Seychelles

Nearly 1,000 miles off the east coast of Africa, just south of the equator, the Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 granite and coral islands that span miles of azure Indian Ocean. The inner islands of the Seychelles are of the spectacular granite variety, bursting from the turquoise sea with tall rugged peaks and lush green vegetation. Rimmed by pristine white sandy beaches dotted with large granite boulders, the islands’ sublime beach scene is unlike anywhere else. With an abundance of rare indigenous animals, plants, and birds, conservation and preservation are top priorities in the Seychelles and almost half of the land is protected, including two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Island hopping is a great way to explore the Seychelles, particularly the three main islands: Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue. Home to the capital city of Victoria, the international airport, and most of the population, Mahé is the largest island in the Seychelles and offers several amazing beaches such as Anse Intendance and Anse Louis.

A 15-minute flight from Mahé, lies Praslin Island, the second-largest and boasts gorgeous beaches such as Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette, as well as Vallée de Mai – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – an ancient palm tree forest home to the uniquely shaped Coco de Mer coconut.

One cannot talk about beaches in the Seychelles without mentioning the famous gem of La Digue Island – the silvery Anse Source d’Argent. With huge granite boulders spread across the sand, Anse Source d’Argent is the most famous in the Seychelles.

A few luxury resorts have been developed on smaller private islands and are accessed via helicopter, domestic flight, or speedboat. These islands are ideal getaways to relax, dine, and dive at some of the most secluded and luxurious island resorts in the world.