The Seychelles Is the Gorgeous Travel Spot You Need to Add to Your List Right Now
When you think of stunning white-sand beaches, places like the Maldives or Bora Bora might come to mind, but the Seychelles, East Africa, is where it's at. The Seychelles is made up of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean with endless beaches, coral reefs, and nature reserves. Travelers are able to enjoy a warm, tropical climate all year long — making snorkeling ideal at any time — and the country is packed with culture and natural wonders unlike anywhere else. See five more reasons to make the Seychelles your next vacation.
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The beaches on each island are different and gorgeous.
Getting to Anse Coco Beach on La Digue Island requires a bit of a forest hike, but it's clearly worth every effort as you can see pictured here. Though it's not ideal for swimming due to its strong currents, its shallow pools are perfect for wading and sunbathing. You won't find many other visitors here.
Anse Georgette on Praslin Island requires booking a few days in advance (free of charge) to avoid overcrowding. The small, picturesque cove is blocked off by the Constance Lémuria resort, which is strict about access. Despite the restrictions, the beach's gorgeous water and stunning sunsets are a must see.
Close to town and rarely crowded, Anse Source D'Argent on La Digue is an easy favorite among visitors. Its massive, smooth boulders make for amazing photos, and the white sand is the definition of powder soft. Water is very shallow, so it's not the best beach for swimming, but you'll see many small fish.
Petite Anse Kerlan is another beach owned by the Constance Lémuria resort, which has its perks. It provides towels and chairs, as well as bar services. You won't find many tourists at this private small hideaway.
There's so much to see in town.
Victoria, the vibrant capital city of the Seychelles, is located on Mahé Island. Though it's one of the smallest capitals in the world, there's plenty to see and do, including the Hindu temple, Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar (pictured), and the Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke Market (pictured ahead).
There are giant tortoises everywhere.
You'll come across these friendly reptiles on various islands throughout the Seychelles, but the Marine National Park on Curieuse Island is a massive free-range zoo with roaming tortoises that weigh 300 to 600 pounds. Admission to the park is $17, and you can interact with them around the island.
You can visit unique gardens.
The Le Jardin du Roi Spice Garden on Mahé features hikes, tropical plants, spices, and giant tortoises. The Seychelles National Botanical Gardens in Victoria are over 100 years old and feature palm, spice, and fruit trees. Both of these attractions are definitely worth checking out when you need a break from the beach.
Nature-lovers will enjoy the trails.
Once said to be the site of the Garden of Eden, the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve on Praslin Island is a beautiful oasis. Its 48 acres include about 6,000 coco-de-mer trees as well as wildlife like chameleons and black parrots.
Hiking the Copolia Trail is a much more difficult task, but the views are spectacular.