Destinations
Indian Ocean
Swaying palm trees, deserted white sand beaches, aqua-marine blue seas the islands of the Indian Ocean are paragons of picture postcard perfection. From the outstanding island resorts in the Maldives, to the lush tropical island of Mauritius or the coral fringed islands of the Seychelles the Indian Ocean is truly magnificent and provides ultimate relaxtion.
General Information
The Indian Ocean offers a supreme holiday destination for utter relaxation and rejuvenation. The three destinations of the Maldives, Mauritius and the Seychelles provide a range of resorts that will ensure peace and tranquillity and a complete ‘get away from it all’. However, if you are looking for the highlife or a shopping fix you may want to consider combining a visit to the Indian Ocean with a side trip to Dubai in the Middle East.
The Maldives comprise of over 1,000 coral reef fringed islands set around lagoons with most resorts located on a separate island providing ultimate space and serenity. Many visitors remain resort based taking advantage of the plentiful watersports, being pampered in a luxury spa, or simply enjoying total relaxation with a novel and a loved-one on a perfect beach.
Mauritius offers diversity both in its landscape and activities. Alongside the palm fringed pristine white sand beaches Mauritius has volcanic peaks, sugar plantations and an eclectic mix of culture and history. Snorkelling and scuba diving are popular watersports alongside hiking in the Black River Gorges National Park or if you are feeling frivolous Mauritius is duty free so a shopper’s paradise.
The Seychelles comprise of 115 contrasting islands from lush and mountainous scenery to sand and coral islands with lapping turquoise waters. The Inner Islands of Mahe, Praslin and Le Digue are the most popular holiday destinations although you can treat yourself to a private island …
The Indian Ocean is blessed with astonishing diversity of historic, cultural and geographical features conjuring up a cornucopia of superlatives. Sugary beaches fringed with lush rain forests and transparent oceans replete with marine life. The Indian Ocean truly is an idyllic exotic and luxury retreat.
To get a feel for something of the culture of the Maldives you should visit an inhabited island. Village tours on Fisherman’s Island are popular, as are trips to Male, the Maldives’ capital.
Visit Male in the afternoon and you can watch huge tuna being carried by their tails from the boats in the harbour to the bustling fish market. A short stroll away, around the ‘local market’ you can see coconuts being hacked from their husks and bananas prepared for sale.
Buildings of note in Male include Hukuru Miskiiy or Friday Mosque. The walls of this 17th century place of worship are made of delicately carved coral blocks, while the inside features fine wood carvings. The huge, gold and marble Grand Mosque, and past and present presidential palaces are other popular tour stops.
While the Maldives has long been a favourite with honeymooners, it is not possible for tourists to marry in the islands. If you are keen to tie the knot abroad, consider a ceremony in nearby Sri Lanka, followed by a week of relaxation in the Maldives.
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Best Time To Visit
The Maldives is best visited during the dry season between December and April when the waters are clearest and it is best for diving at the beginning and end of the dry season in November and April.
For Mauritius, October to April is their summer when the days are warm with temperatures in the high 20’s and up, with bright sunny days.
The Seychelles are best visited in December, January, July and August but a cheaper time to visit is outside the peak season from March to May and September to November, which is also when diving conditions are at their best.
Insider Tips
Maldives: The level of evening entertainment can differ widely between each resort in the Maldives so make sure you choose the resort best suited to the kind of nightlife you are expecting.
Mauritius: Local religious festivals run at the beginning of the year and fire walking, body piercing and sword swallowing are among the more dramatic Hindu and Tamil rituals.
Seychelles: The international Seychelles Sailing Cup is held in January and the Rotary Annual Fishing Tournament in April.
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Map
5 Reasons to Visit
Diving and Aquatic Life: Scuba diving and snorkelling are top class in all three destinations. Mauritius has some of the best deep sea fishing in the world whilst the Seychelles is considered to offer some the best fly fishing and bone fishing in the world.
Perfect beaches: All Indian Ocean beaches are truly outstanding and beautiful from the pristine white sand beaches in the Maldives, to the attractive giant boulders and palm fringed beaches in the Seychelles to the superb beaches in Mauritius offering a variety of watersports.
World Class Spas: The resorts in the Indian Ocean in particular offer world renowned spas where you can surrender yourself to a day of pampering some of which incorporate underwater views.
Twin Centre: All three destinations of the Maldives, Mauritius and the Seychelles offer twin centre holidays with Dubai known for its great shopping.
Overwater bungalows: In the Maldives you can snorkel from your own back door, get room service delivered by canoe or watch fish through a glass floor in this most romantic style of accommodation.
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