Maldives vs Mauritius vs Seychelles: Which one’s for you?

If you’re choosing between the Maldives, Mauritius and the Seychelles, you may think they are all similar – dream escapes in the Indian Ocean – but each has its own unique character.

Each island in the Maldives is a resort, and no two are the same. Mauritius and the Seychelles host a wider range of activities in addition to their beaches. Mauritius is a magnet for golf lovers, and is also famed for its national parks and hiking, and the Seychelles is an island-hopping heaven. Our expert travel guide reveals the key differences between the Maldives, Mauritius and the Seychelles.

Getting there: Flight times & stopovers

The UK has direct flights to the Maldives and Mauritius, whereas the Seychelles requires a stop en route. If you’re pondering which is closer, the Maldives takes the edge, but all are around a 10–15-hour flight from the UK. Breaking up the journey with a layover in Arabia is a winning suggestion for a twin-centre. 

When to go: Best times to visit

When is the best time to go to the Maldives, Mauritius or Seychelles? It’s always warm year-round, so there isn’t an off-season. The main difference is humidity – expect drier days from November to April, and more tropical conditions between May and September.

Where to stay

You’re spoilt for choice when deciding where to stay in the Maldives, Mauritius or Seychelles. Depending on the type of trip you want, the Maldives offers one-island-one-resort luxury; Mauritius tempts with beach resorts, golf hotels and mountain lodges; and the Seychelles is all about island-chic eco resorts and boutique retreats.

Dining & local flavours

For remote islands, the food is delectably diverse. In the Maldives, many travellers opt for all-inclusive, which makes sense on a small island, and standards are exceptional. In Mauritius and the Seychelles, resorts and hotels offer greater flexibility. Breakfast and dinner are often included. Creole flavours with Indian and French influence make every meal an experience.

What to do: nature, adventure & culture

The conundrum: Seychelles vs Maldives vs Mauritius for a beach holiday? It’s a tough one. If all you need is diving, snorkelling and soft sand, then the Maldives is your match – overwater villas mean you’re never far from the ocean.

Mauritius has beaches and more – its star offerings include world-class golf courses, river gorge adventures, hiking up Le Morne for insane sea views, and, for a more sedate pastime, cooking classes.

Cruising island to island in the Seychelles is a delight. Hop from palm-packed islands to rocky outcrops – the scenery is always changing. Back on land, excellent cycle tracks allow for breezy coastal rides, and jungle trails open up a world of natural wonders.

Getting around

In the Maldives, your island is your resort, but you can change the scenery by requesting a ‘room remix’ or take a seaplane or speedboat to other islands to discover their distinctive characters.

Hire a private car and driver in Mauritius, so you can explore like a local. Extend your trip with a one-hour plane ride to the jagged green peaks and waterfalls of La Reunion.

In the Seychelles, you can cruise, take a ferry, or hop on a domestic flight to explore a variety of islands. Once ashore, much of the scenery can be viewed by hiking.

Honeymoon-worthy escapes

Maldives, Mauritius or Seychelles, which is better for a honeymoon?

The romance factor is sky-high in the Maldives, making it top of the list for honeymooners. For the ultimate in seclusion and romance, we love the boutique and petite Kandolhu Maldives.

Mauritius sits in the top 20 of the best honeymoon destinations. The adult-only Veranda Paul et Virginia Hotel & Spa goes all out to focus exclusively on couples’ needs.

The Seychelles woos with its natural beauty and quieter charm. Feel like a true castaway at the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa – the only resort on Silhouette Island, which is mostly protected.

Family holidays

Family holidays in the Maldives, Mauritius and the Seychelles will surprise you – hotels offer more than just an extra sofa bed for the kids. Even toddlers are thoughtfully catered for.

The Maldives is home to some exceptional family resorts.

Kuramathi Maldives runs summer football camps for children, coached by ex-England footballers.

At Dhigali Maldives, the youngsters are catered for with great menu options, and the premium all-inclusive package adds a wow factor with sunset and dolphin cruises.

Niyama Private Islands has taken the concept of ‘child-friendly’ to the next level. There’s even ice cream and popcorn in every private villa – a treat for little ones (and grown-ups alike), and every activity is designed to entertain children aged 12 months to 12 years. There’s even yoga for babies.

Mauritius is very family-friendly with a variety of activities.

The Ravenala Attitude has zones just for the young ones.

LUX* Belle Mare, Mauritius hosts clubs for toddlers, tweens and teenagers.

Check out our in-depth guide on how to make the most of Mauritius for all the family.

The Seychelles combines nature, beaches and child-friendly luxury.

Set in 300 acres of gardens, Constance Ephelia Seychelles provides multi-bedroom family villas, a zip line and a kids’ club.

Stay off the beaten track

Make ‘getting away from it all’ an art form and travel to barely-discovered destinations. In Mauritius, the boutique Lakaz Chamarel Exclusive Lodge is sequestered away in the mountains of a national park – parrots and kestrels glide overhead.

Stay at the Seychelles’ Cerf Island Resort and transform into a real-life Robinson Crusoe. The perfect place to wind down, undisturbed.

Coco Mer Hotel is perched atop a rocky peak, cloaked in jungle, with vast ocean views and sky-scorching sunsets.

Which is better – or cheaper?

Which is better – Maldives vs Mauritius vs Seychelles? It depends on your travel style. For castaway chic, choose the Maldives. For variety, Mauritius has the edge. The Seychelles? All about wild beauty and quiet charm. As for which is cheaper, Mauritius often comes out on top.

Combinations: Why choose just one?

Go big and choose a two-stop or twin-centre holiday.

You can fly between Sri Lanka and the Maldives in 90 minutes. This is the sweet spot between discovery and downtime – ideal for travellers who like their beach days with a dash of adventure.

Pair the wild wonders of South Africa with Mauritius’ palm-fringed beaches on a trip that combines big-five safaris and Cape Town culture with lazy days in the Indian Ocean.

This feature was created on 3rd July 2025. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication.