When people want to take a vacation to a tropical island, they usually think of Hawaii or Bermuda — but they’re forgetting one of the most beautiful places on planet earth: the Seychelles islands.

The Seychelles are an island chain in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of East Africa. Comoros, Mauritius, and the Maldives are just a few of their famous island neighbors (though the distance between them is pretty substantial).

The Seychelles are your fabled island chain of unspoiled azure waters, white sandy beaches, and deep green jungle foliage — you know, the type of island that pirates might land on to dig up buried treasure.

Thankfully you don’t have to hitch a ride with Blackbeard in order to land on these tropical shores; you can get a direct flight from London or Dubai.

The best time to visit the Seychelles is in April and May or October and November. These four months are the perfect sweet spot between hot humid trade winds in the winter and cooler trade winds in the summer — which is great, because ticket prices are usually steepest in the summer.

No matter when you go, the weather will usually land somewhere in the 80s. But if you go during those early Spring and mid-Fall seasons, at least you’ll avoid the crowds of tourists, which are heaviest in December and January or July and August.

Whether you’re thinking about a long weekend getaway or a Seychelles honeymoon, you’ll want your visit to have accommodations that are as memorable as the view.

Despite the unspoiled nature of the Seychelles islands, there is a reasonable variety of accommodations, including some luxury resorts like the Four Seasons Resorts Seychelles.

The Four Season Seychelles offers a number of incredible amenities and services. There are different suites and villas that offer unparalleled views of Petite Anse Bay. Sunken tubs, infinity pools, wood-beamed ceilings, and canopied beds are just a few of the touches that rooms at the Four Seasons Seychelles can boast of.

There’s a great assortment of bars and restaurants by the pool and above the jungle foliage— so whether you’re looking for a poolside drink, dinner with a sunset view, or a contemporary arrangements of sushi made with local catches, the Four Seasons Seychelles has you covered.

There’s also an amazing spa. Get a coco-de-mers facial or body treatment. Listen to the sound of the waves as you get a starlight massage. Let the bath butler draw your bath and create the exact cleansing ritual you need— whether you’re looking to detox, revitalize, or indulge.

If for some reason you feel the need to step out of the luxurious ambiance of the Four Seasons Seychelles, there are a number of incredible places to visit and things to see and do throughout this chain of 115 islands.

Of course, probably the main thing that everyone wants to do whether on vacation or Seychelles honeymoon is hit the beach— and between the main islands of the Seychelles, there are several beautiful beaches to behold.

Looking for the fabled sand that looks like sugar, stretching along crystal-clear waters? Look no further than Anse Volbert, also known as “The Golden Coast”. Around 1.5 miles long, this beach on the island of Praslin has enough space to go around for everyone, even though it’s a very popular destination for sunbathers, swimmers, and snorkelers.

If you’re looking to check out a more iconic setting, one that you may have seen posted on Instagram, check out the rounded boulders at Anse Source d’Argent on the island of La Digue. This beach and the unique charisma of its weathered rock formations has been featured as a backdrop in ad campaigns by the likes of Bacardi and Campari.

If you’re looking to include all your senses on a trip to the Seychelles, take a visit to Le Jardin du Roi Spice Garden. Though the Seychelles are famous of its strands of sand, it was originally a hub for the spice trade. Visit this incredible plantation and take in the scents of nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla. Enjoy a guided hike, eat a well-flavored meal at the restaurant, and takes some spices home with you.

You probably won’t be able to avoid the capital city of Victoria, since it serves as a transportation hub between the islands. Though you can probably walk across the city in 15 minutes, you’ll take in a decent share of colonial buildings, including the iconic clock tower, which looks like Big Ben in London. You’ll also find a range of awesome restaurants serving seafood and creole cuisine.

Speaking of Victoria, you won’t want to let a visit to the tropics go by without seeing some of the miraculous plants of the island— so check out the amazing Seychelles National Botanical Garden just outside of Victoria.

If you prefer to see flora in a more natural setting, you can also check out the Vallée de Mai on the island of Praslin. It’s home to 6,000 coco-de-mers trees, which are believed to have sprouted from the ocean floor. This island wonderland, home to chameleons and black parrots, was once described as the Garden of Eden.

The virgin nature of the Seychelles makes it a great place to see wildlife. You can see giant tortoises (some weighing 600 pounds) roaming around the small island of Curieuse Marine National Park.

The Seychelles are also a great place for snorkeling and scuba diving at places like the islands of the Sainte Anne Marine National Park. Don’t want to strap on oxygen tanks for a closer look at sea life? No problem— you can check it out from the beach.

Just by timing your trip to coincide with the end of the summer, you can witness the circle of life at the Seychelles Sea Turtle Festival. Though it’s a relatively recent addition (since 2013), it’s an increasingly popular way to check out the turtles as they land on the beach and lay their eggs.

If you’re not staying at the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles, you can get a day pass to visit the beach and the pool, and perhaps enjoy a drink or a meal while taking in the sunset. Day passes run around 35 Euro, which is just less than 40 USD at the time of this article— not a bad price to pay to experience a few hours of top-notch luxury.

If you have the opportunity to take a trip to a tropical location, consider looking beyond the typical destinations like Hawaii and Bermuda. The Seychelles are halfway around the world for most Americans, but once you see them in person, you’ll realize that stepping foot on these unspoiled islands is worth the trip.

Your best bet for a luxurious stay, in a suite of villa overlooking the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, framed by the dark green foliage of the jungle, is the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles. Even if you stay at a different hotel, don’t miss the opportunity to spend time at the beach and pool, perhaps taking in the sunset— for less than $40.

And if you don’t believe that the Seychelles should be your next vacation destination, just take a look at all the ad agencies and Instagram influencers using this island paradise as a backdrop to their photo shoots. 

Have you ever visited the Seychelles Island of Mahe? Have you stayed at the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles? What was your favorite moment there? Comment Below!