The sun-drenched islands of the Indian Ocean are becoming increasingly popular to visit, with very good reason! With The Maldives or Mauritius or Seychelles to choose from, you are spoilt for choice for your tropical island escape experience. However, even though these three magical destinations all have one thing in common (palm-fringed beaches with pristine white sand and warm, clear blue seas), each has its own characteristics that may appeal to different demographics. So if you’re torn between opting for The Maldives or Mauritius or Seychelles, this blog should provide the information you need to help you make that big decision!
But before we compare the differences between The Maldives or Mauritius or Seychelles, here is a little summary of each country.
The Maldives
Situated around 750 kilometres southwest of mainland India, The Maldives consist of 26 coral atolls, which between them contain hundreds of small islands of paradise. One of the key differences between The Maldives or Mauritius or Seychelles is the fact that almost all islands in The Maldives contain just one resort, making these islands the most exclusive beach getaway destinations. If you’re looking for that authentic Robinson Crusoe experience (minus the being shipwrecked hundreds of miles away from civilisation part), The Maldives should be your choice.
Mauritius
Located around 1100 kilometres off of the coast of Madagascar, Mauritius is the destination that truly offers it all. Whereas The Maldives are composed of hundreds of tiny islands, the main island of Mauritius covers over 2000 sq kilometres and boasts mountains, rainforests and stunning National parks, such as the Black River Gorges National Park. So while you can find the tropical beach experience of your dreams, Mauritius also offers adventure, culture and nightlife. In Mauritius, you can play 18 holes of golf in the morning, go hiking in the afternoon and spend the evening watching a spectacular sunset on the beach.
Seychelles
The Seychelles are situated around 1500 kilometres to the east of mainland Africa and comprise 115 mind-bogglingly beautiful islands. When comparing The Maldives or Mauritius or Seychelles, Seychelles is almost a mix of The Maldives and Mauritius. Whilst boasting the picture-perfect, unspoiled tropical beaches you would find in The Maldives, it also offers more for those who prefer more adrenaline or culture. There are Michelin-starred restaurants, diverse markets and breathtaking trails all waiting to be experienced.
Seychelles is also big on conservation, so you won’t find any oversized resorts or overdevelopment on its stunning beaches.
So now you have more of an idea about each destination, let’s take a look at what you can expect from each one in a little more detail.
Beaches
Whether you choose The Maldives or Mauritius or Seychelles, one thing is guaranteed. The beach experience will be out of this world! All three destinations boast some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with sapphire blue waters that are warm and full of marine life. But to really drill down on the differences, The Maldives are more suited to those who are happy to remain on the same beach for the duration of their holiday, Mauritius is more suited for those who prefer more activities at the beach, and Seychelles is ideal for those who want a choice of different beaches to explore.
Read our blog “A guide to the best beaches in the Seychelles” for more information on Seychelles beaches!
Water Activities
If scuba diving or snorkelling is your thing, we suggest either The Maldives or Seychelles. As The Maldives contain so many deserted islands surrounded by untouched coral it is perfect for underwater exploring, and Seychelles has banned all motorised sports, such as jet skiing, for conservation reasons, creating ideal conditions for snorkelling, scuba diving and windsurfing. But if you fancy something a little more fast-paced, Mauritius offers a combination of windsurfing, scuba diving, snorkelling and motor-based water sports, including paragliding.
Accommodation
As tourism in these destinations has rapidly grown in the last half-century, so has the high level of quality in the accommodation available. Whether choosing The Maldives or Mauritius or Seychelles, the sky’s the limit when it comes to luxury. The Maldives have become synonymous with 5* star resorts, with the overwhelming majority of accommodation consisting of stunning beachfront villas, some of which sit upon the ocean on stilts! With much bigger islands, Mauritius offers a mixture of well-known hotels such as Radisson Blu, authentic boutique hotels, as well as family-friendly resorts with live entertainment. In Seychelles, hotels rarely have more than 25 rooms, meaning you will experience the famous Seychelles hospitality on a personal level, while still enjoying ultimate luxury. We have highlighted a few incredible hotels in the Seychelles which you can read in this blog, ‘Your dream Seychelles honeymoon is more affordable than you think!’
Culture
One of the big differences between The Maldives or Mauritius or Seychelles is the level of culture you will find. The Maldives are nearly all a one-island resort, with inhabitants either being guests or staff. So if you want a little more culture to go along with your tropical holiday, we suggest either Mauritius or Seychelles, as both have diverse populations with rich cultures and offer the intrepid explorer authentic markets, historical landmarks and opportunities to experience the local way of life that you wouldn’t find on the islands of The Maldives.
Things To Do
Aside from the water activities such as snorkelling or scuba diving, any activities in The Maldives will be dependent on the resort and restricted to the size of the island. As the islands of The Maldives are so small and surrounded by the ocean, the ocean is where most activities take place. Whereas, being much larger, Mauritius offers much more in the way of activities, with stunning hiking trails, golf courses, museums, sightseeing tours, botanical gardens and even adrenaline-filled ziplines available. Seychelles also offers some incredible hiking trails offering breathtaking views of the islands. So for complete serenity, choose The Maldives. For something a little more exciting, Mauritius. And for a mix of both, Seychelles.
Check out our blog “Ten unmissable things to do when on a honeymoon in Mauritius” for more activity ideas!
So, are you choosing The Maldives or Mauritius or Seychelles?
So now you have a better idea of the differences between these three stunning destinations, will you choose The Maldives or Mauritius or Seychelles? At Blank Canvas, it is our mission to deliver the ultimate travel experience for all of our clients based on their unique expectations, so whether you choose The Maldives or Mauritius or Seychelles, you are guaranteed the trip you have always dreamed of! Make an enquiry today and start planning the holiday of a lifetime!