Seychelles, Maldives or Mauritius? How to Choose Your Perfect Indian Ocean Escape
They may all look like paradise – but each offers a very different kind of dream. Here’s how to find the one that’s truly yours.
You’d think choosing between the Seychelles, the Maldives and Mauritius would be a dream.But in truth, it’s a decision that can make or break your holiday. All three promise turquoise lagoons, palm-fringed beaches and luxury resorts – yet they deliver very different experiences once you arrive.
Pick the wrong destination, and you could find yourself restless on a tiny coral atoll when you actually wanted culture and adventure… or stuck in a lively resort when what you really craved was barefoot seclusion. The good news? There is a perfect destination for you – it just depends on what you want from your escape, who you’re travelling with, and how you like to spend your days.
Quick overview
The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands off the coast of East Africa, renowned for its dramatic granite boulders, lush tropical jungles and pristine, secluded beaches.
Mahé, the main island, combines bustling markets and scenic hiking trails, while Praslin is quieter and home to the world-famous Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve. La Digue, with no cars and winding cycling paths, feels like a step back in time and is perfect for those seeking peace and untouched natural beauty.
In contrast, the Maldives is made up of 26 coral atolls and over a thousand islands, poised in the Indian Ocean about 400 miles southwest of India’s mainland. It’s earned itself a reputation for being the ultimate destination for couples and honeymooners, where privacy, luxury and romance are paramount. Resort life dominates, with cultural and urban exploration largely secondary, creating a highly curated, indulgent experience.
Mauritius, by comparison, is just one island of about 800sq miles, sitting in the Indian Ocean some 1,000 miles off the east coast of Madagascar.
It’s a vibrant island nation offering a balance of adventure, culture and relaxation. It’s an island to be explored and discovered, with so many activities to pursue and cultures to enjoy. This gives Mauritius wide appeal to couples, families and groups.
Weather and Best Time to Go
Weather in the Seychelles is tropical all year, with temperatures ranging from 24 to 32°c. The months of April, May, October and November are particularly the best, offering calm seas, mild temperatures and ideal conditions for swimming and hiking. June to September brings the trade winds, which can make some beaches rougher for swimming but provide excellent conditions for sailing.
The Maldives enjoys warm, dry weather from November to April, perfect for snorkeling, diving and sunbathing. May to October is monsoon season, bringing occasional heavy rain and stronger winds, but resorts are quieter and prices are generally lower.
Likewise, Mauritius has a tropical climate, with the dry season from May to December offering sunny days and calm seas. From January to March, the island is hotter, more humid and occasionally affected by cyclones. The west and north coasts are particularly calm during the dry season, while the south and east are windier.
Getting There
Getting to these islands varies in convenience.
If ease is your priority, then Mauritius wins hands down. Direct flights take off from the UK seeing you touch down in just under 12 hours. Once on the island, it’s easy to navigate and you’ll be in your resort in under two hours.
Direct flights from the UK also serve Malé in the Maldives from where you’ll step straight into a speed boat or board a seaplane to transfer to your island resort – which we think is all part of the VIP fun (although they do add travel time and cost).
When it comes to the Seychelles, then it’s not quite so easy – but that’s what keeps these islands so special perhaps. The absence of direct flights from the UK mean you’ll stopover in the likes of Dubai, Doha or Istanbul.
This can actually add to the adventure and can make a fabulously exciting twin-centre holiday – imagine a couple of nights of city sophistication and desert glamour before escaping to the barefoot beauty of the Seychelles.
Once you arrive, reaching more remote islands such as La Digue or Silhouette requires inter-island flights or ferries. Cars are rare on some islands, creating an intimate, pedal-bike experience.
So before you book, talk to Andrew and the team at ‘Not Just Travel‘ Together, they’ll find your perfect Indian Ocean escape – and make sure this beautiful dilemma becomes the start of your most memorable holiday yet.
www.andrewwenham.notjusttravel.com
