Seychelles

I am an off-the-beaten-track traveler, and when I discover a new gem, I tend not to write about it because once it’s discovered, it changes. But because the Seychelles is so far away and challenging to get to, and because the pride of the people here has prevented skyscrapers and McDonald’s to morph these islands into a Honolulu, I’m sharing this treasure, fairly certain the people who read this are unlikely to travel there.

If the distance isn’t enough, to deter you further, it rains a lot. Fancy-pansy doesn’t exist. There isn’t much to do besides dive, swim, and look at fairy terns. Okay, now that you’re probably never going to visit the Seychelles.

The fragrance of frangipanis blasts you upon arrival, along with a waft of 85° heat. Just a little over 300 miles south of the equator in the middle of the Indian Ocean, white sand beaches and warm turquoise water beckon you. Plump flying foxes soar overhead. Long-tailed fairy terns and red fodys don’t mind sharing their island. Rays and turtles occupy the nearby reefs. As you may expect, papaya, mango, starfruit, and other favorites are abundant. And if you’re a fish fan, you’ll have a hayday. There are no snakes, scorpions, or poisonous spiders on these islands, and though it’s technically part of East Africa, there is no malaria here. English is one of the official languages. There are no hustlers, and the people are uniquely friendly. As idyllic as the Seychelles may appear, getting there, even from Europe, is grueling. The most convenient option is to fly from Istanbul, Nairobi, Doha, or Dubai. There are other direct flights as well, but they all enjoy limited legroom.

It’s far from the party island of Ibiza in terms of late-night activities and single hook-ups. Almost everyone I encountered in the Seychelles were couples.

The rain is a respite from the sun and the wind, and it feels like air conditioning. 

If you’re looking for a place to chill out and you don’t mind lengthy overnight flights and long layovers, and intermittent rain, it’s an exceptional destination.