Indian Ocean Holidays
The Indian Ocean is the world’s warmest, with sunshine nearly all year round, luxuriant jungles, untouched golden beaches lined with azure waters, and teeming coral reefs. Many describe the islands of the Indian Ocean as paradise, and it’s not hard to see why.
Home to tropical islands including Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Seychelles and the Maldives - amongst hundreds of other breath-taking islands, bursting with stretches of golden sun, powder-soft sand, crystalline blue lagoons and astonishing diversity. Popular with honeymooners, holidays to the Indian Ocean offer the perfect combination of secluded luxury, stunning sea views, mouth-watering cuisine and beautiful culture.
Indian Ocean Destinations
Featured Indian Ocean Hotels
The islands of the Indian Ocean are spread by large distances – with the Indian Ocean being the third largest in the world. Ranging from beach-covered tropical islands to mountainous rainforests, the Indian Ocean islands bring an astonishing array of diversity, offering more than a lifetime of discovery.
The History of The Indian Ocean Islands
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceans, stretching from Africa in the west to Asia and Australia in the east, and was the first to be fully navigated, originally by explorers seeking spice routes to India.
The islands were then explored by French, British and Portuguese adventurers, who were the pioneers in the colonising of the islands. These influences are very evident to this day, while the ocean's position, bounded by such diverse countries and continents, ensures the islands enjoy a cultural mix that is as heady and intoxicating as the spices and the scenery.
Magnificent Mauritius
Once described by Mark Twain as “the original of which heaven is but a copy”, the islands of Mauritius are idolized by travellers everywhere for their beautiful blend of beaches, cuisine, and culture, curating the ultimate luxury travel experience.
Situated just inside of the Tropic of Capricorn, Mauritius offers the best of what the Indian Ocean islands have to offer. With a population of just over 1.3 million, the island of Mauritius was created by volcanic activity and emerged from the waters of the Indian Ocean over eight million years ago.
Whilst here, expect to see rare wildlife such as the Mauritian Flying Fox and Pink Pigeons. Fresh coconuts are transported by bike, with a colourful array of local cuisine available from markets for the full Mauritian experience.
Magical Maldives
Lying about halfway between the Seychelles and Sri Lanka are the exquisite Maldives, labelled the quintessential dream holiday destination, and made up of 26 atolls, each consisting of a group of islands.Known for it’s wonderful underwater world, the tropical waters of the Maldives are teeming with beautiful coral reefs – attracting thousands of divers annually.
The local cuisine is based heavily infresh fish meals due to the abundance of fresh fish, paired with local specialities such as fried yams, Masroshi – a fresh, tuna-stuffed dough.
Stunning Seychelles
Growing in popularity by the year, the Seychelles is a fast becoming a bucket list favourite for travellers everywhere. The Seychelles landscape is a dramatic mix of award-winning beaches, granite outcrops and towering palms.
Each of the many Seychelle islands are different, providing a hugely wide variety of destinations suitable for every traveller. If you’re looking for tranquillity and privacy, the Seychelles feature private island getaways as well as action-packed adventures – making this a must-visit destination for all.
With its recent conservation efforts, visiting the islands of the Seychelles supports the local community, raises awareness of the islands, and allows you to see some of the world’s most stunning locations – including the award-winning AnseVictorinbeach on Fregate island, which was recently voted the best in the world.
Popular island destinations include Fregate, Mahe, Denis and Silhouette – to name a small few.
Show-stopping Sri Lanka
Small but diverse, Sri Lanka boasts a palm-fringed coastline, rich array of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, welcoming residents, nine national parks and a hugely diverse wildlife population.
The islands main export is precious gemstones, bringing a luxurious vibe to the island. Packed to the brim with incredible wildlife, exquisite beaches and ancient ruins - Sri Lanka offers visitors the ability to experience the historical side of the island too, with excursions to view the remains of colonial architecture and Buddhist Temples.
Honeymoon Heaven
If it’s one thing that the islands of the Indian Ocean are known for it’s their reputation as a honeymoon destination.
Aside from the picturesque scenery and gorgeous date-night locations, the islands provide the perfect destination for couples to remain in that post-wedding bubble and embark on private excursions, activities and dinners. Bask in a world away from home for the two of you to enjoy the start of your married lives together and destress after the chaos of wedding planning and the stresses of normal life too.
