A Seychelles all inclusive holiday should include luxury and lots of relaxation on the beach, but will also offer plenty of opportunities for some island hopping adventures.
The Indian Ocean archipelago is made up of 115 islands, split into two groups. The Outer Seychelles, which are often referred to as the Coralline islands, are sparsely populated coral atolls that are great places to see on boat tours but are not suitable as bases for a getaway in the sun.
Almost all Seychelles family holidays involve staying in the Inner or Granitic islands, where you will find most of the major attractions and largest towns. Despite that, the islands – which as the name suggests are made of granite rock – remain almost totally unspoiled by man and you can look forward to visiting some stunning locations as you tour them.
Island hopping is simple, as there are excellent transport links between them – particularly if you choose to stay in an upmarket resort that offers a free shuttle service. One of the best in the Seychelles is the Sainte Anne Resort & Spa, run by Beachcomber Hotels.
It has everything you could possibly want for a luxury holiday, including private beaches, well-equipped villas, five restaurants, a top spa, a children’s club and facilities for a selection of water sports. The resort is also in stunning surroundings on the island of Sainte Anne, in the heart of the peaceful Sainte Anne Marine National Park.
The hotel runs a boat service to Mahe – where you will find both the capital city Victoria and the airport – and within ten minutes of leaving your accommodation you could be exploring the attractions of the Seychelles’ main island.
Trekking along the north coast of Mahe on a path lined with ancient granite boulders and palm trees is guaranteed to be a memorable experience, particularly as the route ends at a secluded beach where you will be able to spend the afternoon sunbathing and swimming.
Mahe also has a host of nature reserves and botanical gardens to explore, where you will be able to see the native flora and fauna at its best. Try visiting the Kot Man-Ya Exotic Flower Garden, the wilderness of Morne Seychellois Park and the aromatic fields of Le Jardin Du Roi spice plantation to experience everything the island has to offer.
Make sure you also take a trip to Praslin during your island hopping adventures in the Seychelles. It is renowned for having some of the finest beaches in the Indian Ocean area and the stretches of sand at Anse Georgette and Anse Lazio are as close to a true tropical island paradise as you will ever find.
Praslin is best known for the Vallee de Mai, a nature reserve which boasts UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Visiting it will give you the opportunity to see some rare birds and palm trees, including the Coco de Mer, as well as providing you with an understanding of why British settlers in the 19th century believed it to be the Garden of Eden.
You are also sure to want to spend a day exploring La Digue during your Seychelles holiday, as the old-fashioned island – where ox carts are still more popular than cars – has some stunning countryside. Once you’ve finished seeing the orchids and spice plants, you can spend the afternoon working on your tan on the famous Anse Source d’Argent beach.