The best islands in the Indian Ocean, ranked
The Maldives, Mauritius, the Seychelles or Sri Lanka, which should you visit? Our writer compares the winter-sun favourites
The problem facing isle-o-philes is that it’s hard to know which tropical sun-kissed Indian Ocean island to choose over another. Scattered like jewels from Sri Lanka in the north down to Mauritius, a thousand-plus miles off the coast of east Africa, in the south, they’re a well-known hot spot for honeymooners and A-listers, thanks to their abundance of silky sand beaches and luxury resorts. Yet these idyllic escapes are far more than mere playgrounds for newlyweds and celebrities.
Colonised for centuries, with roots spread across three continents, these spectacular islands are more diverse than you might at first assume, from the Seychelles’ unique flora and fauna to Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage. Many underestimate Mauritius’s magnificent volcanic mountains and mouth-watering cuisine and the Maldives’ magical underwater world.
To help you plan the perfect escape to this world-class winter sun destination, here’s our verdict on each island’s unique appeal.
The Maldives: Overall: 30/40. (Scenery: 9/10 Wildlife: 8/10 Cultural: 6/10 Activity: 7/10)
This archipelago of 1000-plus islands dotted across the Indian Ocean consists of 26 atolls ringed by soft white sand, which are home to some of the most impressive hotels on the planet.
Famed for its private island resorts with luxurious over-water spas, restaurants and villas, prices can be eye-wateringly expensive (new resort Soneva Secret 2024 tops £4,500 per night), though off-peak bargains can be found. Little wonder, then, that the Maldives is a top honeymoon destination and a regular fixture on the calendars of the rich and famous. The diving on offer is world-class, with the chance to see manta rays and whale sharks, though snorkeling above house reefs can provide an equally thrilling aquatic experience.
A self-governed British protectorate until independence in 1965, the Maldives is Islamic, yet it’s usually only when tourists leave the bubble of their private island to go on excursions to the capital, Malé, that they glimpse the archipelago’s colourful culture, such as mosques, food stalls and thriving fish markets.
Any trouble in paradise? None of the coral islands stand more than 6ft above sea level, meaning the threat of climate change and rising sea levels is real. The good news is that this tourism-based economy (a record-breaking two million visitors are expected to fly in this year) has pledged net-zero emissions by 2030 and a swath of resorts are now powered entirely by renewable energy, such as Kudadoo Maldives Private Island.
Best for: Couples. However, there are an increasing number of resorts geared towards multi-generational, family, friends and solo escapes, such as Kandima Maldives. Beach-lovers and divers can’t fail to be impressed. When to go: December to April is the dry season, with little rain and lower humidity, plus water visibility is better for spotting all those whale sharks and manta rays.
Mauritius: Overall: 32/40. (Scenery: 8/10 Wildlife: 8/10 Cultural: 8/10 Activity: 8/10)
A sybarite’s dream, glamorous Mauritius is blessed with beautiful beaches, Michelin-starred chefs, high-end hotels, golf courses on private islands and world-class spas. Bound by a 177km (110-mile) glittering coastline and protected by a virtually unbroken coral reef, it’s well known for watersports including kite-surfing at Le Morne on the south coast.
Yet away from the glamour, there’s another side to Mauritius, one where affordable boutique hotels, such as La Maison D’Été, offer simply furnished ocean-view bedrooms and nature-lovers can immerse themselves in the Black River Gorges national park – home to fruit bats, kestrels and the rare Mauritius pink pigeon.
The island’s verdant interior of volcanic peaks, tea plantations, sacred lakes, adventure parks, swaying fields of sugarcane and Hindu temples (Hinduism is the majority religion) are worth dragging yourself off a sun lounger for. As is the capital Port Louis – the island’s cultural melting pot – where Chinese, Indians and Europeans mingle in the spice and craft markets.
Occupied by the French in the 1700s, and then the British in the 1800s, before being declared a republic in 1992, French-Creole-English-speaking Mauritius has a thriving culinary scene and some of the best food of all the Indian Ocean islands, whether that’s fine dining at Le Château de Bel Ombre or tucking into gateaux piments (split-pea cakes with chilli) at a street stall.
Best for: Adventure-lovers, food-lovers and, err, lovers. Watersport enthusiasts will be thrilled by the amount of activities on offer, parents will delight in the family-friendly hotels and safe and friendly atmosphere.
When to go: Hot and sunny year-round, June to September (winter) is the drier season though winds can be stronger, while November to April (summer) is hotter and wetter.
The Seychelles: Overall: 34/40. (Scenery: 9/10 Wildlife: 8/10 Cultural: 9/10 Activity: 8/10)
The word paradise is overused when it comes to describing the islands of the Indian Ocean, yet this archipelagic country a thousand miles east of Kenya is the closest you’ll get. Perhaps that’s because the oldest oceanic islands on earth have achieved something few other tropical hot spots have managed – tourism that hasn’t altered the raw beauty of the destination.
Whether you’re walking barefoot on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches (look up Beau-Vallon on its largest island, Mahé, and you get the picture), watching giant tortoises roam on Frégate Island, marvelling at the enormous granite rock formations on La Digue or exploring Praslin's Vallée de Mai nature reserve – a Unesco world heritage site where the rare coco de mer nut grows – a holiday here is extraordinary.
With nearly 50 per cent of the 115 islands’ land mass protected by nature reserves, and an abundance of underwater nurseries for coral growth in marine protected areas, the eco-aware have long been heading here.
Despite its French and English colonial background, Seychellois culture seems largely informed by the Eden-esque surroundings; think vivid nature-inspired artwork, handcrafted tropical print batik sarongs, creole curry and grilled fish sold in the galleries, shops and restaurants of the capital Victoria.
Hotels and resorts tend to be discreet, low-key luxurious and expensive, such as Cerf Island Resort, where villas are nestled between trees and locally sourced Creole cuisine is on the menu. Or royalty approved North Island, where the Prince and Princess of Wales honeymooned.
Best for: Wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, eco-warriors (better carbon off-set that long-haul flight though…), beach aficionados and honeymooners.
When to go: Warm year-round (temperatures rarely drop below 25C), it tends to be drier and less windy April to May and October to November.
Sri Lanka: Overall: 35/40. (Scenery: 8/10 Wildlife: 8/10 Cultural: 10/10 Activity: 9/10)
The one that has it all. Situated off the southern tip of India, Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon) is a primarily Buddhist country with something to tempt all types of travelers. This is largely thanks to its astonishingly varied landscape and enviably rich culture, all packed into an island that’s just 270 miles long and 150 miles wide.
Largely off limits during a civil war that lasted from 1983 to 2009, Sri Lanka is now booming, with more than 1.5 million tourists flocking to the teardrop-shaped isle in 2023. If you have the time, it’s best to tour, spending a couple of days each on the golden beaches and exploring laid-back towns, such as historic Galle, going on safari to catch a glimpse of leopards and elephants in lush national parks, and visiting Unesco sites – including the real highlight, Sigiriya, a free-standing rock topped by a ruined palace at the heart of the Cultural Triangle.
The hotel scene is as varied as the landscape, from boutique retreats tucked away in Hill Country tea plantations to the columned grandeur of colonial heritage hotels, such as Mount Lavinia in the capital Colombo, and barefoot surfer getaways at Weligama Bay. A burgeoning wellness scene centered on ancient Ayurveda practices, a calendar filled with spectacular religious festivals, and city break excursions to sacred sites such as the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, all add to the island’s eclectic allure.
Best for: A hit with everyone from couples to solo travelers, surfers to foodies, Sri Lanka even attracts backpackers lured by the (relatively) low prices compared with other Indian Ocean islands.
When to go: December to April for dry, warm weather in the Cultural Triangle, south and west coasts, while May to October is best for holidays on the east and north coasts.
Source: The Telegraph.
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