Sun printing turns nature into wearable art. This hands-on Mahé workshop teaches you the traditional way of making prints with endemic plants and the tropical sun, then you take home what you make. I especially love the small-group feel, capped at 10, and the chance to learn directly from Tony and Stephanie. One thing to consider: the class needs decent weather and sunshine, and you will get better results if you come prepared with sun protection and work clothes.

The setting also matters. Roots Seychelles sits at a viewpoint with a panorama over the Indian Ocean, and the whole pace feels relaxed, not rushed. I like the vibe, including the kind details people mention, like a giant tortoise resting in the shade and breaks for banana cake and lime juice or coconut drinks. The “work” part is real though, so expect to pay attention to small choices while your fabric prints and dries.

Key Things You’ll Remember

• Old-school sun printing methods using local plants and the power of daylight
• Max 10-person workshop for real hands-on instruction (not a show-and-tell)
• Indian Ocean views from Roots Seychelles while you work and relax
• Snacks and drinks built into the class including banana cake and coconut or organic juices
• A wearable, take-home result: your own pareo or sarong design

Sun Printing On Mahé: A Craft That Feels Truly Local

Sun printing is the kind of activity that changes how you look at plants. In Seychelles, that’s not an abstract idea. Here, native plants become your tools, and the sun becomes part of the process.

What makes this workshop practical is that it is built for doing, not just watching. You learn how the old method works, including how you arrange materials, apply paint, and let sunlight do the “printing” part. And because it’s hands-on, you walk away with a wearable memory you can actually use, not just a photo.

The other thing I like: you get a small-group setting with a local designer. When the group is capped at 10, it is easier to get quick fixes, advice on technique, and help if something seems off.

Roots Seychelles Start Point and the Hilltop View Advantage

Your morning begins at Roots Seychelles in Mare Anglaise, on Mahé, with a 10:00 am start. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you can plan the rest of your day without stress.

This workshop has a built-in “why here?” factor. Roots Seychelles is up high enough to give a panorama overlooking the Indian Ocean. That view does more than look pretty. It also sets the mood for a sun-dependent craft. You are literally working with what is outside the windows.

The setting is also intimate. People describe getting time to chat and relax between steps, and that matters in a craft class. It turns the workshop into a morning you remember for both the art and the atmosphere, not just the final print.

The Real Lesson: Old Methods, Endemic Plants, and Sun-Dried Results

The core of the experience is traditional sun printing. You are taught how local communities used plants for coloring and how the tropical sun helps set the designs onto fabric. In other words, it’s part science, part craft, and part patience.

You’ll focus on:

• Choosing plant material in a way that suits the look you want
• Using supplies provided to prepare your fabric for printing
• Applying the method step by step, then letting the sun do the drying work

One small detail that matters: people mention you have to be smart about picking out the leaves. That advice is basically the craft in one line. If you choose carefully, you get clearer patterns. If you rush, the result can look more blotchy.

The class length is about 3 hours, so you should expect a full morning of active making. You are not signing up for a quick demo. You are learning a process and producing your own design while you’re there.

What You Make: Pareo or Sarong That You Can Wear

This is not a souvenir workshop where you leave your artwork behind. Your goal is a take-home textile design. The workshop supports you in creating your own printed piece, commonly a pareo or sarong.

Why that matters for value: you are paying for materials, instruction, and a finished wearable item. The price includes paint, fabric, and all supplies, so you are not hit with extra costs for what you need to make the artwork.

Also, the designs are personal. Even in a group class, your choices create your pattern. That’s why so many people walk away happy, because the outcome looks like their style, not a generic pattern they copied.

Snacks, Drinks, and a Pace That Does Not Feel Rushed

This workshop includes snacks plus fresh coconut or organic juice drinks. And those breaks are not just an add-on. They are part of the rhythm, especially because sun printing depends on drying time.

In practice, you can plan on a mix of:

• Hands-on printing steps
• Short rests while your fabric dries
• Snack time that keeps the energy up for the rest of the craft

People also mention banana cake, lime juice, and even vegan banana cakes, depending on the day and dietary needs. That tells you the hosts are paying attention, not just offering a generic snack plate.

It’s a small, friendly setup, and it helps that the hosts are social in a natural way. Tony and Stephanie come across as welcoming, and conversations happen easily when the class is small and the pace is relaxed.

Who This Is Best For (and Who Might Want to Skip)

This is best for you if you want something different from the usual beach-and-bus schedule. If you like hands-on workshops, plant-based crafts, and making something you can wear or gift, this fits perfectly.

It’s also a strong pick if you are traveling solo. Small-group formats often work well when you want people interaction without the awkwardness of large tours. And because the group max is 10, you get the feeling of learning together.

You might want to reconsider if:

• You are not comfortable with sun-dependent activities (the experience requires good weather)
• You want a passive, low-effort activity. This is a real crafting session, and you will be hands-on the whole time

The good news is that the class is described as suitable for most people. Service animals are allowed too, which can matter for planning your day.

What to Bring: Work Clothes, Sun Hat, and Sunscreen

Here is where people often get tripped up with craft classes in tropical climates. The supplies may be provided, but you still need the right personal gear.

Not included, so bring:

• Work clothes
• A sun hat
• Sunscreen

Why it matters: even with breaks for snacks, you are working outdoors and letting sunlight dry your textile. That means you will likely spend time in the sun. If you forget sun protection, the class can turn from fun craft time into a stressful shade hunt.

Also, wear something you do not mind getting paint or plant residue on. Sun printing uses messy materials, even if the hosts try to keep things neat.

Price and Value: $134.92 for a Take-Home Wearable

The price is $134.92 per person for about 3 hours. That can sound like a lot until you break down what you get.

You are not only paying for instruction. The price includes:

• Paint, fabric, and all supplies
• Snacks
• Fresh coconut or organic juice drinks
• A finished, personalized take-home textile design (pareo or sarong)

So you are paying for materials plus time plus a final product. In many craft workshops, the supplies are an extra cost. Here, they are bundled into the price, which makes the value easier to judge.

The other value piece is the group size. A max of 10 participants means more attention and fewer bottlenecks. For a craft where small choices matter, that attention can make a noticeable difference in your final print.

Weather Reality on Mahé: Plan for Sun Printing Days

This experience requires good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

That weather rule is important for two reasons:

• Sun printing relies on sunlight for drying and setting
• Your session is only about 3 hours, so there is not much time to “wait it out” if conditions are off

My advice: if your schedule is flexible, book early and hold it for a day with the best forecast you can find. And even if the day looks bright, still bring sun gear, because you are working in a sun-focused method.

Scheduling Tips: When to Book and How Far Ahead

On average, this workshop is booked about 30 days in advance. That’s a useful planning signal. A small-group class with a limited capacity will often fill up, especially during peak travel weeks.

You’ll also get a confirmation at booking time, and you’ll use a mobile ticket. That means less time spent figuring out paperwork when you arrive.

If you are building a Mahé itinerary, put this on your “creative morning” slot, not your “rushing around late afternoon” slot. You want room for the full 3 hours, plus the realistic time it takes to take in the view and complete the drying steps.

Should You Book This Sun Printing Workshop?

Book it if you want a hands-on activity that feels specific to Seychelles, not a generic craft. This is a wearable take-home textile, created with local plants and the tropical sun, in a small group that keeps the attention on you. The ocean view and the relaxed pace are a real bonus, and snacks plus coconut or organic juices make it feel like more than a quick lesson.

Skip it if you only want low-effort sightseeing or if your schedule is locked to a day with likely bad weather. Sun printing can be very forgiving as an art form, but it is not a guaranteed indoor craft if the weather is poor.

If you do decide to go, come with work clothes, sunscreen, and a sun hat. That one prep move keeps the morning fun and helps your prints turn out the way you planned.

FAQ

What time does the workshop start?

It starts at 10:00 am.

How long is the sun printing workshop?

The duration is about 3 hours.

Where do I meet for the experience?

You meet at Roots Seychelles, Mare Anglaise, Seychelles.

What is included in the price?

The workshop includes paint, fabric, all supplies, and snacks, plus fresh coconut or organic juice drinks.

What should I bring since it is not included?

You should bring work clothes, a sun hat, and sunscreen.

How large is the group?

The experience has a maximum of 10 participants.

What happens if weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.