Seychelles

Seychelles is synonymous with pristine beaches. Consisting of more than 100 islands, this island nation is one of the jewels of the Indian Ocean. Being one of the top romantic destinations in the world, Seychelles lures honeymooners from all over the world. Coral-fringed waters and mountainous terrain on some islands offer an array of activities ranging from diving and snorkelling to hiking and eco-tourism.

Mahe Island is the country’s largest and most important island. Almost 90% of the nation’s population call Mahe their home. Although the capital Victoria is small in size, it offers a few major attractions including an excellent museum, a bustling market, well-maintanined botanical gardens and some beautiful colonial buildings. The Morne Seychellois National Park is, however, the focal point of the island. The thick vegetation and walking trails of the park are dominated by the country’s highest point, Morne Seychellois Peak. The island is also home to a few excellent beaches – Beau Vallon beach, located in the northwestern part of the island, is the most popular. It has the longest beach and you can go for a swim in the pristine waters, laze around while sipping coconut water or read a good book. Anse Takamaka and Anse Major (accessible only on foot) are other beaches on Mahe island that are worth checking out.

Praslin Island, located a few kilometres northeast of Mahe Island, comprises some world-class beaches – Anse Volbert and Anse Lazio are the highlights. These picture-perfect beaches offer some amazing water-based activities or you can simply go swimming and sunbathing. Praslin is also home to the UNESCO world heritage listed palm forest of Vallee de Maim which has native plants and bird species. The very rare coco de mer palm tree is the superstar of Vallee de Mai. These trees are also found on the nearby Curieuse Island – however, the island is mostly known for its giant land tortoises. About 300 of these adorable creatures roam freely around the island. 

Seychelles’ third island, La Digue is laid-back and all about exploring nature and discovering stunning rocky beaches. Anse Source d’Argent, Anse Cocos, and Grand Anse are its major beaches. As with all the other beaches in Seychelles, these are palm-fringed with white-sands. Anse Source d’Argent is known for its photogenic granite boulders and is the most popular of the three.

There’s no doubt that Seychelles is an excellent destination on the vast Indian Ocean, and not just for the honeymooners. A trip to this gorgeous island nation is truly an experience that you will remember for the rest of your life.