An all-inclusive Seychelles vacation should include luxury and plenty of relaxation on the beach, but will also offer plenty of opportunity for some island-hopping adventures.
The Indian Ocean archipelago is made up of 115 islands, divided into two groups. The Outer Seychelles, often referred to as the Coral Islands, are sparsely populated coral atolls that are great places to see on boat trips, but not suitable as a base for a getaway in the sun.
Almost every family vacation in Seychelles involves staying on the Granitic or Inner Islands, where you’ll find most of the major attractions and the largest cities. Despite that, the islands, which as the name suggests are made of granite rock, remain almost totally untouched by man and you can expect to visit some impressive sights as you tour them.
Going from island to island is easy as there are excellent transport links between them, especially if you choose to stay in a luxury resort that offers a free shuttle service. One of the best in the Seychelles is the Sainte Anne Resort & Spa, managed by Beachcomber Hotels.
It has everything you could want for a luxury vacation, including private beaches, well-appointed villas, five restaurants, a world-class spa, a kids’ club, and facilities for a selection of water sports. The resort is also located in a stunning setting on the island of Sainte Anne, in the heart of the tranquil Sainte Anne National Marine Park.
The hotel offers a boat service to Mahe, where you will find both the capital city, Victoria, and the airport, and ten minutes after leaving your accommodation you can explore the attractions of the main island of the Seychelles.
Walking along the north coast of Mahe along a path lined with ancient granite rocks and palm trees is a memorable experience, especially as the route ends at a secluded beach where you can spend the afternoon sunbathing and swimming.
Mahe also has a host of nature reserves and botanical gardens to explore, where you can see the indigenous flora and fauna at their best. Try visiting the Kot Man-Ya exotic flower garden, the desert of Morne Seychellois park, and the aromatic fields of Le Jardin Du Roi spice plantation to experience everything the island has to offer.
Be sure to also take a trip to Praslin during your island hopping adventures in the Seychelles. It is famous for having some of the best beaches in the Indian Ocean area and the stretches of sand at Anse Georgette and Anse Lazio are the closest thing to a true tropical island paradise you will ever find.
Praslin is best known for the Vallee de Mai, a nature reserve that has UNESCO World Heritage status. Visiting it will give you the opportunity to see some rare birds and palm trees, including the Coco de Mer, as well as understand why British settlers in the 19th century believed it to be the Garden of Eden.
You’ll also want to spend a day exploring La Digue during your Seychelles holiday, as the former island, where ox carts are still more popular than cars, has stunning scenery. Once you’ve finished viewing the orchids and spice plants, you can spend the afternoon tanning on the famous Anse Source d’Argent beach.