,
- Step-by-step instruction,
- And materials you can’t easily replicate at home.
At $134.92 per person for about 3 hours, the price feels reasonable if you care about making something with your hands. You’re not just buying a fabric item. You’re getting a practical craft lesson plus the materials included, with a finished piece you can actually use.
Also, the design doesn’t feel generic. Because your print is tied to the plant pieces you choose and how you lay them out, your textile tends to look one-of-a-kind rather than like it came from a store rack.
The Workshop Pace: What the 3 Hours Feels Like Day-of
Plan for a relaxed morning. This isn’t an assembly line, and the small group size helps. With groups capped at 10 participants, you’re not waiting around for someone to finish explaining before you can start.
A typical flow looks like:
- You arrive and get oriented to the space and tools.
- You learn the printing approach and start working on your fabric.
- You design with plant elements, where leaf choice affects the outcome.
- You pause for drying time, which is when the snacks and views take over.
- You refine what you made, and then you leave with your finished take-home textile.
There’s also a “slow down and enjoy” rhythm to it. People describe relaxing while the sun dries their creations—banana cake and juice on hand, with a view that makes you forget you’re doing something timed.
One extra nature note: someone in a recent group mentioned a giant tortoise resting in the shade under a table. You might not count on seeing one, but the setting feels like the kind where wildlife can show up nearby.
Views, Snacks, and Local Conversation With Tony and Stephanie
You’re not only learning a craft. You’re also spending time with the people behind it.
Hosts include Tony and Stephanie (and Marco is also mentioned as part of the welcoming team). The vibe is warm and informal. People mention chats with Tony and conversation with other participants, and it comes across as the hosts actually enjoy sharing what they do.
The food and drink are part of the experience, too:
- Local snacks
- Fresh coconut or organic juice drinks
You might also see treats like banana cake and even lime juice during the drying time. One highlight from a recent group: the hosts accommodated a vegan diet and provided vegan banana cakes. If food matters to you, this is a good sign—don’t be shy about mentioning dietary needs when you book.
This is one of those tours where the group stays friendly because you’re all doing the same hands-on thing. You’ll likely end up asking questions like how plants are chosen or what inspires people’s designs. That’s where the workshop becomes more than a craft and starts to feel like a slice of daily life on Mahé.
What to Wear and Bring for Leaf-Handling Sun Printing
The workshop includes all painting materials, fabric, and supplies, plus snacks and drinks. What it doesn’t include is what you’ll want for comfort.
Not included:
- Work clothes
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
So treat this like you’ll be doing a plant-and-paint activity outdoors. I’d wear something you don’t mind getting a little messy. Even if you keep your hands clean, plant-based work can be unpredictable in tiny ways.
Also, don’t skip sun protection. The method uses sun, which means you’ll be outside during drying time. A hat and sunscreen are smart, not optional.
Weather and Timing: When Sun Printing Works Best
This experience requires good weather. If conditions aren’t right, the activity may be canceled due to poor weather, and you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Practically, it’s good to think of this as a “sun-dependent” craft. If you’re the kind of traveler who schedules beach time for whatever weather shows up, you’ll want to put this workshop on a day that looks better rather than your rainiest one.
On the flip side, you’re not committing to blazing midday heat. The class still runs in daylight, and drying time is part of the schedule. One person specifically mentioned the day wasn’t very sunny, yet they still went—so the workshop doesn’t require constant tropical summer intensity. But do plan with weather in mind.
Price and Value on Mahé: Is It Worth $134.92?
Let’s talk value without hand-waving.
You’re paying $134.92 per person for:
- A 3-hour guided craft session,
- A maximum of 10 people for a more personal class,
- Paint, fabric, and all supplies included,
- Snacks plus fresh coconut or organic juice,
- And a take-home wearable printed textile you made yourself.
In plain terms: you’re paying for instruction + materials + the finished souvenir. The price makes more sense when you look at what’s included. If you’ve ever bought a handmade item on a vacation and wondered what it would cost to learn the process, this is the answer—without you having to figure out supplies or technique.
If you’re coming to Seychelles mainly for beaches and tours, it’s easy to skip crafts. But if you want one day that’s creative and different from island drives and swim stops, this is a strong use of time.
Also, it’s booked on average about 30 days in advance, so if you want a specific spot in your schedule, don’t wait until the last minute.
Who Should Book This Workshop (and Who Might Skip It)
This workshop is especially good if you:
- Want a hands-on cultural activity in Mahé
- Enjoy making things you can actually use
- Like meeting locals and hearing how a craft connects to island plants
- Appreciate small-group guidance rather than a large tour herd
It also seems to work for families. One review described the experience as fun for children ages 8, 3, and 2, which suggests it can be manageable with different age ranges—at least with attentive hosts and an easygoing pace.
You might consider skipping if you:
- Strongly prefer indoor activities only
- Hate any chance of sun-dependent timing
- Want a craft that requires zero attention to detail (leaf choice does matter)
Should You Book Sun Printing at Roots Seychelles?
Yes, if you want one authentic, hands-on Seychelles experience that ends with something personal. I’d book it when the weather forecast looks decent and when you’re okay spending a few hours focused on creating your own print—because that focus is what turns it into a memory you’ll actually keep.
This is the kind of tour where the value isn’t only the finished sarong/pareo. It’s the mix of hilltop views, plant-based tradition, and warm hosting by Tony, Stephanie, and the team at Roots Seychelles.
If your trip is short and you can only pick a couple “non-beach” activities, this one is worth putting on your list.
FAQ
How long is the sun printing workshop?
It runs for about 3 hours.
Where does the workshop start?
The meeting point is Roots Seychelles, Mare Anglaise, Seychelles. It ends back at the same meeting point.
What time does it start?
The start time is 10:00 am.
How many people are in the group?
The maximum group size is 10 travelers.
What’s included in the price?
Paint, fabric, and all supplies are included, along with snacks and fresh coconut or organic juice drinks.
What should I bring?
You’ll want work clothes, plus a sun hat and sunscreen since these are not included.
Do I need good weather?
Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.
Do I take anything home?
Yes. You’ll create a printed textile piece (often described as a sarong/pareo) to take home.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.
