Travel

Maldives vs. Seychelles: Which Destination Is Right for You?

Here, we break down the finer details of the Indian Ocean’s two most luxurious destinations.

By 

Todd Plummer

 |  January 28, 2025

A beach is a beach is a beach, right? Wrong. Even in the Indian Ocean — where countless resorts offer dazzlingly clear waters, natural beauty, tropical sunshine, and fabulous service — not all destinations are created equal. Two of the region’s most popular places for jet-setters are Maldives and Seychelles, and while both offer idyllic, luxurious escapes, each has its own distinct flavor and allure. 

If you’re seeking an island getaway, choosing between the two tropical places to visit poses a delightful dilemma. On one hand, Maldives has fabulous private-island resorts and overwater villas. On the other hand, Seychelles offers lush landscapes, nature reserves, and more diverse cultural influences. Both destinations offer beauty and decadence, yet each differs from the other in crucial ways.

How can one possibly choose? We’ll tell you exactly how. Here, we’re breaking down two of the Indian Ocean’s most precious jewels, point by point. Grab your passport, pack some luxury sunscreen, and get ready to experience the slice of paradise that’s right for you. 

Maldives vs. Seychelles

Getting There

Both are relatively isolated island destinations in the Indian Ocean, with Maldives about 470 miles southwest of India and Seychelles 1,100 miles east of Kenya. For that reason, you’ll find a few connecting flights to Maldives from mainland Asia, and a few connecting flights to Seychelles from mainland Africa; both countries are popular add-ons for longer trips to India and East African safaris, respectively. 

If you’re coming straight from North America, however, the classic flight path is to go through the Middle East on airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, or Qatar Airways, all three offering industry-leading service. If you’re connecting through the Middle East, you can expect to fly about four and a half hours from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Doha onward to Malé International Airport in Maldives or Mahé International Airport in Seychelles. 

Once you’ve touched down in either country, getting to your resort is another story. Generally speaking, the top luxury Maldives resorts all occupy their own private islands, so you can expect to take a float plane (a type of seaplane)  from Malé onward to your resort or a yacht if the island is close enough. Seychelles offers private island resorts (similarly reached via float plane) as well as some resorts on the main island of Mahé, which are all reached in about 45 minutes or less via road transfer from the airport. An itinerary to Maldives typically involves visiting a single resort, whereas a typical itinerary to Seychelles involves a mix of both a private-island resort and then some time on Mahé before flying out — that’s why Four Seasons operates two resorts here, one on the private Desroches Island, and one on the exclusive southern end of Mahé.

Verdict: Tie

Cost

The cost of operating resorts in both of these island nations is significant. Construction costs are high, the cost of shipping in things like food and soft goods is high, and the cost of recruiting, retaining, and training staff to provide world-class service is high. Traveling to both destinations is expensive. But whereas Seychelles offers a wider assortment of hotels, from eco-lodges to five-star luxury, the baseline for luxury feels higher across the board in Maldives. While by no means inexpensive, especially when staying at the finest resorts, Seychelles seems to offer a wider assortment of price points.

Verdict: Seychelles

Dining

Whether it’s requesting a fresh coconut delivered straight to your lounge chair or a multicourse tasting menu, the clear winner here is Maldives. Having so many five-star properties in close proximity has created an arms race of sorts when it comes to dining, with each resort striving to stand out from the mix by offering the best of the best. 

For instance, One&Only Reethi Rah has a fantastic farm-to-table concept restaurant, Botanica, where most of the produce is sourced from the chef’s garden, and the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands has Summer Pavilion, a stunning floating restaurant offering fine Cantonese cuisine. Maldives also has the unique phenomenon of underwater restaurants, where you can dine on caviar and wagyu steak while watching sharks and stingrays swim by, like at the Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas. You’ll find a broad assortment of cuisine in Seychelles, from Seychellois Creole street food to fine dining, but in terms of over-the-top luxuries for the finest palates, Maldives wins here.

Verdict: Maldives

Activities

This was a close one. Maldives’ many resorts work diligently to ensure that guests have plenty to do, offering spas, cooking classes, kids clubs if you’re traveling with little ones, water sports, and every sort of excursion, including fishing charters and offshore snorkeling and scuba diving (Maldives is actually one of the best places in the world for scuba diving, and many resorts have house reefs just off their beaches). That being said, visitors to Maldives have often described feeling a little stir-crazy after a week or so — in part because each resort’s private atoll can feel small after a while. 

That’s hardly an issue in Seychelles, however. The variety of activities on offer here has to do with the islands’ landscapes. Whereas Maldives consists entirely of low-lying sandy atolls (the country’s highest elevation is just six feet above sea level), Seychelles offers not only low-lying atolls but also a mix of both granitic and coralline islands. The result is a lush, dramatic landscape that is reminiscent of Hawaii’s volcanic islands. 

Seychelles offers excellent hiking and a surprisingly well-maintained trail network, so visitors can get up close with the islands’ flora and fauna, enjoy scenic viewpoints, and get a little exercise in the process. Furthermore, Seychelles has the added benefits of offering multiple towns that visitors can explore, including a Craft Village, which is quite touristy but a great place to pick up souvenirs from local artisans. So, while Maldives certainly doesn’t have a lack of things to do, Seychelles unquestionably has an abundance that speaks to every type of traveler.

Verdict: Seychelles

Hotels

Same, but different. As mentioned, Maldives definitely skews more luxury, but that’s not to say there isn’t luxury in Seychelles — there’s actually a brand-new Cheval Blanc set to open on the main island of Mahé in 2025. It all comes down to what you’re looking for.

Maldives, after all, is the land of overwater bungalows and underwater restaurants — resorts here get pretty adventurous when it comes to envisioning new levels of luxury. Villas at The Nautilus Maldives have glass-floored living rooms so you can watch fish float by from the comfort of your chaise longuelounge, and villas at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi come not only with an infinity pool, but with submerged loungers, swinging daybeds, and private dining gazebos. In fact, the top villa at this Waldorf Astoria isn’t a villa at all — it’s a 344,334-square-foot private island, in case you need an added level of seclusion from the resort’s main island. 

There are certainly pockets of luxury in Seychelles, too. The Waldorf Astoria Platte Island occupies a former coconut farm and offers a spa that incorporates local ingredients. Rooms at the Six Senses Zil Pasyon blend into the granitic landscape’s rocky formations, creating a design lover’s paradise totally integrated with nature. 

If it’s over-the-top, category-defining luxury you’re after, you might find more options in Maldives. Still, for properties with heart and soul that maximize your encounters with the archipelago’s unparalleled nature, Seychelles is the way to go. 

Verdict: Tie

Privacy

Luxury in travel isn’t just about the material aspects of your stay — it’s about the privacy, too. If avoiding crowds and prying eyes are your priorities, then the clear front-runner is Maldives, where resorts occupy their own private atolls and villas are often spread out with plenty of space in between. Seychelles’s private island resorts offer similar degrees of privacy, but they usually involve at least some sort of transfer on the main island of Mahé, where road transfers can take time and the airport can feel more crowded. There’s a reason the Prince and Princess of Wales have vacationed at the Cheval Blanc Randheli Maldives.

Verdict: Maldives

So Which Is Better: Seychelles or Maldives?

Even after all this comparison, it’s hard to select one or the other — the long and short of it is that you’ll have a memorable time at either. If you are the type of traveler who craves options and having something to do, especially when it comes to off-property excursions and activities, and you want to be more active with things like hiking, then Seychelles is an obvious choice. However, if you are the type of traveler to put luxury above all else, and you seek to experience the finest tropical resorts in the world, then you should consider Maldives. But again — these island countries have a lot in common, and both are excellent choices. 

Frequently Asked Questions: Maldives vs. Seychelles 

Where Are the Maldives Islands Located?

The Republic of Maldives is a country in the north-central Indian Ocean. It is an archipelago with more than 1,200 islands, but only 200 are inhabited. Most of the islands are privately owned and are resorts. The islands are grouped in atolls (clusters of islands). The closest countries to Maldives are India and Sri Lanka. The main island is Malé. 

What Is Maldives Known For? 

Worldwide, people regard Maldives for its idyllic luxury resorts with pristine beaches and overwater bungalows, as well as its abundant marine life. 

What to Do in Maldives

When visiting Maldives, you’ll likely stay at your resort the entire time, so it’s very important to pick the right one for you. Each resort is located on a private island, and you will not leave except on select excursions, such as swimming with nurse sharks or scuba diving. 

How Much Does It Cost to Go to Maldives?

A vacation at a luxury resort in Maldives is expensive. The flights cost at least $1,000 for economy seats and are over $5,000 round-trip for business-class flights. It takes nearly a full day to get there, so splurging on business-class tickets is well worth it. Nightly resort rates are also pricey. Most are over $1,000 per night, and many are over $3,000 per night. Many people choose to use credit-card or hotel points to defray the cost. 

Where Are Seychelles Located? 

The Republic of Seychelles is a country in the southwest Indian Ocean. The archipelago has 155 islands off the coast of eastern Africa. The closest countries are Kenya and Madagascar. The main island is Mahé, and other larger islands include Praslin, Silhouette, Assumption, and La Digue. 

What Is Seychelles Known For?

Seychelles has beautiful beaches, wildlife, culture, and activities. It is a frequent destination for relaxation after an African safari. 

How Much Does a Trip to Seychelles Cost? 

A trip to Seychelles is less expensive than Maldives, but still far more expensive than a trip to one of the Bahamas’ luxury resorts. The flights will be over $1,000, and probably closer to $2,000, for economy tickets, and business-class fares will be over $5,000. However, there are more affordable hotel options in Seychelles versus Maldives. Five-star resorts begin at $500 per night and can go up to thousands of dollars per night. 

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