If you are dreaming of a tropical island getaway somewhere in the Indian Ocean, both Mauritius and Seychelles come to mind. But if you had to choose between Mauritius vs Seychelles for a perfect beach vacation, which island is better suited for you?
I have travelled to all the 4 islands in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles and Reunion Island. While all these island destinations in the Indian Ocean provide the classic island getaway, their vibe is quite different.
Mauritius and Seychelles have some similarities too, featuring lush landscapes and rich biodiversity. The sandy beaches and water sports in both islands are plenty. And yet, their differences in size, activities, vacation budget, accommodation and food options are several. Let’s dive into the specifics of both Mauritius and Seychelles have to offer.
Disclaimer: This helpful post contains some affiliate links. If you click on any of the links in this post (AND make a purchase) I may receive a small commission at absolutely no cost to you. As such I thank you in advance should you decide to click & buy.
Page Contents
Mauritius vs Seychelles Landscape
Mauritius is one big island (plus Rodrigues) with a rugged interior of volcanic mountains and virgin forests. It is four times bigger in land size and has a much larger population than the Seychelles.
Seychelles in an archipelago of smaller islands (about 115 though most are uninhabited). These islands have unique topography with granite boulders, pristine beaches and lush forests. Only 3 main Inner Islands are popular with tourists – Mahé, La Digue and Praslin.
How to get to Mauritius or Seychelles
To get to Mauritius, the best way is by flying to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport located on the island. We had taken a direct flight from Delhi, India to reach Mauritius. There are several major Indian cities like Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai with connecting flights to Mauritius. Major hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London, and several cities on the African mainland offer direct flights to Mauritius.
Mahé is where the Seychelles International Airport and Port Victoria are located, making it the gateway to other islands in the Seychelles. We took a direct flight from Mumbai to reach the Seychelles. There are daily connections via Emirates and Etihad from several European cities. The African mainland is connected to Seychelles via Ethiopian and Kenyan airlines.
Infrastructure, Getting around Mauritius vs Seychelles
Mauritius is more developed. It offers smooth roads, it is easy to rent a car and self-drive. In Mauritius, you drive on the the left-hand side off the road, similar to the UK, India, and Australia.
Seychelles has less developed infrastructure as compared to Mauritius. Though you can rent a car, it takes more experience and confidence to drive on the narrow, winding roads in Seychelles. Driving is again on the left-hand side of the road, similar to Mauritius. We relied on local taxis (arranged mostly by the hotel) to move around Mahé Seychelles.
Beaches on Seychelles vs Mauritius
In this respect, the Seychelles win hands down. Mauritius beaches are nice but not world-class like the Seychelles. The dramatic granite boulders on the sandy beaches with the azure waters make them distinct and appealing. Anse Source D’Agent on La Digue makes it to the world’s top beaches list! It boasts soft white sand, calm turquoise waters and spectacular granite boulders. Anse Royale and Beau Vallon in Mahé and Anse Lazio on Praslin island are wonderful beaches. Visiting and relaxing on these beaches is definitely the main activity in Seychelles.
Mauritius has long stretches of beaches and calm lagoons which make them family-friendly. Flic en Flac is the popular west coast beach with calm, shallow waters, restaurants, and sunset views. Another popular beach is Trou aux Biches, with clear waters, coral reefs, and a relaxed vibe. There are a few quieter beaches as well – Belle Mare on the east coast and Pointe d’Esny in the southeast.
Activities on Mauritius vs Seychelles
Mauritius wins as far as diverse activities go, it offers hiking, water sports, colonial mansions, local markets, and nightlife. There are so many things to do in Mauritius, from cultural excursions to water sports, and natural attractions. We enjoyed a day trip to the Black River Gorges, the largest national park in Mauritius. There are popular spots like Seven Coloured Earth and Chamarel Falls to view here plus numerous hiking trails to enjoy. For serious hikers, there is even Le Morne Brabant to summit.
La Vanille is a 5 hectare nature reserve where you can meet giant tortoises and other animals. Pamplemousses Botanical Garden is the oldest botanical garden in the Indian Ocean and is home to many plant species. Much of the island of Mauritius is surrounded by reef and lagoon giving you the perfect shallow waters to explore the fish and coral. You can take a boat tour to explore some of the uninhabited pristine islands like Ile Aux Cerfs around Mauritius. Apart from sightseeing in Port Louis, Mauritius also offers opportunities to visit to tea plantations and rum distilleries.
Seychelles vacation is far more relaxed with time largely spent on pristine beaches enjoying the turquoise waters. There is island hopping, with popular day trips to Praslin and La Digue islands from Mahé. We enjoyed hiking the Copolia Trail on Mahé. The island also offers the opportunity to summit Morne Seychellois, the highest point on Mahé.
The natural and cultural attractions in Seychelles are limited as compared to Mauritius. You can visit Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve on Praslin island. This unique forest with diverse wildlife is home to the endemic coco de mer palm species. You can tour the small town of Victoria, the capital city of the Seychelles.
Choice of accommodation in Mauritius and Seychelles
Mauritius is a much larger island than Seychelles. The tourism infrastructure is far more developed here. So you will find hotels, guesthouses and airbnbs suited for all budgets. Even in hotels, Mauritius has wide range of options from luxury beach resorts, boutique hotels, mid-range and budget hotels.
Seychelles offers a more limited range of hotels across Mahé, La Digue and Praslin as compared to Mauritius. You can choose from a mix of ultra-luxury, high-end, and premium mid-range hotels, more like the Maldives resorts. So it is difficult to find budget accommodation on the Seychelles. We stayed in Mahé for easy access to the airport and diverse range of activities and dining options. La Digue is the premier honeymoon destination, known for a more rustic, laid-back experience. Praslin is known for its quieter, scenic beaches.
Colonial Heritage, Food and Culture in Mauritius and Seychelles
The colonial history and heritage in Mauritius is evident. Aparvasi Ghat is a good place to know more about the culture and history is the island. It is an UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a 19th century Immigratioin Depot site located in Port Luois. You can book a full-day tour of Port Louis. See the Central Market, China Town, Caudan Waterfront, experience Citadelle Fort, and Aapravasi Ghat.
Mauritius has the edge with greater choice of food dishes available. The local cuisine here is a mash-up of Indian, Chinese, French and African influences. Besides fresh seafood and international cuisines, you an enjoy typical Mauritian street food – dholl puri, samosas and Gateaux piments (chilli fritters).
You should expect simple, flavourful food in Seychelles, with the focus being on fresh seafood. I indulged in freshly caught grilled fish (job fish, red snapper, grouper etc) in different sauces during our trip to Mahé Seychelles. My family and family also tried octopus curry, creole fish curry, but passed on adventurous dishes like fruit bat curry!
When to visit Seychelles or Mauritius
Seychelles temperature is consistently balmy, ranging from 27-30°C, making it an almost year-round destination. Summer months are considered the best time to visit Seychelles, with June to August being cooler (24-28°C), drier. Summer season is popular with both beach worshippers and hikers.
The shoulder season of April, May, October, November offer a good balance of calm seas, less rain, and pleasant temperatures between monsoon seasons. December to March is the typical rainy season, when the northwest monsoon makes the island warmer and humid.
Mauritius has a warm tropical climate year round. But the rains distinguish 2 main seasons here. The best time to visit Mauritius is generally May to December for cool, dry, sunny weather, ideal for beaches and other activities. We went for a memorable family vacation to Mauritius in July. The weather was pleasant with daytime temperature at an average of 23º C and cool nights.
The summer season (from November to April) is hot, humid and rainy. Though the warm, clear water is good for water sports like diving and snorkelling. Shoulder months (April, May and Oct, Nov) are ideal as they balance good weather with fewer crowds and potentially better prices.
FAQs on Mauritius vs Seychelles
Which is better? Mauritius or Seychelles?
Neither of these tropical islands is ‘better’ in all respects. Choosing between Mauritius or Seychelles for a vacation depends on your priorities. Mauritius offers developed infrastructure, wider set of activities, and greater choice in accommodation and dining. Seychelles offers dramatic natural beauty and a more secluded, relaxed getaway at a higher cost.
Is Mauritius cheaper than Seychelles?
Mauritius can be cheaper than the Seychelles. Though Mauritius has luxury resorts and fine-dining restaurants, it offers a greater choice in mid-range and budget accommodation and dining options. It has more developed tourism infrastructure, than making it more budget-friendly than the Seychelles. It also has easier logistics in terms of more direct flights and one single compact island layout.
Which island is better for families?
Mauritius is more child-friendly with extensive entertainment and safer infrastructure. The island is more developed with shopping malls, diverse restaurants, and offers a diverse set of activities. Also, large families may prefer its wider offering of budget accommodation.
Which island is great for honeymooners?
The Seychelles is famous for otherworldly landscapes, giant granite boulders, lush jungles, and pristine beaches. The island is more relaxed, exclusive, and nature-focused. It’s also more expensive for flights, accommodation, and food. So if you can afford the higher costs, Seychelles is the preferred getaway for a honeymoon over Mauritius.
Final Verdict: Mauritius vs The Seychelles
Choose Mauritius if you enjoy a diverse set of activities from water sports and beaches to national parks and hiking trails, and cultural excursions. Choose Mauritius if you are travelling with your family and want a more developed infrastructure and wider options for shopping, local food. If you are a budget-conscious traveler, Mauritius will definitely give more bang for your buck! Choose Mauritius if you prefer a lively vibe with more options for nightlife.
Choose the Seychelles if you want a more serene, relaxed vacation to get away from it all. With fewer visitors, smaller hotels and more islands to disperse those visitors, there’s a great sense of seclusion on the Seychelles. Choose Seychelles if your focus is raw, untouched nature and pristine beaches. Choose Seychelles if you are a luxury traveller, as it is more expensive for flights, accommodation, and food than Mauritius. This archipelago comprises 115 islands, so choose Seychelles if you enjoy island hopping, perfect for exploring diverse eco-systems.
___________________________
Pin it for later!
___________________________
What was your favourite tropical island in the Indian Ocean? Share in the comments below.
Subscribe to Zest In A Tote Digest, my monthly newsletter, for travel tips and inspiration.
Join me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook as I share my travel experiences.
That photo of the waterfall definitely won me over! Mauritius looks so beautiful!
A really helpful guide with great options for each. Choosing between Mauritius and the Seychelles would be difficult, I think I’d need to spend time visiting both to truly appreciate what each has to offer.
I haven’t been to any of them thus far so thanks for the insight on the islands.
Love this! A very handy way to choose between the destinations. Both have been on my mind for long. Which one would you revisit?
Seychelles, for more island hopping!