The Seychelles' top boutique resorts for divers

The Seychelles is a beautiful diving destination adrift in the Indian Ocean, famous for its idyllic islands strewn with granite boulders, swaying palms and sparkling white sand. While many of the resorts in the Seychelles are renowned for their opulent luxury, others offer something a little different. Whether it’s a unique design, beautiful scenery or combination of both, these boutique resorts provide the ultimate setting in which to create lifelong memories. Read on to discover the very best luxury boutique hotels in the Seychelles, with something to suit every personal travel style. 

The best boutique hotels in the Seychelles are small, sophisticated, fashionable, and located near some of the country’s most exciting attractions. These properties boast the same upscale decor, modern amenities, and world-class service you’d expect from this exclusive holiday destination. But, they’re smaller, more intimate, and place a high value on experience and aesthetics. And, while no two properties are the same, many of these boutique options also promise pristine natural surroundings, including tropical gardens, beaches, and access to fantastic scuba diving and snorkelling.

One of Praslin’s best boutique eco-resorts, this sustainable option offers the utmost in service and hospitality, stunning surroundings, and an ethos of ecological awareness just steps from beautiful Côte d’Or beach. The resort’s 20 rooms are styled after traditional Pirogue houses, using natural building materials such as  thatch and locally sourced gravel to give the property a distinctly Creole appearance. The restaurant at Les Lauriers focuses on farm to table freshness with produce straight from the rooftop garden and sustainably harvested meat and seafood alongside local products like delicious tropical jams. Wander the gardens in search of the hotel’s eight free-roaming Aldabra giant tortoises, book a naturalist tour in Vallee de Mai and Fond Ferdinand, home to Praslin’s iconic coco de mer and black parrots, or book a day of diving with tours throughout the Seychelles’ Inner Islands.

• Best for - Sustainable getaways

With over five acres of forest, gardens, and sand waiting to be explored, Paradise Sun is an ideal family-friendly escape for adventure lovers. Treat yourself to luxurious wellness services like yoga and massage, or enjoy laidback pursuits including golf, petanque, and table tennis. And, rest assured that the youngest explorers in your group will have the trip of a lifetime with special activities, menus, designated play areas, and anytime care. This resort also offers unmatched access to nature, with oceanfront rooms and panoramic views of Cote d’Or Beach, complimentary sports equipment of all kinds, and guided scuba excursions in the Seychelles’ Inner Islands, with trips to La Digue, Marianne, and a number of the archipelago’s offshore banks. Creole cultural experiences like cooking classes, rum tastings, and weekly beach barbecues are also offered, helping the whole family get in touch with the true essence of this exotic region!

• Best for - Family vacations

Set metres from Beau Vallon Beach, STORY Seychelles is an unsurpassed paradise with a well-earned reputation as Mahe’s best beach resort. Wander this expansive property’s quiet garden paths lined by endemic and exotic plants to discover secluded wooden lodges, an opulent Balinese spa and fitness centre, and a kid’s club. Grab a snorkelling set and explore the house reef’s sprawling coral gardens starting just offshore - perfect for swimming and independent adventures. Or, stroll the resort’s private white sand beachfront and seaside pool complex bordered by grottos, fountains, sun loungers, and parasols. STORY Seychelles is also home to pristine jungle and wetlands, including a natural freshwater stream and lagoon that flows through the property. Best of all, this award-winning resort is one of the region’s most sustainable escapes, making it easy to stay and play without negatively impacting the environment.

• Best for - Beach holidays

This intimate and opulent retreat is set on Mahe’s stunning southern coast, steps from the calm shore of Anse Aux Poules Bleues bay. Bask in highly-personalised service and thoughtful hospitality throughout your stay, complemented by a modern aesthetic and exciting upgrades ranging from private pools and spacious two-story accommodations to private butler service, and more! Treat yourself to fine dining and drinking, with everything from fiery Creole cuisine to refined Japanese dishes and poolside poke, plus special menus for kids and an extensive list of imported beer, wine, and spirits. Mango house also offers opportunities to rest and rejuvenate from a lush wellness spa overlooking the bay’s crystal waters, and recharge with a fully-equipped fitness centre, exercise classes, and dedicated personal trainers. Head outdoors for guided adventures, including forest walks, and watersports such as surfing, sea kayaking, snorkelling and scuba diving.

• Best for - Five star amenities

Home to less than 30 tranquil villas set on white sand, this remote private island, found 400-kilometres southwest of Mahe, delivers barefoot luxury with an ecological twist. Guests will be captivated by the resort’s back to basics approach, where conservation is perfectly blended with world-class service and a fun island lodge ambience. Slip into total relaxation with spa services and calm days lounging poolside, or indulge in naturalist-led adventures including hiking and trekking, watersports, snorkelling tours, sustainable fly fishing, and of course, incredible opportunities for scuba diving and snorkelling. With 174-hectares of land, 540-hectares of lagoon, and 400-hectares of reef flats, you’ll never run out of room for self-guided exploration here. But, if you want to take the adventure further, private yacht charters for liveaboard dive safaris are also available!

• Best for - Remote private island adventure