The Seychelles

If you’re after real solitude, the outer islands deliver. These remote coral atolls and private islands are only accessible by charter flight and totally worth the journey. The islands are known for the world-class fly fishing and is reputed to be the best on the planet for bone and GT (Giant Trevally) fishing. Scuba diving and snorkeling are spectacular and the warm clear waters shimmer with a hue of turquoise blue found nowhere else on the planet. Accommodations are luxurious but intentionally minimal and conservation-driven, the true luxury is in the spectacular setting.

Praslin is home to the legendary Vallée de Mai, where the rare Coco de Mer palm grows in an untouched forest that feels prehistoric. The beaches here are among the most beautiful in the world, and the reefs just offshore are full of life. The island is relaxed, romantic, and easy to explore by car or on foot, especially for those drawn to nature and quiet corners.

Small, almost car-free, and postcard-perfect, La Digue runs on a slower rhythm. People get around by bike or oxcart, and the island’s few roads lead to hidden beaches, local fishing villages, and coral-rich lagoons. Time here is about simplicity, sunsets, swims, and long, slow meals with your feet in the sand.

Mahé is the entry point to the Seychelles and its largest island and center of commerce, but it still feels peaceful, and the rhythm of life is slow and relaxed. Victoria, the capital city, is compact and friendly and filled with bustling markets, lively restaurants featuring fresh seafood and Creole cuisine, and brilliantly painted neighborhoods. Beyond town, the island offers primordial rainforest hikes filled with giant tree ferns and dragon blood trees, hidden coves, and some of the archipelago’s most striking granite peaks. It’s also the best hub for exploring the other islands by boat or short scenic flight.