Maldives, Mauritius or Seychelles: what to choose for your honeymoon?

Located in the Indian Ocean Maldives, Mauritius i Seychelles are considered to be one of the most beautiful islands in the world. They are among the top destinations chosen for Honeymoon. Beautiful beaches covered with white sand, palm trees leaning over azure water, rich coral reef, delicious cuisine, luxurious hotels with the best spas and a whole range of possibilities to spend your free time are just a few of their advantages. Which island will be perfect for you? This article will help you decide - where to go on your dream honeymoon?

The best luxury hotels in the Maldives

Over a thousand small islands forming 26 atolls, and on them the most romantic, luxurious hotels. The offer includes water villas, private pools with jacuzzi, open-air cinemas, Michelin-starred restaurants, golf courses, the best spas, and beautiful beaches and an amazing coral reef.

One of the most luxurious hotels in the Maldives is the Cheval Blanc Randheli. The hotel is located on the beautiful Noonu Atoll, just a 40-minute seaplane flight from Male airport. Interestingly, it was here that Duchess Kate and Prince William rested after the birth of their firstborn son. You can choose luxurious villas on the water, by the beach or in an exotic garden, and each of them has a private pool. From the main island, you can reach the spa center by a wooden jetty.

Romantic in the Maldives

MALDIVES - Helengeli
You won't find such beautiful beaches and clear ocean waters shimmering in azure in any other place in the world! On holiday in the Maldives you will discover a paradise intended for blissful laziness and escape from civilization, everyday worries and the chaos of big cities! We invite you to paradise!

If you dream of luxury holidays in the Maldives we recommend the five-star Conrad Maldives Rangali, one of the most beautiful on the archipelago. The idyllic hotel, perfect for a honeymoon, occupies two islands connected by a jetty. Here you can expect fabulously white sand and turquoise ocean. Guests have a world-class spa, ten restaurants and bars, tennis courts and a water sports center. The Ithaa Underwater Restaurant has been recognized as the "most beautiful restaurant in the world". It lies 5 meters underwater and offers an amazing, panoramic view of the coral reef. On the beach on the larger island there are villas - a sanctuary for every newlywed couple, with glass walls, private courtyards, an open-air shower and a bathing pavilion with a huge bathtub. From the villa on the second island, on the other side of the jetty, stairs lead straight to the Indian Ocean.

Cheval Blanc Randheli – Lagoon Garden Villa.. Source: www.chevalblanc.com/randheli

Ithaa Underwater Restaurant at Conrad Maldives. Source: http://www.conradmaldives.com/

Luxury holidays in the Seychelles

If you want to be close to unspoiled nature during your honeymoon, you should definitely go on a trip to Seychelles. Despite the increasing development, the emergence of new hotels and guesthouses, the Seychelles can boast of places that have avoided excessive human interference. Such an island is undoubtedly North Island, located just 5 km from the coast of Silhouette and 35 km from the largest island of the Seychelles, Mahe. Interestingly, it was the first island in the archipelago to be reached by Europeans. From the beginning of the 70th century to the 1997s, North Island was the private property of the Beaufond family from Reunion. At that time, fruit and spices were grown here. In 2003, the island was bought by a South African company, which in 11 built a luxury hotel with XNUMX villas here. The villas were built from local materials collected on the island. In this way, a balance was maintained, combining luxury with simplicity. An architectural style close to nature called "barefoot luxury" was created.

During your honeymoon in the Seychelles, you absolutely must visit Valle de Mai – a nature reserve on the island of Praslin. The protection includes the virgin forest and the Valley of Mai, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Valley of Mai is home to three of the rarest bird species in the world: the black parrot and the Seychelles bulbul. In addition, the endemic Seychelles lodoicia, also known as the Seychelles palm, grows in the jungle. Outside Praslin, it occurs only on another island belonging to the Seychelles, Curieuse. The fruits of the lodoicia are huge and have an unusual shape.

North Island. Source: /www.north-island.com

Jungle in Vallée de Mai Park on Praslin Island.

The best diving on your trip to the Maldives

It may be the same ocean, but you will only experience spectacular sensations diving in the Maldives! During your holiday in the Maldives, you will have the opportunity to discover the incredible wealth of waters surrounding the archipelago. There are over a thousand species of fish, 5 species of sea turtles, 21 species of whales and dolphins, 120 species of crustaceans, 145 species of crabs and 48 species of shrimp! You can also meet sharks here, including hammerhead sharks.

By choosing one of the hotels on Baa Atoll, located 40 minutes by seaplane from the airport, you will be able to dive or snorkel with manta rays or whale sharks. They can be seen from May to October. In the waters around Baa Atoll, you will certainly meet parrotfish, feeding on dead coral, which they defecate as sand. One fish can secrete a billion tons of sand in a year! Other inhabitants of the surrounding waters include dolphins, colorful clownfish, manta rays and endangered hawksbill turtles. During your trip to the Maldives, we also recommend a trip to the least developed atoll of the archipelago, Vaavu. Here, you will have the chance to dive with hammerhead sharks.

Diving in the Maldives

Diving in the Maldives - Manta Rays

A gourmet dinner during your Mauritius vacation

Mauritius is worth visiting for the food alone! The island's colourful history can be seen in its cuisine, which has been influenced by Indian, Creole, African and European cuisine. A true culinary fusion has emerged. When in Mauritius, you must try, among others, the classic Creole dish - rougaille, the local version of French toast - du pain frire, gateaux pimet, or falafel made of peas, or farata inspired by Indian cuisine, served with bread and curry. Mauritius is famous for its sugar cane cultivation, so be sure to try the freshly squeezed juice, which quenches your thirst like nothing else!

Authentic, Moorish cuisine in a romantic setting can be found at La Chateau de Bel Ombre. The restaurant is located in a restored 90th-century mansion, located among the green hills and sugar fields of Domaine de Bel Ombre. As many as 2018% of the ingredients used in preparing meals come from these areas. La Chateau was awarded a quality certificate in XNUMX by users of the popular travel portal tripadvisor, who recommend trying the local specialty gato aroui, a crispy snack fried on a fire with taro root and ginger.

While on holiday in Mauritius, it is worth venturing to the east of the island, to the unpretentious Chez Tino restaurant in Mahebourg. The family-run restaurant serves wonderful Creole-Mauritanian dishes, including delicious seafood. We especially recommend trying the lobster. An additional advantage is undoubtedly the terrace located on the first floor, from where you can admire the views of the surrounding area.

The two most beautiful beaches in Mauritius

MAURITIUS - Flic en Flac, Belle Mare
A small piece of paradise thrown into the Indian Ocean. Beach, picturesque scenery straight from a postcard and a mix of cultures and cuisines living in harmony: Indian, Creole and French. Before you are two coasts and two of the most beautiful beaches of the island.

Also worth mentioning is the Chez Tante Athaile restaurant in Mout Gout, just a 10-minute drive from the Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens. The restaurant is housed in a former sugar cane plantation and offers simple, fresh Creole specialities. Dishes are served, among other places, on a veranda overlooking the garden full of vintage cars. One of them is a car that once belonged to Winston Churchill. Be sure to check out the restaurant offers in the hotels that we have selected for our offer after this year's inspection. You will find restaurants ideal for a romantic evening, for example in the One & Only, Four Seasons and LUX Belle Mare hotels. Link to the article: Top 6 Hotels in Mauritius by Planet Escape

Beach Rouge Restaurant at LUX Belle Mare Hotel. Source: www.luxresorts.com/en/hotel-mauritius/

Le Chateau del Bel Ombre Restaurant. Source: http://chateaudebelombre.restaurant.mu

The best spas for your Seychelles holiday

Many luxury hotels in the Seychelles offer spa treatments. Some are beautifully situated, and ocean views enhance the experience. The feeling of relaxation after a foot massage lasts a long time. A quick facial, seaweed mask or Thai massage can complete the feeling of bliss on your honeymoon.

In our opinion, the U Spa by Constance at the Lemuria Hotel on Praslin Island offers the greatest variety of treatments. The treatments are performed using local ingredients. It is worth tempting yourself with the Creole Seychelles Exotic Dream treatment, which uses a blend of coconuts and passion fruit grown on the island, ideal for exfoliating the skin, and papaya from Mahe, famous for its relaxing properties. The U Spa also offers Ayurvedic, Japanese and Thai massages.

Honeymooners looking to indulge in yoga and meditation sessions on their honeymoon will be pleased with the spa facilities at MAIA Luxury Resort. Lush, tropical gardens surround the thatched pavilions that house the spa. Each has treatment, bathing and changing rooms. Included in the price of their stay at the hotel, newlyweds can take part in morning yoga, shiatsu and qi gong classes. The treatments focus on overall well-being and beauty.

Trip to Seychelles

SEYCHELLES - Mahe, La Digue
Endless lonely beaches, blue water washing over fine sand, charming rocks warmed by the rays of the heavenly sun and palm trees swaying in the wind. Welcome to heaven, welcome to the Seychelles! Do you want to stay here forever?

The Four Seasons Mahe Hotel leads the rankings for the best spa in the Seychelles. The Hilltop Spa, as its name suggests, is located on a hilltop, with spectacular views of Petite Anse and the entire hotel. The treatment pavilions overlook the Indian Ocean. Each spa visit begins with a personalized consultation and needs assessment. All treatments are performed using natural ingredients. Massages, scrubs, body wraps, facials and foot treatments are inspired by island traditions. The spa rituals use infusions of herbs grown on the islands. Newlyweds can also take part in yoga and meditation sessions. Classes are held in groups on the viewing terrace at the spa or privately, in the villas.

SPA at the Constance Lemuria Hotel on Praslin Island. Source: booking.com

SPA at the MAIA hotel. Source: booking.com

The best place for water sports – a trip to Mauritius

If you always spend your holidays very actively, a honeymoon trip to Mauritius will be a great choice. Why? In Mauritius, you will find several ideal places for kitesurfing. If you dream of combining a romantic honeymoon with practicing this sport, the best option is to stay at The St. Regins hotel, located on the Le Morne peninsula. Several kitesurfing spots are worth considering. The lagoon is good for beginners and intermediates. Little Reef is a world-famous spot, located a few hundred meters south of the lagoon. Here, advanced kitesurfers will be able to test their skills on waves reaching up to 5 meters. Another spot is One Eye, probably the most famous on the entire island. The waves here are fast and high, definitely for advanced users. Other good kitesurfing spots in Mauritius are Bel Ombre, Anse la Raie, Belle Mare and the area around Mahebourg - Pointe Jerome or Bain-Boeuf.

In addition, during your luxury trip to Mauritius you can try windsurfing. Good conditions for this sport can be found on Belle Mare beach, on Poste Lafayette – a few kilometres from Belle Mare and on Anse la Raie, between Calodyne and Cap Malheureux.

If you love wakeboarding or want to try this sport, we recommend choosing the bay by the Constance Belle Mare Plage hotel, on the east coast of the island. The price of your stay at the hotel includes all water sports - wakeboarding, kayaking, windsurfing and snorkeling.

During holidays in Mauritius you can also choose activities such as horse riding, underwater walking, zip-lining, helicopter sightseeing flights, golf (there are world-class golf courses here) or dolphin and whale watching cruises (in season). As you can see, there are really many options!

Le Morne Peninsula

Le Morne – the best place for kitesurfing.

The most beautiful beaches in the Seychelles or Maldives?

Here we have a conundrum! The Seychelles and the Maldives are famous for the most beautiful beaches in the world. In the Seychelles, the most beautiful beach, famous for its views, is Anse Source d'Argent on the small island of La Digue. Smooth, granite boulders, a white beach covered with palm trees and a calm ocean - this is what paradise must look like! But the beaches on other islands are just as beautiful. It is worth mentioning two beaches on the island of Mahe: Anse Identance, which is also covered with huge boulders, and Beau Vallon. In our opinion, Anse Lazio is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Praslin. Although it is popular with tourists, there are never wild crowds here. Anse Georgette at the Constance Lemuria hotel is covered with white sand without coral, and the ocean here has a unique, azure color. If you spend your honeymoon on Silhouette Island at the Hilton Labriz hotel, you will not be disappointed either! The hotel is located on the most beautiful beach on the island, Anse La Passe. Fine sand leads to seaweed-free water, perfect for a soothing swim. A romantic dinner on La Passe? Holidays in Seychelles? Fairy tale!

There are really many beautiful beaches in the Maldives. Each island is unique. For example, on the island of Mudhdhoo on the Baa Atoll, you will have more than just white sand and azure water at your disposal. At night, the beach shimmers with a million stars. Where does this amazing effect come from? It is due to microscopic organisms, in which the movement of water (waves) causes them to glow. Magic! The beaches of the Maldives are of course the perfect place to celebrate a vacation for two. Romantic dinners on the beach by candlelight and the moon, watching new movies in the open air, sunbathing or just an evening with a drink in hand are just a few ideas. It is worth adding that the hotels from the Planet Escape offer are located on private islands. Although they are usually small, they guarantee intimacy, privacy and relaxation away from the crowds. Can you dream of a more beautiful honeymoon setting?

Anse Source d'Argent beach on La Digue island, Seychelles.

A beach on one of the islands in the Maldives.

How to Plan a Honeymoon? With Planet Escape!

Planet Escape specializes in honeymoons. Our specialists will help you choose the perfect destination and hotel tailored to your needs. Based on your preferences, we will suggest additional trips and attractions. Sample travel plans can be found on our website. Remember that we tailor each trip to your individual requirements. Do you like lying on the beach with a drink in your hand, or maybe you love sightseeing? Do you do water sports? It's no problem for us! We will organize your dream trip just the two of you!