Maldives vs. Seychelles: My Experience in Two Indian Ocean Paradises

Laura S.
Sep 8
3 min read

Updated: Sep 13

Maldives vs. Seychelles: Which Tropical Paradise Should You Choose?

Granite boulders and turquoise waters at Anse Lazio beach, Seychelles — Anse Lazio, Praslin Island, Seychelles

Deciding between the Maldives and the Seychelles is no easy feat. I’ve been lucky enough to visit both, and each destination offers its own magic. I traveled during their high seasons, so the weather was beautiful—though the occasional tropical rain is always expected. I flew from Dubai to the Seychelles and from Doha to the Maldives, so here’s my take on which paradise might be right for you.

Location: Where Are These Islands?

Overwater villa in the Maldives with turquoise lagoon views — Overwater Villa in the Maldives

The Maldives is a country in the Indian Ocean, located about four hours southeast of Doha, off the coast of India. Each island typically hosts a single resort, offering a private, serene experience. The Seychelles, also in the Indian Ocean, is off the coast of Kenya, roughly four hours south of Dubai. Unlike the Maldives, the Seychelles has larger islands with towns, mountains, and lush jungles, making it easier to explore beyond the resort.

Terrain and Scenery

When you think of the Maldives, overwater bungalows, sandbars, and crystal-clear waters immediately come to mind—and it delivers exactly that. The islands are small, flat, and perfect for snorkeling, swimming, and pure relaxation.

Mountain backdrop behind tropical beach in Seychelles — View from a hike in Seychelles

The Seychelles, on the other hand, has a more diverse landscape. The islands feature mountains, jungle trails, and beaches. On Mahe, the main island, we hiked Morne Blanc, a challenging but rewarding trail with stunning panoramic views. Unlike the Maldives, the Seychelles offers opportunities to explore local culture, villages, and varied terrain.

Ocean Water & Snorkeling

Both destinations boast warm, turquoise waters, but the snorkeling experiences differ. In the Seychelles, snorkeling depends on the island—Mahe lacked nearby reefs, but St. Pierre Island (Praslin) and Moyenne Island offered good spots to see colorful fish.

turtle on reef Maldives — A turtle resting on the reef in the Maldives

The Maldives, however, delivers world-class snorkeling. Our villa’s house reef was just a swim away, teeming with turtles, eagle rays, reef sharks, and vibrant fish. We even took a night snorkeling tour and encountered nurse sharks and more turtles. Honestly, this was the second-best snorkeling I’ve done, just behind the Red Sea in Egypt.

Land-Based Activities

rainforest jungle in seychelles — Valle de Mai, Praslin Island, Seychelles

Land activities are limited in the Maldives—most islands are atolls with no mountains. Tennis is sometimes offered at resorts, but hiking is virtually nonexistent. The Maldives is truly a water-focused escape.

The Seychelles, however, has a plethora of land activities. From jungle hikes to waterfalls, the islands are ideal for adventurers. On Mahe, our Morne Blanc hike was grueling but rewarded us with incredible views. We also saw the famous giant tortoises, adding a unique wildlife element to our experience.

Food & Dining

In the Maldives, we dined exclusively at our resort, Hurawalhi, and the food was delicious. Breakfast at Canneli offered fresh fruits, pastries, and a large buffet. We tried multiple restaurants:

all-inclusive buffet maldives — Breakfast at Hurawalhi in the Maldives

J.F.K. (Junk Food Kitchen): Simple burgers and fries—not memorable.
Kashibo (Japanese): Good sushi with an amazing open-air ocean view.
5.8 Undersea Restaurant: An unforgettable dining experience 5.8 meters underwater. Expensive ($300+ per person), but the real draw is the scenery and the thrill of eating surrounded by fish.

In the Seychelles, we split our time between a resort and a cruise. The cruise chef sourced fresh fish daily, making every meal delicious. Breakfasts were simple but satisfying, and meals at the Kempinski Seychelles rivaled those in Hurawalhi in quality and presentation.

Palm trees and white sand beach , Seychelles — View of our cruise ship in Seychelles

Overall Comparison

Choosing between the Maldives and the Seychelles comes down to what you want in your tropical vacation:

Maldives: Ideal for pure relaxation, overwater bungalow stays, and world-class snorkeling. Perfect for a short, indulgent getaway.
Seychelles: Better for longer trips, offering adventure, hiking, wildlife encounters, and flexible resort experiences. It’s a mix of luxury and exploration, ideal if you want more than just lounging by the water.

Both destinations are stunning, but your choice depends on whether you crave total relaxation or a blend of adventure and luxury.