Maldives vs. Seychelles: Choosing Your Tropical Escape
“Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”
If you follow me on Instagram, it’s almost impossible for you not to notice I just returned from a vacation in Seychelles. The Island(s) has been on my bucket list for years. After two years of being unable to travel due to Covid, I was ecstatic when the travel ban was lifted, and I could finally start packing my suitcase.
I received lots of questions if the Maldives and Seychelles are alike, and if so, which one I liked best. I visited the Maldives in 2018 and stayed at the same hotel chain as I did in Seychelles, so I think I can make a comparison. So, what better way to share this information with the world (aka you since you’re reading this) than here.
Let’s start and find out which dream Island in the Indian Ocean you should travel to next!
How to travel to the Maldives vs. Seychelles?
What a lot of people need to consider while traveling, I know I do, is the time from the airport to your accommodation. While both countries are easily accessible by plane, it doesn’t always stop there. I was happy when I found our hotel on Seychelles was on the main island. Believe me, this really cuts down on travel time. You can find some of the more prominent luxury resorts and hotels such as the Four Seasons Seychelles, Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa, Anantara Maia, Kempinski Seychelles Resort on the largest island of Seychelles, Mahé.
When it comes to the Maldives, it’s a bit different. Most resorts are located on their own island. Which means you still need to travel after you arrive at the airport. Most resorts offer the option to get you there by waterplane or boat. While a waterplane sounds impressive, it is an additional cost. It also means that your travel time will be fairly longer (about 2 hours) since you still need to get to a private terminal to board the plane there. From there, it will take you about a 40-minute flight to get to the island of your resort. Also, the planes are small, so don’t expect premium comfort. However, it’s an incredible experience. So, if you don’t mind the extra waiting time and have a bigger budget, go for it.
How to pick a hotel/resort in the Maldives vs Seychelles?
As mentioned before, the main Island of Seychelles locates some of the best hotels out there. However, if you’re looking for more privacy, I was told Will and Kate spent their honeymoon on one of the smaller islands), it’s always an option to travel to a more secluded place. For us, we decided to stay at Anantara Hotels in both countries.
In the Maldives, we stayed at Anantara Niyama Private Islands. We stayed at one of those infamous overwater bungalows with a private pool. I know what you’re thinking “why would you want a pool if you’re already in the ocean?” There really is no other answer than just because you can, and some people prefer a pool over the ocean. The answer doesn’t always have to be that deep (the pun wasn’t on purpose, I promise). The downside to those bungalows, though, and I think you can see it in most pictures from above, is that they are pretty close to each other. So yes, you’re in the middle of the ocean but don’t expect crazy amounts of privacy.
Upon arrival, they also give you bikes to roam around the island. This way, you can bike to some of the restaurants or the beach. If you don’t want to bike or have too many Pina Coladas to bike, buggies can also take you anywhere you want. And by anywhere, I mean 100m further because you don’t really have any other place to go.
In Seychelles, we also stayed at an Anantara Hotel. At Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas, we stayed at the Ocean View Pool Villa. These rooms are located on a cliff, so you have a magnificent view of the island and the ocean. The resort also operates with a Beyond All-Inclusive concept, meaning you can order anything anytime, including cocktails and wines. You do have to take into account that your accommodation is located on a cliff, meaning you have to walk uphill from the beach or restaurant to get there. However, the resort also has buggies that you can call to take you.
What to do on the Maldives vs. Seychelles?
This point is the most significant difference between the two destinations. As I mentioned, most Maldives resorts have their own private island. Meaning you can’t go anywhere except if you decide to island-hop and change hotels. The resorts do offer a wide range of water activities, from diving to parasailing. Most of them also have a couple of restaurants, so you can switch up your surroundings from time to time. However, don’t think you’ll get to venture out on your own and explore anything. The Maldives is a perfect destination to lie down on the beach or pool and read all those books you haven’t gotten around to. If you’re a person that likes to see a bit of the local culture or visit just about anything, the Maldives isn’t for you—one thing I’d like to add. I’ve spoken to some people that traveled to Sri Lanka first. They did most of their sightseeing there and then traveled to the Maldives for about four days to relax completely.
In Seychelles, there’s a bit more to do. Brace yourself; I’m going to repeat myself again. Since you’re on the main island, you can take tours and visit the Botanical Gardens (and feed gigantic tortoises), the marina, and the local market. You can also do the same water activities as in the Maldives, such as diving, scuba diving, etc. I was also told there is some nightlife in Seychelles, so if you’re up for some partying with the locals, you actually can ;)
So where should I go next? The Verdict.
I think I wasn’t very subtle in my preference in this post. The Maldives is an excellent destination for a couple of days. I would advise going for four tops. You also need to be the type of person who enjoys sitting by the pool/ocean and doing absolutely nothing for multiple days. Also, and this is a personal preference, the Maldives are flat, so the only view you’ll have is water. Yes, it will probably be the bluest water you’ll see in your life, but no matter where you go on the island, the view will stay the same.
If you’re looking for a vacation to completely relax by the pool or beach and get a day or two in of activities, Seychelles is probably a better option. The water is still blue; there are more trees, so there is more privacy between the villas at the resort, and wherever you go, the view changes. Seychelles has more mountains meaning the views are breathtaking. You can even see the whole Island by helicopter if you're not afraid of heights.
I hope this was helpful. Or, if you’re not considering any of the two, an entertaining read. If you have any more questions, you can always slide into my DMs, and I’m more than happy to answer any of your questions.
