When it comes to island getaways, the three gems of the Indian Ocean — Maldives, Seychelles, and Mauritius — have long been the top picks for Indian travelers.
Let’s explore these destinations — perfect for romantic escapes, family vacations, or short breaks from city life.
Maldives
Maldives is a beach lover’s fantasy and Indians have a special soft corner for this archipelago nation. It lies in the southwest of India and Sri Lanka in the middle of the Indian Ocean and is famous for its luxurious resorts, overwater villas, and stunning sunset views.
How to Go
The Maldives is about 2,000 km from India, much nearer than Seychelles or Mauritius. Several Indian carriers and international airlines connect India to Maldives, including Air India, Indigo and SpiceJet. Direct flights take around 2.5-3 hours.
You can also go to Maldives by ship. Costa Victoria by Costa Cruises is the only luxury cruise liner which sails from India to Maldives. While this takes a much longer time, riding through the waves is an amazing experience. At present, cruise services are available from Mumbai and Kochi.
Visa
Indian citizens are eligible for a free visa on arrival for up to 30 days. Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months at the time of entering the country.
Attractions and Activities
Clear turquoise waters and white-sand beaches are the main highlights of Maldives. It is a favourite spot for Indian honeymooners. The water villas with jacuzzi, sunset cruises on private yachts or dhonis (traditional wooden boats) are perfect for couples.
Maldives is all about luxury accommodations and relaxing by the sea. And a perfect place for diving and snorkeling, especially if you want to spot manta rays and whale sharks. Try water sports and kayaking, explore the lagoons and coral reefs, sail on dolphin cruises…
The Grand Friday Mosque in Male, the capital of Maldives, is a major attraction for tourists. Known for its stunning golden dome, it is one of the largest mosques in South Asia.
Stays, cuisine, culture
Even though island resorts are the top draws in Maldives, visitors on a budget can choose to stay at guest houses in the local village islands. In terms of food, while you get a wide range of cuisines on offer at the resorts, Indian food is widely available. Among local food, try the Mas Huni, a breakfast staple made from tuna and coconut.
The country has a rich Islamic culture, with a blend of South Indian, Sri Lankan, African and Arab influences. This is reflected in the cuisine and music. Visitors can get a glimpse of the local culture by attending traditional events like the Bodu Beru (drum) performance.
Best Time to Visit
November to March is the perfect time to go to Maldives, but it’s tough to get bookings in top accommodations and the prices remain high. You can get good rates and discounts during the off-season.
Seychelles
Seychelles is a postcard-perfect island with pristine beaches and lush forests. This East African country is an archipelago of 115 little islands and lies in the Somali Sea, a part of the Indian Ocean. Indians are drawn to Seychelles for its unique pink-sand beaches, giant granite boulders, rare Coco de Mer palms, and exotic wildlife.
How to Go
Seychelles is roughly 3,800 km away from India, farther than Maldives but much closer than Mauritius and is relatively less explored than the other two. Direct flights from Mumbai to Mahé, the main island in Seychelles, take around four hours.
Visa
Seychelles is visa-free for the whole world, including India. Once you reach there, you must apply for a visitor’s permit, which allows you to stay for 30 days. To get this, you need to show your return ticket to India or any other flight to another country. This permit can be extended for two more months.
Attractions and Activities
The main attraction in Seychelles is its beaches. You will fall in love with the pink sands and unique granite boulders at Anse Source d’Argent beach on La Digue. Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve on Praslin Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is another popular spot where you can see the rare Coco de Mer palm trees that produce the largest seed in the world.
Seychelles is not super commercial and is ideal for those seeking isolation amidst nature.
You have lots to do in Seychelles and diving, snorkeling, and canoeing are must to explore the varied marine life. You can spot giant Aldabra tortoises, natives of the island.
Go for island hopping tours on a cruise or liveaboard to discover the beauties of the tiny islands — many of the 115 are accessible.
Hiking, rock climbing, eco tours, birdwatching, and food walks are some of other popular activities here.
Stays, cuisine, culture
Luxury resorts like North Island Lodge or Four Seasons Resort Seychelles cost approximately INR 30,000–50,000 per night. You will get mid-range hotels for around INR 10,000 INR and budget hotels for lower.
Seychelles’ cuisine is deeply influenced by French, African, Indian, British, and other European and Asian cooking styles. Most restaurants serve Creole, Italian, Japanese and Chinese food. You can try popular local items like saffron rice, Creole curry, grilled fish, chilli cakes, miso soup, coconut palm, and ladob (a vanilla dessert).
You will find some Indian restaurants in Mahe, but options are much less on other islands.
Seychelles has a diverse mix of people with shared and distinct ethnicities. They follow Creole culture, a blend of African, French, British, Indian, and Chinese influences. Tourists can attend their traditional Creole dance programs and other cultural events.
Best Time to Visit
You can plan your trip either during April-May or October-November when the weather remains pleasant. It’s usually rather sunny and balmy outdoors, so don’t forget your sunscreen!
Mauritius
Located approximately 2,000 km off the southeastern coast of East Africa, Mauritius is a tropical island nation with a unique blend of French, British, and African influences. Scenic beauty, beaches, volcanoes, vibrant culture, and a little bit of everything makes it a top pick for tourists.
How to Go
Mauritius is about 4,500 km from India. Non-stop flights to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport operate from several Indian cities, including Mumbai and Bangalore.
Visa
Mauritius offers a visa on arrival for Indian citizens. It is free of cost and allows one to stay in the country for a maximum of 60 days. To enter Mauritius, you will need a valid passport, return ticket, proof of accommodation, and enough money to cover all your expenses.
Attractions and Activities
Mauritius is most famous for its beaches, crystal-clear waters, and coral reefs. Flic en Flac, Le Morne, and Grand Baie beaches are a must visit. For a jungle safari you can go to the Black River Gorges National Park which also has hiking trails. Mauritius is home to stunning waterfalls including the Chamarel Waterfall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tamarind Falls, which is a gorgeous set of 7 cascading waterfalls, the Exil Waterfalls, and the most unique Underwater Waterfall in Le Morne Peninsula.
Another unique attraction is the Chamarel Seven Coloured Earths, a natural wonder that features sand dunes in seven distinct colours.
This island is an ideal place for snorkeling, diving, deep-sea fishing, and catamaran sailing. You can also go for hiking, quad biking, visiting museums, or exploring botanical gardens and parks.
Stays, cuisine, culture
You can choose from a range of luxury to budget hotels, starting around INR 4,000 a night or lower.
Indian food is widely available in Mauritius. Even some of Mauritian dishes are inspired by Indian cuisine.
But try local delicacies like their meat dishes, rougaille, fish vindaye, bol renversé (upside down bowl), and gateau dhal.
Mauritius is known for its vibrant Creole culture, with a mix of African, European, and Asian traditions. Visitors can experience their traditional Sega dance and other customs.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Mauritius is between May and December. The weather remains sunny and dry, yet cool which is ideal for sightseeing, hiking, or relaxing at the beach. Carry a sunblock.
