Luxury Indian Ocean Holidays

The Indian Ocean is a sublime beach destination where you can relax on pristine sands and be completely undisturbed. The question you may be asking though is exactly which islands have the best beaches in the Indian Ocean? And, where can you find them?

White sands in the Maldives

You can’t mention beach holidays in the Indian Ocean islands without talking about the Maldives. The most magical thing about the beaches here is just how secluded they are. Each island is home to just one resort, so, if you choose right, you’ll wake up to your own paradise every single morning.

All of the Indian Ocean resorts we feature in the Maldives boast powdery white sands, sloping down to turquoise waters that offer wonderful snorkelling opportunities. We can also arrange ‘castaway’ island experiences, so you can enjoy an uninhabited beach entirely to yourself with a picnic or bottle of Champagne.

The world's most beautiful beaches in Seychelles

The Seychelles islands not only have some of the best beaches in the Indian Ocean, but perhaps the world.

Combining sumptuous sands with lush tropical rainforest and smooth granite boulders, you’d struggle to paint a more perfect picture. Out of the 115 islands that make up the archipelago, Mahé, Praslin and La Digue offer some of the best beaches for visitors.

If you really don’t want to share though, you can find exclusive private islands such as North Island and Fregate Island to enjoy a beautiful Indian Ocean beach holiday, all to yourself.

Fabulous tropical sands of Mauritius

A fantastic beach destination, Mauritius offers plenty along its sandy shores. The north of the island offers a fantastic selection to choose from, where you can’t go far wrong! Trou aux Biches is a favourite for many, particularly families, thanks to the calm and shallow waters.

The east, meanwhile, is known for having the most sought-after sands, where you'll find some of the most well-known luxury resorts. The south of Mauritius is dominated by Le Morne, a mountain that shelters its own white sand beach. Then there is Île aux Cerfs – an islet off the east coast with a golf course and beautiful beaches to explore.

You might expect most opportunities for adventure in the Indian Ocean to centre around the vast, warm waters. And, while there are indeed myriad things to experience in the sea, there are plenty of other adventures on offer for a holiday to the Indian Ocean, too.

Watersports and snorkelling

All of the best luxury hotels in the Indian Ocean offer their guests top range facilities for having fun at sea. From kayaks and stand-up paddle boards to kite surfing and water bikes, there is sure to be something to tempt you.

It's snorkelling and scuba diving that really are a must-do for many, though. The Indian Ocean is home to some truly stunning coral reefs that thrive with colourful marine life. Experienced divers can also descend to explore shipwrecks on the ocean floor. For those who want to build on their diving skills, ask our Travel Specialists about which resorts offer PADI dive centres.

Island-hopping experiences

If you really want to make the most of your holiday in the Indian Ocean, why not consider an island-hopping adventure? Island-hopping is popular in the Seychelles, allowing you to experience the biodiversity of the archipelago. Even in the Maldives, you can island hop to enjoy two different hotel experiences. For some islands, you can take a seaplane as your mode of transport too, which showcases some stunning views of the atolls below.

Land adventures

Heading inland, Mauritius has a lush interior to explore. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of La Morne offers some beautiful walking trails, as does the magnificent Black River Gorges National Park. You might also want to visit Chamarel, known for its multi-coloured earth.

If you want to rest your sea legs though, Sri Lanka has the most to offer. Explore the rock-top fortress of Sigiriya, visit tea plantations and discover beautiful temples and Colonial architecture, along with untouched beaches.

With such as unspoilt landscape, the Indian Ocean isn’t just paradise for humans. One of the top highlights of a holiday here is to meet the plethora of creatures that reside in and around the islands.

Marine life

As one of the world’s best destinations for snorkelling and diving, it’s not surprise that you will see an amazing array of marine life on holiday in the Indian Ocean. Depending on where you stay, you could see reef sharks, stingrays, golden eels, whale sharks, octopi, and even wild dolphins. If you love spotting turtles, the Seychelles will be extra special for you. Many of the island’s beaches are chosen by hawksbill and green turtles to lay their eggs.

Some resorts in the Indian Ocean have a house reef for you to explore, while others require you to head out by boat to find one. While rising sea temperatures are threatening the diversity of many reefs, a number of hotels also run coral rehabilitation programs that you can get involved in.

Giant tortoises

One of the most well-known residents of the Indian Ocean is the Aldabra giant tortoise. While they're usually thought of in relation to the Galapagos Islands, they also have a home across many of the islands here, too.

The Seychelles is the best place to go in the Indian Ocean if you'd like to meet one for yourself. North Island has between 80 and 100 of these friendly critters roaming around, with some thought to be as old as 150 years.

Safaris in Sri Lanka

Sitting within close proximity to India, Sri Lanka has some magnificent wildlife to spot. Yala National Park acts as the country’s best leopard sanctuary with one of the highest densities of these spotted big cats in the world.

You can also see gentle elephants roaming many of the tea plantations in Tea Country, or you can head to one of Sri Lanka’s national parks, such as Udawalawe and Gal Oya, to see more of them.

Sitting in the midst of many trade and sailing routes, the Indian Ocean islands have absorbed a mix of cultures over the years. Since native civilisations, they've seen Portuguese, Arab, Dutch, French and British explorers and colonisers turn up on their shores, along with the Indian and African indentured labourers who were also once brought to the islands.

You'll see signs of this mix of cultures through many of the islands, through the food you eat, to the people you meet across Mauritius, the Maldives, the Seychelles and Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle

If you love to immerse yourself in culture, then Sri Lanka might be the best Indian Ocean island for you. With a rich culture, this small Buddhist country is home to eight stunning UNESCO World Heritage Sites, six of which lie within the Cultural Triangle.

Exploring this wonderful area, you will find palaces, monasteries, ancient cities and temples, all of which will reveal fascinating insights into the country’s history and culture.