There are islands that are beautiful, and then there are islands that feel almost mythical – where nature has been left to flourish in its purest form and where luxury isn’t about extravagance but about space, silence, and the privilege of being one of the few to appreciate it. The Seychelles, an archipelago scattered across 1.4 million square kilometres of the Indian Ocean, belongs to the latter.
This is a destination where each island tells its own story – privacy is built into the geography, where stretches of powder-fine sand remain pristine, and remoteness is simply part of what makes these destinations special. Beyond the well-trodden shores is a collection of islands where those in search of a true escape will find it.
Victoria may be the world's smallest capital, but it is flooded with island life. Mornings here start at the Sir Selwyn Clarke Market, where local vendors sell fresh vanilla pods and colourful spices alongside the freshest catches. The Victoria Clocktower brings a touch of London to these tropical streets, and nearby, the National Botanical Gardens provides shade from the midday sun. The trails of Morne Seychellois National Park wind through the island's interior, with the Copolia Trail offering some of the island's most spectacular views. When the heat rises, Beau Vallon's gentle waters are ideal for everything from snorkeling to jet skiing while parasails drift across the sky above the bay.
Home to the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, Praslin guards some of the Seychelles' most precious natural heritage. Beneath ancient palms, you might spot the rare Seychelles black parrot or stand beside the legendary Coco de Mer. The island's beaches are equally impressive – Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette have crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkelling in the archipelago. For a different kind of challenge, the Lemuria Resort's 18-hole championship golf course provides a game with views that might just distract you from your swing.
La Digue feels caught in a gentler time, where bicycles and ox-carts replace cars, and time seems to slow naturally. The island's crown jewel is Anse Source d'Argent, where massive granite boulders create what photographers call the world's most beautiful beach. Quiet paths lead through vanilla plantations, while more advanced trails wind to the hidden cove of Anse Marron. In the Veuve Nature Reserve, patient visitors might see the rare Seychelles paradise flycatcher. The island's commitment to slow living makes every activity feel less like tourism and more like stepping into local life.
Long before ‘barefoot luxury’ became a travel cliché, North Island defined it. With just 11 handcrafted villas, privacy here is absolute – it's why royalty and world leaders choose this remote speck in the Indian Ocean. Days here unfold at your pace – perhaps starting with a guided nature walk to see rewilded Aldabra tortoises, followed by scuba diving in turquoise waters or kayaking along the coast. As evening approaches, a private chef might prepare your dinner on the beach, where the only light comes from the stars above.
Félicité Island sits just 4 kilometres from La Digue, its granite peaks home to the Six Senses Zil Pasyon. The resort's villas are carefully positioned among the cliffs, each with its own infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Whether it's sunrise yoga sessions, afternoon snorkeling in the coral gardens, or treatments in the resort's clifftop spa, the island presents endless ways to fill your hours.
Silhouette Island stands as Seychelles' great wilderness, its rainforest – older than the Amazon – covering peaks that reach 751 metres skyward. The island's protected status (93% is a national park) has preserved an extraordinary ecosystem where over 500 endemic species thrive. Marked trails lead to remote beaches through some of the oldest forests in the Indian Ocean, as the surrounding waters offer exceptional diving sites. The Hilton Labriz fits discreetly into this landscape, remaining the island's only resort.
Unlike its granitic cousins, Desroches is different from the other islands – a coral atoll 227 kilometres from Victoria. The Four Seasons resort doesn't compete with nature but complements it. On this island, you can cycle along 14 kilometres of beaches, try world-class fly-fishing in the Amirantes Trench, or join marine biologists for turtle watching. As night falls, your villa's private beach becomes nature's cinema, with some of the clearest night skies in the Indian Ocean.
Out at the edge of the continental shelf, Alphonse Island draws fly-fishers from around the world to its rich waters. The diving and snorkeling here are among the best in the Seychelles, with reefs teeming with marine life. You can also work alongside the island's conservation team, helping with everything from turtle monitoring to coral reef restoration projects.
Bird Island earns its name between May and October when over 350,000 pairs of sooty terns arrive to nest on this remote coral isle. Though the birds command most of the attention, the surrounding waters are rich with marine creatures – dolphins are regular visitors here, and migrating whales can sometimes be spotted passing through these deep waters.
A short boat ride from Praslin, Curieuse feels unchanged by time. The island's boardwalks weave through dense mangrove forests where giant tortoises roam freely, while the clear waters of Anse St. José offer excellent snorkeling. The weathered ruins of a 19th-century leper colony remain as a reminder of the island's past.
Few places on Earth remain as untouched as Aldabra. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, lying over 1,100 kilometres southwest of Mahé, has the world's largest population of giant tortoises. Access is limited primarily to researchers, but select eco-tourism visits allow lucky travellers to snorkel in the waters and witness one of the planet's last truly wild places.
The Seychelles represent a world few places on Earth can match. These islands are not defined by excess but by their sense of solitude, their natural beauty, and the rare privilege of being in nature at its purest.
True exclusivity here is not measured by thread counts or impeccable service but by moments that can't be replicated elsewhere – watching giant tortoises roam undisturbed, swimming in waters so clear they seem unreal, or standing on a stretch of sand, knowing that, for now, it is yours alone.