We often get asked, where should I go: Maldives or Seychelles?
Let’s be honest, both of these spectacular destinations have a lot to offer, and you will not be disappointed whichever option you choose. While they both offer incredibly luxurious resorts, endless white sandy beaches and warm weather, they do have their differences.
So read on to find out which island suits your holiday style, as we rate these two islands on their nightlife, cuisine, crowds, culture, activities, nature and best time to visit.
Cuisine
As you might expect, fresh seafood and tropical fruits dominate the menus in both the Maldives and Seychelles. Their local gastronomies aren’t too dissimilar, with both being heavily influenced by an eclectic mix of cultures.
The cuisine of the Maldives is influenced by nearby India and Sri Lanka in dishes like fragrant coconut curries and crunchy samosas.
By contrast, Seychelles’ local Creole fare takes its flavours from China, India, Africa, Madagascar, and France. This creates a wonderfully rich mixture of dishes using the freshest seafood caught twice daily off the shores of the island.
So, when it comes to cuisine, it’s impossible to split the two.
Verdict: Maldives and Seychelles
On a side note, now that you’re here, why not check out these luxury beach holiday destinations that you could visit on your next vacation:
Crowds
Neither of these islands could ever be described as crowded. With expansive, private all-inclusive resorts, you’ll feel like you’re in your very own slice of paradise. Opt to stay in an over-water bungalow and you can wake up to uninterrupted sea views and dive straight into the crystal clear water.
While Seychelles is far from overcrowded, the Maldives archipelago of 1190 tiny islands offers additional space to spread out, which is why it just beats out Seychelles as our pick for a crowd-free holiday.
Verdict: Maldives
Nightlife
Party the night away at the luxury bars, nightclubs and glitzy casinos of the Maldives. You can even take in some live music at a jazz club or sip cocktails at many of the resorts in the Maldives while unwinding to a live band.
Seychelles is less known for its nightlife, with the majority of after-sunset action centred around the largest two islands, Mahe and Praslin. However most resorts will have music, entertainment or sunset BBQs where you can relax and mingle with other guests.
Verdict: Maldives
Activities
If you’re more of an adventurer than a sun-lounger, a Seychelles vacation might be your best bet as you can easily explore multiple islands instead of basing yourself on just one. Step away from the resort and explore the bustling Craft Village, history museums in Victoria or hike through the ancient rainforest.
When it comes to water-based activities, both the Maldives and Seychelles have plenty to get your heart racing. From parasailing or jet skiing to island hopping on a catamaran tour, snorkelling, fishing, and diving are all popular activities.
For a real adventure, between August and November thrill-seekers can swim with whale sharks in Seychelles.
Verdict: Seychelles
Nature and wildlife
Seychelles is often described as the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean, so it’s hard to go past it as our top pick for nature-lovers. Spot the 100-year-old giant tortoises that roam freely in La Digue and the Victoria Botanical Gardens on Mahe, spend an afternoon birdwatching on Bird Island, or glimpse nesting hawksbill sea turtles. Don’t forget snorkelling with colourful marine life and hiking through mangrove forests to see the rare coco de mer coconut trees.
The Maldives also has incredibly abundant wildlife. The coral reefs that the foundation of the islands are home to thousands of animal species including manta rays, stingrays, anemones and jellyfish and millions of fish that you can spot while snorkelling.
Need an all-in-one package? Discover our all inclusive holidays to Maldives today!
Verdict: Seychelles
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Best time to visit
When you are planning to travel might also play a part in your decision.
Seychelles vacation: Although its warm, tropical climate makes it a year-round destination, we consider the best time to visit the Seychelles to be April – May or September – October, when the weather is warm and dry, and it’s not too crowded.
You can consider our South Africa Seychelles multi centre holiday since it coincides with our suggested timing.
The Maldives: The best time to visit the Maldives falls between December and April, after the rainy season has ended. May is still a nice time to go to, with a few rain showers and some good deals on resorts. Need inspiration? Explore our Maldives luxury holidays package for more info, or plan Multi-Centre Holidays with Maldives.
Still not sure? Speak to our experts to determine whether a Seychelles vacation or Maldives escape is the right one for you.
Maldives inspiration
For more exciting destination ideas, browse these Maldives pages and start planning your next adventure.
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