Holiday showdown: Maldives vs Seychelles

You’ve all heard of Maldives, and how it’s a honeymooner’s paradise, but did you know that it is also exceptional for families with children of all ages? There’s a wealth of activities to keep everyone entertained, from snorkelling and water sports through to spa treatments and stargazing.

Expect whiter-than-white soft sand, tranquil cyan blue water that’s teeming with tropical marine life, world-class accommodation, and culinary sensations that will ignite tastebuds you never knew you had. This archipelago is bursting with five-star private island resorts accessible via speedboat or seaplane. With an average temperature of 28°C, it’s best to visit between December and April for optimal sunshine and clear skies.

BEST FOR: Culinary delights

Split over two islands, and boasting the world’s only underwater suite the MURAKA, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island redefines the term barefoot luxury. The outstanding facilities and acute attention to detail throughout your stay will have you never wanting to leave. Turning the luxe dial up another gear is the resort’s remarkable gastronomy.

Seven restaurants are complemented by four bars alongside a private dining beach experience that’s ideal for marking a milestone. No stay at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island would be complete without kicking off your shoes and descending below sea level to Ithaa, the world’s first all-glass underwater restaurant. Intimate and mesmerising, you’ll spot manta rays, turtles, reef sharks and a host of tropical marine life as you dine on contemporary cuisine.

Alternatively, Koko Grill seats just 10 and offers the best in Japanese-inspired grilled dishes created before your very eyes while the cheese and wine bar boasts 101 different types of cheeses. Delish!

BEST FOR: Ocean adventures

The only resort within the unspoilt Thaa Atoll, COMO Maalifushi is well regarded for its diving and surf breaks. Waterbabies, this one is for you!

The 60-minute seaplane journey from Malé is well worth the trip as COMO’s secluded location means that marine life can thrive, so divers and snorkellers can expect sightings of whale sharks, manta rays, pods of dolphins, graceful turtles and a whole host of other serene creatures. We honestly wouldn’t be surprised if you saw a real-life mermaid! From April to October, surf’s up. With more than 20 surf breaks to choose from, there’s a wave for all abilities – as well as experienced instructors to help you find your balance.

And of course, there are a series of comfortable rooms, suites and villas both overwater and on the beach to catch you after a fun day exploring the Indian Ocean alongside a spa and three restaurants to help restore your mind, body and stomachs. Try the yellowfin tuna roll, lobster tempura and ocean trout teriyaki at Tai, and thank us later.

BEST FOR: Ultra luxury 

Hello privacy! There are no rules at Four Seasons Maldives Private Island at Voavah, allowing you to holiday your way. And the best part? You’re undisturbed by other hotel guests as this resort is for exclusive use only.

Available for up to 21 guests, the island spans five acres and encompasses a two-storey beach house, a three-bedroom beach villa and a two-bedroom overwater villa. Plus, there’s an overwater spa that offers bespoke treatments inspired by the five pathways to consciousness: truth, wise choices, love, peace and compassion, alongside a host of exciting experiences to keep you entertained.

From snorkelling with manta rays to picnics on secluded sandbanks, the possibilities when at this island paradise are endless. And there’s the small matter of a 62-foot yacht at your complete disposal, too. What better way to explore your remote surroundings? Plus, there’s plenty for children from learning to scuba dive and marine biology lessons to playing in the Loft Lounge where there’s a pool table, video games, books and more.

Our personal travel manager and dedicated concierge Claire Baker recently enjoyed a two-week trip to four fabulous Maldives hotels.

"Our trip started with four nights at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island where we stayed in an Overwater Villa. The Conrad’s location means it is exceptional for discovering a variety of marine life – you can even swim with whale sharks accompanied by a marine biologist when in season.

"A must-visit is Ithaa, the world’s first underwater restaurant. We went for dinner and enjoyed a seven-course set menu. I was also fortunate enough to visit The MURAKA, the only underwater villa in the Maldives. Accessed via a private jetty, it has a bedroom and bathroom completely submerged under the lagoon, however the upstairs is even more impressive.

"We then stayed at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. The island is completely accessible for travelling via bicycle and the gastronomy again blew us away. The Nest is a unique treehouse dining restaurant, plus there’s also a ZUMA.

"Next up, we visited the Fari Islands which is a brand-new concept for the archipelago. We spent three nights at Patina Maldives which has a trendy Bali beach club vibe. The spa is amazing, too. I indulged with a relaxing full-body massage.

"We also visited the Fari Marina island which has a wealth of restaurants and a beach club, before heading to my favourite resort of the four: The Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands. We stayed in the Lagoon Villa and awoke to endless views of the ocean and dolphins playing. The service was out of this world and the resort is traditionally Maldivian but with a contemporary edge. I didn’t want to leave."

Similarly to Maldives, Seychelles also has a series of luxury private island resorts which are much larger in size, but there are also a wealth of hotels on the main islands, too. It offers a rugged beauty, some areas untouched by tourism, where large granite boulders edge the lush, palm-fringed jungle to create scenic landscapes that will steal your heart. Seychelles is a better option for adventure seekers and is perfect for island hopping.

From romantic La Digue to the magical underwater world that surrounds Praslin and on to one of the secluded private island resorts, there’s so much to see and do. The best time to visit is between March to May and October to December where you can expect a balmy temperature of 30°C.

BEST FOR: Culinary delights 

Nestled on Praslin’s scenic coast, Constance Lémuria ticks a lot of holiday boxes. There’s a sensational kids’ club for children aged from 4 to 11 with a daily schedule of activities spanning arts and crafts, gaming, cookery workshops and more.

Budding McIlroys will be thrilled to hear that there’s an 18-hole golf course within the hotel’s stunning grounds complete with complimentary green fees and lessons available if you’re feeling a bit rusty. However, it’s the foodies that will really be in their element.

Three restaurants provide a taste sensation. The Legend offers all-day dining with show kitchens and an ever-changing pastry menu. (Be sure to keep an eye out for the chocolate extravaganza). DIVA champions tasty cuisine in a chic atmosphere while The Nest boasts a menu of fresh seafood and Creole fare with a complimentary side dish of extraordinary views. Located on the rock peninsula between the two Anse Kerlan beaches, the private location is ideal for those celebrating a special occasion.

BEST FOR: Ocean adventures 

Alphonse Island is a private isle retreat which proudly states that it is one of the most remote inhabited islands within the entire Seychelles archipelago. Expect miles of unblemished shoreline, lagoons and salt flats. This exclusive resort has a single lodge at its centre and offers beach bungalows, beach suites and beach villas, all of which are just a few sand covered steps away from the glittering Indian Ocean.

Arrival is via a 60-minute scheduled flight, and during the journey you’ll be able to gaze at Alphonse Island’s top attraction: its topaz blue ocean surround. You can stay dry with a sunset cruise or pick up a new skill with fly fishing. Alternatively, get active with paddleboards and kayaks or go beneath the waves on a blue safari.

Sightings may include spinner and bottlenose dolphins, migrating humpback whales and many other cetaceans as well as yellowfin tuna, and manta rays. On dry land, the restaurant offers a melting pot of international flavours and fusion Creole cuisine, just what you need after all that swimming.

BEST FOR: Ultra luxury

Remote. Exclusive. And utterly beautiful. Welcome to North Island, the honeymoon setting for Prince William and Kate in 2011. This private island getaway provides the pinnacle of luxury living. With just 11 villas on the isle, you can easily go your entire stay without bumping into another soul. Bliss, right?

Each accommodation is individually handcrafted and is set between some of Mother Nature’s finest work – the inviting sandy beach, scenic granite peaks and the turquoise Indian Ocean – offering you vistas like you would not believe. The gastronomy has an unmatched level of personalisation. Our top choice is Laid Back by Akira Back where candlelit dining is complemented by the lullaby of the ocean lapping the shore.

Continue soothing the senses with a treatment or two in the spa where your holistic journey is more than just a hot stone massage. The wellness menu will leave you reinvigorated or you can truly enjoy your paradisal setting with a range of activities from beach yoga and guided walks to water-based explorations.

It’s a tough decision, but we challenge anybody to be disappointed with either option. 

Maldives is popular for good reason. Its collection of five-star private island resorts include some of the best in the world, and you’ll certainly find a hotel that’s exactly what you need for you and your travelling party. The children’s facilities are of a different class, with activities to educate and fascinate from coral reef building and turtle rehabilitation through to cookery lessons and crafts. The romance levels are at their peak too, perfect for honeymooners and couples wishing to reconnect. But you also can’t forget about all the little travel perks that really make your holiday. All-inclusive resorts; overwater villas with slides; exclusive beach bubbles where you can sleep under the stars; private outdoor cinemas; Michelin-starred cuisine; every water sport you could possibly imagine… the list is endless, and Maldives truly does have it all. 

However, if you’re looking for a getaway with enough dramatic scenery to drain a 8GB memory card with your Nikon, Seychelles is the one. Not just because of its natural beauty, but because it is so easy to get around and explore every corner of the archipelago. This isn’t really a destination where you should fly and flop. We say leave your romance novel in the suitcase, as you want to be present and active during your time in paradise. 

In Seychelles, you can also enjoy the best of both worlds. Private island escapes are just a short helicopter, seaplane or speedboat journey away. And yet the larger islands have so much for you to see and do, too. Tour a tea factory, visit one of the world’s smallest cities, taste the good stuff at a rum distillery or go hiking in Morne Seychellois National Park. You can holiday your way, as a couple or as a family. However, if visiting with very young children, you may not be able to be quite as adventurous. 

The main difference between Maldives and Seychelles are the months that are considered the best to travel. December through April is optimal Maldives travel season while Seychelles trade winds means the best time to visit is between March to May and October to December. Direct flights from London are available for both destinations, taking between 10 and 11 hours, while connecting flights can take anywhere from 12 hours.