If you want to escape the cold of winter, a real paradise awaits you in the Indian Ocean, with spectacular landscapes, fascinating hikes through the lush jungle and coral reefs that will delight your senses. We propose 10 idyllic islands to enjoy the warmth of the Seychelles Archipelago.
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Dreamy sunset landscapes have always attracted honeymooners to the Seychelles Islands – the archipelago of 115 islands scattered over more than a million square kilometers of ocean. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a nature adventure, every corner of this exotic island paradise invites you to discover a world full of color and life. The locals’ commitment to protecting the environment makes Seychelles not only a dream destination, but also an example of conservation.
Connected by a ferry service, the inner islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue offer an authentic experience with prices to suit all budgets. But each exotic island has a unique charm and the ability to ignite a romance with all visitors.
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La Digue – ideal for beach lovers
The small island of La Digue, haven of artists and bohemians, offers a special charm with its steep forests and sandy streets.
To enjoy complete freedom, with a bicycle rented from the pier you can discover some of the most beautiful beaches of the archipelago. Anse Source d’Argent, famous for its dreamy backdrop from Bounty and Bacardi commercials, is the most popular beach, but for a more intimate experience, you can explore Grand Anse and Anse Marron.
If you’re looking for adventure, a half-day tour with Sunny Trails will help you discover secret places where you can climb rocks, crawl through tunnels and listen to the rare call of birds of paradise on the forest paths.
Felicite – the perfect place for newly married couples
In a corner as beautiful as the Seychelles, it would be a real shame to stay indoors. Although, when you have a resort with hillside villas complete with sparkling private pools, ocean-view terraces and playful swings in glass-walled bathrooms, it’s a real challenge.
In Felicite, however, you can opt for a private cabana on one of the quiet beaches, where you can enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner under an old takamaka tree, or admire the sunset with a glass of champagne, propped up on large cushions (beanbags) placed in secret places among the rocks. Other activities include watching a movie under the starry sky or a sunrise kayak ride to Cocos Island, where you can snorkel in peace.
The island’s main attraction, however, is the spa carved into the granite rock, complete with five treatment rooms for couples, an open-air meditation pavilion and a private elevated pool.
Silhouette, for hiking lovers
While locals traverse the dense and steep jungle in Silhouette to collect supplies in two hours, tourists need twice as long to cover the same route. But if you reach the abandoned village of Grand Barbe you are rewarded: under the ferns you can discover limbless amphibians – caecili, or you can admire the population of giant Aldabra tortoises that thrive among the ruins. You can also walk on secluded beaches where turtles have been nesting for thousands of years.
Impressive about this exotic emerald island is the fact that 93% of its surface is protected as a national park, with three major routes that cross the mountains and stretch along the coast, which can also be traveled by guided tours.
You can sleep a few meters from the ocean and enjoy solitary walks on the beaches. And here there is a spectacular spa built among the rocks.
Sainte-Anne – for families on a budget
Although Seychelles excels in glitzy and exclusive resorts, not all vacations require an extravagant budget. Club Med, the only property located on the largest exotic island in the Sainte-Anne Marine National Park, rivals the exclusivity of other resorts by offering a family-friendly experience.
It is only 15 minutes by boat from Mahé, easily accessible, with all-inclusive packages (an exception in the Seychelles, where usually only half-board is offered) at low costs.
The shores of Sainte-Anne are surrounded by coral reefs that can be explored by snorkeling, sailing or glass-bottom boat trips. Guided hikes, Creole cooking lessons, and yoga workshops are among the favorite activities. The island is also friendly to families with babies, with special baths, pushchairs, bottle warmers, changing tables and umbrella beds available with advance booking.
Alphonse and Cosmoledo – ideal for divers
In a world full of exciting land-based entertainment, it’s easy to forget that the Indian Ocean’s greatest treasures lie beneath the waves. Some of the best diving spots are found around the Outer Islands, an isolated collection of atolls located a 60-minute charter flight from Mahé.
On Alphonse, guests can dive daily, watching hammerhead sharks and impressive giant trevally hunt in groups – an unusual but common behavior in this part of the world. You can also compete with flying fish or participate in spotting manta fish as part of an ongoing conservation project. When the tides are right, you can take a boat trip to Saint-François, where you can look for the strange and rare coconut crabs in the mangroves and admire the baby lemon sharks in the shallow waters.
On Cosmoledo is Aldabra, a UNESCO protected site, home to several thousand giant tortoises.
Praslin, perfect for nature lovers
In the Vallée de Mai, considered the Garden of Eden, the abundance of biblical references merges with pure nature. Here the legendary sea coconut palms (coco de mer) take 25 years to produce the heaviest seed in the world. Weighing up to 30kg and priced at €360 as a souvenir, this precious pod is truly an unforgettable sight. “If you hit one of these, you’ll be in heaven forever,” jokes naturalist Medina Laboudallon, daughter of a well-known conservationist, who offers tours of this UNESCO-listed site.
Many endemic species can be found on the neighboring island of Aride, managed by the NGO Island Conservation Society. Here, you can observe one of the rarest species of birds in the world – the white-breasted woodpecker or you can spy the chicks (of the “tropical bird” with the white tail) hiding in the tree trunks. The family of the first French settlers organizes tours for guests.
Denis – perfect for environmentalists
The owners of an eco-resort on the exotic island of Denis, a 30-minute flight north of Mahé, raise animals and grow vegetables, offering guests organic products from the farm, while kitchen scraps feed the pigs, bottles are reused in construction, and the residual water helps to revive dry soils.
These initiatives have created a haven for tropical wildlife – the noddy birds nest in the coconut palms, just a few meters from the dining terrace. Bike rides and sunrise paddleboarding trips offer a unique way to spot wildlife, and wildlife encounters are impressive through the gardens and woodlands next to the waterfront villas.
Desroches – paradise for active and multi-generational families
Calm waters caress the island of Desroches, just a 35-minute flight from Mahé, but as you get further away, waves crash against coral reefs. It’s the perfect place to learn to jet ski or surf – two of the 70 water and land activities available at an island resort. Beginners practice under the guidance of guides, while advanced players hone their skills on offshore reefs far from shore
The one- to seven-bedroom villas feature private beaches, ideal for couples and families who can enjoy kayaking, fishing trips and tennis. Due to the lack of light pollution, stargazing and romantic dinners under the starry sky are excellent opportunities.
Bird, heaven for bird lovers
On this northernmost island, feathers cover every nook and cranny of this coral massif, and during the nesting and hatching period (April-October), guests are provided with earplugs for a peaceful night’s sleep. For ornithology enthusiasts, this is a true avian Arcadia – the paradise of birds – a term inspired by Greek mythology. Millions of birds allow visitors to get up close and photograph their movements.
Guests of the two- and three-bedroom villas can stock up from a local shop, but the exotic island can also be reserved for exclusive use. It’s also an ideal place for digital nomads.
Apart from the birds, the largest population of hawksbill turtles in the Seychelles can be seen here. Between December and March, the young can be seen heading for the sea.
Mahé – for those who love the spa
The exotic island of Mahé in the Seychelles Archipelago claims to hold the secret to total relaxation. At one of the resorts, each guest is assigned a personal butler who handles everything from preparing bubble baths to sewing a button on a shirt.
Here, you can enjoy a meal on the beach in a restaurant that showcases the Asian, French and Creole flavors of Seychelles cuisine.
The spa, surrounded by a curtain of emerald ferns and vines spiraling up a Banyan tree, is a highlight, along with the sounds of the jungle and the touch of expert hands, which transform massages in the outdoor pavilions into unforgettable experiences.
