A HONEYMOON IN THE SEYCHELLES
It only took over a year to write about our honeymoon!
Our 2022 spring white wedding was amazing and will forever be special. I shared the details about our wedding, but our honeymoon was just as memorable. If you are planning a Seychelles honeymoon as well (or not), hope it’s helpful ❤️
decisions, decisions
We put in just as much thought planning our honeymoon as we did for our wedding. We decided we were going to go right after the wedding and it was not going to be an after-thought. We were originally gearing up to do our honeymoon in Brazil because it’s a bucket list destination for both of us. However, we started to have second thoughts while in the planning phase primarily because of safety concerns due to the government’s handling of COVID-19.
Among our alternative options, Antigua & Barbuda, The Maldives, Greece and the Seychelles had also been shortlisted.
A tropical honeymoon in Africa was what I envisioned but it always seemed so unattainable because of the expensive flights from the U.S. and pricey, fancy hotels. But damn it, it was our honeymoon! If this wasn’t the time to have the vacation of our dreams, when was?
SO, WHY THE SEYCHELLES ISLANDS?
This East African archipelago country, located off the coast of Kenya, is made up of 115 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, of which only 8 are inhabited by the approximately 90,000 citizens. Most of the islands are uninhabited - largely government-protected nature preserves for flora and fauna, such as the giant Aldabra tortoises endemic to the islands.
We had a few requirements as we decided which honeymoon destination to choose:
A country we had both never been to before.
A luxurious, tropical destination that was a mix of relaxation and adventure.
A country rich in culture and history.
Beautiful beaches and scenery.
English(ish) speaking - it was important that we were able to mostly-communicate when we were there since we planned to explore.
Yummy cuisine!
As we reviewed the countries on our list, the Seychelles checked all the boxes. But those damn flights!
Lo and behold, we came across a rare flight deal of $595 round trip per person from Chicago, eligible during our dates of travel, cutting down our flight budget by more than 50%! Before there was time to fully think, we pounced on them immediately. It seemed like fate.
The Seychelles is a dream come true. I have been to many beaches in the Caribbean but there is something ethereal about the granite boulders that line the sea shores and coastlines of this “paradise on earth”.
WHEN TO VISIT
This tropical destination is great year round, however there are rainier days than others. For the best weather, you will want to visit in April, May, October and November. The temperatures are warm, the sun is always shining and these months are outside the peak travel season in the summer. Therefore, you will experience smaller crowds (and fewer people on the beaches). So how serendipitous for us that our honeymoon dates matched this ideal period.
HOW TO GET THERE
There are several routes to the Seychelles from the United States, with most going through the Middle East and East Africa. We took the very last flight out of Chicago O’Hare Airport on Qatar Airways to Mahe, Seychelles, with a 3 hour layover in Doha. The total duration of the trip was about 22 hours.
We decided to upgrade to the Qatar Airways Q Suites for a more comfortable journey and because we deserve! That was an AMAZING decision. Truly world class seats and service. With nonstop meals and drinks, excellent entertainment and a fully reclinable seat-turned-bed, the 14 hour flight to Doha felt like two.
THE ITINERARY
As an avid traveler myself, I decided I was going to take on the challenge of planning the trip without the guidance of a travel agency. It was fun and exciting researching everything from scratch with no one (in real life) to turn to. We were able to make the trip uniquely ours. As soon as we booked our flights 9 months prior in July 2021, I started the planning process. It felt great to not feel rushed to make hasty decisions about how to fill our days.
The most immediate priority was to book our hotels in order to get the best deals. We decided we will immerse ourselves in creating an unforgettable, luxury experience for the occasion. We used Agoda to make our reservations and we were able to save hundreds of dollars.
I used good ol’ Google, YouTube and Viator to find and connect with tour guides and companies and create an active, exciting, yet relaxing itinerary for our 10-day trip.
Day 1-5: Mahe & day trip to La Digue
We arrived bright and early at 8am at Seychelles International airport in Victoria, the country’s capital on the largest island. We decided to split our stay at two hotels - STORY Seychelles and Constance Ephelia.
After going through immigration, getting our visas upon arrival and picking up our luggage, we grabbed a taxi and headed straight to Story Seychelles. On our drive, we were welcomed by rolling green hills, bright blue skies and quaint, colorful neighborhoods, with views of the turquoise ocean peaking behind the trees.
Activities
Explore Mahe: We embarked on a fun half-day adventure exploring the beautiful island of Mahe, organized and curated by Island Tour Seychelles.
Our first stop was the vibrant city of Victoria, a bustling hub of culture and history. From there, we ventured to the enchanting Eden Island, where picturesque neighborhoods, azure waters and gorgeous landscapes greeted us at every turn.
Continuing our journey, we found ourselves captivated by the awe-inspiring views from the Mission Lodge Lookout, where the panoramic vista of Mahe's lush landscapes stretched out before our eyes. In our quest for discovery, we encountered the magnificent Domaine de Val des Pres, a tranquil haven boasting gardens of unrivaled serenity. We also delved into the world of tea at the renowned Tea Factory, immersing ourselves in the rich aroma and history behind this beloved beverage. Eager to witness nature's wonders, we then made our way to Port Glaud Waterfall, its cascading waters providing a mesmerizing display of raw beauty.
There were so many more sights to see (like the Takamaka rum factory), but we could not fit everything into this 5-6 hour tour. As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over our memories of the day, I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of gratitude.
Visit the Mahe Beaches: During our trip, we were fortunate enough to visit the beautiful beaches of Beau Vallon, Anse Etoile, Anse Glacis and Port Launay beach.
Beau Vallon was very lively, with tons of activities and sprawling with restaurants, beachside bars and beachfront hotels. Watching the sunsets at these beaches was a sight to behold.
Anse Etoile and Anse Glacis were much quieter and pristine. The beach seemed to be a favorite past time for the locals and you could tell that they really cared about taking care of them.
Day Trip to La Digue: La Digue is the third most populated island of the Seychelles, and fourth largest by land area. Going there was extremely high on our priority list. The day trip was organized by Creole Travel Services.
The company picked us up from our resort bright and early at 6:15am and took us to the dock where we boarded a ferry to La Digue. The ferry ride took about 1.5 hours and was pretty comfortable.
When we arrived, we picked up the bikes we would be using for the day (vehicles are banned on the island). We were given maps and were given free reign to explore at our leisure - we just had to return to the ferry by 4:30pm.
Therefore, off we went! It was a full day of cycling and immersing ourselves in the sheer beauty of a multitude of breathtaking beaches, namely the awe-inspiring Anse Source d’Argent, the serene Anse Severe, the charming Anse Réunion, and the idyllic Anse Patates.
Day 6-10: Praslin
Of course we had to island hop, and so our next destination was Praslin, where we spent 3 days. You can go by ferry or by air. We opted for the 15 minute flight. The add-on fees for baggage in person at the airport are crazy so my advice to you is to pay for it in advance!
When we arrived in Praslin, we were welcomed by a chauffeur from our hotel. Constance Lemuria was only 5-10 minutes away from the airport which was fantastic. We were in the lobby soon after, sipping our complimentary glass of champagne and in our room not long after that.
Activities
Catamaran Cruise: We decided to check out some of the other Seychellois islands by embarking on an island-hopping sailing tour. The boat arrived to pick us up directly from our resort and traveled to Cousin island, followed by Curieuse island and wrapping up the tour at St. Pierre island.
On Cousin, after being transferred from our catamaran to the island by one of the Reserve’s specialist boat handlers, we participated in a guided tour where we learned about the biodiversity on the island and the conservation measures island residents undertake to protect the flora and fauna.
Next, we traveled to the island of Curieuse where we meandered through dense mangrove forests, encountered giant Aldabra tortoises, and carried the largest and heaviest seed in the word, the coco de mer.
Our final stop was the petite island of St. Pierre, beckoning us with its razor-sharp cliffs under the cloudless sky. I got a chance to snorkel for the very first time. It was a cool experience. Underwater was a spectacle of colorful coral reefs teeming with shimmering fish.
Explore Praslin Beaches: Our resort was right on the most beautiful beach I have ever laid eyes on - Anse Georgette, complete with an Instagrammable palm tree. Petite Anse Kerlan was a smaller beach also on the property.
We decided to venture out of the resort to check out another beautiful beach - Anse Lazio. In order to get there, the driver dropped us off at a location about 10-15 minutes from the resort. It was as far as the road extended. We hiked the rest of the way for about 20 minutes and finally arrived at the beach. It was an exhilarating (though taxing) experience with the best reward! The water was remarkably clear and we saw plenty of fish very close to the shore line.
On our last day, our return flight to the U.S. was not until 11:55pm, so we decided to fly back to Mahe in the early afternoon. Instead of wasting the day and spending it in the airport, or dragging our luggage around, we decided to get a room at the Bliss Boutique Hotel for the day.
We enjoyed the views while sipping champagne, as well as the beautiful beach. We took a nap and ate some food before we headed to the airport.
it was a whirlwind of a trip! Spending alone time together as husband and wife was wonderful. I was so sad when it was time to leave. We hope…or I should say…we plan to return someday.
We are so thankful for the idyllic, magical experience. It was truly an unforgettable honeymoon.
Have you visited The Seychelles? Tell me about it!
Sandi 🖤
