Best luxury resorts for divers in the Seychelles

The Indian Ocean is synonymous with two things - luxurious island escapes and exceptional scuba diving. Located more than 800-kilometres off the coast of Africa, at the heart of the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles are certainly no exception to this rule.

These remote and outstandingly beautiful islands are home to some of the most indulgent and extravagant resorts in the world, featuring unparalleled facilities for relaxation and recreation, and warm, crystal-clear water and untouched tropical reefs to explore. 

If that sounds like a dream-come-true, read on for our carefully-curated selection of the Seychelles’ best luxury dive resorts.

Located more than 50-kilometres north of Praslin, tiny Denis Private Island resort is a haven for discerning and environmentally-conscious travellers. Phone signals are limited here, and there’s no in-room internet or cable television. Instead, you’ll rediscover a forgotten style of luxury - of real people, real food, and real experiences, set within one of the most authentic and secluded natural environments in the world. 

Without digital distractions, you’ll be free to explore the island’s natural riches - from tracking egg-laying sea turtles and century-old tortoises, to touring the self-sufficient farm, snorkelling protected reefs, or sport fishing at the edge of the Seychelles Plateau. Or perhaps enjoy a sensual spa treatment beneath the casuarina trees, or in the comfort of your cottage, some of which feature their very own spa pavilion.

Denis Private Island’s onsite dive centre offers a range of excursions for both novice and advanced divers, with nine individual dive sites accessible from the island. The reefs in the lagoon are protected, allowing tropical fish, turtles, and colourful marine life to thrive, while further out, the waters plummet to incredible depths, ensuring a healthy dose of pelagic species.

Perched on Praslin’s northwest coast between sandy bays and 100-hectares of forest, Constance Lemuria offers a cocoon of luxury amidst wild untouched scenery. The Green Globe certified resort was designed in harmony with its natural surroundings, using local materials such as wood, pink granite, marble, and palm thatch to create a sophisticated, yet friendly atmosphere, where relaxation comes easy. 

Constance Lemuria’s options for dining and drinking are both extravagant and enchanting, with Seychelloise snacks served with sunset views, a chic coffee, cocktails, and cigar lounge, a tropical pool bar roamed by peacocks, and many more. Time passes easily at this resort, thanks to a range of first-class recreational facilities, including a three-tiered swimming pool tumbling towards the sea, well-equipped spa and fitness centre, and the Seychelles’ only 18-hole championship golf course.

A PADI 5-Star dive centre located onsite offers guests the chance to discover Praslin’s granite reefs and magnificent marine life, and the resort’s location means travel times are generally brief. Both short and long-range diving excursions are available, and night dives, equipment rental, and a full range of PADI and CMAS scuba courses can also be arranged.

As the only resort on the ecological jewel of Felicite Island, Six Senses Zil Pasyon shares its little slice of paradise with nothing other than the Ramos National Park and the wildlife within it. The resort embraces and celebrates nature while offering every creature comfort you’d expect from the Six Senses brand, including personal butler service and six distinguished dining venues - not to mention a sophisticated rum and cigar lounge, open-air cinema, and onsite boulodrome.

As a Six Senses resort, wellness is integrated into your entire Zil Pasyon experience - from the food you eat to the way you sleep and the earth beneath your feet. Indulgent facilities include an onsite spa, yoga and meditation pavilion, sauna and steam rooms, and a nail bar. Guests can also dive deeper into their personal wellness, with expert technicians using smart technology to measure key biomarkers and sleep patterns to design a bespoke programme specifically suited to your needs.

While Six Senses Zil Pasyon doesn’t have its own dive centre onsite, they can arrange scuba excursions with well-established dive centres on the neighbouring island of La Digue. From here, guests can explore a wide variety of dive destinations, including protected areas such as Cocos Island. 

If you’re looking for a luxury dive escape in the Seychelles, look no further than North Island. Marketed as “perhaps the most exclusive private island destination in the world,” North Island has made a name for itself amongst discerning and distinguished travellers, including celebrities and royals. Occupying its own little corner of the Seychelles ‘Inner Islands’, this first-class resort has found the perfect balance between isolated and accessible, delivering convenience and comfort amongst some of the planet’s most exquisite wilderness.

A stay at North Island is an experience that is difficult to distill into a few words. Guests are accommodated in a handful of chic villas that blend rustic artisan style with sophisticated designer elements. Nestled amongst verdant tropical vegetation, these villas offer unparalleled seclusion and a true castaway experience. The dedicated team ensures every detail of your stay is carefully thought out and customised to your vision, with tailor-made excursions, sumptuous spa services, and as much or little adventure as you desire.

North Island’s diving centre is located in a historic coral building, with all the facilities needed for a comfortable diving adventure. And, with limited guests passing through this resort, you’ll be one of just a few travellers who get to experience North Island’s remote dive sites each year!

Hilton Labriz occupies a unique and exclusive position on Silhouette Island, a marine national park that is regarded as one of the most important biodiversity sanctuaries of the Indian Ocean. Surrounded by beautiful, untamed nature, with no real roads and no cars, this secluded resort is the ultimate choice for an intimate oceanfront escape. And, Hilton Labriz’s remote, untouched location ensures total immersion within the Seychelles’ idyllic natural beauty, combining low key luxury with big adventure. 

Guests will find temptations scattered throughout the resort’s quiet garden paths, including seven bars and restaurants, as well as a fitness centre and tennis courts. The island spa is the place to go if you’re in need of a little pampering, where trained therapists will introduce you to a variety of treatments and techniques curated from cultures around the world. Of course, with so much untouched open space on offer, guests will find plenty of adventure here too. 

Thanks to strict marine park protection, the diving around Silhouette Island is simply superb, and Hilton Labriz partners with Eco Center to deliver exceptional scuba excursions on comfortable boats. Well-maintained rental equipment, nitrox, and classrooms are available at the dive centre, and night dives and day trips to North island can also be arranged.

With more than 120 years of experience operating luxury hotels around the world, you can count on Kempinski to deliver the holiday of your dreams. Claiming one of Mahe’s most scenic positions within a protected bay in the southern region of Baie Lazare, Kempinski Seychelles is no ordinary resort. Bordered by a natural tidal lagoon, and backed by the affectionately named Mount Kempinski, this resort blends naturally into its surroundings, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the Seychelles' stunning natural splendour while enjoying the peaceful seclusion.

The resort’s elegant rooms and suites offer direct access to the extensive grounds, where guests will find a wide variety of recreational facilities on offer, including a spa, fitness centre, sports courts, and Olympic-sized oceanfront swimming pool. Activities such as hilltop yoga and surfing are also easy to arrange. For an extra touch of luxury, opt for a helicopter or limousine transfer, book a Premier Suite with personal butler service, or request an in-villa fine dining experience. 

Kempinski Seychelles has teamed up with partner dive centre, Dive Resort Seychelles, who operate a small branch within the hotel’s grounds. The dive centre is fully-equipped to accommodate guests’ needs, offering well-maintained rental equipment, gear storage, and air-conditioned classrooms. Three custom-designed catamarans whisk guests to some of Mahe’s most pristine and seldom visited southern sites known for sweeping soft coral gardens bustling with life.

Tucked away on a stunning stretch of Mahe’s west coast, Anantara Maia redefines the concept of restorative luxury, set within 30-acres of dense tropical forest framed by pristine porcelain sands. Boasting a unique ethos, this resort more than lives up to the Anantara hospitality group’s well-earned reputation for indulgence.

Anantara Maia is one of the Seychelles’ most romantic and intimate escapes, with just 30 secluded villas designed by renowned architect Bill Bensley. Set within lush floral and herb-filled gardens, and fronted by a private infinity pool, these luxurious villas offer a space of total tranquility, with a personal villa host on hand day and night. Relax in the onsite spa or forested yoga and qigong pavilions, or embark on one of the resort’s signature excursions, including island hopping by private yacht and helicopter tours to the Aride Bird Reserve.

This resort proudly partners with reputable dive centres operating on Mahe, offering an a la carte approach to underwater exploration. Among the many perks of staying in Anantara Maia’s premier villa, certified divers benefit from unlimited scuba diving with departures each day. Private boats and introductory dives, and speciality excursions can also be organised.

Constance Ephelia is a five-star resort set within a 120-hectare paradise that offers some of the most sought-after commodities of all - peace, tranquility, and access to unspoilt nature. No detail is overlooked at this immaculate resort, and the dedicated team will happily honour special requests, helping guests create lifelong memories that they will cherish for years to come.

Onsite amenities include five swimming pools, outdoor tennis and volleyball courts, a full-service gym, a yoga pavilion, and an entire village dedicated to wellness - the largest spa of its kind in the Indian Ocean. On top of that, guests can enjoy no less than 11 tempting options for drinking and dining. In fact, this resort is so expansive, that a complimentary shuttle service is on-hand to help guests move around the property. Beyond the boundaries of the resort, experiences include trekking, rock climbing, zip-lining, and mountain biking.

The resort’s in-house dive centre offers guided dives in the Port Launay Marine Park and beyond, onboard modern and spacious dive boats. Rental gear, PADI courses, and air-conditioned classrooms are also available, and night dives, guided snorkelling tours, and trips to further flung dive sites are easy to arrange.