Maldives vs. Seychelles: Choosing Your Tropical Escape
“Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”
I know. it’s a tough decision. Whether you dream of overwater bungalows with endless ocean views or lush green islands dotted with secluded beaches, both destinations deliver on the “pinch-me” factor. But which is the perfect fit for your next getaway? In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences—think vibes, travel logistics, where to stay, and the best activities—so you can pick the paradise that speaks to you. Ready to plan the trip of a lifetime? Let’s dive in…
Let’s start by discovering which dream island in the Indian Ocean you should travel to next!
How to travel to the Maldives vs. Seychelles?
Something everyone should consider when planning a trip is the time from the airport to your accommodation. While both countries are easily accessible by plane, it doesn’t always stop there. In the Maldives, reaching your resort often involves a scenic seaplane transfer or a speedboat ride, as most resorts are on private islands far from the main airport in Malé. In the Seychelles, getting to your hotel is generally easier if you stay on the main island of Mahé, with many luxury resorts just a short drive from the airport. However, if you’re heading to one of the smaller, more remote islands like Praslin or La Digue, you’ll need to add a ferry or short domestic flight to your journey.
Maldives
When it comes to the Maldives, 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 longer (about two 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 aircrafts 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.
Seychelles
I was happy when I found our hotel on Seychelles was on the main island. Believe me, this really cuts down on travel time. Getting around the main island of Mahé can be an adventure in itself. Many hotels are within a 30–60 minute drive from the airport, but the roads are narrow, winding, and often steep, carving their way through the island's lush hills and offering incredible views along the way. While the scenery is stunning, it’s worth noting that driving can be tricky if you’re not used to such conditions. Renting a car might feel risky for some, especially on unfamiliar roads, so opting for a hotel-arranged transfer can save you the stress and let you enjoy the journey.
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.
How to pick a hotel/resort in the Maldives vs Seychelles?
In the Seychelles, many of the top luxury resorts are conveniently located on the main island, offering easy access to stunning beaches and lush landscapes. However, if privacy is your priority (fun fact: Will and Kate reportedly honeymooned on one of the smaller islands), you can escape to a more secluded retreat. On the other hand, the Maldives flips the script—most resorts boast their own private islands, giving you that secluded vibe with all the comforts of luxury. For our trip, we decided to stay at Anantara Hotels in both countries.
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 provide you with bikes to roam around the island. This way, you can bike to the restaurants or the beach. If you don’t want to bike or have had too many Pina Coladas, 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.
Seychelles
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.
Want to know more about the Anantara Maia Seychelles? You’ve got it!
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, it’s not easy to venture out and explore like you would in most places.
Maldives
Maldives is a perfect destination to lie down on the beach or pool and read all those books you haven’t gotten around to. Want to spend some time on the water? No problem! Most hotels offer many water activities like diving and parasailing. However, if you’re a person who likes to see a bit of the local culture, my recommendation would be to stay on the local island rather than the resort islands. I’ve also spoken to some people who first traveled to Sri Lanka, did most of their sightseeing there, and then traveled to the Maldives for a few days to relax.
Seychelles
In Seychelles, you have a bit more freedom to go out and explore. If you’re located 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. Up for something spectacular? I truly recommend going on a short helicopter ride to see the island from above. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the magnificent views from above. Oh, before I forget - I was 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.
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 really unwinding 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, and there are more trees, so there is more privacy between the villas at the resort. Whenever 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. If you have any more questions, you can always reach out here or on Instagram, I’m more than happy to answer any of your questions.
