I am soon going to book my honeymoon destination and would like to know more about the two shortlisted places which have been chosen by my fiancee and I. The two locations which we have shortlisted are Seychelles and Mauritius. Now the trouble is deciding which is better for honeymoon Seychelles or Mauritius? Going on a honeymoon only happens once, so we want to make the trip worthwhile and choose the best destination. Both have beautiful beaches and accommodation options, don't don't know the ideal one for a honeymoon. When giving a choice of the honeymoon destination from the mentioned, please also mention the reasons.
Hello, @Simba! Welcome to the forum! Seychelles and Mauritius are both located in the Indian Ocean. Seychelles is located more closely to Somalia and Kenya while Mauritius is located on the southern side, more closely to Madagascar and Mozambique. Both destinations are island nations though and are well-known for their beaches and natural beauty. If you'd like to know more about these two destinations, then read on and find out which is more suitable for you. If you're looking for a paradise on Earth, quite remote and untouched by commercialisation, there's Seychelles. Activities here might be more limited but that just means that the surrounding areas are less damaged by human interference. With over 100 islands to explore, you can enjoy the different terrains and landscapes of these islands. Not to mention that the country is also home to some endemic species of animals and plants like the Aldabra giant tortoise and the coco de mer. With over half of the country being conserved by the government, you won't find a shortage of forests, marine life and wildlife here. Seychelles Officially, the islands of Mauritius include Rodrigues along with other disputed territories. As a tourist destination, Mauritius has plenty to offer to guests, with a number of natural attractions, aside from its beaches and tons of activities. Thus, the country is an adventurer's paradise and you certainly won't get bored when in this destination. Once the home of the rare specie of bird, the dodo, the country is still a haven for wildlife lovers and you can certainly spot endemic species of plants and animals here too. With highly developed tourist infrastructures, Mauritius has been one of the top destinations in the world for a while now. Mauritius If you're still quite confused, then let's get to the more detailed comparisons of both destinations. Let's begin: 1. Ease of Access Seychelles - The government of Seychelles does not restrict visitors from any nation and there's even no need for a visa application. You do need to show your passport though and confirmed hotel bookings once you reach the country. The easiest way to reach Seychelles is through a flight. There is one international airport in the country, the Seychelles International Airport, located near the capital which is Victoria. The airport has direct flights from Abu Dhabi, Addis Adaba, Beijing, Doha, Dubai, Frankfurt, France, Mauritius, Mumbai and Nairobi. This year, additional direct flights from Colombo and Istanbul would be added as well. Alternatively, you can also opt for a cruise to reach the islands. But these cruise ships have other destinations like Madagascar and Cape Island so your time in Seychelles might be very limited. Seychelles International Airport Mauritius - Barring a few countries, which are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Laos, Libya, Mali, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Vietnam and Yemen, all remaining nations don't need a visa prior to entering Mauritius. It depends but you're either entitled to a visa on arrival or a visa-free stay. For citizens of the mentioned countries above, they must apply at their respective British consulates in their country. Reaching the country would be best done through a flight. The main airport here is the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, a few kilometres away from the capital, Port Louis. The airport has direct flights to Antananarivo, Bangalore, Beijing, Cape Town, Chennai, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai and many more cities. You can also enter the island nation by cruise just like Seychelles. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport 2. Accommodations Seychelles - Accommodation options in Seychelles are quite limited. Most hotels here are of the higher end and costs quite expensive. Mahe and Praslin have the best options but do prepare to shell out at least Rs. 10,000 per night. If budget is of main concern, you can opt for renting apartments or staying in guest houses as they are cheaper but do provide you with the necessities you might need during your stay. Guest houses cost at least Rs. 5,000 per night or less while apartments cost slightly higher than this. Still, some resorts are very exclusive, even occupying a whole island to themselves. Some of the best hotels here are the Raffles Seychelles and the Four Seasons Seychelles. Raffles Seychelles Mauritius - If you're in a budget, then Mauritius might be more suitable for you. With hotels having minimum prices of Rs. 3,000 per night, you're good to go and can enjoy the pristine beaches of the country. On the other hand, since it is your honeymoon, you can also splurge in luxury hotels like Lux Le Morne or The Residence. But you can also find mid-range hotels that can provide you with utmost service and quality of facilities without spending too much. Thus, Mauritius is a clear winner in this round, for having quite many options, ranging from budget hotels to luxury hotels. The Residence Mauritius 3. Beaches Seychelles - Untouched by pollution and commercialism, Seychelles boasts of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The sands of most beaches here are a fine, powdery white while its waters are a clear, turquoise in colour. Yet its beauty doesn't stop there, even if you find crowded beaches in the central part of the island, you can just walk a bit further and you would find a secluded beach for you. In the La Digue Island, you'll find the Anse Source D' Argent, one of the best-rated beaches, not only in Seychelles but also in the world. There are numerous sections of the beach, divided by large oddly shaped boulders. The sands here are sandy pink in hue and the water is as clear as can be. In one of the most populated islands, Praslin, you can find the Anse Lazio, a little bit secluded than the other beaches of the island. It also has a few boulders lining its shores which adds beauty to the beach. For snorkelling and diving, you can go to the beaches of Anse Aux Pins and Anse Kerlan. This is by no means an exhaustive list and there are plenty more of islands and beaches that you can explore in Seychelles. Anse Source D' Argent in Seychelles Mauritius - Mauritius has plenty of beaches for the adventure seekers. You can head on over to Mont Choisy Beach and Blue Bay Beach for water sports like parasailing, windsurfing and surfing. If you like tranquility, you can go to the more secluded beaches of Poste Lafayette Beach and La Cuvette Beach. Another must visit here is the Flic en Flac Beach, known for its rich marine life, where you can indulge in snorkelling and diving. Another popular beach is the Gris Gris Beach, known for its cliff diving spots, although you must approach with caution. And yes, all these beaches have white sands along with clear, blue waters, perfect for just lounging around as well. La Cuvette in Mauritius 4. Attractions Seychelles - The main attractions in Seychelles are its beaches. However, there are also a few places that you can explore here. One of which is the Morne Seychellois National Park, where you can explore the rugged terrains of the country. The highest peak in the country is also located here, from which the national park was named after. Here you can trek and explore the natural trails prepared by the guides for travellers and also see the endemic animals and plants to the country. In the capital of Victoria, you can visit many attractions as well like the National Botanical Gardens and the Clock Tower in Freedom Square. Another must visit here is the Vallee De Mai National Park, where you can view the coco de mer, a giant coconut which only grows in the region. Another excursion you must take is to the Curieuse Island, where you can see giant tortoises roaming freely around the island. Morne Seychellois National Park in Seychelles Mauritius - Just like Seychelles, Mauritius also has national parks that you can explore. The best-rated ones are the Black River Gorges National Park, where you might be able to spot the endemic pink pigeon and the Islets National Park, comprising of eight different islands that you can explore. In Chamarel, you can visit the Seven-Hued Sand Dunes as well the Chamarel Waterfalls, the highest of its kind in the country. Another must visit natural attraction here is the Grand Bassin, which was once a volcano but is now a sacred lake to the locals. There's even a Shiva temple located nearby the lake that you can visit. You can also visit historical and architectural attractions like the Maison Eureka and Citadel Fort Adelaide. Grand Bassin in Mauritius 5. Suitability for Honeymoon Seychelles - A bit more laid-back and remote, Seychelles is a perfect honeymoon destination. Especially for those couples who enjoy serenity and tranquility and would like their honeymoon to be relaxing. You can just choose a higher end hotel, or one of those resorts occupying a whole island and you're all set. You won't have to worry about crowds as they are not that plenty in the island country. Aside from that, beaches here are more secluded and pristine, as compared to Mauritius. So if you're just wanting a beach destination, not minding the lack of activities aside from snorkelling or scuba diving, Seychelles would be a good choice for you. Mauritius - This island country is best suited for couples who are into adventure. Sure, some of the areas in Mauritius might be more crowded and noisy, especially at its city centre. But you can also find secluded beaches especially as you venture further into its east or south. If you can find a higher end resort, you'd be spoiled with choices for water sports too. But even in just the beaches alone, there are plenty of activities to keep you and your loved one busy. So there you go, a detailed comparison of the two destinations. The verdict is that Seychelles is suitable for a more relaxing honeymoon where you can just indulge in swimming or lounging around. Maybe snorkelling, diving or island hopping in some days. But Mauritius can be a good option too especially if you and your loved one are adventure seekers as there are a plethora of water sports that you can indulge in here. I hope this helps you!
