The Seychelles is one of those destinations where the photographs almost seem too beautiful to be real.
Huge granite boulders, powder-white beaches, turquoise water and lush tropical hills create some of the most recognisable scenery in the Indian Ocean.
But there’s much more to the Seychelles than finding a beautiful beach.
From the mountainous landscapes of Mahé to the relaxed atmosphere of Praslin and the wonderfully unhurried pace of La Digue, each island offers something different.
For us, the Seychelles is particularly appealing because you don’t have to choose between a beautiful resort and exploring.
You can enjoy both.
Although we haven’t personally visited the Seychelles yet, it’s a destination we enjoy discussing with clients looking for something different in the Indian Ocean.
The appeal is often the combination of spectacular scenery, beautiful accommodation and the freedom to explore.
Unlike the Maldives, where the resort generally becomes the centre of the holiday, the Seychelles encourages you to discover different beaches, restaurants, villages and islands.
And the accommodation is wonderfully varied, from smaller boutique hotels to some exceptional luxury resorts.
Our starting point would be the kind of island experience you want, with clear discussion of the places and accommodation that interest you. A relaxed stay at one resort and a journey across several islands need different arrangements.
We would allow time for the connections as well as the highlights, choosing a pace that leaves room to enjoy each setting. There should be enough space for exploring and for simply appreciating the island you have chosen.
The appeal for us is the combination of distinctive scenery and freedom during a stay. A beautiful beach can be the centre of the holiday, while the landscape beyond it gives you reasons to explore when you feel ready for a change.
We particularly like the possibility of choosing islands with different atmospheres. Mahé, Praslin and La Digue offer separate reasons to visit, so a longer holiday can have variety without needing to fill every day with organised activities.
The range of accommodation matters too. Some travellers will want a resort with plenty of facilities, while others would prefer a smaller base and more time discovering the surroundings.
For us, a rewarding Seychelles holiday would bring those choices together at a comfortable pace. Although we have not yet visited ourselves, it is the balance between exploring and enjoying the setting that makes the destination so appealing to discuss and plan with clients.
Give Mahé time as a destination rather than treating it simply as your arrival point. A considered day exploring can bring the mountains, coastal scenery and island life into the holiday alongside the beach.
Choose the route around your interests and the location of your hotel. A visit to Victoria and time enjoying a different part of the coast may appeal, but there is no need to include every possibility in one outing.
We would allow room for a meal and pauses along the way. The aim is to appreciate the island at a comfortable pace, returning with enough time to enjoy your accommodation and the quieter days around the visit.
Time at Vallée de Mai gives a Praslin stay another setting beyond the coast. The forest and its coco de mer palms provide a reason to explore, especially if the natural landscape is part of what has drawn you to the Seychelles.
A guided introduction can help bring the surroundings into context. Choose a comfortable pace, with enough time to look around rather than treat the visit as a short stop between other appointments.
We would consider the journey from your hotel and the rest of the day together. A focused visit can leave room for a relaxed meal or time back at the resort, keeping the programme varied without making it feel crowded.
Decide whether to visit for the day or give La Digue a few nights of its own. The right choice depends on the time available and how much you would enjoy settling into the island’s quieter rhythm.
Cycling can be part of exploring, with a programme that suits your companions and leaves time for breaks. The distinctive coastal scenery deserves attention beyond simply finding a familiar photograph.
We would avoid filling the visit with too many planned stops. A manageable outing, time beside the sea and a leisurely meal can help you appreciate the atmosphere, with the connection to your next island arranged around a comfortable overall pace for everyone travelling.
If golf is an important part of your holiday, consider how it fits with the island and resort choice. Constance Lemuria’s course gives keen players a clear reason to look at a Praslin stay.
We would ask how often you want to play and what your companions would enjoy during that time. Accommodation, restaurants and the beach matter just as much when people have different interests.
Leave room for shared activities and time exploring beyond the property. A balanced stay can give golf a rewarding place without making every day follow the same programme, with enough flexibility for quieter afternoons and the experiences you want to enjoy together during the holiday.
A suitable water activity or boat outing can bring variety to an island stay. Choose the experience around your interests, confidence and the people travelling with you rather than assuming every coastal holiday needs the same programme.
The conditions and activities available locally should help shape the final arrangements. A relaxed outing may appeal to one traveller, while somebody else would prefer a more active session with appropriate guidance.
We would leave enough flexibility for the weather and room to enjoy the island itself. One thoughtfully chosen experience can be a memorable addition without turning the holiday into a sequence of excursions, with time to return and settle back into your base afterwards.
The beaches are a substantial part of the reason to visit, so give them time within the holiday. Choose a setting that suits your dates and preferred atmosphere, with practical local advice on the conditions during your stay.
A day beside the sea does not need several additional activities to feel worthwhile. A comfortable place to pause, a swim where appropriate and time enjoying the scenery may be exactly what you want after exploring.
We would balance visits to other beaches with days enjoying the coast near your accommodation. Fewer journeys can leave more time for the surroundings themselves, especially when your holiday already includes moving between islands and discovering different places.